Even with Brooklyn’s surprising start to the season, this has been one of the teams many expected to be sellers between December 15 and the trade deadline. The Nets have begun the clearout, dealing Dennis Schroder and a second-round pick to Golden State in exchange for Melton and three future seconds. Melton will not play again this season after undergoing surgery in November to repair a sprained left ACL. With him due to be a free agent this summer, the trade will clear up cap space if the Nets do not re-sign Melton in July. Shake Milton should play more minutes in the short term, but fantasy managers should not rush to add him.

Melton missed two games after being diagnosed with a sprained ACL and Lindy Waters III filled in as a starter in those contests. He’ll get a chance to establish himself as a more important part of the rotation that Golden State’s backcourt depth has been diminished.

If Melton didn’t have bad luck regarding injuries, he’d have none. The Warriors guard is back on the sideline and will undergo further testing on his knee before a timeline is determined. Unless the recovery is miraculously quick, there’s no need to hold onto Melton. His absence opens up a spot in the starting lineup, and there are multiple options at Steve Kerr’s disposal. Gary Payton II, Brandin Podziemski, and Buddy Hield are among the possibilities that could be asked to fill the void. Managers considering dropping Podziemski should hold for now, as he could figure prominently in the rotation with Melton sidelined.