The NBA trade deadline has passed, and now we need to pick things up and determine who is trending or falling behind in fantasy basketball. While we haven't seen any massive changes to the fantasy landscape, there have been moves made that will impact your rosters.
Let's take a look at the biggest winners and losers after the deadline.
WINNER
Marvin Bagley III, PF/C, Washington Wizards
Mr. Bagley is the most unexpected, surprising and unlikely trade deadline winner in recent years. Maybe ever?
Whatever the case, the departure of Daniel Gafford frees up all the minutes at center for Bagley. Although he is also eligible to play at PF, consider it a bonus because according to Cleaning the Glass, he has actually logged zero minutes at PF since joining the Wizards.
He's currently on the IL due to a back injury, but if you're in a league where you can fit players on the IL, he's worth getting. Since joining the Wizards, he is averaging 15.5 points with eight rebounds and shooting 61% from the floor. He is available in 67% of Yahoo leagues, so I would hire him in a heartbeat given the opportunity.
Bennedict Mathurin (SG/SF) and Aaron Nesmith (SF/PF), Indiana Pacers
Mathurin hasn't been a reliable fantasy player, but that trend is rising. With Buddy Hield gone, Mathurin is in a strong position at SG minutes and will likely play backup SF minutes behind Aaron Nesmith. Mathurin only averages 26 minutes per night, so with the additional increase in minutes, his production should look similar to his rookie season. With a 24% usage rate when Hield is not on the field this year, I would put him in 12 team points and category leagues for his points and threes.
Nesmith has been a top-80 player in nine-category formats since Christmas and has started the last 21 games for Indy during that time. Hield wasn't necessarily a threat, but he played most of his minutes at SF and SG. Could Nesmith's minutes per game rise to over 30 if he's out of the way? If so, he should be used in more than 59% of leagues.
GG Jackson (PF) and Santi Aldama (PF/C), Memphis Grizzlies
Jackson is attractive in the short and long term as his skill set reminds me of Jabari Smith Jr. – a stretch four who can execute his shot and generate blocks. I've been encouraged by his development this season (he's only 19 years old) and his 22% usage rate when playing under 20 minutes shows he's getting touches. GG's versatility has given him minutes at small forward, power forward and center, so he should have more minutes to play with after the addition of Xavier Tillman Sr. and David Roddy. He's not a must-buy right now, but I've put him on my watch list, especially if the Grizzlies continue to lose and are without their starters (other than Jaren Jackson Jr.).
Aldama wins because of the Grizzlies' disappointing frontcourt situation. He has been injured several times, but is also having the best statistical season of his three-year career. The question is whether he can stay upright long enough for fantasy managers to have the confidence to hang on to him.
He has a 1.4 average, so he contributes defensively, which is good, and also offers some potential as a low-end double-double player. He has four double-doubles this year and has posted a solid 17.7 points, 8.9 rebounds, 2.9 assists and 2.0 saves per game in the seven games in which he played more than 30 minutes. I would add him to 12-team leagues now and pray he isn't the next long-term injury victim in Memphis.
Cody Martin, SG/SF, Charlotte Hornets
Martin's role has increased recently, and the Hornets' move to Gordon Hayward solidifies his place in the rotation. He's been a top-100 player over the last seven days, and with LaMelo Ball (ankle) still out, Martin has provided some much-needed leadership for Charlotte. Over the last five games, he averaged six assists per game along with 11 points and four rebounds. Dare I say he looks like a better shooting version of Jeremy Sochan? In any case, he should be added based on his recent performances. He could still start at SF when Ball comes back. If you believe in Grant Williams, I don't know what to tell you.
You may be wondering: Where is Ausar Thompson? He's a good streaming option if Beef Stew is sidelined, but Monty Williams is destined to dash fantasy managers' dreams of what could be when Stewart returns.
FANTASY LOSERS
Dereck Lively II, C, Dallas Mavericks
Injuries haven't helped him, but Dallas adding another center like Daniel Gafford is far from ideal. The Mavericks have similar traits: athletic rim runners who can rebound well and protect the rim, but Gafford is a more established version of that prototype. Lively is in less than 60% of leagues because he has been inconsistent, and now that the Mavs have implemented a timeshare, I expect his value to decline.
I just hid Gafford in Illinois and will wait and see if he's worth keeping. However, if he loses his starting role, he is likely to be a candidate for relegation.
Josh Giddey, SG/SF/PF, Oklahoma City Thunder
The arrival of Gordon Hayward is a testament to Giddey's lack of offense all season. Hayward hasn't played much in the last few months, but when healthy, he's a productive fantasy player. I don't expect him to repeat his 15/5/5 numbers in 25 games this year, but his shooting alone makes him a better fit for OKC's current roster.
I'm not going to drop Giddey just yet, but I'm worried about bringing in another 6-foot-4 player who is a willing facilitator but can also become a catch-and-shoot guy again. Giddey has been a disappointment this season, so give him a few games; If the results don't change or worsen, you know what to do.
Kelly Oubre Jr., SG/SF, Philadelphia 76ers
Oubre has been a good fantasy player this season, ranking 126th in value per game all season. However, he clearly didn't do enough for the Sixers as they traded Buddy Hield for another SG/SF. The Sixers have been looking for a devastating three-point shooter for some time, and now that he has arrived, I think this will reduce Oubre's role and production for the rest of the season.
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Oubre is currently benefiting from the absence of De'Anthony Melton, who has been out since mid-January with a back injury. Oubre started in his place at SG, but with Melton's return from a back injury on the horizon and the addition of Hield, Oubre's value is coming under pressure.
If Melton and Oubre Jr. are healthy, the Sixers' starting lineup likely won't consist of Melton and Oubre Jr. So at this point, it looks like Oubre Jr.'s minutes will jump from 30 to mid-20s when Melton returns. And if you see less than 30 minutes, his splits aren't worth watching. He's helped fantasy managers with points, threes and steals, and while I expect him to remain a staple in Nick Nurse's rotation, I can't imagine what his upside will be when there's more competition on the wing.
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