This season's NBA trade deadline was not short on drama. In the end, we saw a flurry of moves, including a deal between the Nets and Sixers that saw James Harden go to Philadelphia and Ben Simmons land in Brooklyn.
There were also plenty of deals executed by rebuilding teams. Let's dig into what's left of five such teams, and what it all means for fantasy basketball.
Indiana Pacers
The Pacers were one team that was rumored to be heavy sellers entering the trade deadline, and they didn't disappoint. While they did hold onto Myles Turner, they dealt away Caris LeVert and Domantas Sabonis. LeVert was traded to the Cavaliers for draft compensation, while Sabonis was moved in a deal that netted the Pacers a return of Tyrese Haliburton and Buddy Hield.
Turner is still dealing with a foot injury, so the aftermath of the Sabonis trade leaves the Pacers very thin up front. They did acquire Jalen Smith in a smaller trade with the Suns, and he has played well in a couple of games with Isaiah Jackson (ankle) out. Once Jackson returns, though, it might be difficult for Smith and Goga Bitadze to have significant fantasy value. One player who has stepped up and is worth considering in 12-team leagues is Oshae Brissett. He's averaged 15.3 points, 8.7 rebounds, 1.7 blocks and 2.3 three-pointers across the last three games as a starter.
The Pacers also traded away Jrue Holiday and Torrey Craig, which
This season's NBA trade deadline was not short on drama. In the end, we saw a flurry of moves, including a deal between the Nets and Sixers that saw James Harden go to Philadelphia and Ben Simmons land in Brooklyn.
There were also plenty of deals executed by rebuilding teams. Let's dig into what's left of five such teams, and what it all means for fantasy basketball.
Indiana Pacers
The Pacers were one team that was rumored to be heavy sellers entering the trade deadline, and they didn't disappoint. While they did hold onto Myles Turner, they dealt away Caris LeVert and Domantas Sabonis. LeVert was traded to the Cavaliers for draft compensation, while Sabonis was moved in a deal that netted the Pacers a return of Tyrese Haliburton and Buddy Hield.
Turner is still dealing with a foot injury, so the aftermath of the Sabonis trade leaves the Pacers very thin up front. They did acquire Jalen Smith in a smaller trade with the Suns, and he has played well in a couple of games with Isaiah Jackson (ankle) out. Once Jackson returns, though, it might be difficult for Smith and Goga Bitadze to have significant fantasy value. One player who has stepped up and is worth considering in 12-team leagues is Oshae Brissett. He's averaged 15.3 points, 8.7 rebounds, 1.7 blocks and 2.3 three-pointers across the last three games as a starter.
The Pacers also traded away Jrue Holiday and Torrey Craig, which is good news for Hield and Chris Duarte. Duarte is currently dealing with a toe injury, while Malcolm Brogdon (Achilles) has played in two games since Christmas. When – or even if, at this point – Brogdon does return, he should start alongside Haliburton in the backcourt, which would leave either Duarte or Hield to move to the bench.
The big winner of all of these moves by the Pacers might be Haliburton, who is now the core piece of their rebuild. Since joining the team, he has produced 20.7 points, 4.0 rebounds, 10.0 assists, 2.7 steals and 4.3 three-pointers over three games.
Portland Trail Blazers
An injury to Damian Lillard (abdomen) may have altered the direction of the Blazers' franchise. He's only appeared in 29 games, and there's a very good chance he doesn't play again this season. Given that possibility, the Blazers decided to tear things down, moving CJ McCollum to the Pelicans and Norman Powell to the Clippers. They made a few other moves that brought in draft picks, but they didn't exactly inject a ton of young talent into their roster.
Anfernee Simons is having a breakout fantasy season, and these trades only help him down the stretch. Over the last three games with their new-look squad, he's averaged 30.0 points, 6.3 assists and 6.0 three-pointers. Jusuf Nurkic will also be asked to contribute more, and he's responded with 18.0 points, 16.0 rebounds and 4.3 assists over the last three games.
The primary asset the Blazers received in the McCollum trade was Josh Hart. He only averaged 9.6 shot attempts per game with the Pelicans, but he's attempted at least 12 shots in both games with Portland thus far, scoring 23 and 27 points, respectively. Add in his excellent rebounding skills and ability to chip in with assists, and Hart could be a fantasy difference-maker down the stretch.
In terms of waiver-wire options as a result of their trades, Justise Winslow stands out. He's started all four games since joining the team, averaging 12.5 points, 7.5 rebounds, 4.0 assists, 2.3 steals, 1.0 blocks and 1.3 three-pointers. Currently, he's available in 57 percent of Yahoo leagues. Don't expect that to last for much longer.
Washington Wizards
Like the Blazers, an injury to the leader of their franchise has forced the Wizards to change directions. Bradley Beal (wrist) will be out for the remainder of the season, which deals a massive blow to their playoff hopes. They decided to pivot and trade away Spencer Dinwiddie, Montrezl Harrell, Davis Bertans and Aaron Holiday.
In a move that shocked money, the Wizards landed Kristaps Porzingis in the deal that sent Dinwiddie and Bertans to the Mavericks. While Porzingis is extremely talented, he continues to be plagued by injuries. The Wizards didn't exactly have to give up a lot to get him, especially when you consider they were able to offload Bertans' ugly contract in the trade. However, now that he's a member of a tanking team, Porzingis is an even sketchier fantasy option. In Dallas, it was all about his health. In Washington, there's the added risk that he could be held out of games even when healthy.
The fallout of the Beal injury and the Dinwiddie trade is that the Wizards are left extremely thin at guard. Raul Neto and Ish Smith will split time at point guard, which means both of them are better left as mere streaming options when the Wizards have a favorable schedule.
Corey Kispert and Deni Avdija are two intriguing young players to keep an eye on. Kispert has put up 14.0 points, 4.8 rebounds, 2.0 assists and 2.3 three-pointers over the last four games, while Advija has provided 10.0 points, 7.0 rebounds, 2.5 assists, 1.3 steals and 1.3 three-pointers over that same stretch.
In terms of players on the roster who are already rostered in most leagues, these trades might benefit Kyle Kuzma the most. He's the best scoring option that they have left, especially with Porzingis still sidelined with his knee injury.
San Antonio Spurs
The Spurs made a couple of moves at the deadline, the most notable of which sent Derrick White to the Celtics. He was one of their primary scoring options and playmakers this season, so his loss was significant. They didn't bring back any noteworthy rotation players in the deal, which means even more responsibilities should be heaped on the shoulders of Dejounte Murray.
In terms of waiver wire options as a result of the White deal, Devin Vassell (48 percent available) and Lonnie Walker IV (92 percent available) are both in play. Vassell has moved into the starting five, which has helped him record at least 14 points, four rebounds and three assists in two of the last three games. Walker is a more volatile option, but he showed his upside by scoring 17 and 21 points, respectively the last two games.
The Spurs also traded Thaddeus Young and Drew Eubanks, which means Zach Collins could work his way into being fantasy relevant again. He's only played in four games since returning from his ankle injury, though, logging fewer than 20 minutes in each matchup. He's someone to monitor in 12-team leagues, but there's no need to rush out and add him right now.
Detroit Pistons
There were plenty of rumors that the Pistons were looking to deal Jerami Grant at the trade deadline. Ultimately, that move never came to fruition. Grant would have likely assumed a smaller role for a contending team, so on the surface, him staying put might be a good thing for his fantasy value. However, he also becomes a rest candidate down the stretch, so trying to trade him in fantasy now might not be a bad idea.
The one move that the Pistons did make was acquiring Marvin Bagley III from the Kings in a four-team deal that saw them trade away Trey Lyles and Josh Jackson. The problem is, with Grant still in the fold, plus Kelly Olynyk and Isaiah Stewart being healthy, the Pistons now have a crowded front court. Outside of deep leagues, Olynyk is probably best left off of fantasy rosters. Expectations should also be tempered for Bagley and Stewart.
