Yahoo Sports Special Report
A third of the season is over and Christmas is just around the corner. Many fantasy trade deadlines are approaching, and the real-life deadline isn’t far away either. Now is a good time to evaluate your team and make some trade offers.
TRADE: Jamal Murray, Denver Nuggets
Murray has missed 14 of the Denver Nuggets’ 27 games so far, which coupled with his failure to score 30 points in 13 games has established his low-buying viability. In two straight games of lackluster performance, he only scored 22 points and grabbed 2 rebounds and dished out four assists in Monday’s game against Dallas. But even so, Murray is not so dazzling.
With Murray averaging 20.0 points and 6.2 assists in 65 games last season, it might just be a matter of time. In the 2023-24 season, Murray’s assist rate reached a record high of 28.9%, and his field goal percentage was 44.0 after dribbling. Denver’s offense remains top-10, though there appears to be slight championship fatigue evident from four losses in the last seven games. A fresh, well-paced Murray would be a boon to the Nuggets, who also have the fourth-easiest schedule.
Traded Away: John Collins, Utah Jazz
Collins returned Monday after missing four games due to illness and contributed 11 points and three rebounds in 20 minutes. The 26-year-old has been moderately efficient for the Jazz, averaging 48.2/38.3/75.0 on 11.4 attempts per game through his first 22 games. In addition, his 8.6 rebounds per game also reached the highest point since averaging 10.1 per game in the 2019-20 season. Collins’ statistics make him marketable in fantasy settings, and could actually be the Jazz’s.
have Report frustration Collins “was slow to learn the Jazz system on both ends of the court.” Collins is on the trade block, which adds a lot of uncertainty to his value for the rest of the season and could lead to healthy scratches if Utah would rather spend those minutes elsewhere. The trade market for Collins was barren in the summer, and the Jazz parted ways. Use a second-round pick to acquire a forward to change the scenery.
Although things have changed, Collins’ usage is eerily similar to the trends that led to his fall from grace in Atlanta. Unable to adapt to Utah’s system, he spent 47.2% of his offensive possessions on spot-up shooters or other players. Switching between offense and defense. This marked the lowest number of half-court possessions he has played in his career. He is essentially a finisher. His post-up play currently has nothing to do with his style of play, and he’s not being relied upon to be a pick-and-roll player even though the latter was a strength during his prime alongside Trae Young in Atlanta.
It’s no coincidence that Tyler Hendricks has played 20 or more minutes in each of the last four games without Collins, as Hendricks has been a consistent member of the rotation throughout December. The No. 9 pick in the 2023 draft is a development focus for Collins The Jazz already struggle with a crowded frontcourt, and Collins becoming the odd man out may have happened.
Traded: Onyeka Okongwu, Atlanta Hawks
Okongwu’s breakout season won’t come in 2023-24. The 23-year-old’s block rate has dropped to 1.8 percent, compared to a career-low 2.9 percent in his first three seasons. Blocking shots was a big part of his buzz appeal heading into the season, so while he and Clint Capela each logged close to 30 minutes a night, fantasy production was limited. Okongwu is an above-average scorer but not a great rim finisher and rebounder, but he has only recorded a double-double in four games this season with 1-digit rebounds and 4 blocks in 25 appearances this season. There were 3 games with more than 15 points per game, and the upper limit was lower than expected.
Jalen Johnson (wrist) will be reevaluated next week, and his eventual return will squeeze minutes in Atlanta’s frontcourt. Johnson is the centerpiece of offensive versatility and a rising two-way force in the league. , Okongwu’s contract extension is likely to be well-received around the league. That increases his trade value and could put him on the table in Pascal Siakam negotiations if Atlanta chooses to spend big. I think a trade featuring Okongwu is unlikely, but the reality is his playing time will likely suffer because Johnson makes him very replaceable unless the defense surges.
TRADE: Grayson Allen, Phoenix Suns
Allen isn’t a hugely likable NBA player, but he’s having one of the best shooting seasons in NBA history. Since the addition of the three-point line, only 10 players have averaged 4.0 three-pointers per game and shot 46.0% from the field while taking 4.0 three-point attempts. At least 100 shots taken and at least 32.0 minutes per game. Allen has surpassed every threshold and still has room left to become the controversial top sniper in the league this season.
He’s missed time recently with a minor hamstring/groin issue and illness, and he’s struggled in two mediocre games, so his would-be manager may not fully appreciate his value. He’s a solid target who could be thrown into a bigger deal for a fantasy team in need of shooting and scoring. Averages of 4.4 rebounds, 2.8 assists and 2.1 free throws per game also set career highs for the 28-year-old player.
TRADE: Isaiah Hartenstein, Knicks
I expect Isaiah Hartenstein to share immediately — and not just in response to his 17-rebound outburst on Sunday.I’ve been a Hartenstein fan since the call He is one of the best free agents 2022…it’s a little niche, but he’s good.
He’s a hyperactive player who played just 38 minutes Monday after Jericho Sims sprained his ankle in the opening game. Mitchell Robinson (ankle surgery) is still six to eight weeks away from returning, and Hartenstein has averaged 31.1 minutes per game in the five games without Robinson, so far.
He’s been a great addition to the Knicks’ good offense, as evidenced by his 3.8 net rating per 100 possessions, 67.0% rim shooting, and 14.1% offensive rebounding rate (93rd percentile league average). Clean glass) and produced a slightly above-average 1.009 on all team actions under Hartenstein’s cover.
From a fantasy standpoint, especially for managers who are active enough to occupy one or two roster spots, hindering your flexibility with Hartenstein could be more of an inconvenience than a help. He won’t raise the ceiling and won’t overly benefit from a single fantasy playoff run. Mitchell Robinson returns. However, in deeper leagues or on the tightrope, I like Hartenstein.
