The NBA All-Star weekend represents the perfect point in time for reflection. That is certainly true for fantasy basketball GM’s as they get get the perfect opportunity to regroup and reset for the second half. The NBA trade deadline is February 18th and the majority of NBA fantasy leagues have their deadline set for the following week. That means now is the perfect time to make that big trade that will put your NBA fantasy team over the top in time for the final stretch and improve your chances of winning a championship this season. Here is a look at four players that you should trade for right now in NBA fantasy action.
Derrick Favors, Utah Jazz
Center/Power Forward
Favors isn’t an elite NBA fantasy big man but he is an underrated mid-tier option that could be available at a sneaky good price in your fantasy basketball league. He hasn’t dominated in any one area but he has been very consistent across the board. Favors has averaged 16.6 points, 8.5 rebounds, 1.5 assists, 1.3 steals and 1.3 blocks per game this season and he should continue to produce along those lines. Remember that the Jazz had a slow start to the season but have caught fire of late. A lot of Favors owners might be open to moving him but take a look at his February numbers so far. It’s his best monthly average for rebounds (9.2) and blocks (2.5), and those are tantalizing numbers. Favors is an underrated option as a big man that can provide decent numbers in almost every category across the board and he is definitely worth adding now before the final stretch.
Khris Middleton, Milwaukee Bucks
Small Forward/Shooting Guard
Middleton is another quality player that has consistently produced across multiple categories despite the fact that he isn’t a true fantasy superstar. Middleton has averaged 17.9 points, 4.0 assists, 3.8 rebounds, 1.3 steals and 1.9 three-point shots per game this season and that is sneaky good production for a player that has somewhat flown under the radar. You might find an owner that isn’t particularly pleased with his numbers across the board because while he does contribute everywhere, he doesn’t overly excel in any one area. You might be able to acquire him if that owner needs a boost in one specific category. Middleton should stay hot for the Bucks over the final couple of months and he could be available at a sneaky good price in fantasy basketball leagues right now.
Chandler Parsons, Dallas Mavericks
Small Forward
Parsons has worked his way back to full strength following offseason surgery and his production has really started to pick up of late. The Mavericks’ wing has averaged 17.3 points, 5.7 rebounds, 2.1 three-point shots and 2.0 assists per game over the last couple of weeks but some owners might not have noticed. They might still be in sell mode as Parsons has again underachieved in terms of fantasy production. Dallas will need to continue to lean on him for help across the board as they make a final push towards the playoffs. Parsons’ averages have climbed consistently this season and it makes sense to trade for him now as fantasy owners should continue to see similar averages to those he posted over the last couple of weeks the rest of the way.
Nicolas Batum, Charlotte Hornets
Small Forward/Shooting Guard
After a slow start in Charlotte, Batum’s production has really picked up over the past couple of weeks. It only makes sense to at least try to make a move for him in fantasy basketball leagues. Batum averaged 15.0 points, 7.5 rebounds, 7.0 assists, 2.5 three-point shots and 1.7 steals per game over the final couple of weeks before the All-Star break. Now is a good time to buy as Batum missed a large portion of January’s action and that has frustrated some of his owners. But he’s come back in February to average 17.4 points, 8.2 rebounds, 6.2 assists, 2.8 threes and 1.4 blocks. Those are some gorgeous numbers. Factor in that Batum’s eligibility at both forward and guard positions makes him that much more valuable, and he should continue to be an underrated option to contribute in categories across the board the rest of the way this season.
