25/26 Trade Deadline Analysis

*Note: Projections have been updated for all of the trades.

Ivica Zubac to the Pacers for Bennedict Mathurin, Isaiah Jackson, and picks

To Indiana: Ivica Zubac, Kobe Brown

To Los Angeles: Bennedict Mathurin, Isaiah Jackson, Pacers 2026 first-round pick (1-4 and 10-30 protected), 2029 Pacers first-round pick, 2028 Mavericks second-round pick

• Add Zubac to the long list of quality fantasy options that this deadline has ruined. Zubac could put up some solid numbers for the next couple of weeks, but a shutdown is inevitable. With the Pacers losing their pick if it falls out of the top four, the team will not be messing around down the stretch. Trade him for whatever you can. Don’t be picky. Some production in March is better than no production. The 2026 pick being included in this trade should also lead to Pascal Siakam’s season ending very early. Put him on the block and take the best offer you get. Andrew Nebmhard needs to be moved as well. Try to trade your Pacers sooner rather than later. Indiana’s final game before the break comes against Brooklyn and their first two games after the break are against the Wizards. Once opposing fantasy managers see the top options sit during some of those games, Zubac, Siakam, and Nembhard will lose even more trade value.
• In the short term, this move could hurt Jarace Walker. Mathurin going out and Zubac coming in is not a great trade-off. Walker has been playing a bunch of minutes at the five. However, we do want to grab the Pacer and be patient with him because it’s only a matter of time before he finds himself in a featured role. He’s not a high-upside option, but he can be a fairly valuable punt FG% player down the stretch. Over the last month, he’s been a borderline top-120 player in that build in just 24.3 MPG. In a 30 MPG role, he could flirt with the top-80. This trade should help Aaron Nesmith as well, although he is also a candidate to be limited in March. For now, he’s worth considering in 12-team leagues if your squad can handle the odd catastrophic shooting night.
• This is a trade that could also lead to some shenanigans in Los Angeles. The Clippers don’t have their pick, so they don’t need to shut players down, but this move makes it clear that they are not too interested in making a push this year. I would be nervous if I were dependent on Kawhi Leonard. This move also puts Darius Garland’s late-season availability into question. If you have Kawhi, let your opponent know that he’s available and see what they are willing to give up. Leonard has been a top-four nine-category per-game asset this year, so there will likely be someone in your league willing to give you a solid piece for the All-Star.
• Mathurin is less likely to be shut down in Los Angeles than he was in Indiana, so this move should turn out to be good for his value. He should be the team’s second or third option while Darius Garland recovers and could stay in that role down the stretch if the Clippers do decide to take their foot off the gas. Mathurin probably won’t be a top-100 player with the Clippers due to the holes in his line, but he should be worth rostering in 12-team leagues due to his ability to help in points and FT%. His ability to impact FT% is especially valuable given how difficult it is to find FT% difference-makers on the wire.
• Brook Lopez should take over as the Clippers’ starting center. That makes him someone to watch in 12-team leagues, but it does not make him a must-add. The veteran is on his last legs and has been very underwhelming this season on nights when Zubac has sat. Over his eight starts this year, Lopez has produced just 9.5 PPG on 33.8 FG%, 2.3 3PG, 4.1 RPG, 1.6 APG, 0.6 SPG, and 1.0 BPG in 24.5 MPG. In deeper leagues, he’s fine to grab. Isaiah Jackson and Yanic Konan Niederhauser are both worth watching. Either could turn into a deep league option quickly, with Lopez unlikely to play major minutes. Jackson has not been able to recapture his pre-injury form, but he is still posting some very solid per-minute numbers in the big man categories and steals. In a mid-to-high-20s role, he would be a 12-team option. Jackson is currently producing 13.7 PP36 on 58.2 FG%, 11.9 RP36, 1.5 SP36, and 1.6 BP36. YKN is still very raw and likely won’t be useful in the short term. However, if the Clippers do decide to punt the season, he could be someone to add in March. In a mid-20s role, he’d be a nice source of all of the big man categories. The rookie is currently producing 14.6 PP36 on 67.2 FG%, 9.2 RP36, and 1.9 BP36.

Standard League Pickups: Jarace Walker, Bennedict Mathurin, Aaron Nesmith

Deep League Pickups: Brook Lopez

Watch List: Isaiah Jackson, Yanic Konan Niederhauser

Ayo Dosunmu to the Wolves for Rob Dillingham, Leonard Miller, and picks

To Minnesota: Ayo Dosunmu, Julian Phillips

To Chicago: Rob Dillingham, Leonard Miller, four second-round picks

• The Wolves get some much-needed perimeter depth. Dosunmu should be the first guard off the bench and should play minutes in the mid-to-high-20s. That much run has been enough to make him a 12-team player in Chicago, so for now, we should be adding or holding. Dosunmu coming in will likely lead to a small dip in value for Donte DiVincenzo and Jaden McDaniels. Up to this point, due to the Wolves’ lack of depth, both players have been able to play their normal minutes on nights when they are struggling. With Dosunmu around, they may not close on nights when they are off or if Dosunmu is hot. With Dosunmu joining the Wolves, Bones Hyland will lose what little value he had.
• Dosunmu being shipped to Minnesota will open up some additional minutes for the remaining Bulls’ guards. Anfernee Simons is the best option of the bunch in category leagues. He is a low-end 12-team pickup. Ivey is fine to add in 12-team points leagues. In category leagues, he’s just a deep league add. He’s only been relevant in the past in 12-team category leagues when he’s been allowed to dominate his team’s touches. With Josh Giddey around, that won’t happen in Chicago. Tre Jones is worth adding in 16+ team leagues and could eventually become relevant in shallower settings, as he doesn’t need a ton of run to be useful. Sexton is likely to find himself in about a 20 MPG role where he will be just a points and assists streamer outside of extremely deep leagues.
• Dillingham is likely going to be buried in Chicago due to the team’s guard depth. However, this move is good news for his dynasty value, as he has a better shot at eventually earning minutes on a mediocre Bulls squad than he does on a Wolves team that is trying to contend. Miller has a very fantasy-friendly game and has put up some very flashy numbers in the G League. Unfortunately, he’s barely played at the pro level since being drafted two years ago and that is unlikely to change in Chicago.

Standard League Pickups: Ayo Dosunmu, Anfernee Simons, Jaden Ivey (points leagues)

Deep League Pickups: Jaden Ivey (category leagues), Tre Jones

Tyus Jones to the Mavericks

To Dallas: Tyus Jones

To Charlotte: Malaki Branham

• Jones’ time as a Hornet didn’t last long. He’ll spend the rest of the season in Dallas as part of the Mavericks’ unpredictable point guard rotation. He doesn’t need to be added anywhere, but he should be watched. Kidd has given all of his point guards an extended look this year. Jones may get a turn at some point. If he does eventually find himself in a mid-20s role, he’d be a solid assists and steals streamer and a deep league add. To have a shot at being a 12-team asset, Jones would need to play closer to 30 MPG.
• Branham won’t be in the rotation in Charlotte.

Watch List: Tyus Jones

Jose Alvarado to the Knicks

To New York: Jose Alvarado

To New Orleans: Dalen Terry, two second-round picks, cash

• Alvarado lands with the Knicks and should instantly become a fan favorite. He should be in the rotation immediately, with Miles McBride likely out until the playoffs. Deuce was playing minutes in the mid-20s before the injury. Alvarado should pick up most of those minutes. In a role of that size, he can be a decent 16-team league option and a threes, assists, and steals streamer in anything shallower.
• Alvarado getting shipped out should mean that we see more of Jeremiah Fears down the stretch. The rookie’s role was always likely to ramp up in March, but this trade could speed up that timeline. Fears is worth a flier in 14+ team leagues, especially if you are punting FG%. Over the last month, the Pelican has averaged 10.7 PPG on 40.5 FG%, 1.1 3PG, 3.8 RPG, 2.6 APG, and 1.4 SPG in 22.2 MPG. If he ends up in a 30+ MPG role at some point, he will be a 12-team add.

Deep League Pickups: Jeremiah Fears, Jose Alvarado

Hunter Tyson to the Nets

To Brooklyn: Hunter Tyson, second-round pick

To Denver: second-round pick

• Tyson is unlikely to be in the rotation in Brooklyn and could eventually be waived. Due to the Nets’ deadline moves, Tyrese Martin will be waived. Martin was not in the rotation and the move will have no impact on the team’s rotation.

Eric Gordon to the Grizzlies

To Memphis: Eric Gordon, 2032 second-round swap

To Philadelphia: Open roster spot

• The Sixers are giving Memphis a future pick swap so that they can sign Dominick Barlow to a standard contract. Barlow should continue to start for the Sixers and see minutes in the mid-to-high-20s. In a role of that size, he will be a decent 14-team league option. To be a 12-team asset, his block rate will need to wake up. He was a very reliable blocks streamer early in the season, but as of late, his swats have disappeared. Over the last two months, Barlow has managed just 0.3 BPG.
• Gordon is being waived by Memphis. Georges Niang was also waived to make room for Gordon.

Deep League Pickups: Dominick Barlow

Three-team trade between the Suns, Bucks, and Bulls

To Phoenix: Cole Anthony, Amir Coffey

To Milwaukee: Ousmane Dieng, Nigel Hayes-Davis

To Chicago: Nick Richards

• None of the players in this deal are likely to end up being relevant outside of the deepest of leagues. Anthony is just some extra insurance for Jalen Green. The combo guard will need the Suns to run into additional injury issues to have a shot at playing decent minutes. Coffey could be in the rotation, but also won’t play serious minutes.
• We won’t see much of Dieng and Hayes-Davis in Milwaukee unless the Bucks go all-in on the tank. For now, it sounds like Giannis Antetokounmpo is going to play once he is healthy. However, he could be somewhat limited, and any minor injuries in March could lead to an extended absence during the fantasy playoffs.
• Richards should be the backup center in Chicago. This is a nice outcome for Jalen Smith managers. The Bulls were very likely to pick up another big after the Nikola Vucevic trade. The question was whether or not that big was going to be good enough to limit Smith. Richards isn’t. Smith is still a good bet for minutes in at least the high 20s and has a good shot at locking down a 30+ MPG role. As a backup, Richards will be just a rebounds streamer.

The Celtics make three minor trades to get under the luxury tax line

To Utah: Chris Boucher, second-round pick

To Brooklyn: Josh Minott

To Charlotte: Xavier Tillman, $3.5M

To Boston: Salary and tax savings

• These three moves were all separate trades. However, they are grouped here because they were made with the same purpose, which was to get the Celtics under the luxury tax line. None of the three trades will have any impact on the Celtics’ rotation, as none of Boucher, Minott, and Tillman had been in the rotation since December.
• Boucher is being waived by the Jazz. Tillman won’t be in the rotation in Charlotte. The Minott move could end up being fantasy-relevant. The forward likely won’t play much right out of the gate, but he does need to be watched closely, as he now has some silly season hero potential on a team that will be looking to lose as many games as possible in March. Minott is a very strong per-minute player who would be a quality 12-team asset if he ever finds himself in a 28+ MPG role. The former Celtic is producing a solid 13.1 PP36 on 50.7 FG%, 2.3 3P36, 8.1 RP36, 1.6 SP36, and 0.8 BP36.

Watch List: Josh Minott

Luke Kennard to the Lakers for Gabe Vincent

To Lakers: Luke Kennard

To Atlanta: Gabe Vincent, second-round pick

• The Lakers add some high-level shooting to their bench through Kennard. The sharpshooter should be a quality threes streamer playing beside Luka Doncic, LeBron James, and Austin Reaves, but won’t play enough or do enough elsewhere to be a long-term hold in any league.
• Kennard being swapped for Vincent makes it more likely that Buddy Hield is in the rotation in Atlanta. Both Hield and Corey Kispert should benefit from this move. Neither player is likely to end up as more than a threes streamer. Vincent is unlikely to be more than a minor piece in the Hawks’ rotation as long as Nickeil Alexander-Walker and C.J. McCollum are healthy.

Kristaps Porzingis to the Warriors for Jonathan Kuminga

To Golden State: Kristaps Porzingis, second-round pick

To Atlanta: Jonathan Kuminga, Buddy Hield

To Toronto: Trayce Jackson-Davis

• The move to San Francisco gives Porzingis a higher ceiling. He was likely going to be stuck in a limited role behind Onyeka Okongwu for the remainder of the year if he had stayed in Atlanta. Now that he is—by far—the best option the Warriors have at the five, he could eventually find himself back in a high-20s role where he would likely at least flirt with the early rounds. Of course, we don’t know if he’s going to be healthy enough to take advantage of the extra opportunity, but this is a move that Porzingis squads should be happy about.
• Hield leaving the rotation should also open up some additional minutes for Brandin Podziemski and De’Anthony Melton. Both were already adds, but this trade bumps up each player’s ceiling by a round or two.
• Kuminga finally gets his wish, but lands with a team that is unlikely to place him in a significant role. He should split the small forward minutes with Zaccharie Risacher and could play some four when Jalen Johnson sits. His minutes should get into the 20s, but he’s unlikely to play enough to be more than a deep league option. It’s fine to take a flier on Kuminga in 16-team category leagues. In anything shallower, he’s just a watch. In points leagues, he’s slightly more interesting but is still just a deep league flier.
• Hield could take some minutes away from Corey Kispert and Luke Kennard, but won’t get enough run to be more than a threes streamer. The sharpshooter will have the odd big night, but when those big nights come will be impossible to predict.
• TJD will be just a depth piece in Toronto. He could get some run on nights when the Raptors are going up against a center with great size, but against most opponents, he’ll either be a DNP-CD or play just a handful of minutes. He is not a serious threat to the playing time of either Collin Murray-Boyles or Sandro Mamukelashvili. Both Raptor centers remain must-holds in all leagues.

Standard League Pickups: Brandin Podziemski, De’Anthony Melton

Deep League Pickups: Jonathan Kuminga

Guerschon Yabusele to the Bulls

To Chicago: Guerschon Yabusele

To New York: Dalen Terry

• Yabusele has a shot at being in the rotation in Chicago with the Bulls lacking frontcourt depth, but he’s not going to play enough to be useful outside of the deepest of leagues. He is not a threat to Jalen Smith’s playing time.
• Terry had been in and out of the rotation in Chicago. The dozen or so minutes he was playing should be spread out among the plethora of guards the Bulls still have. Terry leaving does not notably enhance the outlook of any of the Bulls’ perimeter options. In New York, Terry will be just a depth piece.

Tyus Jones to the Hornets

To Charlotte: Tyus Jones, two second-round picks

To Orlando: Cash considerations

• Jones was a terrible fit in Orlando, which forced the Magic to attach a couple of seconds to dump his contract. His was barely in the rotation in Orlando, so this move will not impact the Magic’s rotation. With Coby White now in Charlotte, it’s very unlikely that Jones plays a notable role there either. Jones does not need to be added in any league.

Ochai Agbaji to the Nets, Chris Paul to the Raptors

To Toronto: Chris Paul

To Brooklyn: Ochai Agbaji, second-round pick, cash

To Los Angeles: rights to Vanja Marinković

• The Raptors were a lock to make a move this trade deadline because they were slightly over the tax line. This move gets them below it. Paul will be bought out and will likely attempt to join a contender.
• Agbaji could find his way into the Nets’ rotation eventually and is worth keeping an eye on. Someone has to play big minutes in March when the Nets go all-in on the tank. However, for now, he does not need to be added anywhere. In a decent role, Agbaji could be a low-end source of points, threes, and steals. In 2024-2025, he averaged 10.4 PPG on 49.8 FG%, 1.6 3PG, 3.8 RPG, 1.5 APG, and 0.9 SPG in 27.2 MPG.
• This is the fourth time Marinković’s rights have been traded. He is a 29-year-old swingman who was a second-round pick in 2019. He’s a role player in Serbia who will never make the jump to the NBA.

Watch List: Ochai Agbaji

Lonzo Ball and picks to the Jazz, Jock Landale to the Hawks

To Utah: Lonzo Ball, two second-round picks

To Atlanta: Jock Landale

To Cleveland: Salary and tax savings

• A Lonzo trade was inevitable once the Cavaliers brought in Dennis Schroder and Keon Ellis. Ball is being waived and is an extreme long shot to be more than a low-end streamer regardless of where he lands.
• Landale is being rerouted from Utah to Atlanta. He’ll slide in as Onyeka Okongwu’s backup with Kristaps Porzingis now in Golden State. He’ll be worth considering if Jalen Johnson or Okongwu go down at one point, but will not have any value when both starters are healthy.
• Landale not staying in Utah will open up some extra minutes sometime in March for Kyle Filipowski. Once Jusuf Nurkic and Jaren Jackson Jr. are shut down, Filipowski could play close to 30 MPG. In a role of that size, he’d likely be at least a low-end 12-team piece. In points leagues, he could be a little more than that. In deep leagues, he’s fine to stash, but in shallower settings, I wouldn’t take a month-long hit for Filipowski. He is not a high-upside option.

Deep League Pickups: Kyle Filipowski

Jared McCain to the Thunder for picks

To Oklahoma City: Jaren McCain

To Philadelphia: one first-round pick, three second-round picks

• The Thunder don’t have enough roster spaces for all their picks, so they have to make moves like this. McCain should be in the rotation in Oklahoma City, but he’s not going to play enough to be more than a low-end points and threes streamer, at least when the team is healthy. He could be a decent short-term play with Shai Gilgeous-Alexander now out until after the break and the rest of the Thunder’s perimeter rotation beat up.
• McCain getting shipped out is good news for Quentin Grimes. He’s not a 12-team add just yet, but he is worth a flier in 14-team setups. Grimes can be a low-end source of points, threes, assists, and steals if his minutes get back into the high 20s.

Deep League Pickups: Quentin Grimes

Coby White to the Hornets for Collin Sexton and picks

To Charlotte: Coby White, Mike Conley Jr.

To Chicago: Collin Sexton, Ousmane Dieng, three second-round picks

• White joining the Hornets is bad news for all of the team’s perimeter players. LaMelo Ball, Brandon Miller, Kon Knueppel, and Miles Bridges are all likely to lose a little playing time and usage with White around. Sexton was only playing about 19 MPG before the trade. White should play significantly more than that. He’s not going to play 30 MPG like he was in Chicago, but he should get into at least the 27+ MPG range. I wouldn’t make any panic trades based on this move, but this is a trade that has the potential to cause some headaches.
• White is a 12-team hold for now. That could change. He’s in the midst of a down year and has only been a low-end 12-team player this season. He cannot afford much slippage. He’s unlikely to play as much as he did in Chicago, so his per-minute numbers will need to improve. If they don’t, he’s going to be a drop early in the fantasy playoffs. The Hornets having a somewhat weak playoff schedule doesn’t help matters either.
• Conley will likely be bought out by the Hornets. He was going to be bought out by the Bulls before the trade.
• White being swapped for Sexton opens up some minutes in the Bulls’ very crowded backcourt, but not a ton. Sexton will likely still be in the rotation. He just won’t play as much as White did. This trade and the Ayo Dosunmu move will open up some minutes for Anfernee Simons, Jaden Ivey, and Tre Jones. Simons is the best option of the bunch in category leagues. He is a low-end 12-team pickup. Ivey is fine to add in 12-team points leagues. In category leagues, he’s just a deep league add. He’s only been relevant in the past in 12-team category leagues when he’s been allowed to dominate his team’s touches. With Josh Giddey around, that won’t happen in Chicago. Tre Jones is worth adding in 16+ team leagues and could eventually become relevant in shallower settings, as he doesn’t need a ton of run to be useful.

Standard League Pickups: Anfernee Simons, Jaden Ivey (points leagues)

Deep League Pickups: Jaden Ivey (category leagues), Tre Jones

Anthony Davis to the Wizards for picks

To Washington: Anthony Davis, Jaden Hardy, D’Angelo Russell, Dante Exum

To Dallas: Khris Middleton, A.J. Johnson, Malaki Branham, Marvin Bagley, two first-round picks, three second-round picks

• The Wizards continue to break the hearts of fantasy managers. They have now all but ended the season of two first-round picks. Davis is now a lock to be shut down. It’s possible we see him for a handful of games at some point, but any return will be very brief. The Wizards are not going to risk missing out on one of the top three prospects to see how Davis looks with his new teammates. It’s fine to hold Davis in an IL spot for now, but the second you need that IL spot, he should be dropped.
• Middleton being removed from the Wizards’ rotation is good news for all of the team’s guards and wings. Tre Johnson, Bilal Coulibaly, Bub Carrington, Justin Champangie, and Kyshawn George should all receive a small bump in minutes and touches with the veteran out of the picture. Johnson and Coulibaly are low-end 12-team adds. Both players should be somewhat useful going forward, but the holes in their lines will make it difficult for either Wizard to crack the top 100. Bub Carrington is a 12-team add in Yahoo points leagues. In ESPN points leagues, he’s viable as well, although there, he loses some appeal due to his awful FG% mattering. In 12-team category leagues, Carrington remains a streamer. He’ll be a 12-team category league pickup if he starts to play minutes in the mid-30s at some point, like he did earlier in January, but in a 30 MPG role, he will be just a so-so 14-team punt FG% asset. Justin Champagnie has a category-league friendly game, but likely won’t receive enough of a bump to be more than a 14-team league piece. The forward hasn’t done much on nights when Middleton has sat and likely needs another wing to go down to be a 12-team add. Will Riley has put together three straight solid outings and is fine to add in 16-team leagues to see if he can keep it going. In anything shallower, he’s just a watch. He’s been a very poor per-minute producer up to this point, and had a game that was a terrible fit for category leagues in college.
• Russell is unlikely to be in the rotation in Washington. The Wizards have no reason to give the veteran minutes. Hardy could get a look at some point, but isn’t going to be a major factor. Exum is out for the year and could be waived.
• This trade won’t have a major impact on the Mavericks’ rotation. Davis and Exum are hurt, Russell hasn’t been in the rotation for a while, and Hardy has been in and out of the rotation. Middleton will likely be bought out. A.J. Johnson is worth keeping an eye on, as he’s the type of player who could get decent run in silly season. The second-year man is a weak per-minute producer but did string together back-to-back solid games right before the trade.  Bagley is also worth watching, as he could end up starting on nights when Gafford is out and will likely be the team’s backup center going forward. The big man usually produces 12-team lines on nights when he starts. Branham has been flipped in a later trade to Dallas.

Standard League Pickups: Tre Johnson, Bilal Coulibaly, Bub Carrington (in points leagues)

Deep League Pickups: Justin Champagnie, Bub Carrington (in category leagues), Will Riley

Watch List: Marvin Bagley, A.J. Johnson

James Harden to the Cavaliers for Darius Garland

To Cleveland: James Harden

To Los Angeles: Darius Garland, second-round pick

• This is a flashy trade, but one that is unlikely to have major fantasy implications. Harden’s role is unlikely to be significantly different in Cleveland. He’ll be the team’s second option, just like he was in Los Angeles. He might lose a minute or so of playing time, but the dip should not be significant. The trade is a problem for Harden managers who are in leagues with playoffs that include Week 19 (the week that begins March 2nd). That week, the Cavaliers will play just twice. You may need to shop Harden if your other top options do not have four games that week.
• Harden joining the Cavaliers should lead to a small drop in value for Donovan Mitchell. Harden is more ball-dominant than Garland. We will likely see Mitchell’s usage and assist rate dip slightly. It’s not something to worry about. Mitchell is still a good bet to be a top-15 player going forward.
• The change of address is very good news for Garland. He finally gets to be the top option in his team’s backcourt. He’s not a lock to be a top-50 player going forward, as his struggles this year haven’t had a ton to do with his role, but his ceiling now sits in that range. He also gets a nice playoff schedule boost. The Clippers have nothing but four-game weeks in March. Garland is a nice buy-low target if you need a guard categories bump and are worried about your March outlook. However, he’s not for teams in a tight fight for the playoffs. The point guard is expected to be out until after the break.
• Harden being swapped out for Garland should also lead to some extra touches for Ivica Zubac and John Collins.

Jaren Jackson Jr. to the Jazz

To Utah: Jaren Jackson Jr., John Konchar, Jock Landale, Vince Williams Jr.

To Memphis: Walter Clayton Jr., Kyle Anderson, Taylor Hendricks, Georges Niang, three first-round picks

• This trade is an absolutely devastating development for Jackson squads. The best-case scenario for Jackson going forward is that he plays somewhat limited minutes and is in and out of the Jazz’s lineup. The most realistic scenario is that he is limited for the next few weeks before being shut down. This trade will not change the Jazz’s goals for the season. Sell Jackson for whatever you can. Aim for a top-75 player and see if you get any interest. You may not. At this point, I would be willing to settle for most top-100 players. I would not recommend trading for Jackson, even if you are a borderline playoff team that needs help now and can’t afford to worry about March. With the Jazz currently having just the sixth-best odds of winning the lottery, the shennangians could start immediately.
• Jackson coming in is bad news for Jusuf Nurkic’s short-term value. Nurkic was a lock to eventually be shut down, but it did seem like he had at least a couple more weeks of useful lines in him. Now, both his short-term and long-term value look very weak. Hold until we see the minutes drop.
• Landale is being shipped to Atlanta.
• Konchar and Williams are unlikely to be prioritized in Utah late in the year, but both are worth watching, with Williams being especially interesting. The Jazz are going to be throwing out some very funky lineups in March and April. Kochar can be a nice source of boards and steals whenever he plays decent minutes and Williams can do good work in most of the guard categories on nights when his minutes are getting into the high 20s.
• The Grizzlies moving Jackson signals that a rebuild is coming. Ja Morant is now very likely to be either traded or eventually shut down if the Grizzlies can’t find a taker. Ty Jerome now has a good chance of being a major difference-maker down the stretch. He is a run-don’t-walk add in all leagues. Jerome is an elite per-minute producer who can be a top-100 player in a mid-20s role. In a 30+ MPG role, he will be a monster. Scotty Pippen Jr. will also be worth a flier in deeper settings once he’s healthy. Pippen will be behind Jerome, but if Ja is out of the picture, he should play enough to be at least a strong deep league option.
• This trade is also a nice development for the value of Cedric Coward. Coward should be one of the Grizzlies’ top options down the stretch. He is also a must-roster in all leagues. He could be a top-100 player in friendly builds the rest of the way.
• The Grizzlies are now extremely light on bigs. They do not have a healthy center on their roster. Santi Aldama, Taylor Hendricks, and even G.G. Jackson could see some time at the five. A trade for a center is likely coming, and if it doesn’t, expect the team to sign someone. Aldama is a must-roster in all leagues. Jackson is not a bad flier in 14+ team leagues. If his minutes get into the high 20s, he’ll be a solid source of points, threes, and boards. Hendricks had a promising rookie year, but hasn’t done anything since his injury and is just a watch for now. This trade could spell the end of Zach Edey’s season. With the goal now being to pick up as many ping pong ball combinations as possible, the Grizzlies have no reason to risk Edey’s health down the stretch. He’s fine to hold in one of your IL spots if he is not costing you games, but if he is, I would feel comfortable dropping the Canadian.
• Clayton could get a look eventually, but with Jerome still around and Pippen likely to return soon, his chance likely won’t come until late in the year. He is also just a watch.

Standard League Pickups: Ty Jerome, Cedric Coward, Santi Aldama

Deep League Pickups: Scotty Pippen Jr., G.G. Jackson

Watch List: Walter Clayton Jr., Taylor Hendricks, Jock Landale, Vince Williams, John Konchar

Nikola Vucevic to the Celtics for Anfernee Simons

To Boston: Nikola Vucevic, second-round pick

To Chicago: Anfernee Simons, second-round pick

• As far as landing spots for Vucevic go, this is one of the better ones. He’ll lose value in Boston, but at least he’s not going to be a strict backup, like he would be on some playoff teams. The move to Boston will cost Vucevic some touches and likely minutes as well. With the very solid Neemias Queta around, Vucevic will struggle to hit the 30 MPG mark. That will drop the Bull out of the top 35 and will make him more of a mid-round piece. That would be a nice result for those who gambled on Vuecvic on draft day. Top-35 numbers until February and mid-round numbers the rest of the way is very solid value at Vucevic’s ADP.
• This trade is obviously bad news for Queta, but we shouldn’t drop just yet. The Celtics have four games remaining in Week 16, so Queta should be at least somewhat valuable while we wait to see how the minutes split with Vucevic works out. For Queta to stay in the standard league conversation, Vucevic will need to spend some time at the four. Something like a 28/20 split in favor of Vucevic won’t be enough to make Queta more than a so-so deep league piece.
• Sam Hauser is still a hold. While Vucevic could spend some time at the four, the double-big lineup won’t be something Boston is able to deploy against every team. As long as Hauser’s minutes remain in the high-2os, he’ll be a 12-team must due to what he can do from deep.
• This move makes the Jayson Tatum stash a little more attractive. A week ago, it sounded like we weren’t going see Tatum this year, but trading for the expiring Vuecvic suggests that a Tatum return is in play. I wouldn’t drop anyone even somewhat safe for him, as any return is likely to come very late in the year, but if your league does play into April, and you have a free IL spot, there’s no harm in grabbing Tatum and seeing where things go. You can always drop later if you run into injury issues or if we get another discouraging update.
• This trade makes Jalen Smith a run-don’t-walk pickup in all leagues. If he ends up in a 30 MPG role, he could be a top-50 player who flirts with the early rounds in friendly builds. However, I wouldn’t lock him in as a league-winner just yet. The Bulls now have a surplus of guards and could elect to move one for another big.
• Simons will have minimal value in Chicago. He is joining a Bulls perimeter rotation that now includes Josh Giddey, Coby White, Ayo Dosunmu, and Tre Jones. Isaac Okoro will likely continue to see some run as well. Simons currently has no path to standard league relevance and is just a shaky deep league hold.

Standard League Pickups: Jalen Smith

Jaden Ivey to the Bulls and Kevin Huerter to the Pistons in a three-team trade

To Detroit: Kevin Huerter, Dario Saric, 2026 first-round pick swap from Minnesota

To Chicago: Jaden Ivey, Mike Conley

To Minnesota: Free roster spot to use in a future trade

• Detroit gets the additional shooting that they badly needed. In Detroit, Huerter is very unlikely to be more than a streamer or low-end deep league option. He’s likely to come off the bench and play minutes in the low 20s. He should pick up the minutes made available by Ivey leaving and could eat into the minutes of Ron Holland and Javonte Green as well. He may end up as a bit of a headache for Ausar Thompson managers too, but the impact on Ausar shouldn’t be major.
• Ivey joins an extremely crowded Bulls’ perimeter rotation. On a team with Josh Giddey, Coby White, Ayo Dosunmu, Anthony Simons, and Tre Jones, it’s hard to see a path to major minutes for the former Piston. Ivey is not someone who can be useful in a low-minute role, so in both category and points leagues, he is just a watch for now.
• Conley is on his last legs and likely won’t be in the rotation. He had zero value, even as a streamer in Minnesota.
• Minnesota will use the open roster spot they created through this trade to chase Giannis Antetokounmpo.
• Saric will not be in the rotation in Detroit.

Watch List: Jaden Ivey, Kevin Huerter

De’Andre Hunter to the Kings for Dennis Schroder and Keon Ellis

To Sacramento: De’Andre Hunter

To Cleveland: Dennis Schroder, Keon Ellis, Emanuel Miller

To Chicago: Dario Saric, second-round pick

• Hunter has the potential to end up in a sizable role in Sacramento with the Kings looking to move off some of their veterans. With the team now chasing ping pong balls, the forward could be one of the Kings’ top options in March. Despite the potential for some high-usage stretches late in the season, Hunter is just a flier in 12-team leagues. He comes with a low ceiling due to the nature of his game. Hunter is not going to do anything outside of points and threes regardless of how much he plays in Sacramento. He is currently producing a solid 19.2 PP36 and 2.3 3P36, but just 5.8 RP36, 2.8 AP36, 1.0 SP36, and 0.2 BP36 while shooting 42.3 percent from the floor. In 14-team leagues, Hunter should be added. In leagues of that size, it’s not quite as easy to find points, threes, and not much else options.
• Schroder should end up as the Cavaliers’ backup point guard. He cannot be a 12-team player in that role. At best, he’ll be a low-end 14-team league piece on nights when he comes off the bench. He should not be considered a must in 14-team leagues, but he will be a solid short-term streamer with Darius Garland still dealing with a toe issue. Ellis is just a watch for now. He will be the team’s fourth guard when the backcourt is healthy. In that role, he won’t be more than a steals streamer. Schroder and Ellis coming in should bump Lonzo Ball out of the rotation.
• This move is a mixed bag for the value of Jaylon Tyson. He’s going to get fewer minutes at the two, but this does open up some extra minutes at the three. The Cavaliers also got smaller, which ups the odds of the team having to rely on Tyson more. This move also ups the odds of Tyson getting squeezed once Max Strus is back, but that’s not a scenario we need to worry about just yet. For now, Tyson is a must-roster in all leagues and formats.
• Saric is being flipped to Detroit as part of the Ivey/Huerter deal
• Emmanuel Miller is on a two-way contract and will spend the majority of the season playing for the Cleveland Charge.

Deep League Pickups: Dennis Schroder, De’Andre Hunter

Watch List: Keon Ellis

Vit Krejci to Portland for Duop Reath and two second-round picks

To Portland: Vit Krecji

To Atlanta: Duop Reath and two second-round picks

• This trade will have no impact on the Hawks’ rotation. Krecji had all but fallen out of Atlanta’s rotation before the trade. He played 27 minutes in his final game for the Hawks. However, that was due to a Jalen Johnson injury. Over the three games leading up to that contest, Krecji played a total of 18 minutes. The guard was behind both Corey Kispert and Luke Kennard in the rotation. Reath is very unlikely to be in the Hawks’ rotation and can be ignored in all leagues.
• Krecji is worth watching in Portland. He is an elite three-point shooter (42.3 3P%) who could end up as decent threes streamer if he can earn a low-20s role. That could happen with the Blazers bench being underwhelming. Krejci has needed just 22.3 MPG to average 2.2 3PG this year. The rest of his line will be very weak. The Krejci acquisition is bad news for Caleb Love, who was already likely to see his minutes decrease with Jerami Grant and Jrue Holiday healthy, and a Scoot Henderson return just around the corner. Love is fine to roster for now in 16-team leagues, but in anything shallower, he’s just a streamer.

Watch List: Vit Krecji