Buy Low, Sell High: Fantasy Week 8
Andrew Bynum (photo. Jeff Forney)
Buy Low:
Andrew Bynum has failed to notch a double-double since Nov. 17, the game before Pau Gasol’s magnificent return. Bynum’s averaging 9.5 points, 3 rebounds, 1.5 assists, 1 steal and 1.5 blocks in his last two and has hit rock bottom. It’s clear that Gasol’s presence caps Bynum’s value but it’s also probable that Gasol won’t be grabbing 19.5 rebounds for the rest of the season, though that’s exactly what he’s done over the past four games. Bynum should find his way before 2010 rolls around.
Derrick Rose has played better lately but is still putting up numbers that are way below the expectations of many on draft day. His lack of threes, which some owners overlooked heading into the season, is even more glaring now. Still, Rose is slowly climbing the ladder of progress and should continue his progress into the new year.
J.R. Smith, who some figured would be starting this season, has actually seen his minutes bumped down a bit from 2008-09 and has been a big bust for his owners so far. Carmelo Anthony’s scoring binge probably has something to do with this but that’s not the whole reason behind Smith’s terrible season. The good news is that he’s still jacking 5.2 three-point attempts per game and we all know that shooters tend to be streaky and typically need to shoot themselves out of slumps. Smith should be able to do just that.
Josh Howard has been having a relatively successful return to the Mavs’ rotation, though he’s still being treated with some delicacy. He seems primed to play more minutes as the month wears on and as soon as he is cleared to play back-to-back games, he should be inserted into most starting lineups.
Rashard Lewis has been pretty good this season and is playing up to expectations so far. However, the past week or so has been rough for him. Lewis has alternated between dismal and strong showings for the past five contests and could be a bit easier to dislodge from a frustrated owner’s loosened grip.
Jameer Nelson, Lou Williams, Mike Miller, Danny Granger, Chauncey Billups and any other productive fantasy players who are injured should be considered buy-low candidates.
Sell High:
Luol Deng has been a very pleasant surprise so far this season but the pending return of Tyrus Thomas will put a dent in the career-high 38:23 per game he’s playing so far. His production will also take a dip and his tendency to contribute adequately in just three categories (points, boards, steals) will become more apparent. Some owners might welcome his arrival to their fantasy squads as a Christmas gift, so go ahead and give them their fool’s gold in return for some of the real stuff.
Troy Murphy has had some great lines since Danny Granger’s been sidelined and has had top-20 value during the past month. However, once Granger returns and if Mike Dunleavy continues his upward progress, there won’t be as many shots or rebounds for Murphy to take, which doesn’t bode well for his fantasy value.
Tyreke Evans has been a fantasy beast this season but with the nearing return of Kevin Martin to the Kings’ lineup, Evans’ value will take a slight hit. He’ll still put up numbers worthy of starts in most leagues on most weeks but his value won’t get higher than it is right now.
Michael Redd busted out some vintage stuff on Wednesday when he put up 25 points, 2 threes, 7 boards, 4 assists and 2 steals against the Lakers. His knee is obviously a worrisome issue and owners who want to rid themselves of that headache should treat Redd like a hot potato and move him right along.
Rasheed Wallace has played some inspired basketball in his last two games, averaging 15 points, 1 three, 4.5 rebounds, 1 assists, 1 steal and 2 blocks. He’s improved his numbers in December after a dull November, but with three games per week until late January, chances are that he’ll be more frustrating than rewarding to own for the foreseeable future.
December 18th, 2009 at 3:55 pm
Rizwan says:
Hey FD, trying to package Derrick Rose and Tyreke Evans together. Kinda need help in rebounds and assists. Who should I target?
December 18th, 2009 at 4:02 pm
IG says:
D.Rose and T.Evans for Tim Duncan. Tim Duncan is relatively good in assists compared to other power forwards.
December 18th, 2009 at 6:17 pm
The Fantasy Doctor says:
@Rizwan : @IG is on to something, but he’s vulnerable to some DNP risks down the line. Also, if you’re eyeing Duncan, target another decent player in a two-for-two deal.
Andre Iguodala, Jason Kidd, Joe Johnson, Monta Ellis and Stephen Jackson could also be nice targets in a two-for-two.
December 18th, 2009 at 6:56 pm
coombsee says:
Hey Doc, I’ve got a few players that are looking good at the moment but who have some concerns long term (due to injury/players returning etc). I’ve got a deep bench so am looking to package a 2 for 1 deal. Thoughts on who I should get rid of and who I should target?
Probably need help in assists, points and steals.
My trade bait is:
Deng
Carter
Ariza
Noah
Stuckey
Cheers
December 18th, 2009 at 9:39 pm
dagwaller says:
No offense, but didn’t you advise me to Sell High on Josh Howard a week ago…? Wait a second…YOU’RE IN MY LEAGUE, AREN’T YOU?!
December 18th, 2009 at 11:37 pm
Matt says:
Hey doc,
Should I drop Raymond Felton for Chris Duhon right now?
December 18th, 2009 at 11:55 pm
The Fantasy Doctor says:
@dagwaller: Good point. He’s shown more promise than I expected at first. I’m open enough to have my perspective changed from time to time and I hope you are too!
December 18th, 2009 at 11:56 pm
The Fantasy Doctor says:
@Matt: That seems fine to me, though Duhon’s value is more vulnerable long-term.
December 19th, 2009 at 1:38 am
Bayless says:
Ey Doc,
Is Dropping CDR for Danilo Gallinari good idea?
December 19th, 2009 at 1:59 am
The Fantasy Doctor says:
@Bayless: Yes, especially if you need threes and fewer turnovers. CDR does offer nice overall numbers though. Both will be inconsistent.
December 19th, 2009 at 2:26 am
Lady Luck says:
Louis Williams is available in my league.
I was thinking about maybe dropping Odom or Hill or Ilyasova. Hill has been playing well, and Ilyasova too, so I was leaning towards dropping Lamar. Any thoughts?
Rotisserie League. 12 teams.
Derrick Rose
Monta Ellis
Grant Hill
Jeff Green
Kevin Durant
Carmelo Anthony
Jason Thompson
Ersan Ilyasova
Lamar Odom
Luis Scola
Kevin Love
Andrew Bynum
Dwight Howard
December 19th, 2009 at 2:48 am
The Fantasy Doctor says:
@Lady Luck: I see little reason to object to that. Go ahead and make the swap.
December 19th, 2009 at 3:21 am
BK says:
Hi, I’m currently leading my league but am wondering if I need a change to my roster to hang onto it (3 guys mentioned in this post are on my squad). I’m pretty strong in all categories (Yahoo), except for blocks and 3pts, where I’m middling, and I’m slightly worried that my points output in the past week hasn’t been great. Do you think I should attempt a trade?
SQUAD:
Nash, Terry, Mo Williams, Morrow, Josh Smith, Deng, Bosh, Lee, Tyreke Evans, Ronnie Brewer, Grant Hill, Tyrus Thomas, Tracy McGrady.
Louis Williams, Jarrett Jack and Mareese Speights are on the waiver wire. What do you think about Morrow and McGrady’s value going fwd?
December 19th, 2009 at 3:25 am
BK says:
Mike Conley is also available
December 19th, 2009 at 4:46 am
Joeyy says:
Hi,
Is this a good idea to give Boozer et TJ Ford to get Iguodala? I thought Boozer won’t stay so productive and for Ford, he isn’t playing very well and Granger will return…
I’m in a 16 team H2H league and I’m leading the league in assits and rebouds.
My team:
Nash, Westbrook, Ford, Dunleavy, Pierce, Ronnie Brewer, Mike Miller, Marvin Williams, Scola, Bosh, Boozer, Speights, Kenyon Martin, Haywood, Yi.
Alston, Fernandez, Bayless and Battier are available in the FA pool.
many thanks
December 19th, 2009 at 6:44 am
k1x says:
@Coombsee.. Sounds like you’re after Monta Ellis. =)
December 19th, 2009 at 9:30 am
pol says:
Hey Doc,
Louis Williams is on the waiver wire and I’d like to pick him up as fast as possible, however, I can’t really decide who I want to drop. I was hoping for some input from you
Devin Harris
Jarrett Jack
Andre Miller
Courtney Lee
David West
John Salmons
Joel Przybilla
Kendrick Perkins
Carlos Boozer
Dwight Howard
Marreese Speights
Brook Lopez
Andris Biedrins
At the moment, I’m considering between Jarrett Jack or Andre Miller. I could drop Jack in anticipation of Calderon’s return, or I could drop Miller because he’s been playing pretty bad lately, but I’m hesitant and hoping he’ll return to what he was last year.
Any thoughts/opinions? I’m pretty set on boards/blocks so I’m open to dropping a center as well
December 19th, 2009 at 12:05 pm
The Fantasy Doctor says:
@BK: You might want to consider swapping out Morrow and McGrady out for Williams and Speights.
Morrow will be inconsistent at best going forward and T-Mac will only have real value if he gets traded or if the Rockets eventually increase his minutes to 20+ per night, which could take a while.
December 19th, 2009 at 12:09 pm
The Fantasy Doctor says:
@coombsee: Trading off Deng and either Stuckey or Ariza sounds good. Someone like Baron Davis is a good target.
December 19th, 2009 at 12:13 pm
The Fantasy Doctor says:
@Joeyy: That’s a bit too much to give up for Iguodala, unless you get a serviceable second player in return. Boozer will be fine and Ford won’t be too affected by Granger’s return. If anything, he’ll have another three-point threat to kick it out to.
Of those waiver wire players, only Bayless deserves real consideration, maybe for Yi.
December 19th, 2009 at 12:16 pm
The Fantasy Doctor says:
@pol: You’re right about Miller or Jack, and maybe you should consider dropping Biedrins too.
I’d lean toward dropping Miller.
December 19th, 2009 at 11:49 pm
alex says:
hey doc,
should i drop anthony randolph for speights or tyrus thomas? or do you think randolph will pick it up soon.
December 20th, 2009 at 2:53 am
The Fantasy Doctor says:
@alex: Speights, especially after tonight. Randolph will only have consistent value if he’s traded to another team.
December 20th, 2009 at 11:57 am
madbijou says:
Doc, Maggette and Harden for J-Rich? Thanks
December 20th, 2009 at 10:57 pm
The Fantasy Doctor says:
@madbijou: That sounds good for the J-Rich side, so if that’s you then go for it.
December 21st, 2009 at 2:30 am
BROY says:
Hey Doc,
Should I accept this trade?
Carlos Boozer and Russell Westbrook for Allen Iverson And Gerald Wallace?
MY teams are:
Billups
Pierce
Deng
Nowitzki
Gallinari
M. Gasol
Love
McGrady
E. Gordon
R. Lewis
Iverson
G. Wallace