This 2024 trade deadline had much anticipation coming into the week with different names swirling around trade rumors that could affect the fantasy landscape. Sadly the deadline has passed and besides a few minor moves, the day fell flatter than a piece of paper hitting the floor. Names like Andre Drummond, Dejounte Murray, and Deangelo Russell all stood put as fantasy owners held on to hope of a new destination that would increase their value. But trades did happen and if you peel the layers back deep enough there are some fantasy implications that we can gather moving forward.
Detroit Pistons Receive: F-Simone Fontecchio
Utah Jazz Receive: Kevin Knox
Implications
Simone Fontecchio’s role will most likely remain the same with the Pistons, 30 minutes a game stretch-forward who will start alongside Cade Cunningham, Jaden Ivey, and Jalen Duren, and it’s still up in the air who will be the 4th guy with the injury to Isaiah Stewart. Fontecchio is currently the 209th-ranked player in standard leagues and shouldn’t be rostered in anything less than 16-team leagues.
The Utah Jazz have officially waived forward Kevin Knox.
Boston Celtics Receive: F/C- Xavier Tillman
Memphis Grizzlies Receive: F-Lamar Stevens
Implications
Xavier Tillman will be a 10-15 minute backup big for the Celtics, playing behind Kristaps Porzingis and Al Horford. Tillman is a deeper league streamer at best and will see his best value if Porzingis or Horford sit out any games. Tillman’s fantasy value dropped a bit, but there wasn’t too much value to begin with.
Lamar Steven joins a carousel of players being thrown into the Grizzlies rotation as they use their failed season for the development of their younger players. Steven’s role will be uncertain, but fantasy owners should check in later on towards the end of the season as the Grizzlies have no clear rotation and could be throwing anyone out there to finish the season.
Raptors Receive: C-Kelly Olynyk and G/F-Ochai Agbaji
Utah Receives: C-Otto Porter Jr and G-Kira Lewis Jr
Implications
Kelly Olynyk's role for the Raptors is still unsure but if starts besides Jakob Poetl, Olynyk becomes a 30-minute-a-night stretch forward who can fill up a stat line. Olynyk is the 134th-ranked player in standard leagues averaging 8.1 points, 4.4 assists, and 5.1 rebounds on 56% shooting. I don’t see a drastic change in Olynyk's numbers even if he comes off the bench but if Poetl misses any time he will see higher usage and can put out top 80 value.
Walker Kessler is a huge winner in this trade. Kessler will reassume his starting center role for the Utah Jazz. Kessler's minutes and usage should see a bump and he will look more like the top 30 player that closed out last season.
Philadelphia 76ers Receive: G/F Buddy Hield
Indiana Pacers Receive: F Marcus Morris Sr. and G-Furkan Korkmaz
Implications
Buddy Hield's role took a big hit as of late with the Pacers as he found himself coming off the bench with limited minutes but with a trade to the 76ers, he will have a more stable role as a starter that will increase his fantasy output. Hield fell to the 199th overall player in standard leagues the last two weeks but should get back to top 120 value as a starter for the Sixers.
Buddy Hield DRIANS the step back three for his first bucket as a SIxer ?pic.twitter.com/KaDUcA5RbQ
With Heild’s departure, this now creates firm roles for guys like Andrew Nembhard, Bennedict Mathurin, and T.J McConnell. All three are top 180 value options.
OKC Thunder Receive: F-Gordon Hayward
Charlotte Hornets Receive: G-Tre Mann, G-Vasilije Micic, F-Davis Bertans
Implications
Gordon Hayward hasn’t played since late December but was in the top 120 before being sidelined. When Hayward returns, his usage will take a big hit and won’t see near the numbers he put up earlier in the season. Hayward will be around the 220 range and will be a ladder roster option. Hayward's addition will hurt the value of Lu Dort, who has been up and down this season and is ranked inside the top 170. It also doesn’t favor Josh Giddey’s value, who is 130th in standard leagues.
Tre Mann is one of the best-hidden secrets in the NBA. Mann has been stashed away in OKC for the following three seasons but gets a new start with the Charlotte Hornets as their season continues to implode. Mann has career-high games of 32 points, 12 assists, 12 rebounds, and four steals. Mann is a talented guard who isn’t afraid to put a shot up, and being added to a team with no clear point guard with the injury to Lamelo Ball,
Mann will be a great gamble to take if he can assume the starting role while Ball is injured. He will have a clear range to score, with Miles Bridges and Brandon Miller taking most of the scoring load as of late. Mann I’d a guy to keep an eye on and could have huge value if Lamelo Ball is indeed shut down for the season.
Dallas Mavericks receive C-Daniel Gafford
Washington Wizards receive C-Rishaun Holmes
Implications
Daniel Gafford takes a huge hit in fantasy value now, being placed in a situation where he’ll likely see a 50/50 minutes split with Dereck Lively. Gafford is averaging 10.9 points, eight rebounds, and 2.2 blocks on 69% shooting this season and is currently ranked 40th in standard leagues. Gafford is at 26 minutes a game and could see a slight decrease once Lively returns. Dallas most likely will finish the game with the big, who has the hotter hand during each game and will cause inconsistency with both big’s numbers.
DANIEL GAFFORD. Nasty ?
Wizards-Trail Blazers | Live on the NBA App
? https://t.co/ON6Z90W2vJ pic.twitter.com/UZdBE7FjlT
The Gafford move now clears up room for Marvin Bagley, who can put up good scoring and rebounding numbers when given minutes. Bagley can finish within the top 100 with the starting center role. For deeper leagues and late-season stashes, a guy like Eugene Omoruyi can see an increase in value, putting up 16 points, 10 rebounds, three assists, and 3 steals in his lone start recently.
New York Knicks receive F-Bojan Bogdanovic and G-Alec Burks
Detroit Pistons receive G-Evan Fournier, G-Malachi Flynn, G-Quentin Grimes, and G-Ryan Arcidiacono
Implications
Bojan Bogdanovic is finally moved out of Detroit with years of trade rumors around his name, and he lands in New York. Bogdanovic is the 116th-ranked player in standard leagues this season, but his numbers will see a drop playing around more talent and high-usage players such as Jalen Brunson, Julius Randle, and OG Anunoby. I expect Bogdanovic to finish around the 170 range, with his scoring and assist numbers taking a hit.
The addition of Bogdanovic also put a wet towel over Donte DiVincenzo’s hot play as of late. DiVincenzo’s shot attempts will slow down, and so will his usage. The Knicks will be a jambalaya of player’s with no one but Brunson and Randle having clear usage on any given night.
Quentin Grimes will finally see a solid role as a backup guard for this Pistons team. Grimes's fantasy value will rise with a sustainable 25-minute-a-night role as a shooter and playmaker off the bench. Grimes is someone to keep an eye on in 14 and over team leagues. The exit of Bogdanovic gives a clearer path for guys like Ausar Thompson and incoming Simone Fontecchio to have higher usage.
Toronto Raptors Receive G-Spencer Dinwiddie
Brooklyn Nets Receive G-Dennis Schroder, F-Thaddeus Young
Implications
Spencer Dinwiddie has been in a real struggle as of recently falling to the 240th player in standard league rankings. Dinwiddie will be coming off the bench in a limited role, with Immanuel Quickley and RJ Barrett seeing big minutes ahead of him. Dinwiddie is a streamer at this point and doesn’t need to be rostered.
Dennis Schroder's starting projections are still unclear as of late, but you can expect the guard to play around the same time he did with the Raptors. Schroder has been solid all season, averaging 13.7 points, 6.1 assists, 2.7 rebounds, and 1.5 threes in 30 minutes of playing time. Schroder will be mixed in the backcourt with Cam Thomas, Ben Simmons, and Dennis Smith Sr. I believe everyone’s fantasy value basically stays the same, with Smith probably taking a hit with limited playing time.
Dallas Mavericks Receive F-P.J. Washington
Charlotte Hornets Receive F-Grant Williams, G-Seth Curry
Implications
P.J. Washington will see a huge fantasy boost with his all but guaranteed starting power forward role for the Mavericks. Washington is the 145th ranked player this season and shoot up even more with the increased spacing and opportunities he will have to play alongside Luka Doncic and Kyrie Irving. I see Washington moving into the top 120 by end of year. Washington’s addition hurts the value of Derrick Jones Jr who has been on a skid recently after a nice start to the season.
P.J. Washington will breakout in Dallas. Playing off Luka/Kai, he'll get way better looks from three & advantages to punish with his rare handle + downhill body control at 6'7". God-tier touch, another roller for Mavs. And his versatile D is neededpic.twitter.com/MlZ3Z71SHv
Grant Williams isn’t a great fantasy player. Williams is a three’s streamer at best. The exit of Washington solidifies Brandon Miller’s role for the remainder of the season.
Milwaukee Bucks Receive: Patrick Beverley
Philadelphia 76ers Receive: Cameron Payne
Implications
Patrick Beverley will assume a much-needed backup point guard role for the Bucks. Beverley will most likely see around 20 minutes a game and will be a deeper league option. Beverley’s exit opens the door for a Nick Nurse and Kyle Lowry reunion, which will be a deeper league look.
Phoenix Suns Receive: F-Royce O’Neale and F-David Roddy
Brooklyn Nets Receive: G-Jordan Goodwin and F-Keita Bates-Diop
Memphis Grizzlies Receive: F-Yuta Watanabe and F-Chimezie Metu
Implications
Royce O’Neal will rejoin his former teammate Kevin Durant in Phoenix as he takes a 6th man role for the team. O’Neal is the 192nd-ranked player in standard leagues and will most likely continue on that path. O’Neal is a good three and rebound streamer and can fill up a stat line with “Olynyk” type numbers any given night. David Roddy is a deeper league option as well, and he’ll be a rotational player for the Suns.
The exit of O’Neal frees up a chance for Jalen Wilson to see some more minutes. Wilson has shown flashes of talent during the season, having a 21 and 10-night outing in late December. Wilson is a deeper league option for now but could move a little further up if the Nets fail to make the playoffs early and push the younger assets.
