With three and a half weeks of basketball in the books, here are some players who are worth buying low and selling high, given a lot of players have over and under performed compared to their actual value. Now is a great time to take advantage of desperate managers who are looking for a quick early season win rather than valuing their long term assets.
Buy Low
Joel Embiid
(Philadelphia 76ers C)
Joel Embiid struggled in his first game of the 2024-25 season as he looked tired at times due to a lack of conditioning. Embiid finished with 13 PTS, 5 AST, and 3 REB on 18% from the field and 20% from deep in a loss to New York. Based on past seasons, it is common knowledge that Joel is capable of performing at a much higher level. Embiid managed to average 34.7 PPG, 11 RPG, 5.6 APG, 1.7 BPG, and 1.2 SPG on 53/39/88 shooting splits last year, so there will definitely be positive offensive regression coming for him in the near future.
Lauri Markkanen
(Utah Jazz F)
After returning from a back injury, Lauri Markkanen hasn’t had the most success in fantasy. Markkanen has started the season slowly as he only put up 16.7 PPG and 6.7 RPG on 38% from the field and 42% from deep. The Utah Jazz as a whole are struggling, which doesn’t help due to poor game script at times, but Lauri has proven he can be a reliable fantasy asset as he averaged 23.2 PPG and 8.2 RPG on 48/40/90 splits in his 2023-24 campaign.
Devin Vassell
(San Antonio Spurs G)
Devin Vassell hasn’t had the greatest start to the season, as he’s seen less overall volume at the beginning of the year. His minutes (33.1 to 22.7 MPG) and shot attempts (15.5 to 12 attempts) are both down from last season. However, Vassell’s usage rate is up from 22.9% last season to 30.9% this year, showcasing his importance to the Spurs’ offense. Once Devin is off of his minutes restriction, he should see an uptick in fantasy value, making him a very good buy low option.
Kyle Kuzma
(Washington Wizards F)
Kyle Kuzma has had a rough start to the 2024-25 campaign as he’s averaging 15.8 PPG and 6.2 RPG on 35% from the field and 31% from three. Kuzma is coming off a career year where he went for 22.2 PPG and 6.6 RPG on 46% field goal and 33% three point percentages. Given his most recent season, Kyle is fully capable of improving his efficiency on offense as more games progress for Washington, making him a solid buy low option.
Trey Murphy III
(New Orleans Pelicans)
With the Pelicans dealing with a ton of injuries, there are a number of fantasy opportunities available for the squad. Luckily, Trey Murphy just returned from a hamstring strain, which should allow him to see immediate high-volume games. With Brandon Ingram as the only current healthy starter, Murphy shouldn’t have too much competition for touches in the near future. The coveted wing is only averaging 13.5 PPG and 3.5 RPG on 30/28/100 shooting splits through his first two contests. He’s capable of much better production, as he had put up 14.8 PPG and 4.9 RPG on 44/38/81 splits through 57 games last year.
Sell High
Stephen Curry
(Golden State Warriors G)
Stephen Curry is coming off a hot stretch of games as he’s gone for 27.2 PPG, 6.6 APG, and 1.6 SPG on 51/44/91 shooting splits over his last five contests. Curry is definitely capable of keeping this level of production up, but it doesn’t hurt to shop around and look for an upgrade if a trade presents itself. Stephen should see a little offensive regression as he averaged 26.4 PPG, 5.1 APG, and 4.5 RPG on 45/40/92 splits in the 2023-24 season.
Tyler Herro
(Miami Heat G)
With Jimmy Butler sidelined, Tyler Herro has stepped up, going for 30 PPG, 7.3 APG, and 6 RPG on 52% from the field and 51% from deep over his last three games. While it’s a great sign that Herro is dominating without Butler, he’s had a smaller workload in games when Jimmy is active. Since Butler is expected to return at some point, now is a fantastic time to sell, given Tyler only put up 22.7 PPG, 4.9 RPG, and 4.4 APG 50/46/82 shooting splits in his seven games with Jimmy.
Dyson Daniels
(Atlanta Hawks G)
Dyson Daniels has been a terrific defensive asset for the Hawks as of late. He’s put up 20.3 PPG, 6.3 SPG, and 4.7 RPG on 49% shooting from the field in his last three games. Through his first seven contests, Dyson went for 11.3 PPG, 4.1 RPG, and 2.4 SPG on 45% field goal percentage. While it’s encouraging to see Daniels play so well, these types of performances (the 6.3 SPG specifically) is unsustainable long term. So, while he isn’t a must-sell player, it doesn’t hurt to look to get an upgrade for Dyson while his value is sky-high.
LeBron James
(Los Angeles Lakers G/F)
Despite Father Time knocking on his door once a day, LeBron James continues to be a force in fantasy basketball. James has gone for 26.8 PPG, 11.7 APG, and 9.2 RPG on 55% from the field and 51% from deep. LeBron isn’t a must-sell player, but now is a fantastic time to start looking to sell him for an elite fantasy player. This type of shooting and all-around value is great for James but probably unsustainable, given he put up 25.7 PPG, 8.3 APG, and 7.3 RPG on 54% field goal and 41% 3PT percentages.
Jaren Jackson Jr.
(Memphis Grizzlies F)
With a myriad of injuries to the Grizzlies roster, Jaren Jackson Jr. has been the biggest beneficiary of the vacated possessions. Jaren is averaging 29.3 PPG, 6.7 RPG, and 2 SPG over his past three games without Morant and Bane. Bane is being listed as questionable for Memphis’ next game, meaning Jackson Jr.’s volume could drop pretty soon. Prior to Morant’s injury, JJJ was putting up 19.6 PPG, 5.1 RPG, and 1.4 BPG through his first seven games, meaning his fantasy value is bound to regress soon.
Other Buy Low Candidates
J. Murray, Thomas, Claxton, Simons, Russell
Injured Buy Low Candidates
Durant, Banchero, Holmgren, Maxey, Barnes, Morant, Bane, Butler, Quickley, D. Murray, Porzingis, Middleton, M. Williams, Hartenstein, Williamson, Mil. Bridges
Other Sell High Candidates
Porter Jr., F. Wagner, Irving, Mathurin, Powell
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