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3 fantasy fliers to monitor at the trade deadline

Logan Bowles / USA TODAY Sports / Reuters

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PG Ty Lawson, Sacramento Kings

Who needs to go: Darren Collison, Arron Afflalo, Ben McLemore

Collison and Afflalo both have expiring contracts and Sacramento has already shown they'll accept pennies on the dollar after dealing away PF/C DeMarcus Cousins. If both guards are moved out of town, Lawson could step into a role awarding him between 35 and 40 minutes a night.

When playing between 30-39 minutes this year, Lawson averages 10.4 points, 7.1 assists, and four rebounds. Those numbers aren't too special, but they could absolutely benefit fantasy owners in search of assists or those in points leagues. Losing Collison, Afflalo, and Cousins would also have an unprecedented impact on Lawson's usage rate

PF Juancho Hernangomez, Denver Nuggets

Who needs to go: Danilo Gallinari, Wilson Chandler

Hernangomez flashed upside in February, averaging 7.6 points and 4.9 rebounds in 20 minutes. He had a real breakout against Golden State when he dropped 27 points and 10 rebounds in 43 minutes. At 6-foot-9 and with a respectable 3-point shot, Hernangomez has the superficial makeup of a double-double machine. Whether he can put it all together as a rookie is the biggest hurdle.

Considering Chandler has been linked to multiple teams, it seems likely at least one of Gallinari or Chandler will be on the move. And while Hernangomez probably needs both to depart in order for his value to skyrocket, he could at least become a daily fantasy tournament option with one less body around.

PG Ish Smith, Detroit Pistons

Who needs to go: Reggie Jackson, Stanley Johnson

Smith has already began to usurp starter Reggie Jackson's minutes. The former Philadelphia guard averaged 21 minutes through the first nine games of February, after playing just 17 throughout January. Jackson, on the other hand, has seen his playing time drop by six minutes since Feb. 1.

The potential for a Jackson trade isn't as strong as the other candidates listed above, but Smith's career body of work is more reliable than that of Hernangomez, for instance. The upside of 20 points or 10 assists in a night isn't quite there, but steady lines of 15 points, five assists, and five rebounds are in play if Smith is able to touch 30 minutes sans Jackson or Johnson.

(Photos courtesy: Action Images)

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