9 fantasy moves you need to make before Week 18
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Shop Anthony Davis and Boogie Cousins
Davis and Cousins are still top-tier fantasy players, but their fantasy value takes a hit with the dynamic frontcourt duo joining forces in New Orleans. One only has to look back at LeBron James' first season in Miami with Dwyane Wade to see what happens to individual production when two high-usage players with some overlapping skills have to operate in the same offense.
For that reason, Davis' and Cousins' fantasy owners should let it be known that either player can be had via trade -- for the right price.
Aim for multiple players within the top 30 in theScore's rest of season rankings, with an eye toward game totals during the fantasy playoff weeks in head-to-head leagues. For example, if you could pull off a trade of Cousins for a package including C Marc Gasol and PG/SG Eric Bledsoe, you would be adding a premium fantasy asset at the cost of a slight downgrade at center.
Don't make a panic-trade, but if someone is willing to offer a king's ransom for either star, don't be afraid to pull the trigger.
Put Joel Embiid on the block
Embiid's sell-before date passed when he was struck with the injury bug prior to the All-Star break. After missing what would've been his first two professional seasons with a litany of heath problems, Embiid has been electric when healthy. Unfortunately, anything short of a clean bill of health decimates his fantasy value.
It doesn't matter what his per-game production is like if he only plays a third of the Sixers' remaining games. Put him on the trade block. With the fantasy season starting to wind down, you're selling high if you can get a top-50 talent for the rookie center.
Trade for Dario Saric
Speaking of the Sixers' frontcourt rotation, you definitely want to own a piece of Saric given the flurry of deadline moves made by Philadelphia. With separate trades sending PF/C Nerlens Noel and PF/C Ersan Ilyasova out of town, in conjunction with Embiid's health concerns, Saric is poised to see a jump to 30 minutes per game. His outlook as a top-120 player is secure.
Sell Ersan Ilyasova
Speaking of Ilyasova, it's time to trade him if you can. Being a consistent scoring option on a bad Sixers team gave him upside, but it's unlikely that the Turkish stretch four will be much more than a specialist option in head-to-head leagues now that he's in Atlanta. Barring a significant injury, Ilyasova is due for a major drop in playing time behind Paul Millsap and Dwight Howard.
Fade the Thunder frontcourt
With the addition of Taj Gibson from the Bulls in exchange for a package mostly comprised of guards, the Thunder frontcourt is starting to get crowded. They've already got Steven Adams locked into 30 minutes a night. Domantas Sabonis has started all 57 games and merits consistent playing time regardless of whether he starts. And Enes Kanter should soon return from injury as well.
Throw in Russell Westbrook, a high-usage scorer and perhaps the greatest rebounding guard of all time, and the opportunity to see consistent shot attempts and rebounds goes way down. Each of Gibson, Adams and Kanter have shown double-double potential in the past, but there are just too many mouths to feed in OKC now.
Pick up Jameer Nelson
With the coach's blessing, Nelson will remain the Nuggets' staring point guard for the foreseeable future. It's a good thing too, because he's quietly been a tremendous source of assists for a while now. This declaration just cements his value.
Over his last 16 games, Nelson has averaged 10.3 points, 6.6 assists and 3.3 rebounds per contest. That's pretty much the baseline for him, as long as he stays healthy.
Resist offers for Willy Hernangomez
Similarly, you can bank on the word of Jeff Hornacek when he says that Hernangomez will continue to be the Knicks' starting center over the oft-injured and ineffective Joakim Noah. Hernangomez has averaged 11.5-11-2.5 in the four games he's started so far. It's really the only good news about Knicks centers these days.
Take a flier on Bobby Portis
The Bulls' Bobby Portis has had a minimal impact in just 12 minutes per game in his sophomore season in the NBA but will see a boost in playing time following the trade of Gibson to Oklahoma City. An athletic 6-foot-11 forward with some ability to space the floor, Portis could have a major breakout down the stretch -- but only if he sees real minutes.
Portis averaged 7-5-1 in just 18 minutes per game in his rookie campaign but has seen his playing time dwindle in year two. The Bulls made it clear that Nikola Mirotic isn't their preferred long-term option at power forward when they dangled him at the trade deadline, so there's an incentive to finally give Portis 20-plus minutes per night. A double-double average isn't out of the question.
Look at the upcoming schedule
Every team has either three or four games in the first full week after the All-Star festivities, so there aren't any major advantages (or disadvantages) when it comes to streaming options.
If you want to get granular with your streaming strategy, the Warriors start the week with back-to-back games on Monday and Tuesday. You could get a head start in the counting stat categories by adding either Andre Iguodala or Javale McGee ahead of Week 18.
(Photos courtesy: Action Images)