We’re three weeks from the Feb. 5 NBA Trade Deadline, and the smoke is getting thicker around some major names. Let’s cut through the noise and focus on what actually matters for your fantasy basketball roster.
Ja Morant: They Don’t Want You to Ball
Memphis is entertaining offers for its two-time All-Star, and ESPN’s Shams Charania reports that “Miami, Sacramento and multiple other teams have a level of interest” in Morant, with the Grizzlies seeking young players and draft picks.
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The numbers this season aren’t good for Ja’s standards: 19.0 PPG on 40.1% shooting — both career lows — while connecting on just 20.8% from 3. He’s played only 18 games this year due to injuries and that one-game suspension. Add in the off-the-court stuff and his recent argument with teammate Vince Williams Jr. ahead of Thursday’s Berlin game … yeah, the Ja era is a wrap.
There’s too much friction between Ja and the front office. Now, it’s bleeding into their locker room. A pivot from Morant is the right move. And if future picks and young players are the goal, ship Jaren Jackson Jr. out, too. JJJ’s agent, Rich Paul, is already lobbying for it in the media (smh). Either way, this team is done with Morant — a trade is coming.
Fantasy take: If you have Ja, you wait this out. Or trade him — much like real-life, you’d be selling low. Of the rumored teams, I like Miami most if it can move Tyler Herro. A team no one is mentioning, but it works in Brooklyn, too. The real winner, however, would be Cam Spencer (25% rostered). He’s become a huge asset for assists and stat-stuffing among guards.
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Jonathan Kuminga: DNPs with no guarantees
Kuminga becomes trade-eligible Jan. 15 and the situation could move fast. He’s been collecting DNPs throughout the season, averaging just 11.8 PPG on 43.1% shooting in 24.8 minutes after starting the year at 17.2 PPG through nine games. Steve Kerr’s made him essentially unplayable, and Jake Fischer reports that “there’s not a very robust market.” I’ve seen the Lakers, Kings and Bulls connected to JK interest.
Whoever Golden State decides to deal with, per Fischer, it wants “a legitimate rotational piece (or two)” in return (who doesn’t?). It also won’t take on long-term money with Stephen Curry, Jimmy Butler and Draymond Green’s deals expiring in 2027. The Warriors apparently want Michael Porter Jr. (more on him in a second), but that would likely take another team to pull off. It’s hard to see the Dubs doing anything after devaluing their former lottery pick to this degree — truly nasty work.
Fantasy take: Nothing to see here. Kuminga is only 23. However, he’s not a good fantasy player in 9-cat or High Score formats. Deep standard points leagues, I could get behind him, depending on the landing spot. Brooklyn would be ideal with no MPJ. I could also see Chicago, too, but it has more talent to take touches away from JK, which is, like, the whole point. He wants a star role and has yet to show enough consistency and opportunity to showcase that “upside.” L.A. is not it either.
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Michael Porter Jr.: Brooklyn’s finest trade chip
MPJ is having a career year in Brooklyn — 25.9 PPG, 7.5 RPG, 3.3 AST on 49/40/84 splits. John Hollinger of The Athletic called Porter “a lock” to be traded. Then there’s Marc Stein, who’s hearing Brooklyn might not want to move him.
Brooklyn owes Houston an unprotected 2027 pick swap, so tanking next year doesn’t help. Porter’s 27 and having his best season by a long shot; All-Star worthy. But he carries some injury history (bad back) and is surely going to want a pay increase after becoming a star in BK. He’s highly coveted right now and the Nets should consider selling high. Whether it’s to a contender or middling team looking for a boost, take the best offer of picks and young assets. If it makes it happen, let’s hope it doesn’t draft any more PGs.
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Fantasy take: Porter’s a top-35 asset across formats. If he gets moved, his efficiency might dip with fewer touches. If he stays, he keeps eating. Either way, he’s a hold.
Anthony Davis: Latest injury puts fantasy managers in a bind
Rich Paul wants Dallas to trade Anthony Davis despite AD’s hand injury, which is expected to sideline him for at least six weeks. ESPN’s Tim MacMahon reports it’s “very clear” that this is Paul’s priority. The Mavericks aren’t budging. “Rich Paul is not going to bully us,” a Dallas source told MacMahon.
Davis is averaging 20.4 PPG and 11.1 RPG when healthy, but he’s played just 20 games. He’s owed $54.1M this year. He’s racked up more injuries than 20-point games since joining the Mavs. To think an extension is on the way is pretty wild considering his availability issues.
Fantasy take: Davis opted against surgery and will be out at least six weeks. Fantasy managers holding AD should want him to be traded so that there’s more onus on the team that acquired him to get an early return on their investment. A tanking Dallas team has no incentive to rush him back. If you have him, hold through the deadline and pray for a trade. Otherwise, he’ll become cut bait like Zach Edey.
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Zach LaVine: Milwaukee’s Desperation Play
Milwaukee has “done recent due diligence” on Sacramento’s Zach LaVine, per Sam Amick of The Athletic, with Marc Stein adding LaVine’s camp might decline his $49M option to facilitate a deal. Chris Haynes reports the Bucks are in “desperate pursuit” of adding talent.
The money’s ugly: LaVine’s making $47.5M. Milwaukee would need to deal Kyle Kuzma, Bobby Portis and potentially add a third team. The Bucks are over the second apron and don’t control their first pick until 2031. They also aren’t good on defense, allowing 116 points per 100 possessions, which ranks 20th in the NBA.
LaVine’s averaging 20.0 PPG on solid splits, but at 30, he’s not moving anyone’s needle, especially on defense.
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Fantasy take: He needs out of Sac Town in the worst way. It’s not working, so as long as the Kings can figure out how to move two of LaVine, Russell Westbrook, DeMar DeRozan and Domantas Sabonis, the better it’ll be for everyone. Bucks would be a strong landing spot for LaVine, though. Portis would have more value than Kuzma anywhere, but I’d be most curious to see what happens with Ryan Rollins. He’s having a career year, but anyone entering the fray with LaVine’s skill set changes things.
Final Thoughts
We always want to see active trade deadlines, but in the era of this new CBA and aprons, I think all the smoke will dissipate with limited movement overall. And if we’re being honest? The biggest name hovering over all of this isn’t even officially on the market; the Bucks are 11-18, and every team will be quietly running the math on what it would take to land Giannis Antetokounmpo. That’s the real domino, the one everyone’s waiting to see if it falls.
