It’s that time of year again, so let’s get into it so we can all get back to reading the never-ending stream of trade speculations.

In last year’s article I suggested everyone should be buying Ben Simmons, P.J. Washington, Jalen McDaniels, Isaiah Jackson, De’Anthony Melton and Markelle Fultz, and I feel pretty great about all of those a year later. Jackson was a short-term bet on Myles Turner being moved but a long-term bet on insane physical gifts and elite big man stats, while the rest have risen in role, production and dynasty value to pretty impressive degrees.

I also suggested everyone sell Al Horford, Jarred Vanderbilt, Cole Anthony and Tyrese Maxey, which I feel fine with as well. Horford was a sell for age, Vanderbilt and Maxey were value plays based on overachieving, while Anthony was a sell-high rather than being a player I outright don’t believe in. Maxey is the only one that I would alter because he did go on a huge tear after James Harden joined the fold and he’s shown the ability to score more efficiently than he’s done this year, but I still think there were people willing to pay enough for me to pull the trigger.

Like always, these suggestions are all about price and team direction rather than players to acquire or trade away no matter what. This is also a list of players that are fairly highly thought of already, so the price to acquire them might be higher than someone at the end of your roster. If you want some deeper league targets, be on the lookout or our deep-league targets that is set to release for FantasyPass subs on January 23.

If you aren’t sure the FantasyPass is worth it, some of the guys I recommended buying were Myles Turner, Deni Avdija, Aaron Nesmith, Romeo Langford, Bones Hyland, Jaden McDaniels, Trey Murphy, Isaiah Hartenstein, and Julius Randle. Not to pat myself on the back buuuuuuut…*pat pat pat*. If you have questions about whether your deal is right, or if there’s someone else you want thoughts on, follow me on Twitter @rhett_bauer and ask away!

BUY

Trey Murphy III

SF, New Orleans Pelicans

I know I said to buy him last year, and he’s clearly exploded onto the scene, but there’s value to be had here. He still isn’t playing 30 minutes a night and is still developing his game, but is already producing at a top-75 level this year. The only players shooting 48% or better from the field and 90% or better from the line are Stephen Curry, Kevin Durant, Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, Kyrie Irving, Luke Kennard and Murphy, and of that group only Curry, Kennard and Murphy are shooing over 40% from three. Some may think it’s a fluke, I say it’s only a step in the trajectory he has.

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Lonzo Ball

G, Chicago Bulls

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SELL

Tre Jones

PG, San Antonio Spurs

Is it crazy to sell a 23-year-old starting point guard that’s inside the top-80 on the season? Not when they likely aren’t going to be the starting point guard of the future for their team, and that’s the case with Jones on the Spurs. With the recent change to the long-term view and stance on tanking, the Spurs will have top-tier picks on the way for however long they choose. Even as soon as this draft, Scoot Henderson shows up and immediately pushes Jones back to the bench to around 20 minutes per game. is that someone that we should be valuing as a top-100 player? Absolutely not.

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Julius Randle

PF, New York Knicks

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