The NBA news cycle is revving up as the trade deadline approaches on Thursday. The NFL is in the rearview and it is now basketball’s time to step into the spotlight as roster changes will guide us right into the All-Star Weekend festivities. The competition is about to ramp up.

The All-Star rosters may have been selected, but plenty of players are hungry to prove they should’ve been invited to the action, including Bradley Beal dropping 43 points on the Warriors, Kristaps Prozingis (38 points, 12 rebounds, six treys), who reminded us that his superstar potential is what drew the Mavs’ eye, and we all know Paul George’s (19 points, 12 rebounds, eight assists) game is plenty deserving of the honor when he is healthy. While the big names often draw the headlines, smart managers will be targeting the up-and-comers that go unnoticed.

Adds of the Night

Markelle Fultz, G, Orlando Magic – 12 points, 14 assists, one rebound, one 3-pointer, two steals, two turnovers, 4-of-6 FG, 3-of-4 FT

Look at that, a true number one pick in action. With D.J. Augustin out of the picture, Markelle Fultz is getting all of the opportunity he can handle, and while the mental situation with Fultz will always be a concern, it is hard to argue against this upside when he has the chance to log 30 or minutes as the de facto point guard for the Magic. The steals and assists are going to secure late-round value at this point, and you know Fultz is set to receive tons of minutes as the Magic battle for a playoff spot in the lesser (Eastern) conference. It’s rare to find a player with the potential for double-digit assists on the wire, but Fultz is still out there in many leagues.

Elfrid Payton, PG, New York Knicks – 17 points, 15 assists, 11 rebounds, one steal, one turnover, 8-of-17 FG, 1-of-3 FT

We’ve been touting Elfrid Payton’s standard league value for weeks and he has only crept up to 42% ownership in Yahoo. The free-throw shooting has been horrific, but he has only averaged one attempt a game for the last month, and it is easy to overlook Payton’s inability to shoot 3-pointers when he is able to help you everywhere else in the box score. The competition for the starting point guard slot in New York is pretty weak with Frank Ntilikina and Dennis Smith Jr. as his backups, and they have already tried and failed in the role. Plus, the team has actually been semi-competitive with Payton at the wheel. 

He is well known for delivering strong finishes while playing for lousy squads, and this is shaping up to be for another stretch run of mid-round value that is sure to result in Payton getting over drafted next season. Don’t make that mistake next year, but do ride this wave of near triple-double value.

Drop Zone

We’re not saying that you have to drop any of these guys, only that you should at least consider it depending who’s on your waiver wire. Your mileage may vary based on league size and team build, but for the most part we’ll try to cut dead weight in the 12-team range.

Kendrick Nunn

As the trade deadline approaches in Miami, Nunn finds himself in a precarious position. For the season he has been good for 16 points, 3.5 assists and two 3-pointers per game on solid percentages. When he is hot the scoring is hard to resist as he can easily go for 20 a night, but he could just as easily put up 10 points, one 3-pointer and an empty stat line. The Heat highly value Tyler Herro, have Goran Dragic soaking up minutes, and Duncan Robinson has emerged as an even better deep-range bomber than Nunn. As a result, Nunn can get lost in the shuffle, and while it is possible a trade could unlock more opportunities for some of the players in Miami, Nunn is unlikely to pick up additional ball-handling responsibilities. He remains locked in as a 3-point specialist that lives and dies by his field goal percentage.

Joe Harris

Harris is a low-wattage version of Nunn, and it does not matter how you mix up the roster around him. His ability to expand his game is basically non-existent and the Nets have plenty of guards to lead the offense already in Kyrie Irving, Spencer Dinwiddie, Caris LeVert and Garrett Temple. Harris is averaging 13.7 points for the season with four rebounds and two assists. His stocks (steals and blocks) total 1.0. His ability to hit 2.4 treys a night does not justify an ownership rate of 60%, and he does not need to be held in standard leagues. Harris will wow us eventually with 20 treys over the course of five games, but it is the other 15 games where he does nothing that is going to burn you.

Injury List

Kristaps Prozingis (knee) returned from him knee maintenance day and looked fantastic against the Pacers, dropping a season-high 38 points (12-of-12 FT), alongside 12 rebounds and six 3-pointers.

Rui Hachimura (groin) and Moritz Wagner (left ankle sprain) both returned on Monday for the Wizards-Warriors matchup. Hachimura went for 11 points and eight boards in 26 minutes, and Wagner put up eight points in just 12 minutes of work. The Wizards suddenly have a roster packed with fantasy prospects, and it will be tough for either of them to hit standard league value with this competition. Hachimura has some end of year appeal though.

D’Angelo Russell (right quad contusion) missed out on a nice fantasy night vs. the Wizards. He was a game-time decision coming into the game.

Richaun Holmes remains inactive with right shoulder soreness. He was questionable for a hot second before getting downgraded to doubtful heading into this one. There is a glimpse of hope for his return.

Derrick Rose (left adductor strain) could not play, and Markieff Morris was also held out of Monday’s game against the Grizzlies with right hip soreness. The Pistons may have just been protecting Morris against injury as they pursue deals involving him before Thursday’s deadline. Rose is also on the block but his injury popped up in there last game.

Tristan Thompson (right hip soreness) was held out on Monday against the Knicks. You can chalk this one up to the trade deadline as well. Larry Nance Jr. gave us all a nice preview of what he can do in Thompson’s absence with an 18-8-6 line.

De’Andre Hunter’s left ankle forced him to sit versus the Celtics. Cam Reddish was also inactive due to the nose contusion and possible concussion he received on Saturday. 

Svi Mykhailiuk (right hip strain) was not on the injury report but still missed Monday’s game against the Grizzlies. Stay tuned to find out the story here.

J.J. Barea suffered a left ankle sprain vs. the Pacers and did not return. With Luka Doncic already out this could open up an even clearer path for Jalen Brunson and Delon Wright to return standard league value.

Marcus Smart sat out against the Hawks due to a right thigh contusion that does not appear to be serious. Daniel Theis exited Monday’s game with a right ankle injury, was evaluated for a concussion, but in the end, he was available to return. Check back tomorrow to see if anything changed overnight. Enes Kanter returned on Monday from his bruised right hip and would get a boost to mid-round value if Theis had to miss time.

Clint Capela (right ankle contusion) will not play on Tuesday vs. the Hornets. The trade deadline could also be affecting this situation, and Capela is going to suffer through a downswing in value until the deadline passes. Russell Westbrook (left thumb) is doubtful for Tuesday, and it is lining up to be a big night for Eric Gordon, Austin Rivers and Ben McLemore.

Michael Porter Jr. (right ankle) will miss Tuesday’s game vs. the Blazers, although the injury is still not considered to be serious. Jamal Murray (left ankle sprain) is questionable, and his return would spell doom to the value of Monte Morris in standard leagues.

George Hill has been ruled out for Tuesday’s game against the Pelicans with a left hamstring strain. Pat Connaughton is probable with right ankle soreness and would see some extra minutes if he is able to give it a go.

Anthony Davis (right shoulder soreness) is probable for Tuesday’s matchup with the Spurs. His default setting is sore. He should be able to tough it out per usual. Alex Caruso (neck soreness) is also probable but looked fine in the last game so it would be a surprise if he sat.

Cherries On Top of a Trade Deadline Sundae

As the NBA Trade Deadline approaches on Thursday everyone will be taking a moment to reassess the fantasy landscape and prepare to pounce upon players who suddenly find themselves in the starting lineup after a veteran gets dealt out of the picture. Many of these players can be viewed as add on pieces that get you to accept a deal. When you just aren’t ready to click accept on an offer, trying countering with a well-placed cherry to top off your fantasy sundae. Here are a few examples of some players that a long-time owner may have soured on at this point, but you should be happy to take for a spin as the deadline draws near.

Christian Wood – It may be tough to get him tossed into a deal as Markieff Morris missed the Pistons’ game on Monday, allowing Wood to receive 34 minutes that resulted in 17 points, five rebounds, two 3-pointers, two steals and two blocks, but Wood could just easily disappear in Wednesday’s game against the Suns. Inconsistency is a theme here and many owners have been frustrated with Wood’s inability to take advantage of his openings. Don’t let that stop you, the talent is too great, and the shakiness has probably turned some people off. 

Brandon Clarke – Clarke has the potential to be something special, but he is averaging under 22 minutes per game with the Grizzlies. If the team were to deal Jae Crowder that’d open up a few minutes for Clarke, and a few more minutes would go a long way for a player that is already approaching mid-round value. His averages of 12 points and six rebounds won’t blow his current owner away, but the promise of Clarke seeing an expanded role makes him well worth a roster spot in standard leagues. His game has no weakness.

Shabazz Napier – Napier has been a fantasy nobody for so long that it is a real surprise that he is now the point guard steering the ship in Minnesota. The assists and 3-pointers pad whatever shooting woes are heading Napier’s way, and he will keep the ugly shooting to a minimum as long as he is responsible for getting Karl Anthony-Towns and Andrew Wiggins’ touches. 

Damion Lee – A deep-league target, Lee could find himself in an excellent situation if the Warriors are able to find buyers for Alec Burks, Glenn Robinson III, or D’Angelo Russell at the trade deadline. If one of them is shipped out of town you will watch him fly off the wire in standard leagues as he carries plenty of juice when his jumper is falling. Lee could have the type of mid-round value we just watched Alec Burks deliver over the first half of the season. If Burks is gone Lee will quickly fill the void.

There are plenty of ice cream sundaes out there, the flavors and varieties of toppings are endless. Understanding what your opponents like is the most important thing. They may hate the cherry and that is when you strike to add it to the top of your playoff roster. Far better to experience all the combinations out there than watch your fantasy season melt away.