The “Real” NBA Trade Deadline Winners

The much-anticipated NBA Trade Deadline has come and gone.  Most of the big names stayed put, but a few teams made some moves that have, and will continue to greatly affect, fantasy value for several players.  Below are the top players to keep an eye on as their fantasy value continues to skyrocket after the trade deadline.

1.     Nate Robinson (Warriors, PG and SG): The little guy is finally getting the chance he deserves and he is not disappointing.  Last week Golden State’s leading scorer Monta Ellis was shipped away to the Bucks - this put Robinson into the starting lineup.  Furthermore, Stephen Curry could be sidelined the rest of the year giving Robinson even more playing time.  Since Ellis’s departure, Robinson’s minutes have drastically increased which has significantly increased his fantasy production.  Since being promoted to starting point guard, he has averaged 26.8 fantasy points per game which includes an outburst of 40 against Boston.  These kinds of numbers will continue especially since Curry could potentially be out the rest of the shortened season.

2.     Klay Thompson (Warriors, SG): Let me start by saying this: after Ellis left and Curry sustained his injury, Thompson was promoted to the starting lineup and saw his minutes considerably jump from 19 the previous night to 43 minutes against the Kings.  Since the rookie has been slated in the starting lineup, he has averaged 24.2 fantasy points per game.  He has been a very consistent scorer since there are plenty of shots to go around with the departure of their two leading scorers from the lineup.  Thompson is a must-add in any fantasy league, as he will only get better as he gains more experience in his rookie season.

3.     Wesley Matthews (Trail Blazers, SG SF): Gerald Wallace is gone, and this is great news for Wesley Matthews.  Since Wallace was traded, Matthews has taken his spot in the starting five and has not disappointed with his increased minutes.  Since Wallace’s departure, Matthews has averaged 26 fantasy points per game while before only averaging 18 fantasy points per game, and last night put up 35 fantasy points.  He was one rebound shy of a double-double.  There are plenty of shots to go around since Wallace is gone, and Matthews is taking full advantage of his increased role on the Trail Blazers. 

4.     Ramon Sessions/Steve Blake (Lakers, PG): I pair these two together because they both should be increasing in fantasy value with Derek Fisher gone.  Notice the “should” in the previous sentence - Steve Blake is currently the starting point guard Lakers, but has really disappointed in his new role.  He was held scoreless last night, and the only reason he is still the starter over Sessions is because Sessions does not know the offense well enough.  This will change soon as Sessions played 29 minutes last night and had 21 fantasy points.  He is clearly out-performing Blake, and soon Sessions will see even more minutes and more fantasy points as he becomes more comfortable in the Lakers backcourt, and in Mike Brown’s system.