With the NBA Cup concluding, here are a few players who are worth buying low and selling high, based on their performances over their last few games. If you are in a favorable position in your league standings, now is a great time to take advantage of teams who are desperate to win now instead of focusing on games later on in the season. If you are struggling in the standings, it doesn’t hurt to look to buy some of these players at a discount while their value is lower than usual.
Buy Low
Fred VanVleet
(Houston Rockets G)
Fred VanVleet has struggled recently as he’s averaging 8 PPG, 7 APG, and 5.5 RPG on 21% from the field and 15% from 3PT range over his past two games. VanVleet was not shooting well in those contests, but it’s encouraging to see him contribute in more ways than only scoring. Also, the teams he played (OKC and GSW) are both top 10 in defensive rating this season.
VanVleet has put up 15.3 PPG, 6 APG, and 4.3 RPG on 37/30/82 shooting splits to begin the year. While his shooting percentages are low, look for VanVleet to recover his value in the coming games, assuming he sees positive shooting regression.
Devin Vassell
(San Antonio Spurs G/F)
Devin Vassell is coming off his worst game of the 2024-25 season as he went for 4 PTS on 2 of 11 shooting. Vassell has still been solid this year, as he’s gone for 16 PPG, 2.7 APG, and 0.9 SPG on 47/40/80 splits. Vassell is only playing 24.6 minutes per game this season compared to 33.1 MPG last year. Assuming his playing time rises, look for Vassell to have a strong finish to the season, as he had put up 19.5 PPG, 4.1 APG, and 1.1 SPG on 47/37/80 splits in his 2023-24 campaign.
Lauri Markkanen
(Utah Jazz F)
Lauri Markkanen hasn’t been great lately, as he’s gone for 14.7 PPG and 4.3 RPG on 44/41/100 shooting splits. With the Jazz struggling to start this season, Markkanen has seen his value drop as the game script has not been in his favor at times (blowouts leading to fewer minutes for Markkanen). Lauri has proven that he can still be a reliable fantasy asset, as he’s gone for 18.6 PPG and 6.2 RPG on 45/38/87 splits this year.
It’s still a gamble to buy Markkanen low, so make sure not to give up any amazing assets for him. Also, look to flip Lauri again before the NBA trade deadline, as Utah could be a potential tanking team heading into the back half of this season.
Coby White
(Chicago Bulls G)
Coby White hasn’t been at his best lately as he’s put up 16.7 PPG, 3.7 APG, and 1.6 SPG on 34% from the field and 29% from deep (three-game sample). White has shown he’s capable of being better, as he’s averaged 18.1 PPG, 4.6 APG, and 1.2 SPG on 42/36/88 splits to begin this year.
White could benefit a lot if the Bulls end up selling players at the trade deadline (ie. LaVine and Vucevic), as his volume could hopefully improve if that ends up being the case. If that doesn’t happen, it doesn’t hurt to buy Coby while his value is lower, given he’s been on a cold streak offensively.
OG Anunoby
(New York Knicks F)
OG Anunoby hasn’t been at his best over the past two games, as he’s averaging 10 PPG, 5.5 RPG, and 1.5 BPG on 32% from the field and 16% from 3PT range. Anunoby has not been shooting the ball recently, but some positive regression should allow him to bounce back in the coming weeks. The high minutes (36.8 MPG) doesn’t hurt as well, given OG has had an outstanding start to this season (17 PPG, 5 RPG, and 1.5 SPG on 47/35/80 splits).
Sell High
Jimmy Butler
(Miami Heat G/F)
Jimmy Butler is coming off his best game of this season as he accumulated 35 PTS, 19 REB, 10 AST, and 4 STL on 12/21 from the field against Detroit. Butler hasn’t seen the most volume this year but is still averaging 19.4 PPG, 6.1 APG, 5 RPG, and 1.3 SPG on 55% FG% to start this year. Jimmy isn’t a must-sell player, but it could be worthwhile to sell him, even though his value is this high, as his most recent game totals are not sustainable long-term.
Anfernee Simons
(Portland Trail Blazers G)
Anfernee Simons has been red hot recently as he’s put up 25 PPG, 6 APG, and 2 SPG on 50% FG% and 38.9% 3PT%. Simons has appeal due to being the primary on-ball guard for Portland, but this kind of production is unsustainable long term given he’s averaging 17.2 PPG, 4.6 APG, and 0.9 SPG on 41/33/91 splits to begin the 2024-25 campaign. Also, the fact that the Trail Blazers are not the best overall team could hinder Anfernee’s long-term value if they end up tanking.
Josh Giddey
(Chicago Bulls G/F)
Josh Giddey has seen a resurgence in fantasy over his past three games as he’s totaled 12.3 PPG, 8.7 APG, and 8.3 RPG on 52% FG% and 35% 3PT%. Giddey is a steady all-around contributor but has been inconsistent at times due to a lack of offensive consistency. Josh is averaging 11.9 PPG, 6.9 APG, and 6.4 RPG on 45% from the field and 32% from deep this season. If the Bulls eventually try to tank, that could benefit Giddey, which is why he isn’t a must-sell player (only if the right trade presents itself).
LeBron James
(Los Angeles Lakers F)
LeBron James has been on a tear over his past few games as he’s racked up 28.7 PPG, 9 APG, and 7 RPG on 55/47/71 shooting splits (three-game sample). LeBron isn’t a must-sell player, but it doesn’t hurt to move him for a more consistent fantasy option. James is still an incredible player but has shown signs of slowing down due to his age. James has put up 22.8 PPG, 9.1 APG, and 8 RPG on 49/36/74 splits this year, so if an upgrade becomes available, now is a good time to look to trade LeBron.
Stephen Curry
(Golden State Warriors G)
Stephen Curry isn’t a must-sell player, but his long-term value could drop with the Warriors’ recent acquisition of Dennis Schroder. Schroder should command a decent-sized on-ball role, which has a chance of hurting Curry’s fantasy appeal. If there’s a chance to sell Stephen at a premium, now is an ideal time to do so, given he’s been hot lately (25 PPG, 7.7 RPG, and 1.3 SPG on 45/45/76 shooting splits over his past three games).
While Curry is currently averaging 26.7 PPG, 7.7 APG, and 6 RPG on an impressive 45/42/92 splits to begin this year, long term, it makes sense to look to move him now before his overall volume regresses.
Other Buy Low Candidates
Edwards, Brown, Randle
Injured Buy Low Candidates
Embiid, S. Barnes,
Leonard, Banchero, F. Wagner,
Holmgren, Quickley, Williamson,
Thomas, Kuzma
Other Sell High Candidates
George, Schroder, Suggs
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