Not that it should be all about me or my teams, but losing New Orleans Pelicans center DeMarcus Cousins and Memphis Grizzlies point guard Mike Conley on a keeper team with a shot at winning this season was quite the weekend bummer.
Cousins was arguably fantasy's top player so far, and he was contributing in every category, so good luck replacing that. Yep, I am sure my Ed Davis pickup in Boogie's stead will completely stave off a first-round playoff exit, he typed sarcastically. Conley is a different situation, of course, given that he had not played in months, but this is a keeper league, and I certainly feel justified in grappling with the idea of cutting him loose.
While a fantasy manager's first concern should be winning the championship directly ahead of him or her, we must also consider
What is a fantasy manager to do, especially with the trade deadline -- both in the NBA and in fantasy -- approaching? Let us assume a team or two that is out of the running in my keeper league makes a sweet offer for Cousins and/or Conley. "Don't you want to win now?" will be the underlying theme behind each offer, and a fantasy manager will likely wonder after postseason elimination if a trade for the now would have made the difference between winning and losing. I have been there, and perhaps you have been as well.
By the way, in ESPN standard leagues, the trade deadline is noon ET on Feb. 21, so do not wait. You could use the aid now, but the cost is, as always, the key.
First, before I list other players I believe would make for solid keepers but will be available at a discount price, I do believe Cousins and Conley remain good keepers. I've never dealt with an Achilles injury, but some believe it can take at least a calendar year -- let's say 12 months -- to fully recover. This is such a dynamic, statistically versatile player that I'm going to presume he returns to normal, and normal is spectacular.
Perhaps, like Philadelphia Eagles quarterback Carson Wentz and his knee injury, Cousins is not quite ready for opening day, but he is so good that he remains a major statistical difference-maker. I find it unlikely that Cousins, like some others who did not debut until January this season (Isaiah Thomas, Zach LaVine), would be out that long.
Some reading this might think I am valuing Conley incorrectly, but he did average 20.5 PPG and 6.3 APG last season while shooting well and contributing many 3-pointers. Conley is a solid player -- solid enough to end up the No. 29 option on last season's Player Rater and the No. 32 option in ESPN average live drafts this season.
Eight players averaged at least 20 points and 6 assists per game last season, but only five are currently doing so. More than a few were top-10 picks, which is why I targeted Conley later. I do not view this heel injury as career-threatening. If the Grizzlies were playoff contenders, he would be playing. Frankly, this situation angers me, so let us move on. He should be playing and will be healthy in September and quite underrated too. Really, what has changed in how we view Conley? He is the same player chosen in fantasy leagues before Marc Gasol, Carmelo Anthony and Kevin Love, among many others. Snatch him up in Round 5 when his ADP falls to Round 7. This silliness happens every year.
Anyway, that's a long way of saying that in a deep keeper league, Conley still has value, even after a season in which he turned 30 and played in a mere 12 games. Do not forget that! I cannot definitively state whether I will trade Conley the next few weeks for immediate help -- it always depends on the offer, really -- and I hope I do not need to cut him for a free agent. I mean, what if Stephen Curry or Joel Embiid also gets hurt, and I really, really need the bench spot? Wait, did I just jinx them?
For those in keeper formats, see if the Conley manager dropped him or is more than willing to trade him for a player or two you do not intend to keep. Here are some others in similar situations:
Kawhi Leonard, SF, San Antonio Spurs: I can't tell you with confidence that Leonard will be playing in a month and playing the way we want him to. It does not mean you trade Leonard or Conley for fellows such as Davis, but it is a good time to buy low in keeper formats. Then again, one could probably deal Leonard for a player who would be a wise keeper too.
Gordon Hayward, SG/SF, Boston Celtics: He'll slip in ADP a few rounds, for sure, but again, what has changed? He can be the same player he was expected to be, though I admit I was not going to spend a second-round pick this season to find out. Round 5 in the fall makes sense, but at least check if someone in your keeper league cut him.
Myles Turner, PF/C, Indiana Pacers: He isn't available in free agency because he's still a valuable player, but he's certainly not playing like a star or close to his ADP. He also has not turned 22 yet. Perhaps we were all just a season early in projecting greatness.
Isaiah Thomas, PG, Cleveland Cavaliers: Facing facts here because Thomas is not playing to the level expected, and it is feasible that the Thomas manager in your league is concerned about it happening, with LeBron James, in the fall. I just think Thomas is not close to 100 percent healthy. Same with Chicago's LaVine, really. Now is the time to invest for next season if you do not need big numbers now.
Marquese Chriss, PF, Phoenix Suns: He should still become a star, but it is clearly not happening this season. Perhaps it does not happen starting in the fall, either, but you watch this athletic kid play -- he is 20 -- and it feels like at some point it will all click.
Markelle Fultz, PG, Philadelphia 76ers: Teams have certainly been wrong before in choosing the first overall pick. What is Anthony Bennett up to lately? But Fultz is not Bennett. Again, it is tough to predict his statistics the rest of this season -- or when or if he will suit up! -- but the future remains bright. However, some in keeper leagues might not believe that. Go for it. I won't mention every current rookie, but it is also a fine time to see if you can pry Lonzo Ball, Dennis Smith Jr. or De'Aaron Fox from their managers, for much future value is going to be there.