NBA Trade Deadline Stash Guide: 5 Teams Primed for Fantasy Basketball’s “Silly Season” Heroes

We are only a few weeks away from the Feb. 5 deadline, and for many teams, the “Silly Season” writing is already on the wall. While casual managers are chasing flashy rumors, the real league-winners are found by identifying the best NBA trade deadline stashes on lottery-bound rosters. These high-upside players are currently hidden in the trenches, but they are about to see a massive value spike.

NBA Trade Deadline Stash Guide

There are at least five teams I can safely say are out of the play-in race. Behind closed doors, GMs are already discussing who to shut down to prioritize youth development. I’m playing GM today and calling my shot on which veterans will sit and which young studs will benefit from the extra usage. In points leagues especially, minutes are the only currency that matters, and these NBA trade deadline stashes are about to be rich.

Note: Roster percentages are based on Yahoo! Fantasy Sports data.

New Orleans Pelicans

Once the Pelicans start resting Zion Williamson, it’s wheels up for the youth movement. We know Derik Queen is going to ball out when Zion gets the inevitable shutdown, but he’s rostered in too many leagues to qualify for this list. If you can trade for him, do it. If not, look here:

• Shallow Add: Jeremiah Fears (19% rostered)

  • The Pedigree: Selected 7th overall in the 2025 Draft, Fears is the highest lottery pick NOLA has had this decade.

  • The Case: He’s already averaging 13.9 PPG and 3.2 APG in limited run, but check the splits: over his last several starts, he’s cleared 20 points multiple times. When given 25+ minutes, his scoring jumps to nearly 16 PPG. In the 13 games he’s received 30-plus minutes, “Zero Fears” has averaged 16.8 points, 4.7 rebounds, 3.9 assists, and 1.6 steals. He is a “walking paint touch” who will be the primary engine once the vets sit.

• Deep League Add: Bryce McGowens (0% rostered)

  • The Case: McGowens is a high-upside wing who has shown he can fill a box score when the rotation thins out. At only 23 years old, he has averaged 10.9 points, 2.9 rebounds, 2.1 assists, and 1.0 stocks over the 14 games where he has received 20-plus minutes. Keep him on your radar for the literal day Zion is ruled out.

Indiana Pacers

Once they start resting Pascal Siakam, multiple Pacers benefit, but one is the clear priority.

• Shallow Add: Aaron Nesmith (24% rostered)

  • The Pedigree: A former lottery pick who has finally found his home in Indiana.

  • The Case: The Pacers view him as a foundational piece. They want him to be the primary 3rd option next to Haliburton next season, and that comes with reps. This season, when seeing 30+ minutes, Nesmith is a reliable producer, averaging 14.2 points, 5.9 rebounds, 2.3 assists, and 1.4 stocks across 15 games.

• Deep League Add: Jarace Walker (3% rostered)

  • The Pedigree: The 8th overall pick in the 2023 Draft is finally ready.

  • The Case: In his 13 starts this year, he’s averaged 11.2 PPG, 5.8 RPG, 2.8 APG, and 1.3 stocks. That’s elite versatility for a deep league wire find.

• Deep League Add: Johnny Furphy (1% rostered)

  • The Pedigree: A pure shooter, the Pacers want to develop.

  • The Case: In the 11 games where he has received 20-plus minutes, the 21-year-old is averaging 8.4 points, 5.8 rebounds, 1.4 stocks, and 1.3 assists. Give him 25+, and he’s a 3-point streamer with massive upside.

Washington Wizards

I’ve mentioned these three names before, but if they are still floating on your waiver wire, consider this your final warning. Trae Young is barely going to play the rest of the season—the team has already hinted at a shutdown to protect their lottery odds—and with Khris Middleton likely on the move, these NBA trade deadline stashes are about to inherit the keys to the city.

• Shallow Add: Tre Johnson (13% rostered)

  • The Pedigree: The Wizards didn’t spend the 6th overall pick in the 2025 draft to let this kid ride the pine.

  • The Case: Johnson is the stash that still feels underappreciated despite already showing Steph-like range from the logo. He doesn’t need a perfect scenario to matter; he just needs the usage that will vacate the second the veterans officially step aside. In games where he has received 20+ minutes this season, he is averaging 12.9 points, 3.0 rebounds, 2.5 assists, and 1.1 stocks.

• Shallow Add: Bub Carrington (11% rostered)

  • The Pedigree: A 2024 lottery pick whom the Wizards are determined to develop as their franchise floor general.

  • The Case: While he sits a tier below Johnson in pure scoring upside, his fantasy floor is rock solid because of his playmaking. At just 20 years old, Washington is motivated to let him quarterback this offense the rest of the way. In games where he has received 20+ minutes this season, Bub is averaging 15.7 points, 4.8 rebounds, and 6.0 assists.

• Deep League Add: Justin Champagnie (8% rostered)

  • The Case: If you’re still treating Champagnie as a speculative play, you’re already behind. He has officially crossed the line into a legit roster player, producing top-80 fantasy value in roughly 25 minutes per night. He does everything points leagues love: boards, triples, and steals. In games where he has received 20+ minutes this season, he is averaging 11.9 points, 8.1 rebounds, 1.8 stocks, and 1.6 assists. If he pushes to 32 minutes post-deadline, he’s a league-winner.

Utah Jazz

Danny Ainge is the master of the pivot. Expect the veterans to find “injuries” quickly.

• Shallow Add: Brice Sensabaugh (27% rostered)

  • The Case: He’s been on a heater lately, averaging an astonishing 31.7 points and 5.3 rebounds. At just 22 years old, he looks like the future in Utah. He missed a game recently due to illness, proving Utah won’t hesitate to sit guys for the slightest reason—but when he’s on the floor, he’s the priority.

• Shallow Add: Ace Bailey (22% rostered)

  • The Pedigree: Bailey was the crown jewel of Utah’s recent draft haul, taken with the 5th overall pick in the 2025 NBA Draft.

  • The Case: He’s already started 25 games for Utah, proving the front office is fully committed to his development. While he’s been solid as a starter, the real explosion comes when the Jazz officially park their veterans—that’s when his usage will spike exponentially. In those 25 starts (which are essentially his games with 20+ minutes), the prize rookie out of Rutgers is averaging 13.0 points, 4.0 rebounds, 2.0 assists, and 1.3 stocks.

• Shallow Add: Kyle Filipowski (20% rostered)

  • The Case: He’s already averaging 9.4 PPG and 6.1 RPG in just 22 minutes. In the games where he played 20-plus minutes, the 22-year-old is averaging 13.3 points, 7.8 rebounds, and 2.8 assists. That skill set from the center spot is fantasy gold.

• Deep League Add: Isaiah Collier (13% rostered)

  • The Case: Despite some rookie “low-light” games, Collier is averaging 6.5 APG. That is elite assist production from a waiver wire player. As the scoring catches up with the run, his value will skyrocket.

• Deep League Add: Cody Williams (1% rostered)

  • The Case: The 10th overall pick has underwhelmed, but the draft capital is too high for Utah to ignore him. Expect his 16 MPG to double in March as the Jazz decide if he’s a long-term piece.

Sacramento Kings

The Kings are 12-31 and 7.5 games back from the play-in. If they don’t blow it up at the deadline, they’ll unleash the kids shortly after.

• Shallow Add: Maxime Raynaud (12% rostered)

  • The Pedigree: Selected 42nd overall, but he was an All-ACC First Team star who led the conference in rebounding.

  • The Case: When Domantas Sabonis has been out this season, Raynaud has been a revelation. In those starts, he’s averaged 11.9 points, 8.4 rebounds, and 1.0 stocks. He is a must-stash for the “Sabonis shutdown” scenario.

• Deep League Add: Dylan Cardwell (3% rostered)

  • The Case: A defensive specialist who can rack up blocks in a hurry. In the 8 games he’s seen 20+ minutes, he’s averaging 5.3 points, 7.0 rebounds, and 1.9 blocks.

• Deep League Add: Nique Clifford (1% rostered)

  • The Case: The high-energy wing the Kings need to evaluate. When given 20+ minutes this season, he’s averaging 9.4 points, 3.8 rebounds, 2.7 assists, and 1.0 steals.

The Final Verdict: Don’t Get Caught Sleeping

We are entering the most volatile—and profitable—stretch of the fantasy calendar. While your leaguemates are still mourning their injured first-rounders, you need to be the GM who looks ahead.

The “Silly Season” isn’t random; it’s predictable if you follow the minutes and the draft pedigree. Players like Jeremiah Fears and Maxime Raynaud aren’t just names on a list; they are the statistical engines that will drive you to a championship. I’ve planted my flags—now it’s time for you to go out and capture yours.