Fantasy Basketball Players to Monitor Before the NBA Trade Deadline (Points Leagues)

We’re less than a month away from the February 5th NBA Trade Deadline, and for managers in points leagues, this is the most critical stretch of the season. In the world of fantasy, getting ahead of a deal often matters more than reacting to the news once it breaks.

Right now, the league is in flux: teams are drawing lines between buying and selling, high-upside youth are buried in rotations, and veterans hold value that could evaporate—or explode—overnight.

This is where proactive managers find their edge. Before Adrian Wojnarowski retired, we lived for the “Woj Bomb”; now, waiting for a “ShamsWow” to drop is usually too late. By then, the waiver wire has been picked clean, trade prices have skyrocketed, and your league-mates have already pivoted. Success at the deadline is about anticipation over reaction. It’s about identifying the players whose roles are one move away from a massive shift and positioning your roster before the chaos hits.

Below are the key fantasy trade deadline targets you need to monitor, specifically curated for points league value.

Players to Monitor Before the NBA Trade Deadline

Jonathan Kuminga — Golden State Warriors

NBA Trade Deadline Fantasy Basketball Target: Buy-Low Upside

Jonathan Kuminga stands out as the league’s premier “change-of-scenery” candidate. Despite showing flashes of elite upside earlier this season, Golden State has effectively phased him out of the rotation. Rumors continue to swirl that the Warriors are determined to move him before the deadline—with January 15th serving as the key date he becomes trade-eligible—and Sacramento remains the most frequent name linked to a deal.

This is a classic case of opportunity over talent. Kuminga hasn’t seen the floor since December 18th, when he struggled through a nine-minute stint against Phoenix. Since then, he has racked up ten consecutive DNP-CDs. Teams don’t mothball 23-year-old wings with his pedigree by accident; Golden State is clearly bubble-wrapping him to preserve his health as a trade asset.

From a fantasy points-league perspective, this is the exact profile you want to target. A move to a team willing to provide 30+ minutes and a consistent offensive role could revive Kuminga’s value overnight.

The Sacramento Fit: The Kings check every box for a fantasy revival. With reports suggesting a massive disconnect between their veterans and coaching staff, Sacramento is eyeing a “soft reset.” If the Kings move on from aging stars like DeMar DeRozan or Russell Westbrook, Kuminga would likely walk into a featured role immediately. In that scenario, he doesn’t just become a rotation player—he becomes a must-roster asset with legitimate league-winning upside.

Points League Angle

Usage plus minutes drive fantasy production. Kuminga does not need elite efficiency if he plays 30-plus minutes and carries real scoring responsibility.

Across the two seasons prior to this one, he averaged 15.8 points, 4.7 rebounds, 2.2 assists, and 1.3 stocks while shooting nearly 50 percent from the field in just 25.6 minutes per game. Those numbers translate to mid-round fantasy value. A trade to a team like Sacramento establishes that as his baseline, with room to grow as usage rises.

2025–26 averages: 11.8 points, 6.2 rebounds, and 2.6 assists in 24.8 minutes across 18 games.

Kyle Filipowski — Utah Jazz

Fantasy Basketball Trade Deadline Sleeper for Points Leagues

Kyle Filipowski fits the exact mold of a stash that fantasy managers should be aggressive about right now. As the February 5th deadline nears, Utah is expected to explore trades for veterans like Jusuf Nurkić and potentially even Lauri Markkanen. Even a minor adjustment to the Jazz frontcourt would clear a direct path to the consistent, heavy minutes Filipowski needs to explode.

We’ve already seen his “League Winner” potential when given the run. In stretches where he’s played 30+ minutes this season, he’s flashed a versatile ceiling—like his recent 25-point, 13-rebound performance against Memphis. His ability to produce 1.2 stocks (steals + blocks) and nearly two three-pointers per game from the center position makes him a rare points-league unicorn. This is the definition of “silly season” production that swings leagues in March and April.

The Strategy: Could Utah bring back another big in a trade and keep the rotation crowded? Absolutely. That uncertainty is why he’s a “stash” and not a “must-start” yet. However, Filipowski has already proven he can handle a featured role the moment it opens up.

If you have a bench spot to burn, grab him now. In deeper formats, he’s a priority add; in standard leagues, he should be at the very top of your watchlist the second a Nurkić or Markkanen trade rumor gains steam.

Points League Angle

Bigs who rebound, score efficiently, and move the ball tend to accumulate quiet fantasy points. Late-season minutes matter even more on teams with little incentive to push veterans.

As a starter this season: 11.2 points, 7.1 rebounds, 2.3 assists, 1.0 stocks, and 1.0 three per game.

Per 36 minutes: 15.2 points, 9.9 rebounds, 3.4 assists, 1.7 stocks, and 1.4 threes.

Trey Murphy III — New Orleans Pelicans

Fantasy Basketball Trade Deadline Target With Usage Volatility

Trey Murphy III remains one of the league’s most lethal and efficient scorers, but his fantasy ceiling has long been tethered to a crowded New Orleans rotation. However, with the Pelicans currently sitting at the bottom of the Western Conference, Murphy’s name is circulating in trade discussions with more heat than ever before. Teams across the league are salivating over his archetype: elite shooting, 6’8” size, and a team-friendly contract.

Murphy might already be in the best spot to maximize his value if he stays. With the Pelicans drifting and rumors swirling around a Zion Williamson exit, Murphy is the natural heir to a massive usage increase. We saw a glimpse of this on January 6th when he torched the Lakers for a career-high 42 points. If New Orleans prioritizes the development of their standout rookies, Jeremiah Fears and Derik Queen, Murphy becomes the veteran bridge and the undisputed #1 scoring option.

The Trade Risk: While the Pelicans’ front office is reportedly asking for a “king’s ransom” (rumored at two unprotected first-rounders), a move is possible if a contender like Philadelphia or Toronto meets the price. A trade to a usage-heavy role in Philly would be a fantasy goldmine; conversely, a move to a “share-the-wealth” system like Golden State could cap his nightly ceiling.

The Verdict: Volatility makes Murphy a “hold” or a “buy-high” depending on your risk tolerance, but the floor is incredibly safe. Even in a less favorable situation, his elite efficiency and defensive “stocks” keep him relevant. But if Zion is moved and Murphy stays? You’re looking at a Top-25 fantasy asset for the stretch run.

Points League Angle

Efficient scorers gain real value when shot attempts increase. Even a modest usage bump can produce a major fantasy payoff. 2025–26 averages: 21.3 points, 6.1 rebounds, 3.5 assists, 2.9 threes, and 1.5 steals per game.

2025–26 averages: 21.3 points, 6.1 rebounds, 3.5 assists, and 2.9 threes.

Daniel Gafford — Dallas Mavericks

Safe NBA Trade Deadline Fantasy Basketball Target

Daniel Gafford offers one of the safest fantasy floors among centers in points leagues. His combination of high-volume rebounding, elite shot-blocking, and historic field-goal efficiency keeps him productive regardless of his role. What makes him particularly intriguing right now is the “robust” trade market forming around him as Dallas explores a transition into the Cooper Flagg era.

The Current Situation: Gafford has been a steadying force for a Mavericks team in flux. With Dereck Lively II officially ruled out for the season following foot surgery, Gafford’s minutes have seen a secure bump. Dallas has recently pivoted to a massive “double-big” starting lineup, pairing Gafford with Anthony Davis. This allows Davis to operate as a roamer at the four while Gafford racks up points and boards as the primary interior anchor.

Historical Reliability: Since arriving in Dallas, Gafford has been a model of consistency for fantasy managers:

• 2023–24 Stretch: 11.2 PTS, 6.9 REB, 1.9 BLK (78% FG)

• 2024–25 Season: 12.3 PTS, 6.8 REB, 1.8 BLK (70% FG)

• Recent Form: Over his last four games, he’s averaging a double-double (11.0 PTS, 9.0 REB) with 1.5 blocks, proving he’s fully recovered from his early-season ankle injury.

The Strategy: Gafford produces in any context. If he stays in Dallas, the Lively injury guarantees him a heavy workload. However, NBA insiders suggest Gafford currently has the “most robust” trade market in Dallas due to his team-friendly contract. Whether he stays as the Mavs’ primary center or is moved to a contender in need of rim protection (like the Knicks or Warriors), his fantasy value is essentially “trade-proof.”

Points League Angle

Centers with secure minutes rarely hurt your roster. Rebounds and blocks create steady fantasy scoring.

2025–26 averages: 8.3 points, 6.3 rebounds, and 1.4 blocks in 20.5 minutes per game.

Michael Porter Jr. — Brooklyn Nets

Fantasy Basketball Trade Deadline Sell-High

Michael Porter Jr. is currently playing the best basketball of his career, but for fantasy managers, his situation is a ticking time bomb. While he has thrived as the undisputed #1 option in Brooklyn, the Nets are at a crossroads: MPJ’s brilliance is actually “hurting” their chances at a top-three pick in the 2026 Draft. As the February 5th deadline approaches, the incentive for Brooklyn to pivot toward draft capital and “protect the tank” is reaching a fever pitch.

The Current Tear: Since being traded to Brooklyn last summer, MPJ has been a revelation, averaging a career-high 26.1 points and 7.5 rebounds on elite 50/41/83 shooting splits. He’s fresh off a dominant stretch, including a 34-point masterpiece against Orlando on January 7th and a revenge-fueled 27-point double-double against his former team in Denver.

The Risk Factor: Porter fits the textbook definition of a “Sell-High.” Here’s why his value is fragile:

• The Usage Cliff: Rumors are swirling around potential moves to contenders like the Detroit Pistons, Chicago Bulls, or Milwaukee Bucks. In any of those scenarios, MPJ would slide from a high-volume alpha to a secondary or tertiary scoring threat.

• The “Silly Season” Threat: If Brooklyn fails to find a trade partner, they may look to “inventory” their star by resting him on back-to-backs or curbing his minutes to give more run to rookies like Egor Demin, Danny Wolf, and Nolan Traoré.

The Strategy: If MPJ is on your roster, now is the time to strike while his value is at its absolute peak. You are holding a player producing Top-15 value, but that production is tied to a role that likely won’t exist in six weeks. Start conversations today. You aren’t “dumping” him—you are liquidating a high-volatility asset for a “safe” superstar who isn’t at risk of a massive role change.

Points League Angle

Usage drives scoring in points leagues, and trades often strip that advantage quickly.

2025–26 averages: 30.3 percent usage rate, career highs of 26.1 points, 7.5 rebounds, 3.3 assists, and 3.9 threes per game.

Since December 18: 28, 24, 28, 27, 27, 27, and 34 points.

General Trade Deadline Tips for Points Leagues

Be Proactive

The best moves happen before news breaks, not after it hits social media.

Track the Minutes

Playing time almost always translates directly into fantasy points.

Buy Low With Intent

Target players who are suppressed by role uncertainty, injuries, or short-term volatility.

Build for the Playoffs

With fantasy playoffs generally beginning in Week 21 (dates could be different for your league), prioritize the stretch run over short-term matchups.

Final Thoughts

The NBA trade deadline reshapes more than just real-life rosters. It reshapes fantasy leagues. This stretch separates proactive managers from reactive ones.

Managers who wait for trades to finalize are already behind. Stay aggressive. Stay informed. Position your roster now so it peaks when it matters most.