NBA Draft season tends to be one of the moments where we get frequent trade buzz, as teams try and position themselves for the future. This year, so far, we’ve only had two NBA Fantasy relevant trades. The first was Mikal Bridges to New York and the other was Deni Avdija to Portland. Let’s dissect the two and see how it has changed the fantasy basketball landscape.
Fantasy Basketball Impact of Recent NBA Trades
Mikal Bridges Traded to New York Knicks
New York Knicks Receive: Mikal Bridges and 2026 2nd Rounder
Brooklyn Nets Receive: Bojan Bogdanovic, 5 1st Round Picks, 2028 Pick Swap, and a 2025 2nd Round Pick
The Knicks are creating a roster that is full of versatile, unselfish players. It’s an incredible thing to watch, and I owe the Knicks’ front office an apology for hating on the initial move to pay Jalen Brunson (what was at the time) a massive amount, which has actually turned into a team-friendly contract. Obviously, the Knicks’ core is all from the 2016 Villanova National Championship roster (Ryan Arcidiacono should expect a phone call soon). But more importantly, it’s full of players who have all played multiple roles in their careers, making them all adaptable. The only given is that Jalen Brunson will retain his role as the focal point of the offense (33% usage rate last year). His fantasy stock is safe from this trade. Further, Josh Hart will remain a dirty work/open-shot player. His stock is also safe as the Draymond Green-esque triple-double threat. The same goes for OG Anunoby, who just signed a $212M extension. Donte DiVincenzo will retain his role as a energy player/outside shooter, but his fantasy stock is down, as I think he will cede shots to Mikal Bridges. The main question for me is what kind of role Bridges will take on consistently.
Starting his career in Phoenix he went from averaging 8 PPG and 3 REB in 2018 to 14/4 in 2021 (while finishing 2nd for the DPOY), to 26/5 in his first Brooklyn year. Last year, he settled into a 25% usage rate role, while averaging 20 points per game, and remaining the team’s primary wing defender. I think that’s the role he will play with the Knicks but with a usage rate closer to the 18-20% range. I believe he will defer to others offensively, and lock into defending the opposing team’s best player (switching with Josh Hart, to keep both fresh). Further, I think Julius Randle’s return will lower everyone’s counting stats offensively, as the team tries to reincorporate him without slowing down the offense. I find Bridges to be a better player in real-life, than fantasy, and this trade likely makes him a less reliable fantasy asset.
As for Brooklyn…Cam Thomas becomes a threat to take 25 shots per game. His stock skyrockets. The same goes for Cam Johnson, but the onus is now on him to be the defensive stopper, which is incredibly draining when it comes time to get shots up. It also exposes him to foul trouble. Nic Claxton’s fantasy stock remains the same, as he doesn’t create for himself and is typically scoring from pick-and-rolls and putbacks. As for Ben Simmons…you’re on your own in determining what his role will be. I will forever take a flyer on him, but he’s admittedly injury-prone, and I can’t imagine he still loves the game.
Deni Avdija Traded to Portland Trail Blazers
Portland Trail Blazers Receive: Deni Avdija
Washington Wizards Receive: Malcolm Brogdon, Bud Carrington (14th overall pick), 1st Round Pick, Two 2nd Round Picks
Deni Avdija had a breakout year with the Wizards last year. He averaged a career-high 15/7/4, while shooting 38% from three, and playing 30 minutes per game on a 20% usage rate. He was the second option each night behind Kyle Kuzma. He’s now traded to a team that has Anfernee Simons (22/6/4, 28% usage rate), Scoot Henderson (will take on a bigger role in his 2nd year), Jerami Grant (shocked he hasn’t been traded yet), and DeAndre Ayton. He becomes the fourth option at best and is not the versatile defender that Shaedon Sharpe is at the SF/PF position. I’m not quite sure what Portland’s plans for Deni are, but 30+ minutes and 15+ PPG seems like a stretch for me. Deni’s fantasy stock is down, though I don’t feel the need to change my fantasy outlook on the five aforementioned players.
As for the Wizards… they are tanking for Cooper Flagg, and I don’t blame them. The Wizards don’t have a defined identity, and after Kyle Kuzma, the usage rate is open for the taking (Sarr, Coulibaly, Jordan Poole, etc.). Expect sporadic 20+ point games from players that you’ve never heard of (e.g. Tristan Vukcevic). The waiver wire is going to be a frequent and fruitful place when it comes to Washington Wizards’ fantasy assets.