Sunday, December 22, 2024

Fantasy Basketball, Featured

Kyrie Irving Trade Fantasy Impact

The NBA trade deadline is fast approaching and the first blockbuster deal was made official on Monday. Kyrie Irving has been traded to the Mavs for Spencer Dinwiddie, Dorian Finney-Smith, and two 2027 draft picks. Let’s take a closer look at how this trade impacts each player’s fantasy value.

Mavs

Kyrie Irving – Say what you want about Kyrie, but on the court, he’s having a fantastic season. Kyrie’s currently ranked within the top 30 in both points and categories leagues. Irving had success in the past playing alongside a ball-dominant player like Luka and should continue to put up great numbers. In his last five games as a Net Kyrie was averaging 29.6 points, seven assists, and almost two steals while shooting 50 percent from the field. Kyrie’s availability has been in question, but he should be motivated because it’s the final year of his current contract.

Nets

Spencer Dinwiddie – Dinwiddie’s fantasy value gets a boost. His usage will increase as he’s now the number one scoring option on the Nets while Kevin Durant remains sidelined. He’s averaging 17.7 points, five assists, and shooting 40 percent from three during the season. He should see an uptick in points if he continues to play around 35 minutes per game.

Dorian Finney-Smith – DFS remains neutral from a fantasy perspective. He’s one of the top three and D wings in the league, but his impact on the court is more valuable in real life than in fantasy. He can provide steals, rebounds, and threes as he’s shooting 35 percent from downtown this season.

Cam Thomas – Cam Thomas has seen his playing time increase significantly. He has scored over 40+ points in three straight games and should be a great stream while the Nets continue to deal with their injuries. Even when fully healthy Cam should have a spot in the rotation.

To hear more on the Kyrie trade listen to our most recent episode below. For more fantasy basketball content check out Belly Up Fantasy. Don’t forget to subscribe on Apple Podcast or Spotify! And follow us on Twitter and Instagram @thefantasyhoops!