How to Approach Sell-High Fantasy Basketball Players: Julius Randle, Lauri Markkanen, Jrue Holiday and More

After pointing out some fantasy basketball leaders to this point of the season earlier today, I wanted to highlight some of the overachieving players in the early going and then determine how you should be approaching them.

For this story, I will be using fantasy numbers from ESPN. All these players rank in the top 30 so far this year.

Let's dive right in!

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Julius Randle - Minnesota Timberwolves

Randle went around pick 64 this season, so him being in the top 10 so far is a big surprise.

He is averaging 26.8 points, 6.9 rebounds, 5.6 assists, 1.1 steals and 0.4 blocks over 35 minutes a game so far. He's shooting 56% from the floor and 44.2% from 3-point land.

His points are way up from last season, as are his assists and shooting percentages. He's also played nearly three more minutes, so the improved numbers make sense. Minnesota has been playing without Anthony Edwards, so that's definitely helping Randle's fantasy cause too.

As for how to approach Randle, I think he is a definite sell-high fantasy candidate. I don't see him continuing at these averages, and believe he will settle back into a secondary role with the return of Edwards.

He's been a pretty reliable fantasy asset, playing in 69 or more games in four of the past five seasons, so most fantasy owners would love to add Randle. His bigger name will add a bit more value to his name, and his great overall numbers will definitely be what fantasy owners target in trades.

Take advantage of his sky-high fantasy value before he starts to fall off.

Austin Reaves - Los Angeles Lakers

Reaves is averaging 31.1 points, 9.3 assists, 5.1 rebounds and 1.4 steals over 37.9 minutes in seven games this season. He is shooting 48.9% overall and is 34.4% from deep.

Luka Doncic missed some time earlier this season, and LeBron James has yet to play. That's helped Reaves get off to a blistering start.

He's improved in each season so far in his career, but expecting him to keep up these early-season averages is a crazy thought. Everyone expects him to fall off at some point, but you can still sell him high for a great price right now.

Reaves is another top-10 fantasy asset so far, but was drafted around pick 47 overall. Trading him now could net you a player who went a couple rounds before Reaves, or maybe allows you to get a couple depth pieces to round out your roster.

Reaves is an exciting talent, but there's no chance he keeps producing like he has so far, so I'd cash in on his value now.

Lauri Markkanen - Utah Jazz

Markkanen went around pick 73, so he's the biggest riser we've discussed so far.

Across eight games so far, he's averaging 30.4 points, 6.6 rebounds, 2 assists, 0.6 steals and 0.5 blocks over 37.1 minutes. He's shooting 46.6% overall and is 35.4% from 3-point land.

He's averaged nearly six more minutes per game this season, but even that isn't the cause of scoring over 11 points per game more than last season. It's possible Markkanen is at the start of the first season of his prime.

If we had written this story a couple days ago, I might have told you to sell high on Markkanen. While I don't see him sticking as a top-20 fantasy asset this whole season, I'm not going to say you should just hold him, unless an offer is too good to refuse.

Utah will be without Walker Kessler for the remainder of the season, which opens the door for Markkanen to keep shining for the Jazz. I don't expect him to average 30 points a game for the season, but 25 points and several boards a game will help him to a big fantasy year yet.

I get that some will sell Markkanen because of availability issues over the past two seasons, but I'd be more inclined to ride the wave and hope he keeps delivering better marks than he was drafted at this season. 

Alexandre Sarr - Washington Wizards

Sarr was drafted around pick 88, so to be in the top 30 should be eye opening.

He's averaging 19 points, 8.4 rebounds, 3.9 assists, 2.3 blocks and 0.6 steals over 27.9 minutes a game in his second NBA season. Sarr is shooting 54% overall and is 45.5% from deep.

He is averaging about the same amount of minutes per game, but increased shooting percentages has him six points higher than his rookie year. He's averaging more rebounds, assists and blocks as well, so he's clearly taken a step forward.

He has the chance to stick as a leader for the Wizards, so I'm more inclined to keep rostering him, and hope that he continues to deliver similar averages the rest of the season. His percentages might drop over time, but as long as he can keep his other stats up, Sarr can be a really good nightly fantasy option.

There's also a chance his minutes tick up over time too, and then he might even average better numbers, even if his shooting percentages go down a bit.

If you landed Sarr in the middle rounds of your draft, consider yourself lucky and enjoy his improved play. Unless I was blown away by an offer, I'd keep rostering him. 

Jrue Holiday - Portland Trail Blazers

Holiday was taken around pick 114, so for him to be inside the top 30 is a major surprise.

Across eight games and 33 minutes, Holiday is averaging 17.4 points, 7.5 assists, 4.9 rebounds, 1.4 steals and 0.3 blocks a night. He is shooting 46.4% overall and is 36.8% from 3-point land.

He is back in a bigger role again and taking advantage of things so far. At age 35, Holiday clearly has more gas in the tank, and if you landed him late in your draft, there's a good chance your fantasy squad is off to a hot start, with Holiday helping the cause.

It'd be easy to sell high on him, and while I'd definitely consider it, it really comes down to how your guard spot looks overall. If you can get by without him, then by all means move Holiday for a forward or center. You'll get incredible value in return for him based on where he was drafted, and it could put your fantasy team in a better spot in the long run.

Keyonte George - Utah Jazz

George was drafted around pick 117, so like Holiday, he's been a major draft steal to open the season.

I've liked George since he entered the league, and he might be at the start of his big breakout season. He's averaging 22.6 points, 7.9 assists, 3.5 rebounds, 0.9 steals and 0.4 blocks over 34.6 minutes in eight games played so far. He is shooting 42.1% overall and is just 26.1% from 3-point land, so his numbers could be even better.

Again, with Kessler out, Utah is looking for players to step up. George has to start the season, and there's a decent chance he sticks as a main contributor for this team. 

But like in the case with Holiday, it'd be hard not to sell high on George. You probably have usable fantasy guards, and George just makes that position a strength. If that's the case, moving him for a forward or center is a move that would probably benefit your fantasy squad.

At least throw his name on the trade block and see what kinds of offers trickle in. You might be surprised at the return you get, and it might lead to a better long-term fantasy outlook for your team.