Fantasy Basketball Buy-Low Trade Candidates: Karl-Anthony Towns, James Harden, Jalen Brunson and More

On Monday, we put together a list of five sell-high fantasy basketball trade candidates. Today, we are back to go over five buy-low trade options.

We will keep the focus on players who are rostered in a lot of standard leagues.

Use the FantasySP fantasy basketball trade value chart and trade analyzer to help you with trades all season!

James Harden, Los Angeles Clippers

Yesterday's story started with a Clipper, and I'm following suit today. Harden ranks 12th on the trade value chart, but is 37th in fantasy points per game over the past 10 contests.

Harden missed the last Clippers' game with a shoulder injury, which knocks down his value a little more. He scored 21 or less points in the last three games he appeared in.

That's notable, as Harden is averaging 25.7 points per game on the season. He's also averaging 8 assists, 4.8 rebounds, 1.2 steals and 0.3 blocks over 35.4 minutes a night. Harden is shooting 43.3% overall and he's 35.8% from 3-point land.

He's been a high-end fantasy player this season, but his numbers of late have lacked a bit. Harden still ranks really high on the trade chart, but he's more attainable after a little regression.

If you were interested in acquiring Harden, now would be a good time to go after him. He's still going to cost a good amount in a trade, but you should get good value back by acquiring him as his fantasy value has decreased a bit of late.

Jalen Brunson, New York Knicks

Brunson sits 15th on the trade chart, but his value is down 0.6 over the past week. Brunson is 24th in fantasy points over his past 10 games, so it's a time to also look into buying a bit lower on him.

He has 24, 31 and 25 points over his past three games. Those are still very good marks, but he's averaged 29.2 points per game on the season, so his scoring has dipped a bit. 

Brunson is also averaging 6.3 assists, 3.3 rebounds, 0.8 steals and 0.1 blocks over 35.3 minutes a game this season. He's shooting 47.5% overall and is 37.9% from 3-point land.

There aren't many times during the season that a high-end fantasy player like Brunson is a bit cheaper to acquire, but now is one of those rare chances. Again, Brunson is still going to cost a lot in a trade, but if you are looking to buy him a bit lower, now is the time to pounce.

Maybe try to sell a player who has been on a hot streak who might fall back as time goes on. Or trade from a position of depth to improve your fantasy guard room. 

Brunson is a top-15 fantasy player, and he has stretches where he's a top-10 or even top-five guy. Don't expect him to stick in the 20s as a fantasy asset for long, but use now as a chance to acquire Brunson for cheaper.

Victor Wembanyama, San Antonio Spurs

Wemby missed a chunk of games from mid-November to mid-December, but he appeared in the next nine. Wembanyama has missed the team's past two games, and is listed as questionable for Tuesday's game.  

Those absences have dropped Wembanyama's fantasy value a decent amount. He still ranks sixth on the trade chart, but with lingering injury concerns after a shortened 2024-25 season, now is the time to maybe acquire the superstar for a bit cheaper.

There is some risk involved for sure, but when he's healthy and playing, Wembanyama is one of the top-end fantasy talents in the NBA.

His fantasy owners might be getting sick of him missing games, and if their fantasy team is struggling, they might be willing to part with him for a bit less. Of course, that means that you would be taking on that headache, so make sure your team can overcome some missed games from the superstar.

Really, the best time to trade for Wembanyama is with a loaded fantasy roster. Package a couple fantasy assets together and try to land Wemby. You will still need to pay a pretty penny to acquire him, but he's a top-end fantasy talent for a reason, and if he sticks on the court, he could lead your fantasy team to greatness. 

Assess your team and see if taking a bit of a gamble on Wembanyama might be worth it. 

Karl-Anthony Towns, New York Knicks

I promise I'm not trying to pick on the Knicks, but here's another star on the team that's underperformed of late. Towns ranks 13th on the trade chart today, but sits 60th in fantasy points per game over his past 10 contests.

He was awful on Monday, providing just six points and one rebound and assist over 22 minutes of action in the team's lopsided loss to the Pistons. Towns has only hit 20 points twice in his past four contests, and he's averaging 19.1 points per game over his past nine games - and that's despite a 40-point outing on December 23.

On the season, Towns is averaging 21.5 points, 11.5 rebounds, 2.8 assists, 0.8 steals and 0.6 blocks over 32.5 minutes a night. He is shooting 47.1% overall and he's 35.6% from deep.

His numbers are down from last year, but that's nothing crazy considering he is playing about 2.5 minutes less per game so far. Towns' shooting percentages are down though, so he could be doing more.

Still, a 20-and-10 nightly performer is a great fantasy asset, and he's capable of even bigger nights. Towns has 23 double-doubles over 33 games. He has 19 games over 20 points and 25 contests with 10 or more rebounds.

He has seen his numbers drop a bit of late, and he's due to turn it around soon. If you are in need of a big man, Towns is a good one to go after, especially with a lower fantasy value of late.

Take advantage of his lower production of late and acquire him for a bit cheaper in a trade. It should work in your favor in the long run, as long as you don't give up a super consistent fantasy asset in return.

Bam Adebayo, Miami Heat

Adebayo ranks 32nd on the trade chart today, and his player rating is down 0.6 over the past week. Adebayo ranks 75th in fantasy points over his past 10 games, so that's notably lower.

He has scored below 20 points in eight straight games. Adebayo has only reached 15 points in two of those contests.

Adebayo is averaging 17.3 points per game on the season, along with 9.5 rebounds, 2.6 assists, 1 steal and 0.9 blocks over 31.1 minutes. In 28 games, he's shooting 45.6% overall and he's 32.2% from deep.

Adebayo's numbers are also down this season, but he's playing over three minutes less per game, so it makes sense. His shooting numbers have dipped a bit, and his scoring is down 0.8 from last season. The only stat he's really down in otherwise is assists, but those are down 1.7, so that's a big drop in fantasy value.

What's most concerning with Adebayo's season is that Tyler Herro has only played six games, which you'd think would work in Adebayo's favor. Maybe having Herro back can increase Adebayo's efficiency though, and I'm betting on Bam bouncing back eventually.

Look into buying low on him, as he's unlikely to stick in his funk for too much longer.