Bulls’ Derrick Jones Jr. (finger) expected to return vs. Thunder

With the Nets returning to the court Saturday for the first time since they sent James Harden to Philadelphia in a package for Ben Simmons, coach Steve Nash and star Kevin Durant opened up on a trade that shook the foundations of the Atlantic Division and could impact the fates of everyone in the Eastern Conference.
Simmons, after dealing with a series-crushing case of the yips, has sat out the entirety of the 2021-22 thus far. But as the Nets begin to ramp up toward his return, Nash pointed out that playing next to Durant, Kyrie Irving and fellow newcomer Seth Curry, Simmons’ shot-making has downshifted in the priority list:
“Ben does 1,000 things on the basketball court, and shooting is not one that I’m dying to see,” Nash said. “He’s an All-Star basketball player and has incredible potential to affect games with all the other things he does … I want him to get out there and be dynamic.”

“He is an amazing basketball player.”
Steve Nash discusses the impact Ben Simmons can make for Brooklyn. pic.twitter.com/8evq6gTvYS
— YES Network (@YESNetwork) February 13, 2022 As for Durant, the All-NBA forward said Harden “doesn’t have to explain anything to anybody. He’s his own man, and makes his decisions on his career himself.” But Durant is glad the team “got this thing done” and can move past the “noise”, allowing their focus to shift toward the playoff pursuit and correcting course amidst a 10-game slide.

Kevin Durant shares his thoughts on James Harden’s departure from the Nets. pic.twitter.com/TMJoMJtdA9
— YES Network (@YESNetwork) February 13, 2022 […]

With the arrival of Domantas Sabonis in Sacramento, Richaun Holmes is looking like a fantasy sell.
It’s Thursday, and you know what that means.
But this Thursday, it’s different because it’s the freakin’ (I’d change that if my editor allowed me to) trade deadline. Nothing in any other sport holds a candle to the excitement around the NBA Trade Deadline (OK, maybe playoff hockey for the “please like my sport” crowd) and the 2022 edition didn’t disappoint.
Tomorrow, I’ll have a full breakdown of every single fantasy winner and loser from the deadline, but as the dust settles, we’ll look at four instant-reaction buy and sell players from the moves made leading up to the deadline.
Buy low, sell high is one of the oldest terms in fantasy, but it’s more involved than that. You have to look at the “low” and “high” of it to make sure you’re maximizing value. We can also buy the player, but question the team and role that they are in when it comes to maintaining the pace that they are on.
Most importantly here, with any call you make, you have to be willing to lose the deal or accept that you made the wrong call. It happens all the time when we think we are selling at the highest value, only for that player to buck the trend and play like a stud going forward.
Now that you have an idea of what to expect for this column week to week, let’s get to the players.
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Buy
Andre Drummond (C – BKN)
In case you missed it, James Harden and Paul Millsap are on their way to Philadelphia, and Ben Simmons, Seth Curry, and Andre Drummond are heading to Brooklyn. There may not be a bigger fantasy winner than Drummond, who isn’t a good real-life player, but can be an exceptional fantasy player when he gets the minute and starting role. He’ll compete with Nic Claxton, who is good but inconsistent, and LaMarcus Aldridge (lol) for minutes. Grab him and don’t look back.
Daniel Gafford (C – WAS)
The Wizards traded Montrezl Harrell (more on him below) to the Charlotte Hornets, which makes Gafford once again a must-roster and must-start option.
There was a three-headed monster looming in Washington all year, which caused all three player’s values to dip a bit. But with Harrell out of the way, Gafford should see big minutes at center, with Thomas Bryant backing him up.
Even with the addition of Kristaps Porzingis, who should be the focal part of the offense when he is healthy, Gafford is a buy the rest of the way.
Montrezl Harrell (PF/C – CHA)
For the better part of a year, I’ve clamored for the Hornets to please get LaMelo Balla big man. I wanted Evan Mobley. I wanted Myles Turner. We’ll settle for Harrell.
Harrell is a buy going forward, and he should get the majority of the run at center. He’ll at least see a 2/3 split with Mason Plumlee.
Marvin Bagley (PF/C – DET)
Speaking of big men, Detroit went out and got draft bust Bagley from the Kings in a four-team deal.
Bagley has been better of late, posting top 115 numbers over the last month. Now, he heads to Detroit to give Cade Cunningham a fantastic lob partner. He’s trending up, believe it or not. I’d buy in 12-team leagues.
Sell
Spencer Dinwiddie (PG/SG – DAL)
I love Dinwiddie. He’s my third-favorite player in the game. This one hurt me on a personal level. In Dallas, his value takes a hit, as he’ll be stuck behind Jalen Brunson and more than likely Reggie Bullock. Expect Dinwiddie’s minutes and usage to dip, making him tough to roster moving forward.
Richaun Holmes (PF/C – SAC)
I’m absolutely shocked that the Kings didn’t move Holmes. Sure, he’s disappointed this year, but as a team looking to completely remake itself, I expected Holmes to be on the move somewhere, anywhere, where his value would improve.
Instead, he’s a sell in fantasy, as he’s going to be backing up Domantas Sabonis with the second unit. He’ll still have value, but the disappointing season looks like it’s going to continue for the big man.
Derrick White (PG/SG – BOS)
In the “wtf?” move of the day – if you don’t count the Porzingis deal at his diminished value – White’s value took a hit for fantasy, as he heads to Boston. Best-case, he’s starting for the Celtics as the distributing point guard they needed. Worst case, he’s splitting time with Marcus Smart, because Boston can’t seem to move away from him.
He’s still a must-roster player and we need to see how it shakes out, but can’t help to think his value takes a big hit.
Chris Boucher (PF/C – TOR)
They almost had us! There were some fake tweets (I hate and love them at the same time) going out about Boucher being sent to Houston.
If that happened, his arrow would be pointing all the way up. Instead, he’s buried in Toronto still, and to make matters worse, the Raptors acquired Drew Eubanks, who isn’t good but is another big guy to compete with for minutes. Big L, Toronto. […]

Who won the trade between Philly and Brooklyn?
The 2022 NBA trade deadline has officially passed and it certainly was wild. Social media was buzzing on Thursday following reports of stars, including James Harden and Ben Simmons, heading to new cities.
Check out some of the best reactions from players and teams to recap a very busy day in the NBA.
• NBA.com Trade Buzz: Feb. 8 | Feb. 9 | Feb. 10 | Official Trade Tracker
I survived the day this year y’all 😤😂 pic.twitter.com/NAV64tszfp
— RJ (@RjHampton14) February 10, 2022 Wizards acquire Porzingis from Mavs

Since day 1 the fans and the city of Dallas welcomed me with open arms and I will always be grateful for that.To my teammates, coaches, organization and the city THANK YOU! I wish you all continued success 💙 pic.twitter.com/CsRSA53hZ4
— Kristaps Porzingis (@kporzee) February 11, 2022 Nets trade James Harden to Sixers for Ben Simmons

Philly Back! I’m happy for my city
— Marcus Morris (@MookMorris2) February 10, 2022
3/10 😎 pic.twitter.com/8NCGAqtBj9
— Jusuf Nurkić (@bosnianbeast27) February 10, 2022
Sheeesh
— Anfernee Simons (@AnferneeSimons) February 10, 2022
Wow!
— Eric Paschall (@epaschall) February 10, 2022 Magic get cash considerations in trade with Celtics

Welcome to the O, Cash Considerations 🪄 pic.twitter.com/rEpr4y0dpQ
— Orlando Magic (@OrlandoMagic) February 10, 2022 Celtics land Derrick White from Spurs

pic.twitter.com/6HQVdrtoA7
— Dejounte Murray (@DejounteMurray) February 10, 2022 Hornets pick up Wizards’ Montrezl Harrell 

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A post shared by Montrezl Harrell (@trezz_8)

Turn me up Trezz 🦍🦍🦍
— Miles Bridges (@MilesBridges) February 10, 2022
yesssuhh 🕺🏽🕺🏽🕺🏽 https://t.co/XdIMWQK6Gs
— Melo (@MELOD1P) February 10, 2022
Let get it see y’all tomorrow https://t.co/UOo1hjFGKG
— Montrezl Harrell (@MONSTATREZZ) February 10, 2022 Bagley, DiVincenzo, Ibaka traded in 4-team deal 

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A post shared by Marvin Bagley III (@mb3five)

🩸… bigger than basketball 🙏🏼… @Divincenzo pic.twitter.com/h3oufW4ike
— Pat Connaughton (@pconnaughton) February 11, 2022
The reigning NBA Champions Milwaukee Bucks got better with the addition of Serge Ibaka.
— Earvin Magic Johnson (@MagicJohnson) February 10, 2022 Pelicans acquire CJ McCollum from Blazers

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A post shared by Anfernee Simons (@antsimons) […]