Mandatory Credit: Chris Humphreys-USA TODAY Sports
The Fantasy Basketball Trading Bible – Chapter 2
I was overwhelmed by the positive feedback regarding The Fantasy Basketball Trading Bible. I knew that trading information was lacking in the fantasy basketball realm, so I wanted to simplify a rather complicated topic. While writing the original piece, I was forced to exclude a few important points from the article, so I want to address those now. We will call it, Chapter 2, Timing Is Almost Everything.
After analyzing my 3 original questions, positional and statistical reasons for trading are covered. Before we get to the heart of Chapter 2, answer the following questions honestly concerning your own personal trading habits.
1. When do you usually try to trade for someone?
2. When do you usually try to trade someone?
Conducting a trade in fantasy basketball is very similar to selling a stock. You want to bail out at the top of the chart and buy at the trough or low point. Let’s analyze a few of last year’s gems that could have been yours for a discounted price. LaMarcus Aldridge, Al Horford, Roy Hibbert, and Ty Lawson started the 2012-2013 NBA season sluggishly. They underperformed for a 15-30 game stretch at the beginning of the year, and we all wondered if we should buy at the reduced price. They tested their owners’ patience and were probably dealt at a major discount in most trades during their dry spells. All of the players mentioned are proven fantasy commodities, so most of us knew that they would eventually return to form. In order to prosper, we need to understand how to take advantage of another owner’s lack of patience and psychological weaknesses in a calculated, almost physiological way.
Most owners get personally attached to their players. I guess you could say that they fall in fantasy love with them. Heck, it is human nature to feel connected to someone that brings you joy and personal success. Subsequently, their judgment becomes clouded, and the owner stubbornly holds on to an inferior talent. Do not let that phenomenon and natural human instinct determine your fantasy behavior.
Unless you are in LeBron’s 15-deep posse, you shouldn’t refuse to trade the man if you own him on your fantasy team. These players are not personally connected to you, so loyalty is trivial in fantasy sports. Your goal is to simply win your league! If it is not, you probably aren’t reading my articles anyway, so I won’t worry about offending you. Back to the subject…Here are some progressive ideologies to add to The Fantasy Basketball Trading Bible. These principles require discipline, faith in a player’s eventual statistical outcome, and a small amount of risk.
1. Keep a very close eye on players that underperform at the beginning of the year. Take advantage of impatient owners. You might suffer in the short-term by trading for underperformers, but it will pay off when the players start producing. Always look to upgrade your talent.
2. Deal your players that are playing at levels that you know are too good to be true. Their rankings on the Player Raters will be off-the-charts. You must deal them when other owners are salivating over their numbers. Good owners will take hot players and exchange them for underachieving stars.
3. Always refer back to my 3 original questions every time you make a trade. Improvement is all that matters.
If you are keeping track at home, we have covered positions, statistics, team chemistry, and timing as they relate to trading players. Chapter 3 will examine the importance of upgrading your starting lineup. Why am I giving away all of this priceless information? I love my audience! It’s been great hearing from everyone. I know we will all conquer our leagues! Contact me at alpinefantasy@yahoo.com or facebook. I’m Alpine Fantasy Basketball.