Fantasy Basketball: Do We Have Danny Ainge Blood?

Jul 5, 2013; Waltham, MA, USA; General Manager Danny Ainge talks about hiring new Boston Celtics head coach Brad Stevens, center, as owner Wyc Grousbeck, right, listens in during a news conference announcing Stevens new position. Mandatory Credit: Winslow Townson-USA TODAY Sports

In fantasy basketball we can learn a lot from how they do in real basketball. I have really enjoyed watching how Danny Ainge has masterfully set a goal and gone about accomplishing that goal. Danny Ainge has simply just pulled trigger after trigger in an effort to acquire all the picks he can muster. The thing that we should be watching and learning is not necessarily how to stack picks up, though that could be useful in a keeper or dynasty format, but rather how he set a plan in motion and has not swayed from his plan. He realizes that the Celtics do not have a shot to win the championship this season, so he has decided to acquire all the future assets that he can to try to win in the next several years.

One of the main problems that I see in my competitive leagues is how guys don’t have any plan whatsoever. With one trade they want a player for the future, and with the next trade they acquire a guy like Kobe Bryant.

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So in my opinion the single most important thing for fantasy owners in league trades is to make a plan and stick to it! Don’t be one of those guys who makes trades that accomplish different goals. For instance, don’t make a depth trade and then turn around and trade all your depth for a great player. It is okay to do some switching around, but for heaven’s sake make a plan already. There are a few simple life principles at play here. For one, if you aim at nothing you will hit it every time. How will you ever get where you are going if you don’t even know where you want to go?

If I wanted to take a trip to the Philippines I could not just walk out my door and start walking. I would have several steps I would need to take. Make sure I have a passport, purchase an airline ticket. Arrange for a hotel and arrange for a way to travel once I arrived. I would need to make sure I was able to speak some of the native language. For all those things I would have to make a plan and put that plan in motion.

Playing fantasy sports is really no different. Some of you are saying are you serious? You go through this much trouble for your fantasy teams? Well, no it is not rocket science, but most of this stuff you can formulate this plan in about ten minutes in your head and then just stick to it. The problem with most owners is they never make a plan, and then if they do, they get an offer they think is too good to be true and go and click accept even though the plan does not line up with their goals. So make a plan and then make some trades and go out and win your league!

Now let’s get to the business of buying low and selling high!

Next: Who Are We Buying Low?

Jan 9, 2015; Indianapolis, IN, USA; Indiana Pacers guard George Hill (3) works on his form shooting during warmups before the game against the Boston Celtics at Bankers Life Fieldhouse. Mandatory Credit: Trevor Ruszkowski-USA TODAY Sports

Buy Low

Next: Who Else Are We Buying Low?

Dec 26, 2014; Sacramento, CA, USA; Phoenix Suns guard Isaiah Thomas (3) reacts after scoring a basket against the Sacramento Kings during the fourth quarter at Sleep Train Arena. The Phoenix Suns defeated the Sacramento Kings 115-106. Mandatory Credit: Ed Szczepanski-USA TODAY Sports

Buy Low

Next: Who Are We Selling High?

December 18, 2014; Oakland, CA, USA; Oklahoma City Thunder forward Kevin Durant (35) shoots the basketball against Golden State Warriors guard Andre Iguodala (9) and forward Draymond Green (23) during the second quarter at Oracle Arena. Mandatory Credit: Kyle Terada-USA TODAY Sports

Sell High

Next: Who Is Our Last Sell High Player?

Jan 1, 2015; Minneapolis, MN, USA; Minnesota Timberwolves center Gorgui Dieng (5) dunks in the second quarter against the Sacramento Kings at Target Center. Mandatory Credit: Brad Rempel-USA TODAY Sports

Sell High

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