Buy Low/Sell High Week 12

Buy Low

Mark Williams - It's been a rough go of it for Mark Williams owners this season (and Mark's face after Jose trucked him), who are yet to see Charlotte Mark Williams. His last five games have been, well, dreadful. But to be a buy low and not just a drop or 'stay away' there's got to be a silver lining, and here's his - it looks like we are done missing production on back-to-backs, with Williams playing his first back-to-back of the season vs OKC/HOU. We've now seen what bottom line MW looks like, so we know what we'd have to weather as buyers - but we've also seen (a fortnight ago, mind) a 27 point, 13 rebound, 2 assist and 3 stocks MW, and there isn't many guys out there who can do that who a) aren't a shutdown risk b) aren't a trade risk c) have no one gunning for their minutes. Cast a line and see if you get a nibble...

Kristaps Porzingis - Kind of sad that it looks like we will never get to truly see how the Zinga-Trae combo worked out, but we plough on! Zinga has returned from dealing with his sickness and the minutes are slowly ramping up. In his return game he couldn't miss! In the last two, he couldn't do anything BUT miss. We know who Kristaps is. We know what we will get in the future if we buy low now. If you're struggling to keep your fantasy neck from the chopping block I'd say you need to leave him be. If you're up the top of the standings he is a true buy-low candidate. Owners will also fear who comes back in a Trae trade, further improving your chance for giving up little to get the Unicorn.

Christian Braun - You may have been able to grab him off the wire as he was likely dropped after his injury knocked him out from two months. He was then grabbed again before being dropped en masse when he put up a near dot in his return (what were people expecting?!). He was one of the surprises of last season. After only ELEVEN games this season fans have written him off, in a time where DEN were trying hard to integrate Cam Johnson into the mix. I still believe we are going to get top 100 value from Braun, so if there is a way to grab him as a 'throw in' on a trade I'd be doing that.

Sell High

Deandre Ayton - What I don't like about Ayton is that he is so up and down. I'd much rather predictably mid over highs and lows, it makes planning out your week (and victory) a much easier task. After a string of waiver-wire-esk games, Ayton has now put up two strong scoring nights with solid rebounds and MULTIPLE stocks. We must keep in mind that the efforts (good or bad) that DA is giving us are without both Rui and Reaves. He is getting the opportunity to be the third-best offensive options on the floor each night and is struggling to stand out much at all. If he can put one more ripper together I'd be hanging a 'for sale' sign around his neck.

Santi Aldama - With all this talk of inconsistency we seem to have summoned Santi! If you don't like surprises (good or bad), Santi ain't for you! Aldama has been able to average 30+ minutes over the last fortnight, filling in for Ja and/or Edey (even Ty or Pippen Jr if you dig deeper). One night you'll get 4 blocks from nowhere, the next 37 points, or 11 assists. But no matter what you get from Santi Aldama it is all coming on big minutes with increased usage. Much like with many sell highs you are going to take a loss initially as the good times continue to roll, but you'll thank yourself in the end for the move you've made.

Peyton Watson - We have a changing of the guard happening in DEN, with the huge hole of Jokic being left, but gaps plugged with the return of Gordon and Braun. Before the return of Gordon and Braun, Watson was averaging 35 minutes a night. But in the return game from Gordon and Braun, Watson saw his minutes drop back to under 30 - with the two returnees still on heavy minutes limits. But as the entire starting line-up sat in a shock victory over Philly, Peyton got one last look at a 44 minute night, where he put up a beautifully rounded performance. This was Peyton giving owners one last reprieve at a sell high opportunity. Make sure you take the gift given to you.

Happy fantasies - If the trade conversation is breaking down, may I suggest throwing in a coupon for x1 back rub - in my experience it often helps get the trade over the line...

Malley @malley_balllogic