This article is part of our Yahoo DFS Basketball series.
How wild was that trade deadline? It felt like almost every team shook things up, and it'll be fascinating to see how the final two months pan out. It remains to be seen if those acquisitions will be ready to go here, but we're going to assume they will. That has us guessing many of these rotations, but we have a pretty good read on how things will play out. With that in mind, let's get into this Saturday slate!
Guards
Ja Morant, MEM at CHA ($45)
Morant has thrown his hat in the MVP ring, averaging over 45 fantasy points per game. He's been doing a lot of that damage recently, scoring at least 38 Yahoo points in 11 straight outings. He's also averaging 51 fantasy points per game in that span, despite playing 30 or fewer minutes in three consecutive outings. We love all of that in this matchup, with the Hornets ranked 24th in defensive efficiency, 28th in points allowed and second in pace. In this magical matchup earlier this season, Morant collected 32 points, seven rebounds, eight assists and three steals in one of his best performances of the year.
De'Aaron Fox, SAC at WAS ($32)
The Fox-Tyrese Haliburton combo obviously didn't work for whatever reason, but De'Aaron has been a different player since that Haliburton trade. In the two games since then, Fox has at least 44 fantasy points in both. He's been doing that a bunch recently, scoring at least 44 Yahoo points in four of his last five games in total. It's been beneficial that he's handling the ball on every possession with Hali out of the picture, and we certainly don't anticipate Washington slowing him down. They have a backcourt full of nobodies, ranked 22nd in defensive efficiency ratings. Fox finished with 28 points, four rebounds and four assists in their most recent meeting.
Guard to Avoid
Russell Westbrook, LAL at GSW ($31)
The Westbrook thing hasn't worked in LA. The former MVP has 32 or fewer fantasy points in five of his last eight games, generating a 27-point average across his previous three outings. That's a terrible total from such a pricey player, and it scares us that his usage and shot attempts are freefalling along with his production. Playing a top-ranked Warriors defense makes this an even tougher sell, with Russ registering a season-low 16 Yahoo points in their one meeting this season.
Forwards
Kyle Kuzma, WAS vs. SAC ($30)
With Bradley Beal out for the year and Spencer Dinwiddie being shipped to Dallas, it looks like Kuzma is going to be the focal point of the offense. In the first game without those guys, Kuz recorded his first career triple-double. That extends a fantastic stretch from Kuzma, averaging 40 Yahoo points per game across his last 22 outings. Squaring off with Sacramento might be the best part of this, though, with the Kings ranked 29th in defensive efficiency and points allowed.
Darius Bazley, OKC at CHI ($18)
Baze has stepped up in the absence of Shai Gilgeous-Alexander. Since the injury, he's been inserted into the starting lineup, playing at least 33 minutes in five of his last six games. Four of those marked a season-high in playing time, with Bazley scoring at least 26 Yahoo points in seven of his last eight games. He's also averaging 30 fantasy points per game in that stretch and should continue that with Chicago surrendering the second-most fantasy points to opposing PFs.
Forward to Avoid
Marcus Morris Sr, LAC at DAL ($19)
This Clippers situation terrifies me. This rotation was already muddled before the trade deadline, but acquiring Norman Powell and Robert Covington has made it even more convoluted. That's just too many cooks in the kitchen, with Morris scoring 25 or fewer Yahoo points in six of his last eight games. The minutes and usage have been falling with the production, making all of these Clippers players impossible to trust. Not to mention, Dallas ranks fifth in defensive efficiency while surrendering the fewest points in the NBA since the calendar turned to 2022.
Centers
Jakob Poeltl, SAS at NOP ($28)
Poeltl has been one of the most productive centers in the NBA over the last two months, scoring at least 26 Yahoo points in 20 of his last 21 games. His recent form is even more enticing, with Jakob scoring at least 35 Yahoo points in eight of his last 10 games. That's a significant number from a sub-$30 player, and he should be asked to do more with Derrick White, Drew Eubanks and Thaddeus Young being shipped off at the trade deadline. Facing New Orleans is the icing on the cake, though, with the Pelicans ranked 19th in total defense while surrendering the seventh-most fantasy points to opposing centers. In their one matchup earlier this season, Poeltl provided 24 points and 12 rebounds en route to 45 Yahoo points.
Steven Adams, MEM at CHA ($19)
The Kiwi has been sneaky for the Grizzlies all season, averaging over 26 Yahoo points per game. That alone makes him a good value below $20, but his form has been ridiculous as of late. In fact, Adams has at least 20 fantasy points in 16 of his last 17 games, generating a 29-point average in that span. That's all you can ask for from a sub-$20 player, especially since he faces a 28th-ranked Hornets defense. Adams amassed 32.3 Yahoo points in this matchup earlier this season, despite taking just five shots.
Center to Avoid
Mo Bamba, ORL at PHX ($17)
Bamba looked poised for a sophomore breakout in December, but he's been terrible since then. He's only surpassed 34 Yahoo points twice over his last 28 games played, scoring 18 or fewer fantasy points in 12 of those. That's a horrific trend, with Bamba averaging 24 fantasy points per game across 24 minutes a night in that span. That 24-minute total is terrifying, especially since it's down to a 21-minute average over the last nine games. Facing Phoenix is the nail in the coffin, though, with the Suns sitting Top-6 in points allowed and defensive efficiency.
