This article is part of our Yahoo DFS Basketball series.
Things are getting wild in the NBA with the trade deadline approaching Thursday. There are seven games on the schedule Wednesday with some of the teams set to take the floor rumored to be discussing deals. Leading up to tip off, it will be important to monitor for news as it could have a significant impact in DFS. As things currently stand, here are some players to target and avoid while creating your Yahoo entry.
GUARDS
Jrue Holiday, NO at CHI ($42): While the Pelicans work to trade away Anthony Davis (finger), reports indicate they plan on keeping Holiday. Depending on what the Pelicans would receive in a potential deal for Davis, Holiday could be left as by far the best player on the team. He's scored at least 43.9 Yahoo points in six of his last eight games and should continue to have a high floor with Davis, Elfrid Payton (ankle) and E'Twaun Moore (quadriceps) all out for this game. Nikola Mirotic (calf) is also unlikely to play while Julius Randle (ankle) is listed as questionable.
Bryn Forbes, SA at GS ($10): The Spurs are going to be a popular team to bargain hunt with Wednesday since DeMar DeRozan (rest), LaMarcus Aldridge (rest) and Derrick White (heel) are all listed as out. The Warriors play at the 10th-fastest pace (101.8 possessions per game) in the league, so this is an opportunity in which several Spurs players could thrive due to their thin depth chart. Forbes has already scored at least 20 Yahoo points in four of his last five games and could be relied upon heavily for offense considering he's averaging 12.1 points and 2.2 three-pointers per game this year.
Guard to Avoid
Tim Hardaway Jr., DAL vs. CHA ($17): Hardaway is set to make his debut for the Mavericks after being acquired in the deal that also landed them Kristaps Porzingis (knee). Hardaway was one of the main offensive weapons for the Knicks, posting a career-high 25.8 percent usage rate. Don't expect him to be able to main that level of involvement since the Mavericks are built around Luka Doncic. Until we see how Hardaway's role develops, he's an awfully risky option at this price.
FORWARDS
Marvin Bagley III, SAC vs. HOU ($23): The Kings are finally starting to unleash Bagley, who has logged at least 28 minutes in five of their last six games. It's no coincidence that he scored at least 30.3 Yahoo points in all five of those contests. The Kings play at the second-fastest pace (104.1) and the Rockets don't have much size up front, so this is shaping up as an opportunity for Bagley to thrive.
Davis Bertans, SA at GS ($10): Bertans moved into the starting lineup Monday against the Kings and scored 26.6 Yahoo points across 34 minutes. In his previous start against the Suns last week, he scored 39.7 Yahoo points over 36 minutes. The Warriors aren't as bad of a defensive team as the Kings and Suns are, but there should still be plenty of playing time available for Bertans in this game. At the minimum price, he makes for an intriguing option in tournament play.
Forward to Avoid
Kevin Durant, GS vs. SA ($47): Durant hasn't exactly been struggling, but he's only topped 50 Yahoo points one time across seven games since DeMarcus Cousins returned. This game has blowout written all over it with the Spurs sitting DeRozan and Aldridge, so there's a good chance that the Warriors might not need Durant's services much in the second half. At this lofty price tag, it might be wise to spend up elsewhere.
CENTERS
Nikola Jokic, DEN at BKN ($49): This is about as juicy of a matchup as we have on the slate. Jokic is riding high heading into this contest having scored at least 52.2 Yahoo points in five of his last eight games. The Nuggets will also be relying on him heavily with Gary Harris (groin) out and Jamal Murray (ankle) and Paul Millsap (ankle) listed as questionable. The Nets are horrible at defending centers, allowing the third-most Yahoo points per game (48.8) to the position. The last time these two teams met, Jokic exploded for 69.7 Yahoo points. Don't be afraid to pay up for him in their rematch.
Bobby Portis, CHI vs. NO ($20): If there is one thing that you need to know about Portis it's that he's not afraid to shoot. With the Bulls in tank mode, Portis has attempted at least 17 shots in three of their last five games, which resulted in him scoring at least 33.8 Yahoo points in each of those contests. This is another great opportunity for him to shine considering the Pelicans have allowed the second-most Yahoo points per game (52.3) to opposing centers across their last 10 games.
Center to Avoid
Deandre Ayton, PHO at UTA ($27): After missing some time with an ankle injury, Ayton has scored exactly 33.7 Yahoo points in both games since his return. However, he's in line for a tough matchup here against Rudy Gobert and the Jazz, so this might not be one of the days to pay up to get him into your lineup. Outside of Portis, Kenneth Faried ($26) and DeMarcus Cousins ($25) both have favorable matchups and are cheaper than Ayton, as well.
