This article is part of our Category Strategy series.
Before I get into Category Strategy, I just want to hit on a few things about what happened/didn't happen at the trade deadline.
Of course, the big move was Indiana acquiring Evan Turner for Danny Granger's cadaver. I think it's a little risky to bring in Turner, as he could cause some end-of-game lineup questions. The urge to keep Turner in if he's playing well at the end of a game and keep George Hill on the bench could get the better of coach Frank Vogel. I don't think you want Turner on the floor at the end of a close game in the playoffs. He needs the ball in his hand to be successful, and while that's fine if he's a sixth or seventh man, no team with Turner creating at the end of games is a true title contender. People talked about the Andrew Bynum signing as a risky chemistry move, but I think the Turner acquisition is far more dicey. However, I think Vogel is smart enough to use Turner correctly, and I still have them as the favorites to come out of the Eastern Conference if they get to host Game 7 against the Heat. For fantasy purposes, this trade really stinks for Turner's owners, and it's a boon for owners of Thaddeus Young and Tony Wroten. I'd target Young in any leagues where the trade deadline has yet to pass, and I think Wroten is one of the key players to add heading
Before I get into Category Strategy, I just want to hit on a few things about what happened/didn't happen at the trade deadline.
Of course, the big move was Indiana acquiring Evan Turner for Danny Granger's cadaver. I think it's a little risky to bring in Turner, as he could cause some end-of-game lineup questions. The urge to keep Turner in if he's playing well at the end of a game and keep George Hill on the bench could get the better of coach Frank Vogel. I don't think you want Turner on the floor at the end of a close game in the playoffs. He needs the ball in his hand to be successful, and while that's fine if he's a sixth or seventh man, no team with Turner creating at the end of games is a true title contender. People talked about the Andrew Bynum signing as a risky chemistry move, but I think the Turner acquisition is far more dicey. However, I think Vogel is smart enough to use Turner correctly, and I still have them as the favorites to come out of the Eastern Conference if they get to host Game 7 against the Heat. For fantasy purposes, this trade really stinks for Turner's owners, and it's a boon for owners of Thaddeus Young and Tony Wroten. I'd target Young in any leagues where the trade deadline has yet to pass, and I think Wroten is one of the key players to add heading into this week if you're looking for scoring.
While I don't understand why the Cavs are so hellbent on making the playoffs when an early exit is inevitable, I'm still a big fan of them getting Spencer Hawes for basically nothing (Earl Clark and two second round picks). If anyone tells you teams aren't tanking, point to this trade, because that's all it was about from Philadelphia's perspective. That said, I love that they're aggressively tanking. They're taking advantage of the league's rules and are keeping their eyes on the prize (a pair of Kansas Jayhawks).
I love what the Warriors did in acquiring Steve Blake. He's essentially the player they thought they might be getting when they traded for Jordan Crawford. How that team doesn't have a better hold on a playoff spot is beyond me, but I think it's pretty clear that Harrison Barnes isn't the player they were hoping he'd be, and the smart move would've probably been to deal him while he still has some shine.
The Bucks and Bobcats shuffled deck chairs on the Titanic, or at least that's what the Bucks did. I actually like Gary Neal and Luke Ridnour quite a bit, especially if they're on a winner, and the Bobcats have been sneakily not too bad this year. The Bucks made a great offseason signing in Neal, but they didn't seem to have a plan for how to use him and keep him interested. You can use O.J. Mayo or Gary Neal, but you probably don't need both of them. The only person with a shred of fantasy relevance in this deal is Ramon Sessions, who could stake claim to a similar role on the Bucks as he had in Charlotte.
The Timberwolves held on to Kevin Love, which on the one hand is very understandable, as they'll never be able to acquire a player of his talent in free agency. But it's also quite desperate and shortsighted, as it seems clear to everyone who covers the league that he'll be a Los Angeles Laker in 2015-16. I think they could've gotten quite a haul if they had looked to move him at the deadline, something along the lines of Chandler Parsons, Terrence Jones, Omer Asik and a couple future first round picks would probably suffice.
CATEGORY STRATEGY
Each week, this article highlights players who are widely available in standard leagues that can help in specific roto categories. Remember, while each player highlighted can help in a specific category, there's no guarantee for production in other areas.
POINTS
Tony Wroten, PG, Sixers
I mentioned Wroten and Thaddeus Young as the primary benefactors of the Evan Turner trade, as both have proven to put up very nice numbers when they're heavily involved in the offense. Wroten is available in 90 percent of leagues, and I'd value Young as a top-30 fantasy option over the rest of the season. Alec Burks in shallower leagues and Patty Mills in deeper leagues are both interesting here as well. Orlando's dispatching of Glen Davis makes Tobias Harris a very hot commodity right now too.
REBOUNDS
P.J. Tucker, SF, Suns
Tucker has been mentioned at least once before in this column this season, and he's playing especially well right now, grabbing double-figure rebounds in three of his last five games. If you haven't watched this Suns team play, they're far more entertaining than you would expect, given the names on the roster. They are clearly a well-coached, committed bunch, and Tucker is the poster child for that. He's available in 78 percent of Yahoo! leagues and 86 percent of ESPN leagues.
ASSISTS
Louis Williams, PG, Hawks
My first move here would be to try to trade for Kendall Marshall, but that's probably a pretty tall order in most leagues. Williams is kind of a stretch to be a consistent source of assists (although he does have 15 dimes over his last two games), but the waiver wire is so bare in that department right now, that you're not likely to find a much better option, especially in deeper leagues.
STEALS
Elliot Williams, SG, Sixers
I'd prefer to go after Wroten here, but if he's owned, Williams is actually the guy who got the start Friday in Turner's absence. I always Liked Williams a little when he was with Portland, as a young player with promise, and now he'll get the chance to demonstrate that. He has a steal in four of his last six games, and had three in Friday's start. He's available in basically every league.
BLOCKS
Gorgui Dieng, C, T-Wolves
Dieng was an elite rim-protector in college at Louisville, and he demonstrated that in Saturday's game, compiling three blocks in just 22 minutes in the absence of Nikola Pekovic (ankle) and Ronny Turiaf (knee). Pekovic could be back soon, but all Dieng needs is 20-plus minutes off the bench to make his defensive presence felt. He's available in almost all leagues.
THREE-POINTERS
Kyle Singler, SG, Pistons
Finding guys to contribute in three-pointers is probably the easiest task on the waiver wire, which is why it's important to go after categories like assists in the draft, and three-pointers will usually come with that production. But if you want a guy who is good for a couple triples per game and someone who won't hurt your shooting percentages, Singler is a solid bet. He's averaging two three-pointers in over 35 minutes per game over the last five contests, and is available in 89 percent of Yahoo! leagues and 94 percent of ESPN leagues.
