We have entered the part of the NBA schedule where two-game weeks are few and far between. The Orlando Magicare the only team to play fewer than three games this week, which could leave fantasy players with some difficult decisions to make. With no other obvious teams to avoid this week, it is more important than ever to dive into the week ahead for all 30 NBA teams.

 

Atlanta Hawks(MEM, @ORL, CLE, DET): It is easy to ignore the Hawks, but they could be a frisky team, especially for fantasy, once they jettison Marco Belinelli and ErsanIlyasova. Kent Bazemore, John Collins, Taurean Prince, Dewayne Dedmon and even Malcolm Delaney could all be useful for fantasy after the trade deadline.

Boston Celtics (@TOR, @WAS, IND, CLE): If you held onto Greg Monroe hoping he would be a fantasy asset for his new team, this has to be something of a disappointment. Monroe should provide some needed scoring, especially if he plays with the bench unit, but he seems unlikely to come close to 30 minutes per game, especially while Marcus Morris is healthy. That being said, he could be useful this week while Morris and Kyrie Irving deal with injuries.

Brooklyn Nets (HOU, @DET, NOR): I doubt Brooklyn will trade Spencer Dinwiddie before the deadline because he is extremely valuable with one year left on his contract. If I am Brooklyn, I would want multiple first-round draft picks for him. This is also a good time to point out the Bulls waived him twice in 2016. DeMarre Carroll and Joe Harris are far more likely to be traded, and those moves would open up more playing time for Allen Crabbe, Rondae Hollis-Jefferson, CarisLeVert and D’Angelo Russell.

Charlotte Hornets (@DEN, @POR, @UTA, TOR): Marvin Williams appears likely to miss at least the first couple of games this week. Frank Kaminsky is averaging 13.0 points, 4.5 rebounds and 3.5 assists in 30.0 minutes in two starts with Williams out, and he is playable for as long as Williams is out. That being said, this is a lousy schedule for Charlotte. All of their opponents rank 17th or better in opponent’s points this season, and they have two road games at altitude, including Utah on the second of a back-to-back.

Chicago Bulls(@SAC, MIN, WAS):The Nikola Mirotic trade is a traveshamockery. Any competent organization would have been able to get more for Mirotic, pay less for a first round pick or not give away yet another second-round pick. The Bulls should cut Jameer Nelson since they already have too many point guards on the roster, but that probably won’t take place until after the trade deadline, if at all. Nelson could be a useful backup point guard for a number of teams, including the Bucks, Hornets, Nuggets and Wizards.

Cleveland Cavaliers (@ORL, MIN, @ATL, @BOS):The Cavs say Tyronn Lue’s job is safe, but I’m not sure it should be. Maybe Lue deserves some blame for Jae Crowder and J.R. Smith averaging 55 minutes per game combined this season despite having the worst seasons of their respective careers? It is crazy to think that this team only has one must-start fantasy player, though I think I would still hold onto Isaiah Thomas. Kevin Love is probably droppable, however.

Dallas Mavericks (@LAC, @GS, LAL, @HOU): Harrison Barnes is considered questionable for Monday’s game, and that could be a disaster for Dallas’s offense. That being said, Wesley Matthews would probably be a fantasy starter if Barnes is out.

Denver Nuggets (CHA, @HOU, @PHO): Trey Lyles probably needs to be added in all formats. He has two double-doubles in his last five games and should get a lot more playing time with Mason Plumlee expected to miss multiple weeks. Juan Hernangomez and Kenneth Faried could see more playing time as well.

Detroit Pistons (POR, BKN, LAC, @ATL):Stanley Johnson has scored at least 13 points in four consecutive games, and Detroit needs to him to be an average NBA starter now that they have traded all of their wing depth. Johnson may play fewer minutes once Luke Kennard and Dwight Buycks are healthy, but he should easily retain his starting spot so long as he plays well.

Golden State Warriors (OKC, DAL, SA):Is it possible Golden State is the most boring team in the NBA? It won’t be boring if they sign a veteran after the trade deadline, but even that is unlikely to change much for fantasy.

Houston Rockets (@BKN, @MIA, DEN, DAL): Gerald Green has scored at least 11 points in three consecutive games, and while he did get more minutes Saturday because Houston was blowing out Cleveland, he has also benefited from the absences of Trevor Ariza and Eric Gordon. Green deserves fantasy consideration until one of those two players return.

Indiana Pacers (WAS, @NOR, @BOS, NY): The Pacers have a day off between each game, which is always a plus. Myles Turner is questionable for Monday, and he is probably playable this week even if he misses that game. As always, Domantas Sabonis would be an attractive fantasy option in Turner’s place.

Los Angeles Clippers (DAL, @DET, @PHI):Why is everyone in the NBA media so eager to find a new home for DeAndre Jordan? He isn’t that good. He defense has always been overrated thanks to Doc Rivers, and while he is a good rim runner on the pick-and-roll, he isn’t demonstrably better at it than any of at least a dozen NBA bigs. When I hear him compared favorably to Andre Drummond or Clint Capela, I just roll my eyes. I would much, much rather have Capela on my team, in real life or fantasy.

Los Angeles Lakers (PHO, OKC, @DAL):This is the last chance for the Lakers to trade Julius Randle, Brook Lopez and Jordan Clarkson. Clarkson’s value would probably take a hit with a trade, but Randle and Lopez could easily wind up in a better situation. Kyle Kuzma, Larry Nance Jr., Josh Hart and Tyler Ennis could benefit if those guys are traded.

Memphis Grizzlies (@ATL, UTA, @OKC):The Grizzlies have shut Tyreke Evans down until after the trade deadline, and he is droppable in head-to-head leagues. It would suck to drop Evans only to have him remain in Memphis after the deadline, but if he is traded, his fantasy value will almost certainly take a big hit. He is an ideal sixth man for a playoff team, but that would still represent a step back for a player averaging 31.1 minutes per game with the 35th highest usage rate in the NBA.

Miami Heat (ORL, HOU, MIL): Justise Winslow is reportedly on the trading block, and while I think he could still be good, this rumor is notable because it would open up even more playing time for Tyler Johnson, Wayne Ellington and James Johnson. All three of those players are borderline fantasy starters who would be worth adding if Winslow is dealt.

Milwaukee Bucks (@NY, @MIA, @ORL):If you were hoping the Bucks would be significantly better for fantasy with Jason Kidd gone, you might be disappointed. The Bucks are 26th in pace since Kidd was fired, which seems ridiculous for a team full of long, athletic players who are great in the open court. Jabari Parker has scored at least 11 points in each of his first two games despite playing fewer than 20 minutes in each. He needs to be added now, even though it may be awhile before he is playing 30 minutes.

Minnesota Timberwolves (@CLE, @CHI, SAC):I’m not convinced Gorgui Dieng is suddenly a bad player, and he is a buy-low candidate for fantasy if he is dealt. This is a fantastic schedule for the Timberwolves, and I fully expect Jeff Teague to turn things around despite averaging just 6.4 points per game over his last five games.

New Orleans Pelicans (UTA, IND, @PHI, @BKN):I like the move to the Pelicans for Nikola Mirotic so long as they don’t sign someone like Brook Lopez. I might actually try to sell now if you can find an owner who thinks he is buying low. Mirotic should be a great fit next to Anthony Davis, at least offensively, but his numbers would suffer if he is forced to come off the bench or play the three.

New York Knicks (MIL, @TOR, @IND): Tim Hardaway has failed to score double-digit points in each of his last three games. I expect he will snap the streak against Milwaukee Tuesday, but he is still droppable. Michael Beasley and Courtney Lee are droppable as well.

Oklahoma City Thunder (@GS, @LAL, MEM): In watching the Thunder over the last week, I have to say Patrick Patterson looks better to me, even if it hasn’t shown up in the numbers to this point. I think Patterson might be interesting if he gets some minutes with the starters, or if anything were to happen to Carmelo Anthony. Also, keep an eye on anyone Oklahoma City adds in a trade or free agency. This team just needs a couple more legit NBA rotation players.

Orlando Magic (@MIA, CLE, ATL, MIL): I hope Aaron Gordon is traded. His fantasy numbers may not be any better on another team, but we have no idea how good he can be on a team that has high-end NBA talent. A Gordon trade would also mean higher usage for Elfrid Payton and more playing time for Mario Hezonja, and those things would almost certainly be good for fantasy.

Philadelphia 76ers (WAS, NOR, LAC): Joel Embiid said he feels fine after his first career back-to-back. Embiid had seven turnovers against the Pacers Saturday, but he also had 24 points and 10 rebounds. This may be your last chance to buy low on Embiid, as he could have a big second half if the 76ers finally turn him loose.

Phoenix Suns (@LAL, SA, DEN): Now that Greg Monroe is gone, keep an eye on Alex Len. If Tyson Chandler is traded or bought out, Len would be quite valuable as the only real center on the roster. Len is averaging 13.5 points and 8.0 rebounds as a starter this season.

Portland Trailblazers (@DET, CHA, @SAC, UTA): Portlandgets two days off before they host the Hornets, but the Sacramento game is their fifth in eight days. Sacramento will have a three-day rest advantage, so Portland could have a rough time against one of the worst defensive teams in the NBA.

San Antonio Spurs (@PHO, @GS): You could make a reasonable argument for benching all of your Spurs outside of LaMarcus Aldridge this week. Pau Gasol has been good, but he doesn’t match up well against the Warriors, and Dejounte Murray is more valuable for rebounds than points or assists. That being said, this isn’t a horrible schedule, as both teams are allowing more than 107 points per game this season.

Sacramento Kings (CHI, POR, @MIN): Sacramento has three days off before they host Portland, and that game also concludes a 10-day homestand. No team has allowed more points to opponents over the last 15 games than the Bulls. Sacramento is also a team to keep an eye on for a trade, as they have several interesting young players who could benefit from more playing time.

Toronto Raptors (BOS, NY, @CHA): This is a pretty radical idea, but I wonder if the Raptors would consider shutting down O.G. Anunoby for a couple of weeks. Anunoby appears to have hit the rookie wall, and Toronto has plenty of players to cover for him now that C.J. Miles is back in the lineup.

Utah Jazz (@NOR, @MEM, CHA, @POR): With Rodney Hood returning, Utah again has a logjam on the wing. That could change if Joe Johnson is dealt or bought out. Johnson could contribute for a contender off the bench, but like most of the trade possibilities we have discussed in this article, this one is notable for the playing time Johnson would leave behind. Besides Hood, Alec Burks, Joe Ingles, Royce O’Neale and Jonas Jerebko could all see increased minutes if Johnson is gone.

Washington Wizards (@IND, @PHI, BOS, @CHI): Kelly Oubre Jr. has been terrible so far with John Wall out, and is droppable. I still think Oubre should be starting for either Markieff Morris or Tomas Satoransky, but that move doesn’t appear likely anytime soon. The more likely move is for Washington to add a point guard either in a trade or following a buyout, but that player could be an immediate contributor for fantasy.