Six players whose fantasy outlook soared after the NBA trade deadline
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The flurry of deals completed before the Feb. 8 trade deadline has already shifted the fantasy basketball landscape. New roles, fresh openings and altered rotations are boosting the stock of several names across the league. Here are six players benefiting most from the recent movement.
Cooper Flagg, PG/SF/PF, Dallas Mavericks
Dallas stood pat with its prized rookie, but the departure of Anthony Davis cemented Flagg as the franchise’s focal point. Over his past six outings, the 19-year-old is averaging 32.0 points, 7.7 rebounds and 4.0 assists, vaulting from a top-50 option into potential top-10 territory once the All-Star break ends.
Evan Mobley, PF/C, and Jarrett Allen, C, Cleveland Cavaliers
Cleveland sent the injured Darius Garland to Houston for James Harden, whose elite pick-and-roll skills should elevate both frontcourt anchors. Mobley, still sidelined, projects as a 20-plus-point scorer with efficiency near the 58.0% mark he posted two seasons ago. In the interim, Allen has thrived beside Harden, posting 25.5 points on 75.0% shooting in their first two games together—well above his season line of 14.5 points on 61.5%.
Anfernee Simons, PG/SG, Chicago Bulls
After spending most of the season on Boston’s bench, Simons has moved to Chicago and reclaimed a starting role. Through three starts with the Bulls, he is delivering 20.0 points and 3.7 three-pointers per contest. Even when injured guard Josh Giddey returns, Chicago’s limited scoring options should keep Simons’ green light intact.
Bennedict Mathurin, SG/SF, Los Angeles Clippers
Mathurin toggled between the starting line and sixth-man duties in Indiana. His Clippers debut also came off the bench, yet opportunity looms with Kawhi Leonard’s intermittent availability and Darius Garland still out. A scoring role similar to the 2024-25 breakout by Norman Powell—who topped 20 points a night when healthy wings were scarce—remains within reach.
Ty Jerome, PG, Memphis Grizzlies
Memphis added Jerome last summer, but injuries limited him until late January. The Grizzlies, already without Ja Morant, entered a rebuild by moving Desmond Bane and Jaren Jackson Jr. The deadline created a leadership void Jerome is poised to fill. On a 20-minute cap, he is averaging one point per minute plus an assist roughly every three. If his production holds once restrictions lift, his per-36 pace of 35.6 points and 10.4 assists could translate into eye-catching fantasy lines.
The post-deadline shuffle has opened clear paths for all six players, making them prime targets as the season moves toward the stretch run.
Source: ESPN
