Fantasy update: Christie, Hauser and Cardwell surge as Sabonis, Zubac and Ayton lose ground
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The NBA trade deadline on Feb. 5 is forcing fantasy basketball managers to reassess their rosters. Recent trends point to three lightly rostered players gaining traction, while three high-profile centers are slipping at a critical stage of the season.
Risers
Max Christie, SG, Dallas Mavericks — 19.2% rostered
Christie, acquired last season in the deal that sent Luka Doncic to the Lakers for Anthony Davis and Christie, has turned into a reliable contributor in Dallas. Despite shooting just 7-for-23 over his past two outings (1-for-12 from three), the 22-year-old averaged 17.0 points in 32.2 minutes during January, hitting 47% from the field and 90% at the line. With the Mavericks sitting 4.5 games out of the play-in and unlikely to rest the guard, Christie could become a late-season difference-maker. He turns 23 on Feb. 10.
Sam Hauser, SF, Boston Celtics — 14.2% rostered
Hauser’s value extends beyond his elite outside shooting. In January he produced 13.9 points, 3.8 made threes and 0.9 steals per game while converting 51% of his field-goal attempts. Nagging injuries to Jaylen Brown and the possibility that Jayson Tatum (Achilles) may not suit up this season could open additional minutes as Boston, positioned as a probable top-three seed, conserves its stars down the stretch.
Dylan Cardwell, C, Sacramento Kings — 6.2% rostered
Cardwell doesn’t score much, but the undrafted rookie fills multiple categories. Over 13 January contests he averaged 5.0 points, 8.5 rebounds and 1.5 blocks in 21 minutes while shooting 60% from the floor. With Maxime Raynaud fading and Domantas Sabonis circulating in trade rumors, the 12-win Kings may expand Cardwell’s role after the deadline. His 38% free-throw rate is a liability, though he attempted only eight foul shots in January.
Fallers
Domantas Sabonis, PF/C, Sacramento Kings — 99.6% rostered
Seven games into his return from a torn left meniscus that sidelined him 27 contests, Sabonis is posting 12.6 points, 9.4 rebounds and 4.9 assists while offering minimal defensive stats and hitting 68% of his free throws. Trade speculation clouds his outlook; a move to a team with an established center could further depress his fantasy value.
Ivica Zubac, C, Los Angeles Clippers — 92.1% rostered
Zubac logged heavy minutes the past two seasons (32.8 MPG in 2024-25; 30.8 MPG this year), but recent usage is trending down. He has played 23 or fewer minutes in three of his last four games and averaged 24.8 minutes during that span. The Clippers, 9-1 over their past 10 contests and holding the West’s final play-in berth, can lean on veteran backup Brook Lopez, potentially capping Zubac’s production the rest of the way.
Deandre Ayton, C, Los Angeles Lakers — 71.2% rostered
Ayton’s early-season momentum has stalled. His January line reads 10.7 points, 8.3 rebounds, 0.8 assists, 0.3 steals and 0.9 blocks in 26.1 minutes, his lightest workload of the campaign. Backup Jaxson Hayes averaged 18.6 minutes in the same month, and guard Austin Reaves is nearing a return from a calf strain that has kept him out since Christmas, adding more competition for touches.
Managers should monitor these trends closely as the Feb. 5 deadline approaches and the fantasy playoffs draw nearer.
Source: ESPN
