Fantasy Basketball 2020-21: Anthony Davis, Andre Drummond and other buy-low trade targets

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We're eight weeks into the Fantasy Basketball season as the great teams in your league are probably beginning to separate themselves from the good and bad teams.

If you're in that "good" or "bad" tier of your league and are in need of a trade to get you back into the championship mix, we have you covered with a couple trade targets that are currently playing below expectations but could be on the rise at any moment.

Take a look.

All positions and position ranks (as of Feb. 12) are courtesy of ESPN Fantasy Basketball.

Anthony Davis, C/PF – Los Angeles Lakers

Anthony Davis

Position rank: 6

If you were going to take a crack at trading for Davis, there's no time better than now.

The Lakers' superstar big man missed the last two games against the Oklahoma City Thunder with Achilles soreness, but he and head coach Frank Vogel continue to downplay the significance of the injury. While AD has still had a strong season for normal standards, he hasn't exactly lived up to where you likely selected him in your fantasy draft.

Davis is posting 22.3 points per game, which is his lowest scoring average since his second year in the NBA. He is also averaging 8.6 rebounds and 1.9 blocks per game, his lowest averages since his rookie season.

Fantasy owners may be getting frustrated with his production and you might be able to get the All-Star centre at a slightly discounted rate if you make the right offer.

Andre Drummond, C – Cleveland Cavaliers

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Position rank: 12

Drummond was one of the best players in fantasy basketball through the first month of the season, averaging 19.3 points, 15.8 rebounds, 2.9 assists, 1.7 steals and 1.6 blocks over his first 12 games. Then... the James Harden trade happened, which sent talented young centre Jarrett Allen to the Cavaliers.

Since that deal, Drummond's playing time as decreased from 32.2 to 26.5 minutes per game and his production output has followed. In those 12 games, Drummond's averages have dropped to 16.5 points, 11.9 rebounds, 2.3 assists, 1.6 steals and 0.8 blocks per game, leaving fantasy owners desiring more from a player that has fallen out of the top 10 at his position.

The catch? Drummond is a possible trade target at the NBA's March trade deadline and his fantasy value could get back to the level it was at to start the season if he lands in the right spot. It's a high-risk, high-reward situation but worst-case scenario, you would still receive a player that posts a double-double nearly every game.

Ja Morant, PG – Memphis Grizzlies

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Position rank: 38

Since returning from a high ankle sprain that caused Morant to miss eight games after a hot start to the season, the reigning Rookie of the Year is averaging just 15.6 points while shooting 41.9% from the field and 26.7% from 3. He's still providing assists and steals (8.1 and 1.2 per game, respectively, since returning from injury) but his lack of efficient scoring may have fantasy owners flustered, especially after kicking off the 2020-21 season with a career-high 44 points.

His 3-point percentage is a cause for concern, but let it be known that Morant is still averaging more points, assists and steals than his Rookie of the Year season. If you inquire about his availability you may be able to get him at a lower price than expected, and I'd anticipate that the star guard turns things up a notch sooner than later.

Kemba Walker, PG – Boston Celtics

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Position rank: 51

Fantasy owners that drafted Walker knew they were going to have to be patient, but that patience might be running thin after a rough start since he's returned to action.

The All-Star guard is averaging 15.5 points while shooting 34.8% from the field in his first 11 games back, with his scoring average being the lowest since his rookie season and his field goal percentage marking the worst of his career. His 4.2 assists and 3.6 rebounds per game are also a step backward from last season, leaving much to be desired even if you got Walker late in your draft.

While all of the aforementioned probably has you wondering why you would want to make a trade for Walker, the answer is this: his asking price will never be lower and his role on the Celtics is going to stay the same, meaning there will be plenty of opportunities to increase his productivity. It is worth noting that Boston doesn't intend to play Walker on back-to-backs for the time-being, but even that could be an arguing point to drive down his asking price.

If your team needs scoring, 3s, assists or steals, target Walker before he starts getting comfortable on the court again.

Tyler Herro, SG/PG – Miami Heat

Tyler Herro

Position rank: 40

Herro bursted onto the scene in the Heat's run to the NBA Finals last season, which drove his average draft position up the wall heading into this fantasy season. Between a neck injury and health and safety protocols, the 21-year-old rising star has been in and out of the lineup for Miami, making it tough to get into any sort of a rhythm. Fantasy owners might be getting frustrated with his inconsistent availability and you should act now on Herro.

The Heat have gotten out to one of the slowest starts in the NBA this year and injuries and health and safety protocols have played a big role in that. They're finally starting to get healthy and once they do, they're bound to return to the thick of the Eastern Conference playoff picture. If and when that happens, Herro will likely have a hand in that success, which means his averages of 17.0 points, 6.1 rebounds and 3.9 assists per game could increase even more (although, that rebounding number is sixth-best in the NBA among guards).

You might be able to get a deal on a player whose value is bound to go up.

Michael Porter Jr., SF/PF – Denver Nuggets

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Position rank: 22

Porter Jr. is another player whose fantasy value skyrocketed after an impressive showing in the bubble but his 2020-21 production hasn't exactly matched his draft value. The 22-year-old has had some extremely encouraging performances, but it has been an up-and-down season after the young forward missed 10 games of action due to COVID-19. He just recently snapped a three-game stretch in which he failed to score double figures, which could mean he's already trending back toward his expected level of play, but there is still time to buy-low on MPJ.

When he is at his best, he's a prolific scorer that can also make an impact for your fantasy team on the boards. With the Nuggets yet to reach their ceiling as a team, improved play from Porter Jr. could be the reason Denver gets back to looking like the team we saw reach the Western Conference Finals last season. Try and make a deal for him incase that happens.

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Kyle Irving is an NBA content producer for The Sporting News.