2025 NBA Trade Deadline: Deals that could shake up fantasy basketball

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This year’s NBA Trade Deadline feels quieter, with luxury tax concerns making teams more cautious about big splashes. Still, rumors are swirling, and a few bold moves could change everything — for franchises and fantasy basketball alike.

With February 6, 2025 approaching, here’s a look at the trades I want to see happen and how they’d impact both fantasy hoops and the league.

Jimmy Butler to the Phoenix Suns

The Situation: Butler wants an extension and Pat Riley doesn’t want to give it to him. Despite Butler being the heart and soul of the Miami Heat, the standoff has reached a standstill, with Butler suspended indefinitely. Riley doesn’t have to oblige Butler’s trade request, but this saga has distracted everyone involved. The Heat want financial relief and draft picks, so there’s hope for some resolution, as the Heat can’t afford to miss the NBA Playoffs.

Why the Suns Make Sense: The Suns traded an unprotected 2031 pick for three first-rounders, which gives them some additional near-term assets to make a more significant move. Bradley Beal has been unreliable, and while Butler comes with his own headaches, his defensive toughness and playoff experience will help a team that lacks physicality. It’s the kind of win-now move that aligns perfectly with their timeline.

Fantasy Impact: Butler’s scoring would dip in Phoenix, given the ball-dominant stars already in place. But his defensive stats, assists, rebounds and efficiency would make him a solid early-to-mid-round fantasy option post-trade. He’ll do better than Beal, who’s been at 17/4/3 on 48% shooting.

Big Picture: The Suns become an actual threat in the Western Conference. The Heat embraces building for the future and relies heavily on Tyler Herro, Bam Adebayo and rookie Kel’el Ware.

Zach LaVine to the Bucks

The Situation: Zach LaVine has been a cornerstone of Chicago’s offense for years, but the Bulls are stuck in perpetual mediocrity. LaVine’s agent said he would prefer to stay in Chicago, but he’s having the best shooting season of his career. It’d be a shame to waste it on a play-in team, but the reality is that LaVine’s…

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Source link : https://sports.yahoo.com/2025-nba-trade-deadline-deals-that-could-shake-up-fantasy-basketball-191704145.html

Author : Yahoo Sports

Publish date : 2025-01-28 19:17:00

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