Yawn. When Fred Jones for Juan Dixon is the biggest trade on deadline day, it generates about as much excitement as watching the kettle boil. At the risk of coming of as too “corporate,” check out this ESPN article that grades each team’s performance at the trade deadline here. Props to Bill Simmons for giving T-dot some love.

Was it not kind of interesting that the talk had been fantasy-esque?...Jason Kidd joining Kobe Bryant, trading a proven commodity like Pau Gasol for potential in Luol Deng and/or Ben Gordon. If your league commissioner has any smarts, your fantasy trading deadline comes up after the NBA’s. Granted, there is not much to adjust to this year, but in other years, some trades go down that have significant impact in fantasy circles. So what should be on your mind as fantasy hoops hits its stretch drive?

1. Keeper League Considerations
Give yourself a pat on the back if you participate in a quality keeper league; they are hard to come by. In general, a complete re-draft is chosen because draft day is the best day of the fantasy season (except for the eventual winner, of course). Keeper leaguers have the luxury of checking out offers that look at next season or even seasons beyond that. Take for example, the real life scenario where the Los Angeles Lakers chose not to include Andrew Bynum in a deal for Kidd. No single season league should accept this trade. However, it MIGHT be acceptable in a keeper league, if the first place team trades away Bynum’s potential to try to lock down the title this year.

2. Risk for Stability
A recent Daily on the Dime includes discussion on a Kirk Hinrich for Allen Iverson trade proposal. Yes, AI’s been injured, and he is not fantasy-perfect, but if your team has been chugging along nicely but needs a boost in points and steals, AND can deal with the hit in FG%, this is the type of deal you might be able to pull off. Perhaps the Iverson owner has grown weary of dealing with the ups and downs that come with owning Iverson, and Hinrich gives him more stability. Of course, with so many injuries to star players this year, this type of deal might be hard to pull off. If you are way ahead in a head-to-head league, with the right team make-up you might consider trading for Yao Ming or Antawn Jamison, or even Baron Davis. By doing so well so far, you have earned enough of a cushion to roll the dice. If it comes up seven or eleven, the championship is yours.

3. Paying Rent as the Basement Tenant
As a last place team, the urge to make trades for the sake of having fun is strong. And perhaps, you are trying to ensure that next year, when the tables are turned, your friend will scratch your back because you scratched his this year. Unless you are in a keeper league, be wary of being a wheeler and dealer as a last place team. This isn’t your year. Set your lineup and do things to maintain the quality of your league. But if your league does not play for draft position or has no keeper league rules, you might not want to make unnecessary waves. The opportunity to turn the season around by swinging a deal has passed.

4. Opposites attract.
T. J. Ford for Samuel Dalembert. If you can give up some rebounds and blocks for assists and steals, then this type of deal should be in the works. Those couple of extra points in a roto league, or shoring up your strengths in a h2h league can put your team over the top. Just be careful not to lowball yourself.

5. Your team looks like a M*A*S*H* unit. Time to call for reinforcements.
An injury to a star player, and Dwyane Wade is the most recent example, can change your team’s fortunes suddenly. This might force you to look at the strategies listed above. Perhaps you need to trade for the future, or trade away some of your risky plays, or make a deal with a non-contender, or even trade one of your valuable assets for help in other areas.  The downside is you are the carcass and the rest of the league are the vultures circling overhead looking to come away with all the goods for little cost.

6. Play to their heart.
Do you remember those draft day no-no’s? Don’t draft a player on your local team just for the sake of it. Don’t let how much you like certain players and dislike others cloud your judgment. Well, now you can pounce on those weaknesses, or indulge in them yourself. Maybe that anti-Vince owner in your league will accept him a trade because it will keep him in the game. Maybe you can throw in a local player or personal fave to seal the deal. Like Black Sheep said, the choice is yours.

Good luck. Feel free to share your draft day dealings in the comments below!

Peace. And no, I don’t think I am ready to accept that guy on my team.