NBA supercoach trade tips. The final word. 3/11.

A bit of a brutal SuperCoach NBA round with a number of highly owned players either going down injured or simply not producing. Chet Holmgren was a popular purchase and knocked out a 30 in his 1st game before being ruled out of the next 3. Steph Curry was enormous for owners last week but stunk it up for the 4.6% of coaches who brought him in this week. To add to the frustration, Giannis was rested for a game with knee soreness and Donovan Mitchell has picked up a hamstring concern.

The good news for ‘The Closers’ was that outside of Mitchell, we avoided the mess above and surged up the rankings. Moves to bring in both Markkanen and Maxey proved a master stroke with both going nuclear. My strategy has been clear from the start. 2 guns max with the rest of the team filled with undervalued midrange players with good production and a good schedule whilst owning the relevant cheapies. 

This means to date I have not owned SGA, Giannis or Joker. This is both a humble brag and an example of there being more than one way to skin a cat in SuperCoach. Stick to your strategy and be patient. If that’s loading up on guns, great. But if like me you wondered how SGA could improve on a 35.4 avg last season after an incredible MVP year and want to fade, then do it. Don’t get me wrong, he’s been great. But I don’t believe he’s the lock everyone is shouting he is.

Let’s talk about overreactions. I can be guilty of this at times but when it comes to poor performances or hot ones, it’s important to have context and understand that volume shooters are going to have off weeks. Paolo Banchero is the prime example. Last week he couldn’t hit the ocean from a boat. This week he can’t miss. Before making a move on an underperforming player, ensure you check the shooting % in the box score as I’m doing at the moment with my Boston Boys.

It’s going to be hard to justify keeping both Pritchard and White this week. Pritchard is a career 40% shooter from deep currently at 18% after 7 games this season. With the logic mentioned above, I’m going to back him to bring that back up and hold for 1 more week. Unfortunately with some good midrange buys on offer this week, I’ll have to move on Mr White.

GUN’s 

With Milwaukee heading into a great schedule the plan was to bring Giannis straight in however with a back to back this week and a missed game last week to knee soreness I’m leaning towards fading him. He could very well play all 4 games however I have the squad to cover.

That brings us to The Joker. The thought of not owning this week is terrifying.Coaches will be breaking their teams to bring him in this week on a 4 game schedule. There is an argument for rotating him with Wemby who only plays 3. I’m considering it but won’t be breaking apart my team to put him in Flex. I might need a shandy or 2 to sit through those games.

As mentioned above if you don’t have SGA I’m not sure he’s must have. Team dependant of course. Luca is tricky this week as he may be an easy swap with Reaves but only has a 3 game week. The way he’s scoring though, 3 is plenty.

Midrange

Lauri Markkannen had a breakout week and will be a nice cashcow for the next month. Only problem is a trick 3 game week coming up.

The LA Clippers become very relevant this week with 12 games in 3 weeks incoming. This brings Kawhi, Harden and Zubac into focus. Kawhi is at the midrange price point and looks fantastic with confirmation coming during the week he would play both ends of the upcoming back to back. 

Jimmy Butler continues to produce for the Warriors while Julius Randle is seeing a lot of ball with Anthony Edwards sidelined for at least another 2 weeks at the Timberwolves.

Donovan Mitchell is carrying a hamstring injury and rolls into a 3 game week. I think I will be selling. 

Cheapies

Hello Ryan Rollins and Josh Minott. I was not familiar with your game. Rollins has great job security with the long term injury to Kevin Porter Jr while Minott has found a home in the starting line up in Boston. Both have a solid schedule with serious cash to be made. With coaches looking to free up cash to get to Jokic, this is your ticket.

Edgecombe is still the standout cheapie and playable every week. If you haven’t already brought him in then what are you doing? 

PODs

Alperen Sengun HOU - 8.1% owned

A possible alternative to Giannis this week at a significant discount. Fell one assist short of a triple double last start and will likely be in everyone's team at season's end. There may be some value in a 2 week play here.

Amen Thompson HOU - 6.7% owned

Another Rocket with low ownership due to the early season draw. Had a rough start to the season with a mixture of foul trouble and poor shooting contributing to low scores. Like Sengun above, could be a short term play.

Alex Sarr WAS - 7.3% owned

Is being more selective with his shotmaking with his avg shot attempts coming in from 16ft to 9ft. This has meant better shooting and much better production. Would again be a short term play.

Super POD’s

Mikkal Bridges - 4.5% owned

An increased role on a good team. Very consistent production this season with the schedule the only concern.

James Harden - 3.0% owned

A scoring and playmaking wizard, Harden can not be ignored. A decision between him and the next guy on this list for which Clipper comes in this week for me.

Kawhi Leonard - 1.2% owned

Scores of 12, 28, 36, 16 and 49 to start the year, this selection is not without risk. The 12 and 16 were in bad losses but cannot be ignored. One for the high octane SuperCoachers out there.

Schedule 

Best (4 and 4 games over next 2 weeks)

DAL, GSW, LAC, MIL, SAC, 

Good (4 games this week)

BKN, BOS, DEN, DET, HOU, IND, MEM, MIA, MIN, OKC, PHI, WSH

Bad (2 games this week)

CHA

Trade & Skipper Plans

At this stage I’m leaning towards Wemby to Joker for a 1 week play. We’ll see.

I’m cutting ties with Derrick White and keeping Pritchard. I’ll be bringing in cheapie Ryan Rollins. 

My potential final trade will be to move out Donovan Mitchell for Kawhi Leonard. Go time.

I’m also contemplating a boost that would see me bring in Jimmy Butler or Julius Randle.

VC Maxey, C Joker

Good luck all and remember, stay patient.