Fantasy Hoops Trading Advice: Mirror Images

The trade deadline is coming up around the corner in many fantasy basketball leagues. 

If you don't want to pay an arm and a leg for some of the top players in the game, why not go after players of lesser value that are putting up nearly identical stats.  You might be able to return similar stats for a lot cheaper price, a tactic that may help your team make a run at a championship.  

You may want to think twice before trying to acquire players, such as: Kevin Martin, Rudy Gay, Jose Calderon, Josh Smith or Shawn Marion.  Here is the reason why:

Mirror Image #1: Kevin Martin & Michael Redd

Kevin Martin (SG - SAC)

08-09 Stats: 24.4 points, 3.1 rebounds, 2.6 assists, 1.0 steal, 0.1 blocks, 2.1 three's

Michael Redd (SG - MIL)

08-09 Stats: 21.4 points, 3.1 rebounds, 2.6 assists, 1.1 steals, 0.0 blocks, 2.1 three's

Suggestion: Martin holds more fantasy value than Redd.  However, they seem to be putting up nearly identical numbers this season, except for the fact that Martin is scoring three more points per game.  If you need to go after a player like Martin, why not go after Redd, who has a cheaper asking price and will for the most part give you the same exact stats.

Mirror Image #2: Rudy Gay & Jeff Green

Rudy Gay (SF - Mem)

08-09 Stats: 18.4 points, 5.4 rebounds, 1.7 assists, 1.4 steals, 0.7 blocks, 1.1 three's

Jeff Green (SF - OKC)

08-09 Stats: 16.2 points, 6.4 rebounds, 1.9 assists, 1.1 steals, 0.6 blocks, 1.3 three's

Suggestion: Gay may be in a bit of a slump right now and his numbers may slightly improve down the stretch.  Although, I think you can make the same case that Green's numbers will slightly increase as well.  Gay is owned in 98 percent of Yahoo leagues, while Green is only owned in 80 percent, which simply amazes me. 

If you're looking at acquiring Gay, think about getting Green for a much cheaper price while still attaining almost identical stats.

Mirror Image #3: Jose Calderon & Chris Duhon

Jose Calderon (PG - TOR)

08-09 Stats: 12.9 points, 3.3 rebounds, 8.5 assists, 0.9 steals, 0.0 blocks, 1.5 three's

Chris Duhon (PG - NYK)

08-09 Stats: 12.3 points, 3.9 rebounds, 8.0 assists, 1.2 steals, 0.1 blocks, 1.7 three's

Suggestion: Calderon is considered an elite fantasy point guard and is owned in 97 percent of Yahoo leagues, while Duhon is doing his best Calderon impression and is only owned in 81 percent of those leagues. 

The fantasy god's have blessed Duhon this season...scratch that, Mike D'Antoni has blessed Duhon this season.  If your team is in need of a solid point guard, don't go after Calderon, pay less value for a guy like Chris Duhon, who can bring surprisingly similar stats.

Mirror Image #4: Josh Smith & Gerald Wallace

Josh Smith (PF - ATL)

08-09 Stats: 15.8 points, 7.2 rebounds, 2.7 assists, 1.4 steals, 1.5 blocks, 0.4 three's

Gerald Wallace (SF - CHA)

08-09 Stats: 16.3 points, 7.6 rebounds, 2.5 assists, 1.8 steals, 0.8 blocks, 0.5 three's

Suggestion: This is a down year for Josh Smith, but many fantasy owners still hold his trade value at a fantasy superstar level.  If you want a player that will still give you the same bang, but for less buck, give Gerald Wallace a chance.

Mirror Image #5: Shawn Marion & Troy Murphy

Shawn Marion (SF - MIA)

08-09 Stats: 12.3 points, 9.2 rebounds, 1.9 assists, 1.4 steals, 1.0 block, 0.2 three's

Troy Murphy (PF - IND)

08-09 Stats: 12.1 points, 11.3 rebounds, 2.5 assists, 0.8 steals, 0.4 blocks, 1.9 three's

Suggestion: A lot of fantasy owners may be trying to move Marion, because of his disappointing season thus far.  Don't let fantasy owners trick you into paying above market value for a guy like Marion, because of his legendary fantasy history.  Go for Troy Murphy if you can do without the defensive stats, because Murphy will more than make up for it with his dominant rebounding and excessive three pointers from a player with center eligibility. 

Marion is owned in 99 percent of Yahoo leagues, while Murphy is only owned in 89 percent of those same leagues.  You may be able to get Murphy a little cheaper than you would Shawn Marion, because with Marion, you might be paying more for the name.