Dynasty trades are exciting. Part of the intrigue is found in the differing approaches teams take based on their roster and current competitive window. This is why it is important to take a retrospective look at your completed trades during the offseason or even several years later. This installment will highlight my ‘worst’ trades completed in 2016 based on current value.
Selling a Stud
*Trade made 8.25.2016* 14-team non-PPR
Give: Le’Veon Bell, Breshad Perriman, Kirk Cousins, Tim Hightower
Received: Russell Wilson, Corey Coleman, 2017 1.06, 2018 2nd
While this trade is not too far off when looking at strict values, this trade does not fit with my roster strategy. This league has very shallow rosters and starting lineups. Selling Le’Veon Bell took an every week starter off my team and gave me players I did not start due to the depth of my team. This trade still haunts me.
Giving Up My Round 1 Pick
*Trade made 9.20.2016* 10-team non-PPR
Give: 2017 1.04
Received: Kevin White, 2017 3.09
Though the jury is still out on this trade, it was painful to see my team struggle down the stretch to land the 1.04. I do still have hope White can develop into a contributor in 2017 but his window is closing. While I knew the 1st in the deal was random, I expected to finish much stronger than I did which makes this trade sting even more.
Conclusion
I would love to reverse both of these trades. While I cannot do this, I can learn from these trades to avoid them in the future. One lesson I have learned is to focus on your league settings and your team strategy. Understand where you are in your team’s journey. If I had done this, I would have kept Le’Veon Bell and had another top stud on my roster. Entering the 2017 offseason I can already see my roster cuts for that league will be extremely painful. My strategy will be to consolidate where ever possible.
The other lesson I learned is to hold my early rookie picks unless I am getting a sure thing in return. Selling a 1st for an upside player is a recipe for disaster. If that player busts, it can take a few years to recover.
