Winner of his third MVP, Jokic continues to make his case for best player on the planet. He didn't set any meaningful career highs, but that's not exactly an indictment for a 28-year-old who averaged 26.4 points, 12.4 rebounds, 9.0 assists, 1.4 steals and 0.9 blocks in 34.6 minutes. His job isn't getting any easier, though. After last season saw the departure of Bruce Brown, this offseason saw the departure of Kentavious Caldwell-Pope - an important 3-and-D piece. KCP was effectively not replaced, so it will be up to Christian Braun and Peyton Watson to step up. But the Nuggets will start to look really thin really quickly if any member of the starting five suffers a significant injury. That could potentially lead to more usage, or at least more shot attempts, for Jokic in spurts. Whether that potential is enough for fantasy managers to select him No. 1 over Victor Wembanyama is one thing, but Jokic should practically be locked in as a Top 2 fantasy selection this season. It's arguable he's the safest bet on the board in that respect.
Winner of his third MVP, Jokic continues to make his case for best player on the planet. He didn't set any meaningful career highs, but that's not exactly an indictment for a 28-year-old who averaged 26.4 points, 12.4 rebounds, 9.0 assists, 1.4 steals and 0.9 blocks in 34.6 minutes. His job isn't getting any easier, though. After last season saw the departure of Bruce Brown, this offseason saw the departure of Kentavious Caldwell-Pope - an important 3-and-D piece. KCP was effectively not replaced, so it will be up to Christian Braun and Peyton Watson to step up. But the Nuggets will start to look really thin really quickly if any member of the starting five suffers a significant injury. That could potentially lead to more usage, or at least more shot attempts, for Jokic in spurts. Whether that potential is enough for fantasy managers to select him No. 1 over Victor Wembanyama is one thing, but Jokic should practically be locked in as a Top 2 fantasy selection this season. It's arguable he's the safest bet on the board in that respect.
Coming into the league with some of the highest expectations of any rookie, Wembanyama exceeded even many optimists' hopes. The 7-foot-4 phenom led the NBA in blocks per game (3.6) and finished second in Defensive Player of the Year voting. That's before considering the bulk of his statistical output, which only improved as the season went along. In his 43 games after the New Year, the Rookie of the Year averaged 23.1 points on 48/34/80 shooting, 10.9 rebounds, 4.4 assists, 3.9 blocks and 1.2 steals in 29.7 minutes. Almost hidden in Wembanyama's stats are his relatively low minutes, and if he can start seeing closer to 35 minutes more consistently, that will create a boost in his numbers by default. After the team sandbagged the point guard position for much of last season, that's set to change this time around. Chris Paul signed a one-year deal with the Spurs and should be a massive boost to Wembanyama's effectiveness, acting as a true floor general capable of directing traffic and dropping dimes. The rest of the surrounding core is mostly the same, creating no new questions about someone fighting for touches. Regardless of league type - redraft, keeper, points, 8-category, 9-category, head-to-head-, roto, you name it - Wembanyama can, and probably should, be drafted No. 1 overall.
Coming into the league with some of the highest expectations of any rookie, Wembanyama exceeded even many optimists' hopes. The 7-foot-4 phenom led the NBA in blocks per game (3.6) and finished second in Defensive Player of the Year voting. That's before considering the bulk of his statistical output, which only improved as the season went along. In his 43 games after the New Year, the Rookie of the Year averaged 23.1 points on 48/34/80 shooting, 10.9 rebounds, 4.4 assists, 3.9 blocks and 1.2 steals in 29.7 minutes. Almost hidden in Wembanyama's stats are his relatively low minutes, and if he can start seeing closer to 35 minutes more consistently, that will create a boost in his numbers by default. After the team sandbagged the point guard position for much of last season, that's set to change this time around. Chris Paul signed a one-year deal with the Spurs and should be a massive boost to Wembanyama's effectiveness, acting as a true floor general capable of directing traffic and dropping dimes. The rest of the surrounding core is mostly the same, creating no new questions about someone fighting for touches. Regardless of league type - redraft, keeper, points, 8-category, 9-category, head-to-head-, roto, you name it - Wembanyama can, and probably should, be drafted No. 1 overall.
The 25-year-old is coming off his first NBA Finals appearance, losing to the Celtics. Even in the regular season, Doncic had his best season to date, finishing third in MVP voting. He led the NBA with 33.9 points per game, doing so on efficient 49/38/79 percent shooting, even posting a 73-point performance against the Hawks. He also led the league in usage rate (36%) for the third time in four seasons. Close to averaging a triple-double, Doncic also racked up 9.8 assists, 9.2 rebounds and 1.4 steals per game. Few players have as safe of a floor as Doncic, and that shouldn't change in 2024-25. The team will look a bit different this season, with Klay Thompson added to the mix among a full season of trade-deadline acquisitions P.J. Washington and Daniel Gafford. But nothing that Dallas has done in the offseason suggests Doncic will take any step back in production, and he's actually still young enough to make strides in his game. Ultimately, he's a clear first-round fantasy selection worthy of being selected in the top five of nearly every league.
The 25-year-old is coming off his first NBA Finals appearance, losing to the Celtics. Even in the regular season, Doncic had his best season to date, finishing third in MVP voting. He led the NBA with 33.9 points per game, doing so on efficient 49/38/79 percent shooting, even posting a 73-point performance against the Hawks. He also led the league in usage rate (36%) for the third time in four seasons. Close to averaging a triple-double, Doncic also racked up 9.8 assists, 9.2 rebounds and 1.4 steals per game. Few players have as safe of a floor as Doncic, and that shouldn't change in 2024-25. The team will look a bit different this season, with Klay Thompson added to the mix among a full season of trade-deadline acquisitions P.J. Washington and Daniel Gafford. But nothing that Dallas has done in the offseason suggests Doncic will take any step back in production, and he's actually still young enough to make strides in his game. Ultimately, he's a clear first-round fantasy selection worthy of being selected in the top five of nearly every league.
It was another excellent season for the perennial MVP candidate, who finished fourth in the award voting. The addition of Damian Lillard did little to reduce Antetokounmpo's production. If anything, it actually helped his fantasy value through increased efficiency, with Antetokounmpo averaging 30.4 points per game on a career-high 61.1 percent shooting. He also dished a career-high 6.5 dimes per game. Plus, after a season of decreased defensive numbers, he got his steals average back to 1.2 and his blocks to 1.1. It should be much of the same for the two-time MVP as he enters his age-30 season. The Bucks' core is the same, though it will be interesting to see how the team adjusts with a full season of Doc Rivers. It's possible Lillard takes on some more usage as he gains comfort, but that shouldn't stop Antetokounmpo from being one of fantasy's top producers. As always, fantasy managers in category leagues need to take note of his poor free-throw shooting on high volume, but there are enough ways to work around that to make him worthy of a first-round selection.
It was another excellent season for the perennial MVP candidate, who finished fourth in the award voting. The addition of Damian Lillard did little to reduce Antetokounmpo's production. If anything, it actually helped his fantasy value through increased efficiency, with Antetokounmpo averaging 30.4 points per game on a career-high 61.1 percent shooting. He also dished a career-high 6.5 dimes per game. Plus, after a season of decreased defensive numbers, he got his steals average back to 1.2 and his blocks to 1.1. It should be much of the same for the two-time MVP as he enters his age-30 season. The Bucks' core is the same, though it will be interesting to see how the team adjusts with a full season of Doc Rivers. It's possible Lillard takes on some more usage as he gains comfort, but that shouldn't stop Antetokounmpo from being one of fantasy's top producers. As always, fantasy managers in category leagues need to take note of his poor free-throw shooting on high volume, but there are enough ways to work around that to make him worthy of a first-round selection.
Last season was one of Davis' healthiest recently, with the big man's 76 appearances representing the first time he's crossed the 70-game threshold since 2017-18. He produced at an elite level, finishing on the All-NBA Second Team and the All-Defensive First Team behind 24.7 points, 12.6 rebounds, 3.5 assists, 2.3 blocks and 1.2 steals in 35.5 minutes. Even though Davis had his most productive season in half a decade, fantasy managers still have reason to be cautious regarding the 31-year-old's health. He's a first-round talent, but drafting him there still incurs risk. In terms of the team around AD, it will be much of the same. LeBron James is leading the way, with D'Angelo Russell, Austin Reaves and Rui Hachimura presumably filling out the rest of the starting five, though it's possible Jarred Vanderbilt gets a nominal starting spot for defensive purposes. Regardless, fantasy managers shouldn't expect any massive swings in per-game production from AD, who is one of the best two-way bigs in the game.
Last season was one of Davis' healthiest recently, with the big man's 76 appearances representing the first time he's crossed the 70-game threshold since 2017-18. He produced at an elite level, finishing on the All-NBA Second Team and the All-Defensive First Team behind 24.7 points, 12.6 rebounds, 3.5 assists, 2.3 blocks and 1.2 steals in 35.5 minutes. Even though Davis had his most productive season in half a decade, fantasy managers still have reason to be cautious regarding the 31-year-old's health. He's a first-round talent, but drafting him there still incurs risk. In terms of the team around AD, it will be much of the same. LeBron James is leading the way, with D'Angelo Russell, Austin Reaves and Rui Hachimura presumably filling out the rest of the starting five, though it's possible Jarred Vanderbilt gets a nominal starting spot for defensive purposes. Regardless, fantasy managers shouldn't expect any massive swings in per-game production from AD, who is one of the best two-way bigs in the game.
Gilgeous-Alexander is the driving force behind a Thunder team that exceeded expectations in 2023-24, finishing with the best record in the Western Conference (57-25). After taking fifth in MVP voting the previous season, SGA finished as last year's runner-up. While he did not set a high in points per game (30.1), he averaged highs in assists (6.2), steals (2.0) and field-goal percentage (53.5%) and notably led the league in total steals (150) and made free throws (567). For the second straight year, the guard was the fourth-ranked eight-category player in per-game value, truly establishing himself as an elite fantasy asset. Though OKC lost to Dallas in the Western Conference Finals, the Thunder are clearly on the upswing and are a legitimate contender. Notably, the team traded Josh Giddey for Alex Caruso and added Isaiah Hartenstein in free agency this summer. There's only so much more usage SGA can handle, so Giddey's departure will likely benefit other players on the roster, like Jalen Williams and Cason Wallace. Ultimately, there's no reason to believe Gilgeous-Alexander won't be worthy of a high-first-round pick again in almost all fantasy leagues.
Gilgeous-Alexander is the driving force behind a Thunder team that exceeded expectations in 2023-24, finishing with the best record in the Western Conference (57-25). After taking fifth in MVP voting the previous season, SGA finished as last year's runner-up. While he did not set a high in points per game (30.1), he averaged highs in assists (6.2), steals (2.0) and field-goal percentage (53.5%) and notably led the league in total steals (150) and made free throws (567). For the second straight year, the guard was the fourth-ranked eight-category player in per-game value, truly establishing himself as an elite fantasy asset. Though OKC lost to Dallas in the Western Conference Finals, the Thunder are clearly on the upswing and are a legitimate contender. Notably, the team traded Josh Giddey for Alex Caruso and added Isaiah Hartenstein in free agency this summer. There's only so much more usage SGA can handle, so Giddey's departure will likely benefit other players on the roster, like Jalen Williams and Cason Wallace. Ultimately, there's no reason to believe Gilgeous-Alexander won't be worthy of a high-first-round pick again in almost all fantasy leagues.
Edwards and the Timberwolves took a step forward last season. Minnesota made it to the Western Conference Finals, while Edwards was voted to the All-NBA Second Team amid his second straight All-Star campaign. His fantasy value remained essentially unchanged, but he reached career highs in points (25.9), assists (5.1), field-goal percentage (46.1%) and free-throw percentage (83.6%). He's shown an ability to score from all areas of the court, notably adding more mid-range jumpers to his arsenal. In terms of his role, it should be more of the same for Edwards as he enters his age-23 season. Minnesota swapped Karl-Anthony Towns for Julius Randle and Donte DiVincenzo, but the rest of the core remains intact. There's potential for Edwards to take on more playmaking responsibilities as Mike Conley's twilight years carry on. And given Edwards' age, he still has plenty of potential development ahead of him. Fantasy managers should feel comfortable taking Edwards in the second round of almost all league types as an emerging star who can shoot, pass, defend and rebound.
Edwards and the Timberwolves took a step forward last season. Minnesota made it to the Western Conference Finals, while Edwards was voted to the All-NBA Second Team amid his second straight All-Star campaign. His fantasy value remained essentially unchanged, but he reached career highs in points (25.9), assists (5.1), field-goal percentage (46.1%) and free-throw percentage (83.6%). He's shown an ability to score from all areas of the court, notably adding more mid-range jumpers to his arsenal. In terms of his role, it should be more of the same for Edwards as he enters his age-23 season. Minnesota swapped Karl-Anthony Towns for Julius Randle and Donte DiVincenzo, but the rest of the core remains intact. There's potential for Edwards to take on more playmaking responsibilities as Mike Conley's twilight years carry on. And given Edwards' age, he still has plenty of potential development ahead of him. Fantasy managers should feel comfortable taking Edwards in the second round of almost all league types as an emerging star who can shoot, pass, defend and rebound.
Sengun took a huge leap forward in Year 3, posting career highs in points (21.1), rebounds (9.3), assists (5.0), steals (1.2) and minutes (32.5) per game. The big man was efficient from the field (53.7 percent) but struggled from the line (69.3) and beyond the arc (29.7). Sengun's breakout season came to a halt and was ultimately ended by a severe right ankle sprain in mid-March, though he had a chance to return if Houston snuck into the playoffs. He should be fully healthy by training camp and retain a starting role in 2024-25, but he may not be the Rockets' offensive hub anymore. Jalen Green was fantastic in Sengun's absence at the end of 2023-24, No. 3 pick Reed Sheppard could carve out a large role as a rookie, and Houston is still expecting developmental jumps from Jabari Smith, Amen Thompson and Cam Whitmore. With so many mouths to feed and a faster-paced attack expected, Sengun's production could take a hit, especially coming off an injury. However, Sengun, who's still only 22 years old, established himself as an All-Star caliber player last year and should get the benefit of the doubt in Year 4, making him a quality fantasy starter.
Sengun took a huge leap forward in Year 3, posting career highs in points (21.1), rebounds (9.3), assists (5.0), steals (1.2) and minutes (32.5) per game. The big man was efficient from the field (53.7 percent) but struggled from the line (69.3) and beyond the arc (29.7). Sengun's breakout season came to a halt and was ultimately ended by a severe right ankle sprain in mid-March, though he had a chance to return if Houston snuck into the playoffs. He should be fully healthy by training camp and retain a starting role in 2024-25, but he may not be the Rockets' offensive hub anymore. Jalen Green was fantastic in Sengun's absence at the end of 2023-24, No. 3 pick Reed Sheppard could carve out a large role as a rookie, and Houston is still expecting developmental jumps from Jabari Smith, Amen Thompson and Cam Whitmore. With so many mouths to feed and a faster-paced attack expected, Sengun's production could take a hit, especially coming off an injury. However, Sengun, who's still only 22 years old, established himself as an All-Star caliber player last year and should get the benefit of the doubt in Year 4, making him a quality fantasy starter.
After missing the All-Star game in 2022-23, Young re-secured the accolade last season. Entering his age-26 season, Young should have more opportunities for usage. During the offseason, Atlanta bailed on the Dejounte Murray experiment, sending him to New Orleans for picks and depth pieces. The Hawks are now in a soft rebuild focused around Young, Jalen Johnson and No. 1 overall pick Zaccharie Risacher. Putting aside the finger injury that limited Young to 54 games, Young had a successful 2023-24 from a fantasy perspective, returning near-first-round per-game value in category formats. That was despite a drop in usage to 30.5 percent - a significant downturn compared to the 34.4 percent rate he boasted the year before Murray's arrival. Young still led the NBA in assist rate (45.1 percent), averaging 10.8 dimes per game in addition to 25.7 points on 43/37/86 shooting, 2.8 rebounds and 1.3 steals. His assists and steals were career highs. Given his youth, role and proven fantasy production, Young should be in the conversation for a late first-round fantasy pick this season. He's already posted two seasons averaging more than 28 points and two seasons averaging more than 10 assists.
After missing the All-Star game in 2022-23, Young re-secured the accolade last season. Entering his age-26 season, Young should have more opportunities for usage. During the offseason, Atlanta bailed on the Dejounte Murray experiment, sending him to New Orleans for picks and depth pieces. The Hawks are now in a soft rebuild focused around Young, Jalen Johnson and No. 1 overall pick Zaccharie Risacher. Putting aside the finger injury that limited Young to 54 games, Young had a successful 2023-24 from a fantasy perspective, returning near-first-round per-game value in category formats. That was despite a drop in usage to 30.5 percent - a significant downturn compared to the 34.4 percent rate he boasted the year before Murray's arrival. Young still led the NBA in assist rate (45.1 percent), averaging 10.8 dimes per game in addition to 25.7 points on 43/37/86 shooting, 2.8 rebounds and 1.3 steals. His assists and steals were career highs. Given his youth, role and proven fantasy production, Young should be in the conversation for a late first-round fantasy pick this season. He's already posted two seasons averaging more than 28 points and two seasons averaging more than 10 assists.
Sabonis led the NBA in rebounds in 2023-24, and his playmaking took another step forward, making him a nightly triple-double threat. He may never be as imposing as Joel Embiid or Nikola Jokic, but Sabonis has catapulted himself into the top echelon of fantasy players in recent years. Despite mediocre numbers at the free-throw line and a lack of three-point makes, Sabonis has finished inside the top 10 players in eight-category leagues in back-to-back seasons. The Kings made a splash this offseason by adding DeMar DeRozan, but the veteran's presence likely won't take away too much from Sabonis' playmaking responsibilities. The big man should still be Sacramento's primary offensive hub, with De'Aaron Fox, Keegan Murray and DeRozan operating as finishers. Sabonis has missed just two regular-season games over the last three years and has never played fewer than 62 games across eight NBA campaigns.
Sabonis led the NBA in rebounds in 2023-24, and his playmaking took another step forward, making him a nightly triple-double threat. He may never be as imposing as Joel Embiid or Nikola Jokic, but Sabonis has catapulted himself into the top echelon of fantasy players in recent years. Despite mediocre numbers at the free-throw line and a lack of three-point makes, Sabonis has finished inside the top 10 players in eight-category leagues in back-to-back seasons. The Kings made a splash this offseason by adding DeMar DeRozan, but the veteran's presence likely won't take away too much from Sabonis' playmaking responsibilities. The big man should still be Sacramento's primary offensive hub, with De'Aaron Fox, Keegan Murray and DeRozan operating as finishers. Sabonis has missed just two regular-season games over the last three years and has never played fewer than 62 games across eight NBA campaigns.
Consistency is an underrated quality. Tatum's production is Exhibit A in this argument. The newly crowned champion once again played 73-plus games last season. Over the last four seasons, Tatum has averaged over 26.3 points, 7.3 rebounds, 2.8 three-pointers and 4.2 assists per game each year. And he was an All-Star in the last five seasons. The star forward finished sixth in MVP voting last year. While his scoring took a dip (26.9 ppg versus 30.1 the year prior), his field-goal percentage increased from 46.6 to 47.1 percent. And let's not forget Tatum's career free-throw percentage of 84.4 percent at a high volume, ideal for end-of-game closeouts. Boston's loaded depth chart allowed the team to play Tatum a minute less per game versus 2022-23. The presence of Kristaps Porzingis and Jrue Holiday somewhat relieved the need for Tatum and Jaylen Brown to carry the team. The Celtics are bringing back almost the exact same roster, so Tatum's role as lead scorer and surprising facilitator will continue. And he's only 26 years old. In fact, Tatum's numbers could further blossom during the first half of the season while Porzingis recovers from a foot injury. Tatum and Brown will need to score more often with Porzingis out. While gaudy stats are never guaranteed, Tatum's consistent production is one of the safest bets in the Association.
Consistency is an underrated quality. Tatum's production is Exhibit A in this argument. The newly crowned champion once again played 73-plus games last season. Over the last four seasons, Tatum has averaged over 26.3 points, 7.3 rebounds, 2.8 three-pointers and 4.2 assists per game each year. And he was an All-Star in the last five seasons. The star forward finished sixth in MVP voting last year. While his scoring took a dip (26.9 ppg versus 30.1 the year prior), his field-goal percentage increased from 46.6 to 47.1 percent. And let's not forget Tatum's career free-throw percentage of 84.4 percent at a high volume, ideal for end-of-game closeouts. Boston's loaded depth chart allowed the team to play Tatum a minute less per game versus 2022-23. The presence of Kristaps Porzingis and Jrue Holiday somewhat relieved the need for Tatum and Jaylen Brown to carry the team. The Celtics are bringing back almost the exact same roster, so Tatum's role as lead scorer and surprising facilitator will continue. And he's only 26 years old. In fact, Tatum's numbers could further blossom during the first half of the season while Porzingis recovers from a foot injury. Tatum and Brown will need to score more often with Porzingis out. While gaudy stats are never guaranteed, Tatum's consistent production is one of the safest bets in the Association.
After missing all of his true rookie season with a foot injury, Holmgren debuted last season. The No. 2 overall pick from 2022 didn't disappoint, putting together a strong season that would have landed him Rookie of the Year honors were it not for Victor Wembanyama. Offensively, Holmgren was efficient, averaging 16.5 points and 1.6 threes on 53/37/79 shooting. On defense, his shot-blocking was elite, averaging 2.3 swats per game, which was good for the second-highest block percentage (7.3%) in the league. His rebounding was solid (7.9 per game) but certainly lower than hoped for given his 7-foot-1 frame. The Thunder were one of the worst rebounding teams in the NBA last season, and they addressed that issue in the offseason by adding center Isaiah Hartenstein. Regardless of how much center or power forward Holmgren plays, he could be in the mix for more offensive responsibilities as his game develops, especially with the team trading away Josh Giddey for Alex Caruso. Holmgren's rebounding and shot-blocking could be affected negatively, but it's possible he will make up for it with more points, assists and steals. Either way, with Holmgren already establishing himself as a top-40 fantasy asset, managers shouldn't feel like they're taking much risk taking him in the second or third round as he enters his age-22 season.
After missing all of his true rookie season with a foot injury, Holmgren debuted last season. The No. 2 overall pick from 2022 didn't disappoint, putting together a strong season that would have landed him Rookie of the Year honors were it not for Victor Wembanyama. Offensively, Holmgren was efficient, averaging 16.5 points and 1.6 threes on 53/37/79 shooting. On defense, his shot-blocking was elite, averaging 2.3 swats per game, which was good for the second-highest block percentage (7.3%) in the league. His rebounding was solid (7.9 per game) but certainly lower than hoped for given his 7-foot-1 frame. The Thunder were one of the worst rebounding teams in the NBA last season, and they addressed that issue in the offseason by adding center Isaiah Hartenstein. Regardless of how much center or power forward Holmgren plays, he could be in the mix for more offensive responsibilities as his game develops, especially with the team trading away Josh Giddey for Alex Caruso. Holmgren's rebounding and shot-blocking could be affected negatively, but it's possible he will make up for it with more points, assists and steals. Either way, with Holmgren already establishing himself as a top-40 fantasy asset, managers shouldn't feel like they're taking much risk taking him in the second or third round as he enters his age-22 season.
Shortly after the 2023-24 season began, Harden forced his way off the 76ers and to the Clippers, joining Kawhi Leonard and Paul George. Playing next to that pair led to Harden's least productive season since his final year in Oklahoma City. He averaged 16.6 points and 2.6 threes on 43/38/88 shooting, 8.5 assists, 5.1 rebounds and 1.1 steals in 34.3 minutes. Despite the reduced numbers, he was still able to return third-round value in most fantasy formats. Harden is still a great passer and three-point shooter, but he's showing his years entering his age-35 season. The primary change is his reduced shot attempts at the rim and fewer free throws as a result. Harden's free-throw attempts have declined in two straight seasons. He took just 4.8 attempts last season, contrasted with 8.2 attempts in 2021-22 and 11.8 attempts in 2019-20. Despite signs of Harden's decline, he may experience a mini-bounceback in 2024-25. George left for Philadelphia in the offseason, with the Clippers failing to replace him with another high-usage player. That leaves plenty of usage on the table for Harden and Leonard. And considering Leonard's injury history, there will be plenty of nights where Harden is the true, clear No. 1 offensive option. Drafting Harden comes with risk, but there's more upside than last season.
Shortly after the 2023-24 season began, Harden forced his way off the 76ers and to the Clippers, joining Kawhi Leonard and Paul George. Playing next to that pair led to Harden's least productive season since his final year in Oklahoma City. He averaged 16.6 points and 2.6 threes on 43/38/88 shooting, 8.5 assists, 5.1 rebounds and 1.1 steals in 34.3 minutes. Despite the reduced numbers, he was still able to return third-round value in most fantasy formats. Harden is still a great passer and three-point shooter, but he's showing his years entering his age-35 season. The primary change is his reduced shot attempts at the rim and fewer free throws as a result. Harden's free-throw attempts have declined in two straight seasons. He took just 4.8 attempts last season, contrasted with 8.2 attempts in 2021-22 and 11.8 attempts in 2019-20. Despite signs of Harden's decline, he may experience a mini-bounceback in 2024-25. George left for Philadelphia in the offseason, with the Clippers failing to replace him with another high-usage player. That leaves plenty of usage on the table for Harden and Leonard. And considering Leonard's injury history, there will be plenty of nights where Harden is the true, clear No. 1 offensive option. Drafting Harden comes with risk, but there's more upside than last season.
Fox averaged 2.9 made three-pointers and 2.0 steals per game in 2023-24 -- both career highs. He's posted at least 25 points and five assists per game in three of the last four seasons. However, after shooting a career-high 78.0 percent from the free-throw line in 2022-23, he shot just 73.8 percent last season -- his lowest mark since 2020-21. Fox also shot only 46.5 percent from the field, his lowest mark since 2018-19. Despite the drop in efficiency, Fox finished inside the top 20 in eight-category leagues for the first time in his career. The Kings replaced Harrison Barnes with DeMar DeRozan this offseason, which should take some of the offensive burden off Fox, but the point guard still figures to be a prominent piece of Sacramento's attack alongside Domantas Sabonis. After playing fewer than 60 regular-season games in three straight seasons, Fox has appeared in 147 games over the last two regular seasons. As long as Fox is healthy and racking up steals, he should be a safe bet in the earlier rounds of fantasy drafts.
Fox averaged 2.9 made three-pointers and 2.0 steals per game in 2023-24 -- both career highs. He's posted at least 25 points and five assists per game in three of the last four seasons. However, after shooting a career-high 78.0 percent from the free-throw line in 2022-23, he shot just 73.8 percent last season -- his lowest mark since 2020-21. Fox also shot only 46.5 percent from the field, his lowest mark since 2018-19. Despite the drop in efficiency, Fox finished inside the top 20 in eight-category leagues for the first time in his career. The Kings replaced Harrison Barnes with DeMar DeRozan this offseason, which should take some of the offensive burden off Fox, but the point guard still figures to be a prominent piece of Sacramento's attack alongside Domantas Sabonis. After playing fewer than 60 regular-season games in three straight seasons, Fox has appeared in 147 games over the last two regular seasons. As long as Fox is healthy and racking up steals, he should be a safe bet in the earlier rounds of fantasy drafts.
Adebayo averaged 19.3 points, 10.4 rebounds, 3.9 assists, 1.1 steals and 0.9 blocks in 34.0 minutes per game across 71 regular-season appearances in 2023-24 en route to being named to the All-Defensive First Team. The three-time All-Star signed a three-year extension with the Heat this offseason and is now under contract until 2028-29. Since 2019-20, Adebayo has finished 12th, 13th, 55th, 19th and 30th in eight-category leagues despite a non-existent three-point shot. The 55th-place finish was because Adebayo played in a career-low 56 regular-season games in 2021-22. He's appeared in 75 and 71 regular-season games over the last two seasons, respectively. Adebayo goes about his work quietly and remains one of the most productive players in the league. While he may never be a top-10 fantasy pick because of his lack of an outside shot, Adebayo has been one of the most consistent players in category leagues, and his role should be unchanged heading into 2024-25. Miami used its first-round pick to select Kel'el Ware at 15th overall, and while the Indiana product showed flashes during Summer League play, he's not a threat to Adebayo's playing time or usage. A healthy Terry Rozier, Tyler Herro and Jimmy Butler should make things easier for Adebayo next season, but that trio has struggled to stay on the court for multiple seasons in a row. Adebayo is a safe pick in the third or fourth of fantasy drafts in most formats.
Adebayo averaged 19.3 points, 10.4 rebounds, 3.9 assists, 1.1 steals and 0.9 blocks in 34.0 minutes per game across 71 regular-season appearances in 2023-24 en route to being named to the All-Defensive First Team. The three-time All-Star signed a three-year extension with the Heat this offseason and is now under contract until 2028-29. Since 2019-20, Adebayo has finished 12th, 13th, 55th, 19th and 30th in eight-category leagues despite a non-existent three-point shot. The 55th-place finish was because Adebayo played in a career-low 56 regular-season games in 2021-22. He's appeared in 75 and 71 regular-season games over the last two seasons, respectively. Adebayo goes about his work quietly and remains one of the most productive players in the league. While he may never be a top-10 fantasy pick because of his lack of an outside shot, Adebayo has been one of the most consistent players in category leagues, and his role should be unchanged heading into 2024-25. Miami used its first-round pick to select Kel'el Ware at 15th overall, and while the Indiana product showed flashes during Summer League play, he's not a threat to Adebayo's playing time or usage. A healthy Terry Rozier, Tyler Herro and Jimmy Butler should make things easier for Adebayo next season, but that trio has struggled to stay on the court for multiple seasons in a row. Adebayo is a safe pick in the third or fourth of fantasy drafts in most formats.
Last season was a breakout for the Pacers, who made it all the way to the Eastern Conference Finals after finishing the regular season 47-35. Haliburton's final averages don't tell the full story of his season. He began the season with more potent stats, but a hamstring injury limited his minutes and production from most of January onward. In Haliburton's first 32 appearances, he averaged 24.2 points on 50/40/87 shooting, 12.7 assists, 4.3 rebounds and 1.2 steals across 34.1 minutes. In his final 35 regular-season contests, he averaged 16.8 points on 46/32/84 shooting, 9.3 assists, 3.7 rebounds and 1.3 steals in 31.1 minutes. Despite this downturn, Haliburton still returned back-end first-round per-game value for managers in category formats. That should be plenty encouraging for managers this year to select the point guard in the middle-to-late first round. The team is returning essentially the same group, though a full season of Pascal Siakam, plus the return and development of Bennedict Mathurin - who missed the end of the regular season and all of the playoffs - may draw some shot attempts away from Haliburton. That said, he's still one of the best passers and most efficient shooters in the NBA, so there should be no expectations of a dropoff.
Last season was a breakout for the Pacers, who made it all the way to the Eastern Conference Finals after finishing the regular season 47-35. Haliburton's final averages don't tell the full story of his season. He began the season with more potent stats, but a hamstring injury limited his minutes and production from most of January onward. In Haliburton's first 32 appearances, he averaged 24.2 points on 50/40/87 shooting, 12.7 assists, 4.3 rebounds and 1.2 steals across 34.1 minutes. In his final 35 regular-season contests, he averaged 16.8 points on 46/32/84 shooting, 9.3 assists, 3.7 rebounds and 1.3 steals in 31.1 minutes. Despite this downturn, Haliburton still returned back-end first-round per-game value for managers in category formats. That should be plenty encouraging for managers this year to select the point guard in the middle-to-late first round. The team is returning essentially the same group, though a full season of Pascal Siakam, plus the return and development of Bennedict Mathurin - who missed the end of the regular season and all of the playoffs - may draw some shot attempts away from Haliburton. That said, he's still one of the best passers and most efficient shooters in the NBA, so there should be no expectations of a dropoff.
The 2022-23 MVP was off to another great campaign last year before it became derailed by a meniscal flap tear that sidelined him from late January until early April. After two relatively healthy seasons where Embiid played 68 and 66 games respectively, the big man's injury history caught back up to him. The result was 39 regular-season appearances in 2023-24, with averages of 34.7 points on 53/39/88 shooting, 11.0 rebounds, 5.6 assists, 1.7 blocks and 1.2 steals. On a per-game basis, those numbers were good enough to make Embiid the No. 1 producer in eight-category formats. But now the question is on the front of everybody's mind as much as it ever was - how much can we trust Embiid to stay healthy? He's entering his age-30 season as someone who missed the first two years of his career and has never played 70 games in a season. There is no perfect answer in terms of where to draft him in fantasy based on risk/reward, but there's no question he's a first-round talent. The team around him has changed, though. The 76ers effectively replaced Tobias Harris with Paul George - a much higher-usage player, though also one with his own injury woes. How much George takes usage away from Embiid and Tyrese Maxey remains to be seen, and it's possible George ultimately slots in as the third option. Either way, the talent bump should theoretically allow Embiid to play fewer minutes and take more time to rest with the goal of preserving him for the playoffs.
The 2022-23 MVP was off to another great campaign last year before it became derailed by a meniscal flap tear that sidelined him from late January until early April. After two relatively healthy seasons where Embiid played 68 and 66 games respectively, the big man's injury history caught back up to him. The result was 39 regular-season appearances in 2023-24, with averages of 34.7 points on 53/39/88 shooting, 11.0 rebounds, 5.6 assists, 1.7 blocks and 1.2 steals. On a per-game basis, those numbers were good enough to make Embiid the No. 1 producer in eight-category formats. But now the question is on the front of everybody's mind as much as it ever was - how much can we trust Embiid to stay healthy? He's entering his age-30 season as someone who missed the first two years of his career and has never played 70 games in a season. There is no perfect answer in terms of where to draft him in fantasy based on risk/reward, but there's no question he's a first-round talent. The team around him has changed, though. The 76ers effectively replaced Tobias Harris with Paul George - a much higher-usage player, though also one with his own injury woes. How much George takes usage away from Embiid and Tyrese Maxey remains to be seen, and it's possible George ultimately slots in as the third option. Either way, the talent bump should theoretically allow Embiid to play fewer minutes and take more time to rest with the goal of preserving him for the playoffs.
After a strong first season in New York, Brunson took another step forward in 2023-24 and averaged a career-high 28.7 points per game en route to leading the shorthanded Knicks to the No. 2 seed in the Eastern Conference. He appeared in 77 regular-season games but fractured his hand during New York's Game 7 loss to Indiana in the playoffs. He underwent surgery and is expected to be fully available for training camp. However, Brunson's fantasy value may look different in 2024-25. For one, OG Anunoby is expected to be fully healthy, which should take some of the offensive burden off Brunson's shoulders. The Knicks also traded for Mikal Bridges this offseason, adding another multi-talented player to a wing corps that includes Josh Hart and Miles McBride. Lastly, New York made another blockbuster trade before trading camp, sending Donte DiVincenzo and Julius Randle to Minnesota for Karl-Anthony Towns. Despite all of that, Brunson is still the heart and soul of the new-look Knicks and should continue to reap the statistical benefits of that role. Brunson has finished inside the top 50 in eight-category leagues in three straight campaigns, including a career-high 18th-place finish last season.
After a strong first season in New York, Brunson took another step forward in 2023-24 and averaged a career-high 28.7 points per game en route to leading the shorthanded Knicks to the No. 2 seed in the Eastern Conference. He appeared in 77 regular-season games but fractured his hand during New York's Game 7 loss to Indiana in the playoffs. He underwent surgery and is expected to be fully available for training camp. However, Brunson's fantasy value may look different in 2024-25. For one, OG Anunoby is expected to be fully healthy, which should take some of the offensive burden off Brunson's shoulders. The Knicks also traded for Mikal Bridges this offseason, adding another multi-talented player to a wing corps that includes Josh Hart and Miles McBride. Lastly, New York made another blockbuster trade before trading camp, sending Donte DiVincenzo and Julius Randle to Minnesota for Karl-Anthony Towns. Despite all of that, Brunson is still the heart and soul of the new-look Knicks and should continue to reap the statistical benefits of that role. Brunson has finished inside the top 50 in eight-category leagues in three straight campaigns, including a career-high 18th-place finish last season.
Last season marked Lillard's first outside of Portland. After 11 seasons with the Trail Blazers, he was traded to Milwaukee, joining forces with Giannis Antetokounmpo. The season had its ups and downs, though the downs - including firing coach Adrian Griffin, Khris Middleton's injuries, and Lillard and Antetokounmpo being hurt in the playoffs - felt more pronounced given the team's expectations. As expected, Lillard's usage took a hit. His 28.4 percent usage rate was his lowest since his third year in the league. Not only that, but his efficiency was below his standards, with the All-Star averaging 24.3 points on 42/35/92 shooting. On a positive note, Lillard appeared in 73 games - his most since 2018-19. He also averaged 7.0 assists to only 2.6 turnovers, which was tied for the second-best assist-to-turnover ratio of his career. Managers who selected Lillard in the first round didn't get what they hoped for, but he was still able to scrape together a top-20 finish in total eight-category fantasy value. Lillard and those around him have cited the change in scenery and disruptive events in his personal life for his down season. However much stock managers want to put into that will be a big determining factor in Lillard's fantasy value. But the reality of Lillard entering his age-34 season and no longer being the No. 1 option on his team isn't up for interpretation.
Last season marked Lillard's first outside of Portland. After 11 seasons with the Trail Blazers, he was traded to Milwaukee, joining forces with Giannis Antetokounmpo. The season had its ups and downs, though the downs - including firing coach Adrian Griffin, Khris Middleton's injuries, and Lillard and Antetokounmpo being hurt in the playoffs - felt more pronounced given the team's expectations. As expected, Lillard's usage took a hit. His 28.4 percent usage rate was his lowest since his third year in the league. Not only that, but his efficiency was below his standards, with the All-Star averaging 24.3 points on 42/35/92 shooting. On a positive note, Lillard appeared in 73 games - his most since 2018-19. He also averaged 7.0 assists to only 2.6 turnovers, which was tied for the second-best assist-to-turnover ratio of his career. Managers who selected Lillard in the first round didn't get what they hoped for, but he was still able to scrape together a top-20 finish in total eight-category fantasy value. Lillard and those around him have cited the change in scenery and disruptive events in his personal life for his down season. However much stock managers want to put into that will be a big determining factor in Lillard's fantasy value. But the reality of Lillard entering his age-34 season and no longer being the No. 1 option on his team isn't up for interpretation.
Morant's 2023-24 season was delayed due to a 25-game suspension for his off-court conduct. After getting cleared, Morant looked like his usual superstar self, averaging 25.1 points, 8.1 assists, 5.6 rebounds, 0.8 steals and 0.6 blocks in 35.3 minutes across nine appearances. However, in his ninth game, Morant suffered a shoulder injury that required surgery, shutting the dynamic point guard down for the remainder of the campaign. Morant wasn't the only player who missed time for Memphis last season as the Grizzlies limped to a 27-55 record, their worst finish since 2017-18. Morant and company are expected to be at full strength by training camp and will have playoff expectations again. However, the Western Conference has only improved in recent years, so Morant will need to be at his best. Morant has only one top-50 eight-category finish in his career -- 46th place in 2021-22 -- and has more fantasy value in points leagues. However, there's no mistaking his talent, and he's the clear No. 1 option in Memphis.
Morant's 2023-24 season was delayed due to a 25-game suspension for his off-court conduct. After getting cleared, Morant looked like his usual superstar self, averaging 25.1 points, 8.1 assists, 5.6 rebounds, 0.8 steals and 0.6 blocks in 35.3 minutes across nine appearances. However, in his ninth game, Morant suffered a shoulder injury that required surgery, shutting the dynamic point guard down for the remainder of the campaign. Morant wasn't the only player who missed time for Memphis last season as the Grizzlies limped to a 27-55 record, their worst finish since 2017-18. Morant and company are expected to be at full strength by training camp and will have playoff expectations again. However, the Western Conference has only improved in recent years, so Morant will need to be at his best. Morant has only one top-50 eight-category finish in his career -- 46th place in 2021-22 -- and has more fantasy value in points leagues. However, there's no mistaking his talent, and he's the clear No. 1 option in Memphis.
Despite age no longer being his friend, James continues to defy father time, once again putting together an elite fantasy season during the 2023-24 campaign. He compiled averages of 25.7 points, 7.3 rebounds, 8.3 assists, 1.5 steals and 2.1 three-pointers in 35.3 minutes per game, good enough for top-20 value in standard leagues. Perhaps even more impressive was the fact he played 71 games, the first time he has eclipsed the 70-game mark since the 2017-18 season. James will turn 40 in December, making him the oldest player in the league. As has been the case for the past few years, the impending drop-off in production could be just around the corner. However, based on what we have seen at the recent Olympic Games, he could very well just continue producing at an elite level. There is a very real chance he slides in drafts, with managers still assuming age will catch up with him. With skepticism still present, James could end up being a nice value pick once again, for anyone willing to plant their flag on the aging superstar. At this point, his floor still feels relatively safe, meaning even if his numbers do take a hit, he should land inside the top 40, come April.
Despite age no longer being his friend, James continues to defy father time, once again putting together an elite fantasy season during the 2023-24 campaign. He compiled averages of 25.7 points, 7.3 rebounds, 8.3 assists, 1.5 steals and 2.1 three-pointers in 35.3 minutes per game, good enough for top-20 value in standard leagues. Perhaps even more impressive was the fact he played 71 games, the first time he has eclipsed the 70-game mark since the 2017-18 season. James will turn 40 in December, making him the oldest player in the league. As has been the case for the past few years, the impending drop-off in production could be just around the corner. However, based on what we have seen at the recent Olympic Games, he could very well just continue producing at an elite level. There is a very real chance he slides in drafts, with managers still assuming age will catch up with him. With skepticism still present, James could end up being a nice value pick once again, for anyone willing to plant their flag on the aging superstar. At this point, his floor still feels relatively safe, meaning even if his numbers do take a hit, he should land inside the top 40, come April.
With Bradley Beal added to the mix, Booker played more point guard for the Suns in 2023-24 and posted a career-high 6.9 assists per game. He played in 68 regular-season games, bouncing back from a career-low 53 appearances in 2022-23. Booker has finished inside the top 25 in eight-category leagues in four of the past five seasons, playing at least 67 games in each of those four campaigns. The Suns are running it back with Booker, Beal and Kevin Durant, so things should remain steady in Phoenix. However, it's unclear how long the Big Three will stick together if the results don't improve. The Suns won the postseason tiebreaker over the Pelicans last season, finishing sixth in the West and avoiding the Play-In Tournament. However, Phoenix was swept by the Timberwolves in the playoffs, sparking speculation of a major change. The Suns have the talent to compete, but they need to stay healthy to remain in contention. While the parts around Booker could be problematic, the Kentucky product should easily return middle-round fantasy value if he plays 65-plus games again in 2024-25.
With Bradley Beal added to the mix, Booker played more point guard for the Suns in 2023-24 and posted a career-high 6.9 assists per game. He played in 68 regular-season games, bouncing back from a career-low 53 appearances in 2022-23. Booker has finished inside the top 25 in eight-category leagues in four of the past five seasons, playing at least 67 games in each of those four campaigns. The Suns are running it back with Booker, Beal and Kevin Durant, so things should remain steady in Phoenix. However, it's unclear how long the Big Three will stick together if the results don't improve. The Suns won the postseason tiebreaker over the Pelicans last season, finishing sixth in the West and avoiding the Play-In Tournament. However, Phoenix was swept by the Timberwolves in the playoffs, sparking speculation of a major change. The Suns have the talent to compete, but they need to stay healthy to remain in contention. While the parts around Booker could be problematic, the Kentucky product should easily return middle-round fantasy value if he plays 65-plus games again in 2024-25.
After two seasons with Cleveland and what appeared to be some hints he was open to leaving, Mitchell agreed to a three-year, $150.3 million extension over the summer. Injuries limited him to 55 appearances last year, but the guard still made his fifth straight All-Star game and set per-game career highs in assists (6.1), rebounds (5.1), steals (1.8) and blocks (0.5). That was in addition to his efficient 26.6 points and 3.3 threes in 35.3 minutes. Mitchell is quietly one of the best shooting guards in the league and is currently in his prime, entering his age-28 season. Cleveland is bringing back the same core as last year, so nothing about Mitchell's role is expected to change. In per-game, eight-category value, Mitchell surprisingly finished seventh last season after finishing 13th in 2022-23 and 18th in 2021-22. He hasn't played 70 games since 2018-19, so there are some mild injury concerns, but managers should ultimately feel comfortable selecting Mitchell in the second round of many drafts.
After two seasons with Cleveland and what appeared to be some hints he was open to leaving, Mitchell agreed to a three-year, $150.3 million extension over the summer. Injuries limited him to 55 appearances last year, but the guard still made his fifth straight All-Star game and set per-game career highs in assists (6.1), rebounds (5.1), steals (1.8) and blocks (0.5). That was in addition to his efficient 26.6 points and 3.3 threes in 35.3 minutes. Mitchell is quietly one of the best shooting guards in the league and is currently in his prime, entering his age-28 season. Cleveland is bringing back the same core as last year, so nothing about Mitchell's role is expected to change. In per-game, eight-category value, Mitchell surprisingly finished seventh last season after finishing 13th in 2022-23 and 18th in 2021-22. He hasn't played 70 games since 2018-19, so there are some mild injury concerns, but managers should ultimately feel comfortable selecting Mitchell in the second round of many drafts.
Despite a 14-win season, Cunningham showed signs of growth in Year 3, averaging career highs in points (22.7) and assists (7.5) per game. He also posted career-high shooting splits -- 44.9/35.5/86.9. It was a great individual bounce-back season after missing the majority of the 2022-23 campaign due to a shin injury. For the most part, Cunningham was healthy in 2023-24, but he was shut down at the beginning of April due to left knee tendinopathy. Before missing the final seven games, Cunningham scored at least 32 points in three consecutive appearances, so it seems fair to say the medical staff was just being cautious. While the counting stats are there, Cunningham hasn't delivered elite fantasy production in his career, failing to crack the top 50 players in eight-category leagues in each of his first three seasons. The Pistons improved their roster this offseason behind Cunningham, who should remain the offensive focal point. Detroit drafted Ron Holland at No. 5 overall and signed veterans Tobias Harris, Malik Beasley and Tim Hardaway. Increased floor spacing and better shooters should help Cunningham take another step in Year 4, but fantasy managers counting on the Oklahoma State product to deliver top-30 production may be in for a rude awakening.
Despite a 14-win season, Cunningham showed signs of growth in Year 3, averaging career highs in points (22.7) and assists (7.5) per game. He also posted career-high shooting splits -- 44.9/35.5/86.9. It was a great individual bounce-back season after missing the majority of the 2022-23 campaign due to a shin injury. For the most part, Cunningham was healthy in 2023-24, but he was shut down at the beginning of April due to left knee tendinopathy. Before missing the final seven games, Cunningham scored at least 32 points in three consecutive appearances, so it seems fair to say the medical staff was just being cautious. While the counting stats are there, Cunningham hasn't delivered elite fantasy production in his career, failing to crack the top 50 players in eight-category leagues in each of his first three seasons. The Pistons improved their roster this offseason behind Cunningham, who should remain the offensive focal point. Detroit drafted Ron Holland at No. 5 overall and signed veterans Tobias Harris, Malik Beasley and Tim Hardaway. Increased floor spacing and better shooters should help Cunningham take another step in Year 4, but fantasy managers counting on the Oklahoma State product to deliver top-30 production may be in for a rude awakening.
In 2023-24, Towns made at least two three-pointers per game for a fourth straight season and shot over 40 percent from deep for the fifth time in his career. It was a solid bounce-back season for the talented big man after he played in a career-low 29 games the year prior. However, after finishing inside the top 10 in eight-category leagues in each of his first four campaigns, Towns has finished inside the top 25 only once over the past five seasons, including a 47th-place finish last year. However, Towns' outlook looks different after a surprising trade to New York right before training camp. With Isaiah Hartenstein in OKC and Mitchell Robinson nursing another injury, Towns will be the Knicks' starting center. When Towns was an elite fantasy producer, he was primarily a center and under the tutelage of Tom Thibodeau, so the move is intriguing. From 2016-2019, when Thibodeau was the Timberwolves' head coach, Towns averaged 24.3 points, 12.0 rebounds and 1.4 blocks with 53/40/84 shooting splits. Nonetheless, Jalen Brunson remains the Knicks' top offensive option, while Mikal Bridges, OG Anunoby and Josh Hart will also play heavy minutes and rack up stats quickly. Towns returning to elite fantasy production isn't guaranteed, but he's in a better position than the past two campaigns.
In 2023-24, Towns made at least two three-pointers per game for a fourth straight season and shot over 40 percent from deep for the fifth time in his career. It was a solid bounce-back season for the talented big man after he played in a career-low 29 games the year prior. However, after finishing inside the top 10 in eight-category leagues in each of his first four campaigns, Towns has finished inside the top 25 only once over the past five seasons, including a 47th-place finish last year. However, Towns' outlook looks different after a surprising trade to New York right before training camp. With Isaiah Hartenstein in OKC and Mitchell Robinson nursing another injury, Towns will be the Knicks' starting center. When Towns was an elite fantasy producer, he was primarily a center and under the tutelage of Tom Thibodeau, so the move is intriguing. From 2016-2019, when Thibodeau was the Timberwolves' head coach, Towns averaged 24.3 points, 12.0 rebounds and 1.4 blocks with 53/40/84 shooting splits. Nonetheless, Jalen Brunson remains the Knicks' top offensive option, while Mikal Bridges, OG Anunoby and Josh Hart will also play heavy minutes and rack up stats quickly. Towns returning to elite fantasy production isn't guaranteed, but he's in a better position than the past two campaigns.
Ball has shown immense promise in fantasy, but the past two seasons have been riddled with recurring ankle injuries. The 23-year-old has played only 58 total games during this stretch, but he put up impressive averages of 23.5 points and 3.7 threes on 42/37/85 shooting, 8.3 assists, 5.9 rebounds and 1.5 steals in 34.1 minutes. The 2021-22 All-Star has 10 career triple-doubles in 184 games, showing off his versatility. It hasn't led to winning, though. That, combined with Ball's injuries, are the primary criticisms of the No. 3 overall pick from 2020. Last season was highlighted more by the return of Miles Bridges and the emergence of then-rookie Brandon Miller in the second half of the campaign. Both players are back for 2024-25, and Ball could be asked to share more touches with Miller, but as it stands, Ball is still the engine of the team. If injuries weren't a factor, Ball would likely be an automatic first-round selection. Managers will have to decide how to weigh the past couple years of injury trouble with his youth and upside.
Ball has shown immense promise in fantasy, but the past two seasons have been riddled with recurring ankle injuries. The 23-year-old has played only 58 total games during this stretch, but he put up impressive averages of 23.5 points and 3.7 threes on 42/37/85 shooting, 8.3 assists, 5.9 rebounds and 1.5 steals in 34.1 minutes. The 2021-22 All-Star has 10 career triple-doubles in 184 games, showing off his versatility. It hasn't led to winning, though. That, combined with Ball's injuries, are the primary criticisms of the No. 3 overall pick from 2020. Last season was highlighted more by the return of Miles Bridges and the emergence of then-rookie Brandon Miller in the second half of the campaign. Both players are back for 2024-25, and Ball could be asked to share more touches with Miller, but as it stands, Ball is still the engine of the team. If injuries weren't a factor, Ball would likely be an automatic first-round selection. Managers will have to decide how to weigh the past couple years of injury trouble with his youth and upside.
Putting aside Phoenix being swept in the first round of the playoffs, Durant's first full regular season with the Suns was an individual success. He played 70-plus games (75) for the first time since 2018-19 and returned first-round value for fantasy managers. One of the most efficient scorers ever, KD averaged 27.1 points and 2.2 threes on 52/41/86 shooting, adding 6.6 rebounds, 5.0 assists, 1.2 blocks and 0.9 steals. Those numbers earned him a spot on the All-NBA Second Team. Phoenix is bringing back the same core of players, notably the starting five of KD, Devin Booker, Bradley Beal, Grayson Allen and Jusuf Nurkic. Fantasy managers are right to be cautious regarding Durant's age (36) and injury history, but nothing about his role should change in 2024-25. He's a worthy late-first to mid-second-round selection based on your willingness to take risks on the age and injury profile.
Putting aside Phoenix being swept in the first round of the playoffs, Durant's first full regular season with the Suns was an individual success. He played 70-plus games (75) for the first time since 2018-19 and returned first-round value for fantasy managers. One of the most efficient scorers ever, KD averaged 27.1 points and 2.2 threes on 52/41/86 shooting, adding 6.6 rebounds, 5.0 assists, 1.2 blocks and 0.9 steals. Those numbers earned him a spot on the All-NBA Second Team. Phoenix is bringing back the same core of players, notably the starting five of KD, Devin Booker, Bradley Beal, Grayson Allen and Jusuf Nurkic. Fantasy managers are right to be cautious regarding Durant's age (36) and injury history, but nothing about his role should change in 2024-25. He's a worthy late-first to mid-second-round selection based on your willingness to take risks on the age and injury profile.
In 2023-24, Brown was not invited to the Olympics and did not make any of the three All-NBA teams. But he did earn Finals and ECF MVP honors and was an All-Star reserve. Not bad. Statistically, the arrival of Jrue Holiday and Kristaps Porzingis resulted in fewer minutes (35.9 to 33.5 MPG) and shot attempts (20.6 to 17.9 FGA per game) for Brown, but slightly higher efficiency (49.1 to 49.9 FG%) versus the prior season. His rebounds also declined from 6.9 to 5.3 per contest. Also of concern was his work from the charity stripe, where his 70.3 percent accuracy was a five-year low. With Boston returning essentially the same roster as last season, expect Brown's production to be very similar, at least during the second half. With Porzingis out until at least early December, Brown and Jayson Tatum will need to carry a heavier scoring burden early in the season. That said, the 27-year-old Brown has very little left to prove. Boston's biggest concern might be a championship hangover where Brown and Tatum lose some motivation. Ideally, Brown's lack of inclusion on the All-NBA, All-Defense and Olympic teams motivates him in 2024-25.
In 2023-24, Brown was not invited to the Olympics and did not make any of the three All-NBA teams. But he did earn Finals and ECF MVP honors and was an All-Star reserve. Not bad. Statistically, the arrival of Jrue Holiday and Kristaps Porzingis resulted in fewer minutes (35.9 to 33.5 MPG) and shot attempts (20.6 to 17.9 FGA per game) for Brown, but slightly higher efficiency (49.1 to 49.9 FG%) versus the prior season. His rebounds also declined from 6.9 to 5.3 per contest. Also of concern was his work from the charity stripe, where his 70.3 percent accuracy was a five-year low. With Boston returning essentially the same roster as last season, expect Brown's production to be very similar, at least during the second half. With Porzingis out until at least early December, Brown and Jayson Tatum will need to carry a heavier scoring burden early in the season. That said, the 27-year-old Brown has very little left to prove. Boston's biggest concern might be a championship hangover where Brown and Tatum lose some motivation. Ideally, Brown's lack of inclusion on the All-NBA, All-Defense and Olympic teams motivates him in 2024-25.
Amid a tumultuous 2023-24 season for the Warriors - not limited to Klay Thompson's struggles, Draymond Green's antics and Jonathan Kuminga's impatience - Curry was a stable ledge to hold onto. The 10-time All-Star surprisingly played 74 games, which was his most since 2016-17. While he didn't return first-round fantasy value due to slipping assist (5.1), rebound (4.5) and steal (0.7) numbers, Curry's 26.4 points and 4.8 threes on 45/41/92 shooting remained elite. Entering his age-36 season, Curry now begins a new chapter of his career, as the Warriors' Big 3 has officially seen a piece fall off with Thompson joining Dallas. Now Curry and Green - and to some extent, Andrew Wiggins - are the veterans of a ship with a young crew. Despite Curry's age, the conditions are better set than ever before for him to take even more control of the offense, especially in terms of firing shots. He averaged 32.8 points per 36 minutes last season with Thompson and Chris Paul off the floor. Players like Brandin Podziemski, Moses Moody, Buddy Hield and Kyle Anderson will step into some of that vacated usage, but their effectiveness in new roles remains to be seen. The rub is the potential for Curry to get hurt. Good health went a long way for him last season, but it can't be counted on. There are competing factors when looking at Curry in fantasy, but he should firmly be a second-round pick at worst in most drafts.
Amid a tumultuous 2023-24 season for the Warriors - not limited to Klay Thompson's struggles, Draymond Green's antics and Jonathan Kuminga's impatience - Curry was a stable ledge to hold onto. The 10-time All-Star surprisingly played 74 games, which was his most since 2016-17. While he didn't return first-round fantasy value due to slipping assist (5.1), rebound (4.5) and steal (0.7) numbers, Curry's 26.4 points and 4.8 threes on 45/41/92 shooting remained elite. Entering his age-36 season, Curry now begins a new chapter of his career, as the Warriors' Big 3 has officially seen a piece fall off with Thompson joining Dallas. Now Curry and Green - and to some extent, Andrew Wiggins - are the veterans of a ship with a young crew. Despite Curry's age, the conditions are better set than ever before for him to take even more control of the offense, especially in terms of firing shots. He averaged 32.8 points per 36 minutes last season with Thompson and Chris Paul off the floor. Players like Brandin Podziemski, Moses Moody, Buddy Hield and Kyle Anderson will step into some of that vacated usage, but their effectiveness in new roles remains to be seen. The rub is the potential for Curry to get hurt. Good health went a long way for him last season, but it can't be counted on. There are competing factors when looking at Curry in fantasy, but he should firmly be a second-round pick at worst in most drafts.
After two seasons of the Raptors hanging in the 40-win range, the team committed to a rebuild in the middle of last season, trading away both Pascal Siakam and OG Anunoby. That effectively turned Barnes into Toronto's best player and building block of the future. He made his first All-Star game behind averages of 19.9 points on 48/34/78 shooting, 8.2 rebounds, 6.1 assists, 1.5 blocks and 1.3 steals. He took significant steps forward as a passer, three-point shooter and shot-blocker, helping him return second-round category league value on a per-game basis. It's expected to be another rebuilding season for the Raptors, led primarily by Barnes but also Immanuel Quickley and RJ Barrett. The latter two will get plenty of usage, but Barnes should remain the focal point. At just 23 years old and making significant strides in an advantageous situation, Barnes has the makings of a potential early-round sleeper. The conditions are present for him to sneak into the first round this season, though on teams with incentive to tank, there's always an inherent risk of late-season resting. In that sense, he's less secure as a fantasy asset than he might otherwise be.
After two seasons of the Raptors hanging in the 40-win range, the team committed to a rebuild in the middle of last season, trading away both Pascal Siakam and OG Anunoby. That effectively turned Barnes into Toronto's best player and building block of the future. He made his first All-Star game behind averages of 19.9 points on 48/34/78 shooting, 8.2 rebounds, 6.1 assists, 1.5 blocks and 1.3 steals. He took significant steps forward as a passer, three-point shooter and shot-blocker, helping him return second-round category league value on a per-game basis. It's expected to be another rebuilding season for the Raptors, led primarily by Barnes but also Immanuel Quickley and RJ Barrett. The latter two will get plenty of usage, but Barnes should remain the focal point. At just 23 years old and making significant strides in an advantageous situation, Barnes has the makings of a potential early-round sleeper. The conditions are present for him to sneak into the first round this season, though on teams with incentive to tank, there's always an inherent risk of late-season resting. In that sense, he's less secure as a fantasy asset than he might otherwise be.
Vucevic was a picture of health once again during the 2023-24 season, playing in 76 of a possible 82 games. While it was a relatively successful season for the veteran, it is clear he is starting to slow down on both ends of the floor. After having ranked inside the top 30 for eight of the previous nine seasons, Vucevic fell to be the 49th-ranked player in nine-category leagues. His numbers were comparable to the past two years, averaging 18.0 points, 10.5 rebounds, 3.3 assists, 0.7 steals, 0.8 blocks and 1.2 three-pointers. As is typically the case with Vucevic, he managed to return value thanks to the fact he fell in drafts. The Bulls appear as though they have finally accepted the fact that mediocrity is not the way forward. At this stage, it appears as though Vucevic will begin the season as the starting center in Chicago. However, if they do opt to go in another direction, he could find himself on the move at some point. As of right now, he is likely to continue doing what he does, providing strong rebound numbers to go with versatile scoring and decent efficiency. Managers should expect him to go off the board in the sixth round of most drafts, a position from which he could possibly return value once again, assuming he remains with the Bulls.
Vucevic was a picture of health once again during the 2023-24 season, playing in 76 of a possible 82 games. While it was a relatively successful season for the veteran, it is clear he is starting to slow down on both ends of the floor. After having ranked inside the top 30 for eight of the previous nine seasons, Vucevic fell to be the 49th-ranked player in nine-category leagues. His numbers were comparable to the past two years, averaging 18.0 points, 10.5 rebounds, 3.3 assists, 0.7 steals, 0.8 blocks and 1.2 three-pointers. As is typically the case with Vucevic, he managed to return value thanks to the fact he fell in drafts. The Bulls appear as though they have finally accepted the fact that mediocrity is not the way forward. At this stage, it appears as though Vucevic will begin the season as the starting center in Chicago. However, if they do opt to go in another direction, he could find himself on the move at some point. As of right now, he is likely to continue doing what he does, providing strong rebound numbers to go with versatile scoring and decent efficiency. Managers should expect him to go off the board in the sixth round of most drafts, a position from which he could possibly return value once again, assuming he remains with the Bulls.
Siakam began the 2023-24 with the Raptors but was shipped to the Pacers in a mid-season trade. He did well in the new environment and helped lead Indiana to the Eastern Conference Finals, where they lost to the eventual champions. Siakam is set to continue building a legacy with the Pacers after signing a four-year deal in the offseason. He averaged an impressive 21.3 points on 54.9 percent shooting, 7.8 rebounds, 3.7 assists and 0.8 steals through 41 regular-season games with the Pacers, and he averaged 21.6 points on 54.1 percent shooting, 7.5 rebounds and 3.8 assists in 35.5 minutes per game during the postseason. Postseason and regular season combined, Siakam hit the 30-point mark on 13 occasions, including a season-high 39 points on 15-for-23 shooting, to go with 11 rebounds, seven assists and three steals in a home win with the Raptors over the Wizards in mid-November. He hauled in at least 10 rebounds in 18 games, including a high of 16. Siakam also showed his ability to be a strong distributor with 28 games dishing more than five assists and a minimum of 10 assists in two outings, including his only triple-double on the year, when he tallied 26 points, 13 rebounds and 10 assists in a home win with the Pacers over the 76ers in late January. Looking ahead, Siakam is set to lead the way for the Pacers as a key contributor on both ends of the floor. He should continue to thrive with their fast-paced style of play and excel in transition while running alongside a great distributor in Tyrese Haliburton.
Siakam began the 2023-24 with the Raptors but was shipped to the Pacers in a mid-season trade. He did well in the new environment and helped lead Indiana to the Eastern Conference Finals, where they lost to the eventual champions. Siakam is set to continue building a legacy with the Pacers after signing a four-year deal in the offseason. He averaged an impressive 21.3 points on 54.9 percent shooting, 7.8 rebounds, 3.7 assists and 0.8 steals through 41 regular-season games with the Pacers, and he averaged 21.6 points on 54.1 percent shooting, 7.5 rebounds and 3.8 assists in 35.5 minutes per game during the postseason. Postseason and regular season combined, Siakam hit the 30-point mark on 13 occasions, including a season-high 39 points on 15-for-23 shooting, to go with 11 rebounds, seven assists and three steals in a home win with the Raptors over the Wizards in mid-November. He hauled in at least 10 rebounds in 18 games, including a high of 16. Siakam also showed his ability to be a strong distributor with 28 games dishing more than five assists and a minimum of 10 assists in two outings, including his only triple-double on the year, when he tallied 26 points, 13 rebounds and 10 assists in a home win with the Pacers over the 76ers in late January. Looking ahead, Siakam is set to lead the way for the Pacers as a key contributor on both ends of the floor. He should continue to thrive with their fast-paced style of play and excel in transition while running alongside a great distributor in Tyrese Haliburton.
In 2023-24, Wagner averaged 19.7 points, 5.3 rebounds, 3.7 assists and 1.1 steals per game -- all career highs. However, his three-point shot took a turn for the worse. After shooting at least 35 percent from deep in each of his first two seasons, Wagner shot only 28.1 percent on 4.6 attempts per game last year, including an abysmal 18.8 percent over his final 27 regular-season appearances. The 22-year-old is an ascending player, and the Magic -- led by Paolo Banchero -- are emerging as a legitimate threat in the Eastern Conference, but without a competent three-point shot, Wagner's fantasy value will be limited. Given Wagner has shot at least 84 percent from the charity stripe in each of his first three NBA seasons, it's safe to say he could bounce back from deep with a mechanical adjustment. However, it'd still be a stretch to draft Wagner inside the top 50 even if it were certain he'd get back to being a league-average three-point shooter. While Wagner has restricted fantasy upside in his current situation, he has a relatively safe floor and should be drafted before the seventh round.
In 2023-24, Wagner averaged 19.7 points, 5.3 rebounds, 3.7 assists and 1.1 steals per game -- all career highs. However, his three-point shot took a turn for the worse. After shooting at least 35 percent from deep in each of his first two seasons, Wagner shot only 28.1 percent on 4.6 attempts per game last year, including an abysmal 18.8 percent over his final 27 regular-season appearances. The 22-year-old is an ascending player, and the Magic -- led by Paolo Banchero -- are emerging as a legitimate threat in the Eastern Conference, but without a competent three-point shot, Wagner's fantasy value will be limited. Given Wagner has shot at least 84 percent from the charity stripe in each of his first three NBA seasons, it's safe to say he could bounce back from deep with a mechanical adjustment. However, it'd still be a stretch to draft Wagner inside the top 50 even if it were certain he'd get back to being a league-average three-point shooter. While Wagner has restricted fantasy upside in his current situation, he has a relatively safe floor and should be drafted before the seventh round.
The No. 3 overall pick in 2021, Mobley has failed to take a significant statistical stride forward since his first campaign. As a rookie, Mobley averaged 15.0 points, 8.3 rebounds, 2.5 assists, 1.7 blocks and 0.8 steals. Last season, Mobley finished with 15.7 points, 9.4 rebounds, 3.2 assists, 1.4 blocks and 0.9 steals. There's been a slight improvement, but nothing that's catapulted him up fantasy rankings. He finished outside the top 100 players in eight-category leagues last year after appearing in only 50 regular-season games, despite logging career-high shooting percentages across the board -- 58.0/37.3/71.9. Mobley still has room for growth on the offensive end and has solidified himself as a premier defender, earning All-Defensive First Team honors in 2022-23. The Cavaliers clearly believe Mobley has more room to grow as well, as they gave the USC product a five-year, $224 million extension this offseason. With Darius Garland and Donovan Mitchell leading the offense and Jarrett Allen anchoring the paint, Mobley isn't in a position to be a statistical superstar, but that doesn't mean he can't return value in the middle rounds of fantasy drafts.
The No. 3 overall pick in 2021, Mobley has failed to take a significant statistical stride forward since his first campaign. As a rookie, Mobley averaged 15.0 points, 8.3 rebounds, 2.5 assists, 1.7 blocks and 0.8 steals. Last season, Mobley finished with 15.7 points, 9.4 rebounds, 3.2 assists, 1.4 blocks and 0.9 steals. There's been a slight improvement, but nothing that's catapulted him up fantasy rankings. He finished outside the top 100 players in eight-category leagues last year after appearing in only 50 regular-season games, despite logging career-high shooting percentages across the board -- 58.0/37.3/71.9. Mobley still has room for growth on the offensive end and has solidified himself as a premier defender, earning All-Defensive First Team honors in 2022-23. The Cavaliers clearly believe Mobley has more room to grow as well, as they gave the USC product a five-year, $224 million extension this offseason. With Darius Garland and Donovan Mitchell leading the offense and Jarrett Allen anchoring the paint, Mobley isn't in a position to be a statistical superstar, but that doesn't mean he can't return value in the middle rounds of fantasy drafts.
After two quiet seasons to begin his NBA career, Johnson burst onto the scene in 2023-24, averaging 16.0 points, 8.7 rebounds, 3.6 assists, 1.2 steals, 0.9 blocks and 1.3 made three-pointers in 33.7 minutes per game. He was also efficient for a 22-year-old, posting 51.1/35.5/72.8 shooting splits. However, the 2021 No. 20 overall pick struggled to stay on the court, missing a 14-game stretch to end the 2023 calendar year due to a wrist injury before sitting out 13 of Atlanta's final 21 games because of an ankle sprain. Health will be Johnson's biggest concern heading into 2024-25, but there's also a litany of wings who need playing time, including No. 1 overall pick Zaccharie Risacher and 2019 No. 4 overall pick De'Andre Hunter. On the flip side, Atlanta moved on from a high-usage player in Dejounte Murray this offseason, sending him to New Orleans in exchange for Dyson Daniels, Larry Nance and two future first-round picks. Johnson figures to have a starting spot secured to start 2024-25, but if he misses extended time due to an injury again, he may fall down the pecking order fast. Johnson wasn't elite in any single category during his breakout campaign, and due to missed games, he finished 96th in eight-category leagues. However, the 6-foot-8 forward is solid in every category and could flirt with first-round value if he stays healthy all season.
After two quiet seasons to begin his NBA career, Johnson burst onto the scene in 2023-24, averaging 16.0 points, 8.7 rebounds, 3.6 assists, 1.2 steals, 0.9 blocks and 1.3 made three-pointers in 33.7 minutes per game. He was also efficient for a 22-year-old, posting 51.1/35.5/72.8 shooting splits. However, the 2021 No. 20 overall pick struggled to stay on the court, missing a 14-game stretch to end the 2023 calendar year due to a wrist injury before sitting out 13 of Atlanta's final 21 games because of an ankle sprain. Health will be Johnson's biggest concern heading into 2024-25, but there's also a litany of wings who need playing time, including No. 1 overall pick Zaccharie Risacher and 2019 No. 4 overall pick De'Andre Hunter. On the flip side, Atlanta moved on from a high-usage player in Dejounte Murray this offseason, sending him to New Orleans in exchange for Dyson Daniels, Larry Nance and two future first-round picks. Johnson figures to have a starting spot secured to start 2024-25, but if he misses extended time due to an injury again, he may fall down the pecking order fast. Johnson wasn't elite in any single category during his breakout campaign, and due to missed games, he finished 96th in eight-category leagues. However, the 6-foot-8 forward is solid in every category and could flirt with first-round value if he stays healthy all season.
Last season was one to forget for Giddey, who moved to the bench partway through the season and almost fell out of the rotation altogether during the playoffs. As the Thunder developed into one of the best teams in the Western Conference, Giddey was seen as carry-on baggage, often supplanted in the rotation by superior role players. When all was said and done, he ended by averaging just 25.1 minutes per game, during which time he put up 12.4 points, 6.4 rebounds, 4.8 assists, 0.6 steals and 1.0 three-pointers. On a positive note, his efficiency from the perimeter continues to improve, as does his free-throw stroke. To no one's surprise, Oklahoma City opted to part ways with Giddey shortly after the season, sending him to Chicago in return for Alex Caruso. A fresh start is just what Giddey needs to revitalize his career, especially playing for a team that can afford to roll him out there, no matter the result. Although he will be competing for minutes with players like Ayo Dosunmu and Coby White, not to mention Zach LaVine and Lonzo Ball, Giddey could very well get the first look at the starting point guard position. If he continues to improve his range on the offensive end as well as becoming a more sturdy defender, Giddey could make for a nice target in the mid-to-late rounds of drafts.
Last season was one to forget for Giddey, who moved to the bench partway through the season and almost fell out of the rotation altogether during the playoffs. As the Thunder developed into one of the best teams in the Western Conference, Giddey was seen as carry-on baggage, often supplanted in the rotation by superior role players. When all was said and done, he ended by averaging just 25.1 minutes per game, during which time he put up 12.4 points, 6.4 rebounds, 4.8 assists, 0.6 steals and 1.0 three-pointers. On a positive note, his efficiency from the perimeter continues to improve, as does his free-throw stroke. To no one's surprise, Oklahoma City opted to part ways with Giddey shortly after the season, sending him to Chicago in return for Alex Caruso. A fresh start is just what Giddey needs to revitalize his career, especially playing for a team that can afford to roll him out there, no matter the result. Although he will be competing for minutes with players like Ayo Dosunmu and Coby White, not to mention Zach LaVine and Lonzo Ball, Giddey could very well get the first look at the starting point guard position. If he continues to improve his range on the offensive end as well as becoming a more sturdy defender, Giddey could make for a nice target in the mid-to-late rounds of drafts.
While Memphis' 2023-24 was a disaster, Jackson's season was a mixed bag. Without Ja Morant, Desmond Bane and Marcus Smart for nearly the entire campaign, Jackson averaged career highs in points (22.5), assists (2.3) and steals (1.2). However, his rebounding and shot-blocking took major steps back. His rebounds dropped from 6.8 per game in 2022-23 to 5.5 last year, while his blocks per game went from 3.0 to 1.6. Despite his size (6-foot-10), Jackson has never been a great rebounder, but the drop in defensive production is worrisome, as that was his main attraction in fantasy over the previous two seasons when he finished inside the top 30 in eight-category leagues. The Grizzlies returning to full strength in 2024-25 may help Jackson shift his focus back to defending the rim, but that would also mean his offensive numbers take a hit. There's always value in a player capable of hitting multiple threes and blocking multiple shots on any given night, especially in category leagues, but Jackson may never be a top-tier fantasy option.
While Memphis' 2023-24 was a disaster, Jackson's season was a mixed bag. Without Ja Morant, Desmond Bane and Marcus Smart for nearly the entire campaign, Jackson averaged career highs in points (22.5), assists (2.3) and steals (1.2). However, his rebounding and shot-blocking took major steps back. His rebounds dropped from 6.8 per game in 2022-23 to 5.5 last year, while his blocks per game went from 3.0 to 1.6. Despite his size (6-foot-10), Jackson has never been a great rebounder, but the drop in defensive production is worrisome, as that was his main attraction in fantasy over the previous two seasons when he finished inside the top 30 in eight-category leagues. The Grizzlies returning to full strength in 2024-25 may help Jackson shift his focus back to defending the rim, but that would also mean his offensive numbers take a hit. There's always value in a player capable of hitting multiple threes and blocking multiple shots on any given night, especially in category leagues, but Jackson may never be a top-tier fantasy option.
Williamson appeared in a career-high 70 games in 2023-24, but he suffered yet another hamstring strain during the Pelicans' Play-In Tournament loss to the Lakers and was sidelined for the rest of the postseason - New Orleans was swept by Oklahoma City in the first round. In those 70 regular-season appearances, Williamson averaged 22.9 points, 5.8 rebounds, 5.0 assists, 1.1 steals and 0.7 blocks with 57/33/70 shooting splits. Even with a relatively healthy regular season, Williamson finished 67th in eight-category leagues. He certainly has more value in points leagues, but the 2019 No. 1 overall pick's poor work from three-point range and at the charity stripe, plus his injury history, makes him a liability in category leagues. The Pelicans finally added a true point guard in Dejounte Murray this offseason, which should increase everyone's offensive efficiency, but Murray could also take away some of Williamson's usage. Williamson may also be asked to play more center in 2024-25 given the departure of Jonas Valanciunas. A boost in efficiency and a couple more rebounds per game could give Williamson early-round value, but he's a safer pick in the middle rounds of drafts.
Williamson appeared in a career-high 70 games in 2023-24, but he suffered yet another hamstring strain during the Pelicans' Play-In Tournament loss to the Lakers and was sidelined for the rest of the postseason - New Orleans was swept by Oklahoma City in the first round. In those 70 regular-season appearances, Williamson averaged 22.9 points, 5.8 rebounds, 5.0 assists, 1.1 steals and 0.7 blocks with 57/33/70 shooting splits. Even with a relatively healthy regular season, Williamson finished 67th in eight-category leagues. He certainly has more value in points leagues, but the 2019 No. 1 overall pick's poor work from three-point range and at the charity stripe, plus his injury history, makes him a liability in category leagues. The Pelicans finally added a true point guard in Dejounte Murray this offseason, which should increase everyone's offensive efficiency, but Murray could also take away some of Williamson's usage. Williamson may also be asked to play more center in 2024-25 given the departure of Jonas Valanciunas. A boost in efficiency and a couple more rebounds per game could give Williamson early-round value, but he's a safer pick in the middle rounds of drafts.
In 2023-24, Randle made 46 regular-season appearances before dislocating his right shoulder in the fourth quarter of a double-digit win over the Heat on January 27. He initially tried to avoid surgery and return for the Knicks' playoff run but was ultimately shut down in early April. New York was one of the most active teams this offseason, adding Mikal Bridges, re-signing OG Anunoby, parting ways with Isaiah Hartenstein and trading Randle and Donte DiVincenzo to the Timberwolves. Randle remains in a build-up process ahead of training camp with his new squad, and it's unclear what his role will be in Minnesota. Anthony Edwards is the undisputed go-to guy, Mike Conley is an old-school point guard and Rudy Gobert protects the paint, leaving Jaden McDaniels and DiVincenzo to split time on the wings. When healthy, Randle can be one of the best one-on-one players in the NBA. However, he may not see as much usage as he's used to, especially if the Timberwolves give Naz Reid a larger role in Towns' absence.
In 2023-24, Randle made 46 regular-season appearances before dislocating his right shoulder in the fourth quarter of a double-digit win over the Heat on January 27. He initially tried to avoid surgery and return for the Knicks' playoff run but was ultimately shut down in early April. New York was one of the most active teams this offseason, adding Mikal Bridges, re-signing OG Anunoby, parting ways with Isaiah Hartenstein and trading Randle and Donte DiVincenzo to the Timberwolves. Randle remains in a build-up process ahead of training camp with his new squad, and it's unclear what his role will be in Minnesota. Anthony Edwards is the undisputed go-to guy, Mike Conley is an old-school point guard and Rudy Gobert protects the paint, leaving Jaden McDaniels and DiVincenzo to split time on the wings. When healthy, Randle can be one of the best one-on-one players in the NBA. However, he may not see as much usage as he's used to, especially if the Timberwolves give Naz Reid a larger role in Towns' absence.
Ankle and back injuries, limiting Duren to 61 games, dampened a great season from the second-year center. He became a full-time starter and set career highs in points (13.8), rebounds (11.6), assists (2.4) and free-throw percentage (79.0%). At 20 years old, Duren was already one of the best rebounders in the league, finishing third in total rebound percentage (22.2), grabbing 14.4 boards per 36 minutes. His strong finishing ability (61.9 FG%) combined with his above-average free-throw percentage for a center makes him one of the most efficient bigs. What's holding Duren back at the moment is his below-par defense. Despite being a physical force, he averaged just 0.8 blocks and 0.5 steals last season. Considering he averaged about two blocks per game as a one-and-done college player at Memphis, Duren's defensive performance as a pro has been disappointing, but it leaves some hope for improvement. Ultimately, he's already established himself as a nightly 15-and-15 threat, and if he can work his way into playing minutes in the mid-30s with added skill, there's plenty of upside to be unlocked. Fantasy managers should feel pretty comfortable if he's their squad's best center, though the blocks category might need to be shored up.
Ankle and back injuries, limiting Duren to 61 games, dampened a great season from the second-year center. He became a full-time starter and set career highs in points (13.8), rebounds (11.6), assists (2.4) and free-throw percentage (79.0%). At 20 years old, Duren was already one of the best rebounders in the league, finishing third in total rebound percentage (22.2), grabbing 14.4 boards per 36 minutes. His strong finishing ability (61.9 FG%) combined with his above-average free-throw percentage for a center makes him one of the most efficient bigs. What's holding Duren back at the moment is his below-par defense. Despite being a physical force, he averaged just 0.8 blocks and 0.5 steals last season. Considering he averaged about two blocks per game as a one-and-done college player at Memphis, Duren's defensive performance as a pro has been disappointing, but it leaves some hope for improvement. Ultimately, he's already established himself as a nightly 15-and-15 threat, and if he can work his way into playing minutes in the mid-30s with added skill, there's plenty of upside to be unlocked. Fantasy managers should feel pretty comfortable if he's their squad's best center, though the blocks category might need to be shored up.
Green took a small step back last season, partially due to the addition of Fred VanVleet and the emergence of Alperen Sengun. However, the third-year pro was still second on the team in points (19.6) and third in assists (3.5) per game. While it wasn't enough to give fantasy managers a good return on investment, he had a massive end to the season. With Sengun sidelined for the final 18 games of the season, Green averaged 24.2 points, 6.6 rebounds, 4.3 assists and 1.0 steals on 45/38/79 shooting. That could give optimists hope that the 22-year-old will be able to turn the corner in his development this season, but we also can't count on Sengun getting hurt again or taking on less usage. Green will have to prove he's capable of taking on a bigger scoring burden, and do so efficiently, which has been his main struggle to this point. And if Green doesn't have it going on a particular night, the Rockets have no shortage of young players with upside to steal some minutes. Fantasy managers don't have much to lose drafting Green around pick 80 in category formats - closer to 60 in points formats - but that's mostly based on faith in the player and not a better situation. If he can finally combine his top-shelf athleticism with better shooting from everywhere on the court, Green may start looking more like the No. 2 pick that he was in 2021.
Green took a small step back last season, partially due to the addition of Fred VanVleet and the emergence of Alperen Sengun. However, the third-year pro was still second on the team in points (19.6) and third in assists (3.5) per game. While it wasn't enough to give fantasy managers a good return on investment, he had a massive end to the season. With Sengun sidelined for the final 18 games of the season, Green averaged 24.2 points, 6.6 rebounds, 4.3 assists and 1.0 steals on 45/38/79 shooting. That could give optimists hope that the 22-year-old will be able to turn the corner in his development this season, but we also can't count on Sengun getting hurt again or taking on less usage. Green will have to prove he's capable of taking on a bigger scoring burden, and do so efficiently, which has been his main struggle to this point. And if Green doesn't have it going on a particular night, the Rockets have no shortage of young players with upside to steal some minutes. Fantasy managers don't have much to lose drafting Green around pick 80 in category formats - closer to 60 in points formats - but that's mostly based on faith in the player and not a better situation. If he can finally combine his top-shelf athleticism with better shooting from everywhere on the court, Green may start looking more like the No. 2 pick that he was in 2021.
A felony domestic violence charge resulted in Bridges missing all of the 2022-23 season, but he returned last season. After the league's 10-game suspension to begin the year, he went on to look like the breakout version of himself that emerged in 2020-21. Bridges was even better in some ways, reaching per-game career highs in minutes (37.4), points (21.0), rebounds (7.3) and made threes (2.3). Managers who took a chance on Bridges late in drafts, typically outside of the top 100, were rewarded. The 26-year-old again figures to be a top option on the Hornets. LaMelo Ball will run the show, while sophomore Brandon Miller should improve and take some more playmaking responsibilities, but Bridges should slot in as No. 3 at worst. Managers concerned about drafting players on potentially bad teams or players with outsized risk for personal absences are probably not going to be targeting Bridges. But if your primary concern is drafting players in their prime who are in fairly stable roles, Bridges should be in consideration in the 40-60 range in most leagues.
A felony domestic violence charge resulted in Bridges missing all of the 2022-23 season, but he returned last season. After the league's 10-game suspension to begin the year, he went on to look like the breakout version of himself that emerged in 2020-21. Bridges was even better in some ways, reaching per-game career highs in minutes (37.4), points (21.0), rebounds (7.3) and made threes (2.3). Managers who took a chance on Bridges late in drafts, typically outside of the top 100, were rewarded. The 26-year-old again figures to be a top option on the Hornets. LaMelo Ball will run the show, while sophomore Brandon Miller should improve and take some more playmaking responsibilities, but Bridges should slot in as No. 3 at worst. Managers concerned about drafting players on potentially bad teams or players with outsized risk for personal absences are probably not going to be targeting Bridges. But if your primary concern is drafting players in their prime who are in fairly stable roles, Bridges should be in consideration in the 40-60 range in most leagues.
After a strong rookie season, Williams took another step forward in Year 2. He boosted his three-point percentage from 35.6 to 42.7, helping him average a career-high 19.1 points per game. The 2022 No. 12 overall pick also increased his assists per game from 3.3 to 4.5. The biggest knock on Williams' game is his lack of rebounds, but that can easily be overlooked given he's above-average to elite in basically every other category. Williams, along with Shai Gilgeous-Alexander and Chet Holmgren, have solidified the Thunder as a contender in the Western Conference, and the young trio still has plenty of room to grow. Oklahoma City solidified its depth by adding Isaiah Hartenstein and Alex Caruso, but neither offseason addition is expected to impact Williams' usage. Williams operating as a point-forward for one of the best teams in the league bodes well for his fantasy value, but Gilgeous-Alexander is still the go-to guy in crunch time. If Williams takes another step forward, it wouldn't be surprising to see him return second-round value, but he's a safer pick in the third or fourth round of fantasy drafts.
After a strong rookie season, Williams took another step forward in Year 2. He boosted his three-point percentage from 35.6 to 42.7, helping him average a career-high 19.1 points per game. The 2022 No. 12 overall pick also increased his assists per game from 3.3 to 4.5. The biggest knock on Williams' game is his lack of rebounds, but that can easily be overlooked given he's above-average to elite in basically every other category. Williams, along with Shai Gilgeous-Alexander and Chet Holmgren, have solidified the Thunder as a contender in the Western Conference, and the young trio still has plenty of room to grow. Oklahoma City solidified its depth by adding Isaiah Hartenstein and Alex Caruso, but neither offseason addition is expected to impact Williams' usage. Williams operating as a point-forward for one of the best teams in the league bodes well for his fantasy value, but Gilgeous-Alexander is still the go-to guy in crunch time. If Williams takes another step forward, it wouldn't be surprising to see him return second-round value, but he's a safer pick in the third or fourth round of fantasy drafts.
Allen is coming off arguably the best season of his career, where he set new career highs with 16.5 points and 2.7 assists per game. He also averaged 10.5 rebounds, which stands as the second-best mark of his career, and he maintained his streak of averaging at least 1.0 blocks per game in every season of his career. Additionally, 2023-24 was the fifth consecutive season that Allen shot better than 61.0 percent from the field. Unfortunately, he was not able to fully enjoy a hard-earned playoff run, as he was sidelined mid-way through the first round and remained out as his squad battled their way into the second round, where they lost to the eventual champions. In 81 games played between the regular season and playoffs, Allen reached the 20-point mark on 23 occasions, including two with at least 30, and a season-high of 33 points. He had at least 10 rebounds in 47 outings, including 13 games with at least 15 rebounds and a season-high 23 boards during a three-point win over Dallas on Dec. 27. He also had a whopping 44 double-doubles on the year. After signing a three-year extension this offseason, Allen heads into his fifth season as a member of the Cavaliers, maintaining a firm role as the team's starting center and defensive anchor. He is likely to continue to thrive on both ends of the floor and could find the opportunity to push for further career highs in at least a couple of categories.
Allen is coming off arguably the best season of his career, where he set new career highs with 16.5 points and 2.7 assists per game. He also averaged 10.5 rebounds, which stands as the second-best mark of his career, and he maintained his streak of averaging at least 1.0 blocks per game in every season of his career. Additionally, 2023-24 was the fifth consecutive season that Allen shot better than 61.0 percent from the field. Unfortunately, he was not able to fully enjoy a hard-earned playoff run, as he was sidelined mid-way through the first round and remained out as his squad battled their way into the second round, where they lost to the eventual champions. In 81 games played between the regular season and playoffs, Allen reached the 20-point mark on 23 occasions, including two with at least 30, and a season-high of 33 points. He had at least 10 rebounds in 47 outings, including 13 games with at least 15 rebounds and a season-high 23 boards during a three-point win over Dallas on Dec. 27. He also had a whopping 44 double-doubles on the year. After signing a three-year extension this offseason, Allen heads into his fifth season as a member of the Cavaliers, maintaining a firm role as the team's starting center and defensive anchor. He is likely to continue to thrive on both ends of the floor and could find the opportunity to push for further career highs in at least a couple of categories.
Bane played in a career-low 42 games last season. However, when he was on the court, Bane took advantage of Ja Morant's (suspension/shoulder) and Marcus Smart's absence, averaging career highs in points (23.7), assists (5.5) and made three-pointers (3.3) per game. Bane is expected to be healthy this offseason, along with Morant and Smart, so the Grizzlies should be back in contention in 2024-25, but what does that mean for each individual's fantasy value? In 2021-22, Bane appeared in a career-high 76 games and finished 29th in eight-category leagues with averages of 18.2 points, 4.4 rebounds, 2.7 assists, 1.2 steals and 3.0 made three-pointers per game. If he can put together a healthy season, Bane can flirt with that type of finish again, even if he's operating as a secondary offensive option. However, the injury concerns and the uncertainty surrounding Memphis' comeback season make Bane a risky pick in the early rounds of fantasy drafts.
Bane played in a career-low 42 games last season. However, when he was on the court, Bane took advantage of Ja Morant's (suspension/shoulder) and Marcus Smart's absence, averaging career highs in points (23.7), assists (5.5) and made three-pointers (3.3) per game. Bane is expected to be healthy this offseason, along with Morant and Smart, so the Grizzlies should be back in contention in 2024-25, but what does that mean for each individual's fantasy value? In 2021-22, Bane appeared in a career-high 76 games and finished 29th in eight-category leagues with averages of 18.2 points, 4.4 rebounds, 2.7 assists, 1.2 steals and 3.0 made three-pointers per game. If he can put together a healthy season, Bane can flirt with that type of finish again, even if he's operating as a secondary offensive option. However, the injury concerns and the uncertainty surrounding Memphis' comeback season make Bane a risky pick in the early rounds of fantasy drafts.
Claxton's rebounding and shot-blocking abilities make him a draftable player, but his poor free-throw shooting and complete lack of a three-pointer limit his upside. Over the last two seasons, he's averaged 12.3 points, 9.6 rebounds, 2.0 assists and 2.3 blocks while missing only 17 games. However, his field-goal percentage dipped from a career-high 70.5 percent in 2022-23 to 62.9 percent last season. While that's still an elite number, the drop significantly impacted his value in category leagues. He finished 83rd in eight-category leagues last year compared to 29th in 2022-23. The Nets are in the midst of a rebuild following the trade of Mikal Bridges to the Knicks, but Claxton appears to be Brooklyn's cornerstone player after signing a four-year, $100 extension this offseason. That doesn't mean increased production and could even be a negative if the Nets, who are expected to be one of the worst teams in the NBA, rest Claxton late in the campaign to improve their draft position. Claxton has more value in points leagues, but barring a major step forward, it's difficult to use a top-50 pick on a player with such limited fantasy upside.
Claxton's rebounding and shot-blocking abilities make him a draftable player, but his poor free-throw shooting and complete lack of a three-pointer limit his upside. Over the last two seasons, he's averaged 12.3 points, 9.6 rebounds, 2.0 assists and 2.3 blocks while missing only 17 games. However, his field-goal percentage dipped from a career-high 70.5 percent in 2022-23 to 62.9 percent last season. While that's still an elite number, the drop significantly impacted his value in category leagues. He finished 83rd in eight-category leagues last year compared to 29th in 2022-23. The Nets are in the midst of a rebuild following the trade of Mikal Bridges to the Knicks, but Claxton appears to be Brooklyn's cornerstone player after signing a four-year, $100 extension this offseason. That doesn't mean increased production and could even be a negative if the Nets, who are expected to be one of the worst teams in the NBA, rest Claxton late in the campaign to improve their draft position. Claxton has more value in points leagues, but barring a major step forward, it's difficult to use a top-50 pick on a player with such limited fantasy upside.
Kuzma appeared in 65 of Washington's first 67 games last year, averaging 22.4 points, 6.5 rebounds, 4.2 assists and 1.2 stocks in 32.1 minutes per game. However, an "ankle" injury sidelined him for 10 of the final 15 regular-season games. Kuzma did twist his right ankle, but the extended absence was partly due to the Wizards tanking for better draft odds, which ultimately paid off as they secured the No. 2 pick and took Alex Sarr. Kuzma's never been an elite category-league player due to his lack of peripheral stats, but he scores enough to be an impactful player in points leagues. As long as he's on the Wizards, Kuzma should have free range to chuck at will, so he could stack up points quickly. However, he doesn't fit into Washington's current rebuild and has been mentioned in plenty of trade rumors. The possibility of a trade or another late-season benching makes Kuzma a difficult player to trust. Nonetheless, there are certainly worse ideas than taking a flier on a 20-point scorer at the end of fantasy drafts.
Kuzma appeared in 65 of Washington's first 67 games last year, averaging 22.4 points, 6.5 rebounds, 4.2 assists and 1.2 stocks in 32.1 minutes per game. However, an "ankle" injury sidelined him for 10 of the final 15 regular-season games. Kuzma did twist his right ankle, but the extended absence was partly due to the Wizards tanking for better draft odds, which ultimately paid off as they secured the No. 2 pick and took Alex Sarr. Kuzma's never been an elite category-league player due to his lack of peripheral stats, but he scores enough to be an impactful player in points leagues. As long as he's on the Wizards, Kuzma should have free range to chuck at will, so he could stack up points quickly. However, he doesn't fit into Washington's current rebuild and has been mentioned in plenty of trade rumors. The possibility of a trade or another late-season benching makes Kuzma a difficult player to trust. Nonetheless, there are certainly worse ideas than taking a flier on a 20-point scorer at the end of fantasy drafts.
Murray has averaged at least 20 points, six assists, four rebounds and a steal in back-to-back seasons, helping propel the Nuggets to one of the best teams in the NBA. However, last year, the point guard played fewer than 60 games for the fourth time over the past five seasons. The 27-year-old is slowly creeping into the injury-prone territory, but he's only dealt with one significant injury - an ACL tear that cost him the entire 2021-22 campaign. Despite minor issues in 2023-24, Murray shot 48.1 percent from the field and 42.5 percent from deep - both career highs. With Kentavious Caldwell-Pope off to Orlando, Murray will have a new starting backcourt mate in 2024-25, with youngsters Christian Braun and Julian Strawther emerging as top candidates. Behind Nikola Jokic, Murray is the clear No. 2 option in Denver. He may not take any more major strides, but when on the court, Murray's been a pinnacle of consistency in recent years and his fantasy value remains directly correlated to the amount of games he'll be able to play.
Murray has averaged at least 20 points, six assists, four rebounds and a steal in back-to-back seasons, helping propel the Nuggets to one of the best teams in the NBA. However, last year, the point guard played fewer than 60 games for the fourth time over the past five seasons. The 27-year-old is slowly creeping into the injury-prone territory, but he's only dealt with one significant injury - an ACL tear that cost him the entire 2021-22 campaign. Despite minor issues in 2023-24, Murray shot 48.1 percent from the field and 42.5 percent from deep - both career highs. With Kentavious Caldwell-Pope off to Orlando, Murray will have a new starting backcourt mate in 2024-25, with youngsters Christian Braun and Julian Strawther emerging as top candidates. Behind Nikola Jokic, Murray is the clear No. 2 option in Denver. He may not take any more major strides, but when on the court, Murray's been a pinnacle of consistency in recent years and his fantasy value remains directly correlated to the amount of games he'll be able to play.
Thomas is coming off a career-best year during which he finished as the 130th-ranked player in nine-category leagues. In 31.4 minutes per night, he averaged a healthy 22.5 points per game, adding 3.2 rebounds, 2.9 assists, 0.7 steals and 2.2 three-pointers. Heading into the 2024-25 season, the Nets are likely to struggle when it comes to victories. After parting ways with Mikal Bridges during the offseason, Thomas is left as the clear No. 1 option on offense. Should the coaching staff opt to fully unleash him, there is no knowing just how many shots Thomas will fire up on a nightly basis. If he can push to 20 shot attempts, it is not unreasonable to think he could average upwards of 25.0 points per contest. The lack of peripheral numbers continues to be a stumbling block when evaluating his overall upside. However, he was able to increase his assist production last season. If he manages to do that again, Thomas would be more appealing. While there is cause for hesitation, Thomas makes sense as a viable flier target in the seventh or eighth round.
Thomas is coming off a career-best year during which he finished as the 130th-ranked player in nine-category leagues. In 31.4 minutes per night, he averaged a healthy 22.5 points per game, adding 3.2 rebounds, 2.9 assists, 0.7 steals and 2.2 three-pointers. Heading into the 2024-25 season, the Nets are likely to struggle when it comes to victories. After parting ways with Mikal Bridges during the offseason, Thomas is left as the clear No. 1 option on offense. Should the coaching staff opt to fully unleash him, there is no knowing just how many shots Thomas will fire up on a nightly basis. If he can push to 20 shot attempts, it is not unreasonable to think he could average upwards of 25.0 points per contest. The lack of peripheral numbers continues to be a stumbling block when evaluating his overall upside. However, he was able to increase his assist production last season. If he manages to do that again, Thomas would be more appealing. While there is cause for hesitation, Thomas makes sense as a viable flier target in the seventh or eighth round.
After three seasons with the Bulls in which he earned two All-Star nods, DeRozan was sent to the Kings in a sign-and-trade over the summer. The 35-year-old has been a steady source of early-to-mid-round fantasy value for a decade, boosted by his relatively strong track record of health. Last season was no exception, as DeRozan played 79 games and averaged 24.0 points, 5.3 assists, 4.3 rebounds and 1.1 steals in 37.8 minutes. He's also maintained or increased his three-point volume across four straight seasons, taking 2.8 triples last year and making them at 33.3 percent. That's a part of his game that may need to take another step forward playing in Sacramento. Domantas Sabonis is not the floor spacer that Nikola Vucevic is, and DeRozan will probably handle the ball less while ceding touches to De'Aaron Fox. The dynamic between the team's three stars isn't easy to predict. Will DeRozan be the clear No. 3 option? Will he take touches and assists away from Sabonis, who has been a triple-double machine? Is Fox going to be asked to do a little bit less? Either way, it wouldn't be surprising to see DeRozan hit recent lows in points and assists on a better team with an established duo. There's more risk in drafting DeRozan this year given that dynamic and his age, but he should still be a solid option in the middle of most fantasy drafts.
After three seasons with the Bulls in which he earned two All-Star nods, DeRozan was sent to the Kings in a sign-and-trade over the summer. The 35-year-old has been a steady source of early-to-mid-round fantasy value for a decade, boosted by his relatively strong track record of health. Last season was no exception, as DeRozan played 79 games and averaged 24.0 points, 5.3 assists, 4.3 rebounds and 1.1 steals in 37.8 minutes. He's also maintained or increased his three-point volume across four straight seasons, taking 2.8 triples last year and making them at 33.3 percent. That's a part of his game that may need to take another step forward playing in Sacramento. Domantas Sabonis is not the floor spacer that Nikola Vucevic is, and DeRozan will probably handle the ball less while ceding touches to De'Aaron Fox. The dynamic between the team's three stars isn't easy to predict. Will DeRozan be the clear No. 3 option? Will he take touches and assists away from Sabonis, who has been a triple-double machine? Is Fox going to be asked to do a little bit less? Either way, it wouldn't be surprising to see DeRozan hit recent lows in points and assists on a better team with an established duo. There's more risk in drafting DeRozan this year given that dynamic and his age, but he should still be a solid option in the middle of most fantasy drafts.
Though he's made just one All-Star game, VanVleet has been a top-30 fantasy talent for half a decade. That didn't change last season despite the point guard moving from Toronto to Houston in free agency. He was able to pull back his scoring burden and focus on being a floor general for the up-and-coming Rockets. That resulted in a five-year scoring low (17.4 PPG), but VanVleet registered a career-high 8.1 assists with just 1.7 turnovers and reached a true-shooting career high of 56.8 percent. That was in addition to his quality defensive numbers (1.4 steals and 0.8 blocks) despite being listed at only six feet tall. Houston added even more young talent this summer, selecting guard Reed Sheppard with the No. 3 overall pick. That's in addition to other scorers or playmakers like Jalen Green, Amen Thompson and Cam Whitmore. It's possible coach Ime Udoka has the 30-year-old VanVleet slightly pull back his role again to help facilitate the futures of the franchise, especially with FVV having averaged over 36 minutes per game in four straight seasons. Either way, he's a bit of an injury risk given the excessive minutes, age and having cracked 70 games just twice in his career (73 last year). A downward trend is more likely than an upward one, but that doesn't mean fantasy managers should avoid him if he's available in the third round.
Though he's made just one All-Star game, VanVleet has been a top-30 fantasy talent for half a decade. That didn't change last season despite the point guard moving from Toronto to Houston in free agency. He was able to pull back his scoring burden and focus on being a floor general for the up-and-coming Rockets. That resulted in a five-year scoring low (17.4 PPG), but VanVleet registered a career-high 8.1 assists with just 1.7 turnovers and reached a true-shooting career high of 56.8 percent. That was in addition to his quality defensive numbers (1.4 steals and 0.8 blocks) despite being listed at only six feet tall. Houston added even more young talent this summer, selecting guard Reed Sheppard with the No. 3 overall pick. That's in addition to other scorers or playmakers like Jalen Green, Amen Thompson and Cam Whitmore. It's possible coach Ime Udoka has the 30-year-old VanVleet slightly pull back his role again to help facilitate the futures of the franchise, especially with FVV having averaged over 36 minutes per game in four straight seasons. Either way, he's a bit of an injury risk given the excessive minutes, age and having cracked 70 games just twice in his career (73 last year). A downward trend is more likely than an upward one, but that doesn't mean fantasy managers should avoid him if he's available in the third round.
After a rocky ending to his Brooklyn tenure, Irving went about his business quietly in 2023-24 - his first full season as a Maverick. Dallas got hot after the trade deadline and made a surprise run to the NBA Finals but failed to compete with Boston. Over the last six seasons, Irving has played more than 50 games four times. He finished 16th, 10th, 21st and 29th in eight-category leagues during those four seasons. Like many aging superstars, Irving's fantasy value is tied to how many games he can suit up for, but he's proven he can have an elite fantasy finish while also participating in load management. Coming off a lengthy postseason, it wouldn't be surprising if Irving rested more to begin 2024-25 than usual, but the Mavericks will need all the games they can get out of the 33-year-old, as the Western Conference figures to be a gauntlet yet again. Irving also underwent left hand surgery in mid-July but is expected to be healthy by training camp in the fall. Dallas made a few splashes this offseason, adding Klay Thompson, Spencer Dinwiddie, Naji Marshall and Quentin Grimes, but if anything, the added shooting should open up more space for Irving to operate, as opposed to taking touches away from the veteran. Irving probably won't deliver first-round fantasy value again, but he's a safer pick this season than in previous years given his lack of off-court antics in Dallas.
After a rocky ending to his Brooklyn tenure, Irving went about his business quietly in 2023-24 - his first full season as a Maverick. Dallas got hot after the trade deadline and made a surprise run to the NBA Finals but failed to compete with Boston. Over the last six seasons, Irving has played more than 50 games four times. He finished 16th, 10th, 21st and 29th in eight-category leagues during those four seasons. Like many aging superstars, Irving's fantasy value is tied to how many games he can suit up for, but he's proven he can have an elite fantasy finish while also participating in load management. Coming off a lengthy postseason, it wouldn't be surprising if Irving rested more to begin 2024-25 than usual, but the Mavericks will need all the games they can get out of the 33-year-old, as the Western Conference figures to be a gauntlet yet again. Irving also underwent left hand surgery in mid-July but is expected to be healthy by training camp in the fall. Dallas made a few splashes this offseason, adding Klay Thompson, Spencer Dinwiddie, Naji Marshall and Quentin Grimes, but if anything, the added shooting should open up more space for Irving to operate, as opposed to taking touches away from the veteran. Irving probably won't deliver first-round fantasy value again, but he's a safer pick this season than in previous years given his lack of off-court antics in Dallas.
Banchero improved in multiple areas during Year 2, notably increasing his scoring production by becoming more efficient from deep and elevating his playmaking. However, both areas still need work, as he shot only 33.9 percent from deep and committed 3.1 turnovers to 5.4 assists per game. Banchero was named to his first All-Star team last season and has the makings of a superstar if he continues on this trajectory, but the team around him will also have to improve if he wants to reach that level. Franz Wagner is a solid No. 2, especially if he can bounce back from a bad three-point shooting season in 2023-24. In the frontcourt, Jonathan Isaac and Wendell Carter have struggled to stay healthy, while Jalen Suggs, Cole Anthony and Gary Harris have provided inconsistent production in the backcourt. Kentavious Caldwell-Pope replaced Markelle Fultz, and the sharpshooting veteran should be a great addition to a team that shot 30.9 percent from deep last season. If the pieces around Banchero can be more consistent, the 6-foot-10 point forward could flirt with an All-NBA nomination.
Banchero improved in multiple areas during Year 2, notably increasing his scoring production by becoming more efficient from deep and elevating his playmaking. However, both areas still need work, as he shot only 33.9 percent from deep and committed 3.1 turnovers to 5.4 assists per game. Banchero was named to his first All-Star team last season and has the makings of a superstar if he continues on this trajectory, but the team around him will also have to improve if he wants to reach that level. Franz Wagner is a solid No. 2, especially if he can bounce back from a bad three-point shooting season in 2023-24. In the frontcourt, Jonathan Isaac and Wendell Carter have struggled to stay healthy, while Jalen Suggs, Cole Anthony and Gary Harris have provided inconsistent production in the backcourt. Kentavious Caldwell-Pope replaced Markelle Fultz, and the sharpshooting veteran should be a great addition to a team that shot 30.9 percent from deep last season. If the pieces around Banchero can be more consistent, the 6-foot-10 point forward could flirt with an All-NBA nomination.
Harris signed a two-year deal with the Pistons in the offseason, ending his run with the 76ers, which lasted five and a half seasons. After averaging a career-high 20.0 points per game in 2018-19, Harris saw a steady decline in his production over the next four seasons before picking up the pace last year, averaging 17.2 points on 48.7 percent shooting, 6.5 rebounds, 3.1 assists and 1.0 steals per game. He also continued to provide solid shooting from long range, making it seven consecutive seasons hitting at least 35 percent from deep while averaging more than 1.0 made threes per game. Despite a respectable body of work through the regular season, Harris was significantly quieter in the playoffs with an average of only 9.0 points on 43.1 percent shooting. He reached the 20-point mark 27 times during the regular season, including four games with at least 30 points and a season-high 37 points on 14-for-25 shooting in a home win over the Kings on Jan. 12. Looking ahead, Harris faces a fresh start with an up-and-coming Pistons squad. He's in line to enjoy a role as a top offensive option, and as a result, he will have the opportunity to push for an increase in his scoring average compared to the past few seasons. However, Detroit's main focus will likely be the continued development of its young core, led by Cade Cunningham, Jaden Ivey, Ausar Thompson and Jalen Duren.
Harris signed a two-year deal with the Pistons in the offseason, ending his run with the 76ers, which lasted five and a half seasons. After averaging a career-high 20.0 points per game in 2018-19, Harris saw a steady decline in his production over the next four seasons before picking up the pace last year, averaging 17.2 points on 48.7 percent shooting, 6.5 rebounds, 3.1 assists and 1.0 steals per game. He also continued to provide solid shooting from long range, making it seven consecutive seasons hitting at least 35 percent from deep while averaging more than 1.0 made threes per game. Despite a respectable body of work through the regular season, Harris was significantly quieter in the playoffs with an average of only 9.0 points on 43.1 percent shooting. He reached the 20-point mark 27 times during the regular season, including four games with at least 30 points and a season-high 37 points on 14-for-25 shooting in a home win over the Kings on Jan. 12. Looking ahead, Harris faces a fresh start with an up-and-coming Pistons squad. He's in line to enjoy a role as a top offensive option, and as a result, he will have the opportunity to push for an increase in his scoring average compared to the past few seasons. However, Detroit's main focus will likely be the continued development of its young core, led by Cade Cunningham, Jaden Ivey, Ausar Thompson and Jalen Duren.
Porter is coming off a strong campaign in which he averaged a career-high 31.7 minutes per game and made a career-high 81 appearances, a major step up from his previous high of 62 games played in 2022-23. His scoring took a slight dip, but he showed increases in his rebounds and assists per game. The 2023-24 season marked the fourth time in his five-year career that he shot at least 48.0 percent from the field and 39.0 percent from long range. It also marked the third time in the last four seasons that he attempted at least 6.0 three-pointers and made more than 2.5 per game. Additionally, Porter averaged a career-best 83.6 percent shooting from the foul line last season. He reached the 30-point mark four times during the regular season, including a season-high 34 points on 13-for-21 shooting to go along with 12 rebounds, a steal and a block in a road win over the Trail Blazers on Feb. 23. Porter hauled in at least 10 rebounds 18 times in the regular season and playoffs combined, leading to 16 double-doubles, including three with at least 30 points and 10 boards. He knocked down a season-high seven three-pointers twice and made five threes 11 times. Heading into 2024-25, Porter will remain a critical piece of the Nuggets' attack, which lost Kentavious Caldwell-Pope this offseason, and should continue to thrive from long-range thanks to great playmaking from Nikola Jokic and Jamal Murray.
Porter is coming off a strong campaign in which he averaged a career-high 31.7 minutes per game and made a career-high 81 appearances, a major step up from his previous high of 62 games played in 2022-23. His scoring took a slight dip, but he showed increases in his rebounds and assists per game. The 2023-24 season marked the fourth time in his five-year career that he shot at least 48.0 percent from the field and 39.0 percent from long range. It also marked the third time in the last four seasons that he attempted at least 6.0 three-pointers and made more than 2.5 per game. Additionally, Porter averaged a career-best 83.6 percent shooting from the foul line last season. He reached the 30-point mark four times during the regular season, including a season-high 34 points on 13-for-21 shooting to go along with 12 rebounds, a steal and a block in a road win over the Trail Blazers on Feb. 23. Porter hauled in at least 10 rebounds 18 times in the regular season and playoffs combined, leading to 16 double-doubles, including three with at least 30 points and 10 boards. He knocked down a season-high seven three-pointers twice and made five threes 11 times. Heading into 2024-25, Porter will remain a critical piece of the Nuggets' attack, which lost Kentavious Caldwell-Pope this offseason, and should continue to thrive from long-range thanks to great playmaking from Nikola Jokic and Jamal Murray.
After a career-high campaign during his first year in Utah, Markkanen took a slight step back in 2023-24, though injuries were the main culprit. He missed 17 of Utah's final 21 games, including nine straight to end the campaign and didn't participate in the Olympic Qualifying Tournament with Finland in July due to a right shoulder injury. He's expected to be 100 percent for training camp in the fall and can't be traded in 2024-25 after signing a five-year, $238 million extension this offseason. Markkanen has finished inside the top 100 in eight-category leagues just three times in his career, including a 68th-place finish last year. His 26th-place finish in 2022-23 is starting to look like an outlier. However, when he's available, Markkanen's elite three-point shot and efficient offensive game make him a strong fantasy option, regardless of who he's sharing the court with.
After a career-high campaign during his first year in Utah, Markkanen took a slight step back in 2023-24, though injuries were the main culprit. He missed 17 of Utah's final 21 games, including nine straight to end the campaign and didn't participate in the Olympic Qualifying Tournament with Finland in July due to a right shoulder injury. He's expected to be 100 percent for training camp in the fall and can't be traded in 2024-25 after signing a five-year, $238 million extension this offseason. Markkanen has finished inside the top 100 in eight-category leagues just three times in his career, including a 68th-place finish last year. His 26th-place finish in 2022-23 is starting to look like an outlier. However, when he's available, Markkanen's elite three-point shot and efficient offensive game make him a strong fantasy option, regardless of who he's sharing the court with.
Kuminga looked out of control at times early in his career, but he was a different player last season. Despite getting off to a slow start, Kuminga averaged 18.5 points, 5.4 rebounds, 2.9 assists, 0.8 steals, 0.7 steals and 0.7 threes on 54 percent shooting from January 1 through the end of 2023-24. That's 44 games of excellent play, and he did that while mixing and matching his role. It remains to be seen if Kuminga will be a reserve player this season, but he might be starting since Klay Thompson is now with the Magic. Golden State also added Buddy Hield, Kyle Anderson and De'Anthony Melton during the offseason, which is troublesome since Brandin Podziemski and Trayce Jackson-Davis are on the rise as well. We didn't even mention how veterans like Stephen Curry, Draymond Green and Andrew Wiggins need their minutes, making this one of the toughest teams to evaluate. That's probably too many cooks in the kitchen for Kuminga to play 30-35 minutes as a starter, but that would be a frustrating development with how special this 21-year-old forward looked at times last season. Given his upside, fantasy managers may have to reach in drafts to acquire Kuminga's services this season, but optimists could be rewarded if he finally gets the leading role he's been after since his rookie campaign.
Kuminga looked out of control at times early in his career, but he was a different player last season. Despite getting off to a slow start, Kuminga averaged 18.5 points, 5.4 rebounds, 2.9 assists, 0.8 steals, 0.7 steals and 0.7 threes on 54 percent shooting from January 1 through the end of 2023-24. That's 44 games of excellent play, and he did that while mixing and matching his role. It remains to be seen if Kuminga will be a reserve player this season, but he might be starting since Klay Thompson is now with the Magic. Golden State also added Buddy Hield, Kyle Anderson and De'Anthony Melton during the offseason, which is troublesome since Brandin Podziemski and Trayce Jackson-Davis are on the rise as well. We didn't even mention how veterans like Stephen Curry, Draymond Green and Andrew Wiggins need their minutes, making this one of the toughest teams to evaluate. That's probably too many cooks in the kitchen for Kuminga to play 30-35 minutes as a starter, but that would be a frustrating development with how special this 21-year-old forward looked at times last season. Given his upside, fantasy managers may have to reach in drafts to acquire Kuminga's services this season, but optimists could be rewarded if he finally gets the leading role he's been after since his rookie campaign.
White enjoyed a breakout campaign in 2023-24, as he averaged 19.1 points, 5.1 assists, 4.5 rebounds and 2.6 threes in 36.5 minutes across 79 regular-season appearances (78 starts) - all career highs. He also scored a career-high 42 points during Chicago's Play-In Game victory over the Hawks. However, the increased production and offensive responsibilities can be directly correlated to Zach LaVine's long-term absence. LaVine is supposed to be healthy in 2024-25, as is Lonzo Ball, and the Bulls made another offensive move by trading defensive-minded Alex Caruso for Josh Giddey, who's expected to start at point guard. With Giddey at PG, White should move to SG and LaVine to SF, but anything's possible in Chicago, especially if the Bulls continue to struggle. Lottery pick Matas Buzelis could also factor heavily into the rotation at some point, but by most accounts, the rookie will be a developmental piece. White finished 48th in eight-category leagues last season, but given all the Bulls' question marks and his lack of defensive statistics, using a top-50 pick on the sixth-year guard out of North Carolina may be ill-advised.
White enjoyed a breakout campaign in 2023-24, as he averaged 19.1 points, 5.1 assists, 4.5 rebounds and 2.6 threes in 36.5 minutes across 79 regular-season appearances (78 starts) - all career highs. He also scored a career-high 42 points during Chicago's Play-In Game victory over the Hawks. However, the increased production and offensive responsibilities can be directly correlated to Zach LaVine's long-term absence. LaVine is supposed to be healthy in 2024-25, as is Lonzo Ball, and the Bulls made another offensive move by trading defensive-minded Alex Caruso for Josh Giddey, who's expected to start at point guard. With Giddey at PG, White should move to SG and LaVine to SF, but anything's possible in Chicago, especially if the Bulls continue to struggle. Lottery pick Matas Buzelis could also factor heavily into the rotation at some point, but by most accounts, the rookie will be a developmental piece. White finished 48th in eight-category leagues last season, but given all the Bulls' question marks and his lack of defensive statistics, using a top-50 pick on the sixth-year guard out of North Carolina may be ill-advised.
Reaves continued to show improvement during his third NBA season, setting new career highs in games played, minutes, points, rebounds, assists, steals and made three-pointers per game. Despite improvement almost across the board, Reaves saw his field-goal percentage take a step backward from a blistering 52.9 percent in 2022-23, to a still highly respectable 48.6 percent in 2023-24. He also went from 39.8 percent from behind the arc in 2022-23, to 36.7 percent in 2023-24. Additionally, he showed an increase from 1.5 turnovers in per game in 2022-23 to 2.1 turnovers per game in 2023-24. Regular season and playoffs combined, Reaves hit the 20-point mark on 23 occasions last season, including a season-high 32-point effort on 10-for-18 shooting in a road win against the Celtics in February. He also logged a minimum of 10 assists on seven occasions, including five double-doubles and one triple-double. He hauled in a minimum of 10 rebounds in five outings, including another three double-doubles for a total of eight double-doubles and one triple-double on the campaign. Reaves knocked down more than three three-pointers in nine outings, including a season-high seven threes on two occasions. Looking ahead, Reaves is set to remain the starting shooting guard for the Lakers, playing a critical role as an offensive contributor. He is unlikely to make much of a push for new highs across the stat sheet, considering he averaged over 30 minutes per game last season and must continue to share the ball with the likes of LeBron James, Anthony Davis and D'Angelo Russell.
Reaves continued to show improvement during his third NBA season, setting new career highs in games played, minutes, points, rebounds, assists, steals and made three-pointers per game. Despite improvement almost across the board, Reaves saw his field-goal percentage take a step backward from a blistering 52.9 percent in 2022-23, to a still highly respectable 48.6 percent in 2023-24. He also went from 39.8 percent from behind the arc in 2022-23, to 36.7 percent in 2023-24. Additionally, he showed an increase from 1.5 turnovers in per game in 2022-23 to 2.1 turnovers per game in 2023-24. Regular season and playoffs combined, Reaves hit the 20-point mark on 23 occasions last season, including a season-high 32-point effort on 10-for-18 shooting in a road win against the Celtics in February. He also logged a minimum of 10 assists on seven occasions, including five double-doubles and one triple-double. He hauled in a minimum of 10 rebounds in five outings, including another three double-doubles for a total of eight double-doubles and one triple-double on the campaign. Reaves knocked down more than three three-pointers in nine outings, including a season-high seven threes on two occasions. Looking ahead, Reaves is set to remain the starting shooting guard for the Lakers, playing a critical role as an offensive contributor. He is unlikely to make much of a push for new highs across the stat sheet, considering he averaged over 30 minutes per game last season and must continue to share the ball with the likes of LeBron James, Anthony Davis and D'Angelo Russell.
Quickley is heading into his first full season as a member of the Raptors. He came over in a trade mid-way through the 2023-24 campaign and locked in for the long haul by signing a five-year extension in the offseason. Quickley averaged 15.1 points, 2.6 rebounds and 2.5 assists in 29 games coming off the bench for the Knicks to start last season but hopped straight into a starting role with the Raptors and averaged 18.6 points, 4.8 rebounds, 6.8 assists and 0.9 steals across his final 38 appearances of the season. He hit the 30-point mark twice on the year, both within his final three appearances of the season, including a high of 32 points on 10-for-24 shooting in a road loss against the Nets in early April. Quickley dished a minimum of 10 assists on six occasions during the back half of the season with the Raptors, including a season-high 18 assists in a road loss against the Suns in early March. He also averaged a career-high 2.5 made three-pointers per game, while shooting a blistering 39.5 percent from deep in 2023-24, further establishing himself as a legitimate threat from beyond the arc. Quickley is in an ideal situation heading into the 2024-25 campaign, as he has the keys to his new team and is set to play alongside young, but proven scorers such as RJ Barrett and Scottie Barnes. Overall, Quickley has a strong chance of continuing on an upward trajectory in his overall production.
Quickley is heading into his first full season as a member of the Raptors. He came over in a trade mid-way through the 2023-24 campaign and locked in for the long haul by signing a five-year extension in the offseason. Quickley averaged 15.1 points, 2.6 rebounds and 2.5 assists in 29 games coming off the bench for the Knicks to start last season but hopped straight into a starting role with the Raptors and averaged 18.6 points, 4.8 rebounds, 6.8 assists and 0.9 steals across his final 38 appearances of the season. He hit the 30-point mark twice on the year, both within his final three appearances of the season, including a high of 32 points on 10-for-24 shooting in a road loss against the Nets in early April. Quickley dished a minimum of 10 assists on six occasions during the back half of the season with the Raptors, including a season-high 18 assists in a road loss against the Suns in early March. He also averaged a career-high 2.5 made three-pointers per game, while shooting a blistering 39.5 percent from deep in 2023-24, further establishing himself as a legitimate threat from beyond the arc. Quickley is in an ideal situation heading into the 2024-25 campaign, as he has the keys to his new team and is set to play alongside young, but proven scorers such as RJ Barrett and Scottie Barnes. Overall, Quickley has a strong chance of continuing on an upward trajectory in his overall production.
Miller finished third in Rookie of the Year voting last season behind phenoms Victor Wembanyama and Chet Holmgren, who both had historically good campaigns. The Alabama product wasn't as prolific but still averaged 17.3 points, 4.3 rebounds, 2.4 assists and 1.5 stocks in 32.2 minutes per game while starting 68 of 74 appearances. Miller was also somewhat efficient for a rookie, posting 44/37/83 shooting splits. The return of a healthy LaMelo Ball will likely mean less usage for Miller on a nightly basis, but a point guard of that caliber should increase the pace and create easier looks for Miller, whose main weakness in category leagues was his field-goal percentage. If Ball gets the Hornets back on track, Miller could be in store for a major breakout as the No. 2 offensive weapon in a high-octane offense. However, there's also a world where Ball gets hurt again, and Miles Bridges maintains a leading role over Miller. As one of the more polarizing players in fantasy this season, managers are better off letting Miller fall to them in the later rounds than selecting him with a middle-round pick.
Miller finished third in Rookie of the Year voting last season behind phenoms Victor Wembanyama and Chet Holmgren, who both had historically good campaigns. The Alabama product wasn't as prolific but still averaged 17.3 points, 4.3 rebounds, 2.4 assists and 1.5 stocks in 32.2 minutes per game while starting 68 of 74 appearances. Miller was also somewhat efficient for a rookie, posting 44/37/83 shooting splits. The return of a healthy LaMelo Ball will likely mean less usage for Miller on a nightly basis, but a point guard of that caliber should increase the pace and create easier looks for Miller, whose main weakness in category leagues was his field-goal percentage. If Ball gets the Hornets back on track, Miller could be in store for a major breakout as the No. 2 offensive weapon in a high-octane offense. However, there's also a world where Ball gets hurt again, and Miles Bridges maintains a leading role over Miller. As one of the more polarizing players in fantasy this season, managers are better off letting Miller fall to them in the later rounds than selecting him with a middle-round pick.
Despite consistent production across the course of his career, Ayton remains a polarizing fantasy asset. Moving from Phoenix to Portland before the 2023-24 season had very little impact on Ayton's per-game output. He finished as a top-45 player for the fifth time in the past six years, averaging 16.7 points, 11.1 rebounds, 1.6 assists, 1.0 steals and 0.8 blocks. His refusal to block shots or get to the free-throw line continues to be an issue for fantasy managers, something that typically sees him slide a little in drafts. Production aside, Ayton's attitude also comes into question when projecting his overall value. The Trail Blazers are likely to be towards the bottom of the standings once again this season, raising the question of whether Ayton will be fully committed. The team also drafted Donovan Clingan, casting some doubt over the future of Ayton in Portland. Taking everything into consideration, while still a clear must-roster player, Ayton does come with an element of risk. This should result in him being available at a slight discount, typically in the fifth or sixth rounds of drafts.
Despite consistent production across the course of his career, Ayton remains a polarizing fantasy asset. Moving from Phoenix to Portland before the 2023-24 season had very little impact on Ayton's per-game output. He finished as a top-45 player for the fifth time in the past six years, averaging 16.7 points, 11.1 rebounds, 1.6 assists, 1.0 steals and 0.8 blocks. His refusal to block shots or get to the free-throw line continues to be an issue for fantasy managers, something that typically sees him slide a little in drafts. Production aside, Ayton's attitude also comes into question when projecting his overall value. The Trail Blazers are likely to be towards the bottom of the standings once again this season, raising the question of whether Ayton will be fully committed. The team also drafted Donovan Clingan, casting some doubt over the future of Ayton in Portland. Taking everything into consideration, while still a clear must-roster player, Ayton does come with an element of risk. This should result in him being available at a slight discount, typically in the fifth or sixth rounds of drafts.
Butler hasn't played more than 65 regular-season games since 2016-17 - his final year in Chicago. Despite consistently missing time, he's still been an elite fantasy option, finishing inside the top 40 in eight-category leagues in six straight campaigns before a 62nd-place finish in 2023-24. Last season was an odd one for the veteran statistically. He averaged at least 20 points, five assists and five rebounds for a fourth straight year, plus he shot a career-high 41.4 percent from deep on 2.4 attempts per game. However, his 1.3 steals per game was his lowest mark since 2012-13, which severely impacted his value in category leagues. A healthy Terry Rozier and Tyler Herro, plus another year of development for Nikola Jovic and Jaime Jaquez, could mean fewer offensive responsibilities for Butler in 2024-25. However, when it matters, Butler is still the leading man in Miami and should see plenty of usage. His days of being a perennial top-20 pick may be over, but Butler is still a safe selection in the middle rounds of fantasy drafts.
Butler hasn't played more than 65 regular-season games since 2016-17 - his final year in Chicago. Despite consistently missing time, he's still been an elite fantasy option, finishing inside the top 40 in eight-category leagues in six straight campaigns before a 62nd-place finish in 2023-24. Last season was an odd one for the veteran statistically. He averaged at least 20 points, five assists and five rebounds for a fourth straight year, plus he shot a career-high 41.4 percent from deep on 2.4 attempts per game. However, his 1.3 steals per game was his lowest mark since 2012-13, which severely impacted his value in category leagues. A healthy Terry Rozier and Tyler Herro, plus another year of development for Nikola Jovic and Jaime Jaquez, could mean fewer offensive responsibilities for Butler in 2024-25. However, when it matters, Butler is still the leading man in Miami and should see plenty of usage. His days of being a perennial top-20 pick may be over, but Butler is still a safe selection in the middle rounds of fantasy drafts.
Maxey took another major leap forward in 2023-24, as he averaged 25.9 points, 6.2 assists, 3.7 rebounds, 3.0 three-pointers, 1.0 steals and 0.5 blocks in 37.5 minutes per game over 70 regular-season appearances -- all career highs -- en route to his first All-Star nod. He was rewarded with a massive five-year, $204 million max contract extension. The 76ers also acquired Paul George in free agency this summer, but Maxey figures to still be the No. 2 option behind Joel Embiid moving forward, as George is essentially taking over Tobias Harris' role in Philadelphia's offense. The only thing holding Maxey back from being a consensus early-round pick is his field-goal percentage. He shot 45.0 percent from the field on 20.3 attempts per game last season compared to 48.1 percent on 15.2 shots a night the prior year. While reaching for Maxey inside the top 30 may be a risky proposition, fantasy managers should have no hesitation selecting him in the middle rounds because he has a solidified leading role on a contending team.
Maxey took another major leap forward in 2023-24, as he averaged 25.9 points, 6.2 assists, 3.7 rebounds, 3.0 three-pointers, 1.0 steals and 0.5 blocks in 37.5 minutes per game over 70 regular-season appearances -- all career highs -- en route to his first All-Star nod. He was rewarded with a massive five-year, $204 million max contract extension. The 76ers also acquired Paul George in free agency this summer, but Maxey figures to still be the No. 2 option behind Joel Embiid moving forward, as George is essentially taking over Tobias Harris' role in Philadelphia's offense. The only thing holding Maxey back from being a consensus early-round pick is his field-goal percentage. He shot 45.0 percent from the field on 20.3 attempts per game last season compared to 48.1 percent on 15.2 shots a night the prior year. While reaching for Maxey inside the top 30 may be a risky proposition, fantasy managers should have no hesitation selecting him in the middle rounds because he has a solidified leading role on a contending team.
After being limited to just 45 games in 2022-23, Ingram played a total of 64 regular-season games in 2023-24. He missed about three weeks of action beginning in late March but was cleared for the playoffs. However, he averaged only 14.3 points on 34.5 percent shooting as the Pelicans were swept by the Thunder in the first round. Aside from the rough time in the postseason, Ingram had a solid campaign averaging at least 20.5 points, 5.0 rebounds and 5.0 assists for a third consecutive year. He also shot an average of 49.2 percent from the field, marking the second-best rate of his career. Additionally, he hit 35.5 from deep and made 1.3 three-pointers per game but shot 80.1 percent from the foul line, his lowest mark in the last five seasons. His play exhibited quite a bit of variance throughout the season, including 18 games scoring fewer than 15 points and 10 games with at least 30 points. He hit the 40-point mark twice, with a season-high 41 points on 16-for-21 shooting to go with six rebounds, nine assists and a block in a home win over the Raptors in early February. Despite being linked in trade talks throughout the offseason, Ingram is heading into his sixth season with the Pelicans and the final year of his current contract. No matter where he plays out the season, he has all the tools to remain one of the league's best scorers and playmakers on the wing.
After being limited to just 45 games in 2022-23, Ingram played a total of 64 regular-season games in 2023-24. He missed about three weeks of action beginning in late March but was cleared for the playoffs. However, he averaged only 14.3 points on 34.5 percent shooting as the Pelicans were swept by the Thunder in the first round. Aside from the rough time in the postseason, Ingram had a solid campaign averaging at least 20.5 points, 5.0 rebounds and 5.0 assists for a third consecutive year. He also shot an average of 49.2 percent from the field, marking the second-best rate of his career. Additionally, he hit 35.5 from deep and made 1.3 three-pointers per game but shot 80.1 percent from the foul line, his lowest mark in the last five seasons. His play exhibited quite a bit of variance throughout the season, including 18 games scoring fewer than 15 points and 10 games with at least 30 points. He hit the 40-point mark twice, with a season-high 41 points on 16-for-21 shooting to go with six rebounds, nine assists and a block in a home win over the Raptors in early February. Despite being linked in trade talks throughout the offseason, Ingram is heading into his sixth season with the Pelicans and the final year of his current contract. No matter where he plays out the season, he has all the tools to remain one of the league's best scorers and playmakers on the wing.
Podziemski enjoyed a solid rookie year with the Warriors, averaging 9.2 points, 5.8 rebounds and 3.7 assists per game, but more importantly, he started 28 games (out of 74 appearances) and logged a solid 26.6 minutes per game. Things are on the upside trajectory for Podziemski, as the Warriors parted ways with Klay Thompson in the offseason, so the second-year guard is likely to open the season as the starting shooting guard while Buddy Hield comes off the bench. Scoring aside, Podziemski has already proven himself to be one of the best rebounding guards in the NBA, trailing only Luka Doncic, Josh Hart and Josh Giddey in the category last season. The uptick in minutes and more significant role should translate to Podziemski averaging double-digit points for the first time in his career, especially if he's able to maintain the same efficiency levels he showed as a rookie -- he shot 45.4 percent from the field and 38.5 percent from three-point range. Maintaining efficiency while experiencing an uptick in volume will be vital to preserving his fantasy upside. Still, unless Podziemski suffers a massive regression, he's primed to be a solid -- if not better -- fantasy asset in all categories as Stephen Curry's teammate in the Warriors' backcourt.
Podziemski enjoyed a solid rookie year with the Warriors, averaging 9.2 points, 5.8 rebounds and 3.7 assists per game, but more importantly, he started 28 games (out of 74 appearances) and logged a solid 26.6 minutes per game. Things are on the upside trajectory for Podziemski, as the Warriors parted ways with Klay Thompson in the offseason, so the second-year guard is likely to open the season as the starting shooting guard while Buddy Hield comes off the bench. Scoring aside, Podziemski has already proven himself to be one of the best rebounding guards in the NBA, trailing only Luka Doncic, Josh Hart and Josh Giddey in the category last season. The uptick in minutes and more significant role should translate to Podziemski averaging double-digit points for the first time in his career, especially if he's able to maintain the same efficiency levels he showed as a rookie -- he shot 45.4 percent from the field and 38.5 percent from three-point range. Maintaining efficiency while experiencing an uptick in volume will be vital to preserving his fantasy upside. Still, unless Podziemski suffers a massive regression, he's primed to be a solid -- if not better -- fantasy asset in all categories as Stephen Curry's teammate in the Warriors' backcourt.
After spending an injury-riddled five years on the Clippers, George signed a four-year max contract with the 76ers over the summer. George still provided All-Star caliber numbers over the past half-decade, averaging 23.0 points, 6.0 rebounds, 4.5 assists and 1.5 steals in 33.3 minutes. But he appeared in just 263 total games, playing more than 56 games in a season just once (last year; 74 games). That's resulted in fantasy managers trusting him less and less, and he's slipped to a third-round fantasy pick over the past two years. That will likely be the case again this year. One healthy season shouldn't convince anyone that George is now an iron man. He's also entering his age-34 season, around the time we typically start to see more decline in both health and performance. In joining the 76ers, George projects as the team's third option behind Joel Embiid and Tyrese Maxey. Though, with the team's weak bench and Embiid's own injury woes, George should have plenty of opportunities to control the offense and launch shots. Ultimately, managers chasing upside can probably still grab him in the third round, while managers concerned about age and injury risk may want to see if he's still available in the fourth.
After spending an injury-riddled five years on the Clippers, George signed a four-year max contract with the 76ers over the summer. George still provided All-Star caliber numbers over the past half-decade, averaging 23.0 points, 6.0 rebounds, 4.5 assists and 1.5 steals in 33.3 minutes. But he appeared in just 263 total games, playing more than 56 games in a season just once (last year; 74 games). That's resulted in fantasy managers trusting him less and less, and he's slipped to a third-round fantasy pick over the past two years. That will likely be the case again this year. One healthy season shouldn't convince anyone that George is now an iron man. He's also entering his age-34 season, around the time we typically start to see more decline in both health and performance. In joining the 76ers, George projects as the team's third option behind Joel Embiid and Tyrese Maxey. Though, with the team's weak bench and Embiid's own injury woes, George should have plenty of opportunities to control the offense and launch shots. Ultimately, managers chasing upside can probably still grab him in the third round, while managers concerned about age and injury risk may want to see if he's still available in the fourth.
Poole was one of the biggest fantasy disappointments last season. After four years in Golden State - the final two being in a super-sixth-man role - the combo guard was dealt to the Wizards. Considering he'd averaged 20.4 points and 4.5 assists in 30.0 minutes in 2022-23 for a Warriors team with plenty of weapons, the expectation was that Poole would have a major spike in volume on his new squad. It immediately became a disaster for managers who commonly drafted him around pick 50. Poole scored 20 points just twice in his first 12 games, and the trend of relatively modest volume with poor efficiency continued for the bulk of the season. From October through February, he averaged 16.3 points per game on 40/31/86 shooting with 3.7 assists, 2.5 rebounds and 1.1 steals in 29.4 minutes. He even started coming off the bench after the All-Star break. Looking at Poole's numbers on the whole season, they don't look quite as bad as the aforementioned stat line. That's because Poole suddenly found his game in March and April, averaging 20.3 points on 44/36/94 shooting, 6.2 assists, 3.3 rebounds and 1.0 steals in 31.8 minutes across his final 21 appearances. For the most part, it was too little, too late for the managers he already burned. It also means our analysis is complicated for this season. How much of that was real and sustainable? Washington certainly does not project to be any better this season, which theoretically still gives the 25-year-old Poole the chance to lead the team's offense. Those looking to take a chance on Poole having a bounceback season will probably be better served doing so in points leagues, where his potentially horrible efficiency from the field won't hurt. He shouldn't be considered undraftable in category leagues, though. Assuming he's still on the board at or around pick 100, he has the upside in terms of role to make that pick justifiable.
Poole was one of the biggest fantasy disappointments last season. After four years in Golden State - the final two being in a super-sixth-man role - the combo guard was dealt to the Wizards. Considering he'd averaged 20.4 points and 4.5 assists in 30.0 minutes in 2022-23 for a Warriors team with plenty of weapons, the expectation was that Poole would have a major spike in volume on his new squad. It immediately became a disaster for managers who commonly drafted him around pick 50. Poole scored 20 points just twice in his first 12 games, and the trend of relatively modest volume with poor efficiency continued for the bulk of the season. From October through February, he averaged 16.3 points per game on 40/31/86 shooting with 3.7 assists, 2.5 rebounds and 1.1 steals in 29.4 minutes. He even started coming off the bench after the All-Star break. Looking at Poole's numbers on the whole season, they don't look quite as bad as the aforementioned stat line. That's because Poole suddenly found his game in March and April, averaging 20.3 points on 44/36/94 shooting, 6.2 assists, 3.3 rebounds and 1.0 steals in 31.8 minutes across his final 21 appearances. For the most part, it was too little, too late for the managers he already burned. It also means our analysis is complicated for this season. How much of that was real and sustainable? Washington certainly does not project to be any better this season, which theoretically still gives the 25-year-old Poole the chance to lead the team's offense. Those looking to take a chance on Poole having a bounceback season will probably be better served doing so in points leagues, where his potentially horrible efficiency from the field won't hurt. He shouldn't be considered undraftable in category leagues, though. Assuming he's still on the board at or around pick 100, he has the upside in terms of role to make that pick justifiable.
After a subpar first season in Minnesota, Gobert stepped things up in Year 2 and was a key piece in Minnesota's run to the Western Conference Finals. He averaged 14.0 points, 12.9 rebounds (second-most in the NBA) and 2.1 blocks per game while shooting 66.1 percent from the field and 63.8 percent from the charity stripe across 76 regular-season appearances. The field-goal percentage, rebounds and blocks once again overshadowed his poor free-throw shooting, and Gobert finished 38th in eight-category leagues -- a major bounce back from a 68th-place finish in 2022-23. Barring a major injury, it's difficult to envision Gobert not returning top-50 value in most leagues again, as he's finished inside the top 40 of eight-cat leagues in seven of his past 10 campaigns. Karl-Anthony Towns has been replaced by Julius Randle, and Naz Reid seems content with a bench role after winning Sixth Man of the Year, so Gobert's role should be steady while playing for a contender again. While Gobert is a safe pick, there's no reason for fantasy managers to reach inside the top 40 given his limited upside.
After a subpar first season in Minnesota, Gobert stepped things up in Year 2 and was a key piece in Minnesota's run to the Western Conference Finals. He averaged 14.0 points, 12.9 rebounds (second-most in the NBA) and 2.1 blocks per game while shooting 66.1 percent from the field and 63.8 percent from the charity stripe across 76 regular-season appearances. The field-goal percentage, rebounds and blocks once again overshadowed his poor free-throw shooting, and Gobert finished 38th in eight-category leagues -- a major bounce back from a 68th-place finish in 2022-23. Barring a major injury, it's difficult to envision Gobert not returning top-50 value in most leagues again, as he's finished inside the top 40 of eight-cat leagues in seven of his past 10 campaigns. Karl-Anthony Towns has been replaced by Julius Randle, and Naz Reid seems content with a bench role after winning Sixth Man of the Year, so Gobert's role should be steady while playing for a contender again. While Gobert is a safe pick, there's no reason for fantasy managers to reach inside the top 40 given his limited upside.
The 2023-24 season was a career year for White. In addition to winning his first NBA championship, White delivered career highs in games started as well as minutes, assists, blocks and three-pointers per game. It was also only his second season in which he scored 15+ points per contest. White also shot a career best from three-point range (39.6 percent) and the charity stripe (90.1 percent). He even joined the USA Olympic Team. The dream season led Boston to sign White to a four-year contract extension this summer. He'll return to Boston with the same role he had last season, where he'll share point guard duties with fellow starter Jrue Holiday. Note that last season White had more assists per game than Holiday (5.2 vs 4.8). White frequently takes over the point guard role on offense while Holiday hunts for easy corner threes and offensive rebounds. The Celtics roster remains essentially unchanged from their championship squad, so a second high-quality season seems very reasonable for White.
The 2023-24 season was a career year for White. In addition to winning his first NBA championship, White delivered career highs in games started as well as minutes, assists, blocks and three-pointers per game. It was also only his second season in which he scored 15+ points per contest. White also shot a career best from three-point range (39.6 percent) and the charity stripe (90.1 percent). He even joined the USA Olympic Team. The dream season led Boston to sign White to a four-year contract extension this summer. He'll return to Boston with the same role he had last season, where he'll share point guard duties with fellow starter Jrue Holiday. Note that last season White had more assists per game than Holiday (5.2 vs 4.8). White frequently takes over the point guard role on offense while Holiday hunts for easy corner threes and offensive rebounds. The Celtics roster remains essentially unchanged from their championship squad, so a second high-quality season seems very reasonable for White.
The No. 9 pick in the 2020 Draft, Avdija showed some flashes of breaking out at the end of the 2022-23 season and carried it over into a stellar 2023-24 campaign. The Israeli forward was one of Washington's best players last year, averaging 14.7 points, 7.2 rebounds, 3.8 assists, 0.8 steals, 0.5 blocks and 1.2 threes per game. That was inevitably going to happen when examining the Wizards roster last year, but it remains to be seen how he'll look in Portland. The Trail Blazers traded for him in the offseason, and they have a much deeper rotation than Washington. Both clubs are terrible, but Avdija will have to battle Anfernee Simons, Jerami Grant, Scoot Henderson and Deandre Ayton for touches. Those four players are probably better than anyone on the Washington roster, which will likely lead to a slight decline for Avdija. We didn't even mention Shaedon Sharpe, which has us wondering if Avdija will even start this season. With that said, this is a 23-year-old forward coming off a career year, and he could be one of the focal points of the Blazer's offense if they continue to go into rebuild mode. With so many questions surrounding Portland, reaching for Avdija could be risky, but he could certainly outperform his ADP if handed 30-plus minutes a night.
The No. 9 pick in the 2020 Draft, Avdija showed some flashes of breaking out at the end of the 2022-23 season and carried it over into a stellar 2023-24 campaign. The Israeli forward was one of Washington's best players last year, averaging 14.7 points, 7.2 rebounds, 3.8 assists, 0.8 steals, 0.5 blocks and 1.2 threes per game. That was inevitably going to happen when examining the Wizards roster last year, but it remains to be seen how he'll look in Portland. The Trail Blazers traded for him in the offseason, and they have a much deeper rotation than Washington. Both clubs are terrible, but Avdija will have to battle Anfernee Simons, Jerami Grant, Scoot Henderson and Deandre Ayton for touches. Those four players are probably better than anyone on the Washington roster, which will likely lead to a slight decline for Avdija. We didn't even mention Shaedon Sharpe, which has us wondering if Avdija will even start this season. With that said, this is a 23-year-old forward coming off a career year, and he could be one of the focal points of the Blazer's offense if they continue to go into rebuild mode. With so many questions surrounding Portland, reaching for Avdija could be risky, but he could certainly outperform his ADP if handed 30-plus minutes a night.
After finishing 12th in eight-category leagues in 2022-23, Bridges fell to 41st last year, mostly due to his free-throw percentage dropping from 89.5 percent to 81.4 -- his lowest mark since his rookie campaign. After serving as a role player in Phoenix, Bridges' stats ballooned in Brooklyn, but the Nets weren't competitive and shipped the forward to the Knicks to play with his college teammates -- Jalen Brunson, Josh Hart and Donte DiVincenzo. However, the Knicks weren't done yet. They made another blockbuster trade right before training camp, sending DiVincenzo and Julius Randle to Minnesota in exchange for Karl-Anthony Towns. With many mouths to feed in New York, including a healthy OG Anunoby, Bridges' offensive stats are subject to drop after operating as the No. 1 option in Brooklyn. However, Bridges proved he could be a viable fantasy starter while assuming a secondary offensive role in Phoenix, finishing inside the top 35 in each of his final two full seasons with the Suns. In order to do that again, Bridges will need to get back to efficient offense and elite defensive production, which happens to be coach Tom Thibodeau's bread and butter.
After finishing 12th in eight-category leagues in 2022-23, Bridges fell to 41st last year, mostly due to his free-throw percentage dropping from 89.5 percent to 81.4 -- his lowest mark since his rookie campaign. After serving as a role player in Phoenix, Bridges' stats ballooned in Brooklyn, but the Nets weren't competitive and shipped the forward to the Knicks to play with his college teammates -- Jalen Brunson, Josh Hart and Donte DiVincenzo. However, the Knicks weren't done yet. They made another blockbuster trade right before training camp, sending DiVincenzo and Julius Randle to Minnesota in exchange for Karl-Anthony Towns. With many mouths to feed in New York, including a healthy OG Anunoby, Bridges' offensive stats are subject to drop after operating as the No. 1 option in Brooklyn. However, Bridges proved he could be a viable fantasy starter while assuming a secondary offensive role in Phoenix, finishing inside the top 35 in each of his final two full seasons with the Suns. In order to do that again, Bridges will need to get back to efficient offense and elite defensive production, which happens to be coach Tom Thibodeau's bread and butter.
Russell enters his third season as a member of the Los Angeles Lakers since rejoining the squad mid-way through the 2022-23 campaign. He is coming off a strong year in 2023-24, where he averaged at least 18.0 points per game for the fifth time in his nine-season career. He shot considerably well from long range, averaging at least 3.0 made three-pointers per game for just the second time in his career, and he shot a career-best 41.5 percent from deep. Regular season and playoffs combined, Russell hit the 20-point mark 32 times last season, including five games with at least 30 and a season-high 44 points. He did well in his primary role as a distributor, averaging 6.3 assists per game to tie the third-best rate of his career. He logged at least 10 assists on 11 occasions and averaged 17.4 points and just 2.0 turnovers in those outings. Finally, Russell did a good job taking care of the ball, averaging a career-low 2.1 turnovers per game in 2023-24, while also averaging a career-high of 32.7 minutes of playing time. Looking ahead, Russell will enter the season as the starting point guard for the Lakers and will continue to benefit from a great opportunity to thrive alongside the high-level talent of LeBron James and Anthony Davis.
Russell enters his third season as a member of the Los Angeles Lakers since rejoining the squad mid-way through the 2022-23 campaign. He is coming off a strong year in 2023-24, where he averaged at least 18.0 points per game for the fifth time in his nine-season career. He shot considerably well from long range, averaging at least 3.0 made three-pointers per game for just the second time in his career, and he shot a career-best 41.5 percent from deep. Regular season and playoffs combined, Russell hit the 20-point mark 32 times last season, including five games with at least 30 and a season-high 44 points. He did well in his primary role as a distributor, averaging 6.3 assists per game to tie the third-best rate of his career. He logged at least 10 assists on 11 occasions and averaged 17.4 points and just 2.0 turnovers in those outings. Finally, Russell did a good job taking care of the ball, averaging a career-low 2.1 turnovers per game in 2023-24, while also averaging a career-high of 32.7 minutes of playing time. Looking ahead, Russell will enter the season as the starting point guard for the Lakers and will continue to benefit from a great opportunity to thrive alongside the high-level talent of LeBron James and Anthony Davis.
Despite another productive season, Herro continues to fall victim to the injury bug, playing just 42 total games during the 2023-24 campaign. When healthy, he was able to replicate his numbers from the past two years, averaging 20.8 points, 5.3 rebounds, 4.5 assists, 0.7 steals and 3.1 three-pointers, good enough for top-90 value in standard leagues. Coming off an NBA Finals appearance, the Heat failed to reach the same level last year, rolling out a squad peppered with injuries, notably Jimmy Butler and Terry Rozier. Coming into the 2024-25 season, Herro and the Heat will be looking to make amends, proving they can still match it with the upper echelon in the Eastern Conference. Herro's role should mirror what he has done in the past, making him a worthwhile target anywhere after pick 70. The question of whether he can remain healthy is something to consider when drafting him, although the same can be said for a number of players in that range.
Despite another productive season, Herro continues to fall victim to the injury bug, playing just 42 total games during the 2023-24 campaign. When healthy, he was able to replicate his numbers from the past two years, averaging 20.8 points, 5.3 rebounds, 4.5 assists, 0.7 steals and 3.1 three-pointers, good enough for top-90 value in standard leagues. Coming off an NBA Finals appearance, the Heat failed to reach the same level last year, rolling out a squad peppered with injuries, notably Jimmy Butler and Terry Rozier. Coming into the 2024-25 season, Herro and the Heat will be looking to make amends, proving they can still match it with the upper echelon in the Eastern Conference. Herro's role should mirror what he has done in the past, making him a worthwhile target anywhere after pick 70. The question of whether he can remain healthy is something to consider when drafting him, although the same can be said for a number of players in that range.
Despite finishing just inside the top 200 in standard fantasy formats, Barrett managed to increase his numbers across the board during the 2023-24 season. A mid-season move to Toronto seemed to revitalize Barrett, providing him with an opportunity to take on more of a leadership role both on and off the court. He finished the season by scoring at least 25 points in four of his final six games, albeit six games interrupted by a leave of absence due to personal reasons. He finished with averages of 20.2 points, 5.4 rebounds, 3.3 assists and 1.6 three-pointers, all serviceable numbers. However, his efficiency took the biggest steps, shooting a career-best 49.5 percent from the field. Given his previous best was 44.1 percent during his sophomore season, managers may want to pause before assuming that he will repeat that performance this season. With that said, his role in Toronto figures to be significant, making him someone to consider towards the end of drafts. If you can stomach his poor free-throw shooting and lack of defensive stats, there could be some meat on the bone moving forward.
Despite finishing just inside the top 200 in standard fantasy formats, Barrett managed to increase his numbers across the board during the 2023-24 season. A mid-season move to Toronto seemed to revitalize Barrett, providing him with an opportunity to take on more of a leadership role both on and off the court. He finished the season by scoring at least 25 points in four of his final six games, albeit six games interrupted by a leave of absence due to personal reasons. He finished with averages of 20.2 points, 5.4 rebounds, 3.3 assists and 1.6 three-pointers, all serviceable numbers. However, his efficiency took the biggest steps, shooting a career-best 49.5 percent from the field. Given his previous best was 44.1 percent during his sophomore season, managers may want to pause before assuming that he will repeat that performance this season. With that said, his role in Toronto figures to be significant, making him someone to consider towards the end of drafts. If you can stomach his poor free-throw shooting and lack of defensive stats, there could be some meat on the bone moving forward.
Hart certainly made the most of a favorable situation last season, averaging over 40 minutes per game across the final 49 games of the season. While this should not come as a surprise given Tom Thibodeau is the head coach, it is not something that is sustainable heading into the 2024-25 season. A significant shoulder injury to Julius Randle and an elbow injury to OG Anunoby directly impacted Hart's playing time. Most coaches would simply dive deeper into their rotation, whereas Thibodeau went in the opposite direction, running his starters into the ground. Hart finished as the 124th-ranked player but was much better than that down the stretch, averaging a double-double with 5.5 assists and 1.1 steals over those final 49 games. The addition of Mikal Bridges and Karl-Anthony Towns should ease some of the burden on Hart's shoulders from last year, reducing the do-it-all forward's fantasy value. If we look at what Hart was doing to open last year, we see an elite waiver wire option, typically added for rebounding purposes. That is where managers should view him on draft day.
Hart certainly made the most of a favorable situation last season, averaging over 40 minutes per game across the final 49 games of the season. While this should not come as a surprise given Tom Thibodeau is the head coach, it is not something that is sustainable heading into the 2024-25 season. A significant shoulder injury to Julius Randle and an elbow injury to OG Anunoby directly impacted Hart's playing time. Most coaches would simply dive deeper into their rotation, whereas Thibodeau went in the opposite direction, running his starters into the ground. Hart finished as the 124th-ranked player but was much better than that down the stretch, averaging a double-double with 5.5 assists and 1.1 steals over those final 49 games. The addition of Mikal Bridges and Karl-Anthony Towns should ease some of the burden on Hart's shoulders from last year, reducing the do-it-all forward's fantasy value. If we look at what Hart was doing to open last year, we see an elite waiver wire option, typically added for rebounding purposes. That is where managers should view him on draft day.
Smith made the All-Rookie Second Team after being selected No. 3 overall in 2022, and he rounded out the edges to his game last year. Seeing just 0.9 more minutes per game (31.9), he reached career-high averages in points (13.7), rebounds (8.1), assists (1.6), steals (0.7) and all three of his shooting percentages (45/36/81). Managers who selected him around the 100th pick in fantasy leagues last year ultimately got a fine return on investment, but he didn't quite pop like optimists hoped he would. The team's usage was dominated by Fred VanVleet, Jalen Green and Alperen Sengun. Dillon Brooks wasn't shy about shooting, either, leaving Smith as effectively the fourth or fifth option when all the starters were in. Optimists and pessimists alike have to answer the same question this year: What about that situation has changed? All four starters are returning, while young bench options like Amen Thompson, Cam Whitmore and Tari Eason have shown promise. That's before we get to No. 3 overall pick Reed Sheppard, who projects to be a playmaker, too. It would be wrong to write off Smith as a finished product, but it may be another season where his improvements really only show up on the margins. It will be difficult for him to usurp VanVleet, Green or Sengun in the pecking order. As of right now, he projects to be more valuable in fantasy as a long-term keeper piece, rather than a redraft piece.
Smith made the All-Rookie Second Team after being selected No. 3 overall in 2022, and he rounded out the edges to his game last year. Seeing just 0.9 more minutes per game (31.9), he reached career-high averages in points (13.7), rebounds (8.1), assists (1.6), steals (0.7) and all three of his shooting percentages (45/36/81). Managers who selected him around the 100th pick in fantasy leagues last year ultimately got a fine return on investment, but he didn't quite pop like optimists hoped he would. The team's usage was dominated by Fred VanVleet, Jalen Green and Alperen Sengun. Dillon Brooks wasn't shy about shooting, either, leaving Smith as effectively the fourth or fifth option when all the starters were in. Optimists and pessimists alike have to answer the same question this year: What about that situation has changed? All four starters are returning, while young bench options like Amen Thompson, Cam Whitmore and Tari Eason have shown promise. That's before we get to No. 3 overall pick Reed Sheppard, who projects to be a playmaker, too. It would be wrong to write off Smith as a finished product, but it may be another season where his improvements really only show up on the margins. It will be difficult for him to usurp VanVleet, Green or Sengun in the pecking order. As of right now, he projects to be more valuable in fantasy as a long-term keeper piece, rather than a redraft piece.
After two failed seasons in Atlanta, Murray was traded to New Orleans this offseason. Sharing a backcourt with Trae Young wasn't detrimental to Murray's fantasy value, as the latter finished 23rd in eight-category leagues in 2022-23 and 20th in 2023-24. However, Murray did see a sharp drop in assists. In 2021-22, Murray's final year with the Spurs, he posted a career-high 9.2 dimes per game but dropped to around 6.3 assists per game over his two seasons with the Hawks. Murray will be the Pelicans' lead point guard, pushing CJ McCollum back to his usual shooting guard spot and Brandon Ingram to small forward. In his new role, it's safe to assume Murray could catapult himself up the league-wide assists board again, especially if McCollum, Ingram and Zion Williamson stay healthy. If Murray, who made a career-high 2.6 three-pointers per game in 2023-24, can flirt with 10 assists a night again, a top-10 finish in eight-category leagues is within the realm of possibility. He's also a high-floor option. The 2016 No. 29 overall pick has appeared in at least 66 regular-season games in six straight campaigns, including 78 appearances last season. Murray has first-round upside and a high floor, making him a safe pick in the earlier rounds of fantasy drafts.
After two failed seasons in Atlanta, Murray was traded to New Orleans this offseason. Sharing a backcourt with Trae Young wasn't detrimental to Murray's fantasy value, as the latter finished 23rd in eight-category leagues in 2022-23 and 20th in 2023-24. However, Murray did see a sharp drop in assists. In 2021-22, Murray's final year with the Spurs, he posted a career-high 9.2 dimes per game but dropped to around 6.3 assists per game over his two seasons with the Hawks. Murray will be the Pelicans' lead point guard, pushing CJ McCollum back to his usual shooting guard spot and Brandon Ingram to small forward. In his new role, it's safe to assume Murray could catapult himself up the league-wide assists board again, especially if McCollum, Ingram and Zion Williamson stay healthy. If Murray, who made a career-high 2.6 three-pointers per game in 2023-24, can flirt with 10 assists a night again, a top-10 finish in eight-category leagues is within the realm of possibility. He's also a high-floor option. The 2016 No. 29 overall pick has appeared in at least 66 regular-season games in six straight campaigns, including 78 appearances last season. Murray has first-round upside and a high floor, making him a safe pick in the earlier rounds of fantasy drafts.
Valanciunas was a coveted player heading into the 2024 offseason and several teams were interested in signing him as a free agent. Still, he chose to join the Wizards on a three-year, $30 million contract. Valanciunas is expected to operate as the Wizards' starting center to open the 2024-25 season, but the team signed him to mentor Alex Sarr, the second overall pick in the 2024 NBA Draft, as well. That off-court role shouldn't impact his fantasy upside, and there's a chance Valanciunas could be in line for a bounce-back performance. The veteran center posted down numbers in 2023-24, but the averages of 12.2 points and 8.8 rebounds in 23.5 minutes per game remain decent for fantasy purposes. Considering Valanciunas could operate as the Wizards' third-best offensive option behind Jordan Poole and Kyle Kuzma, he should have a decent shot at averaging a double-double for the fifth time over the last six campaigns. Even if he's not featured on offense, his traditional big man stats should be enough to make him valuable in all formats as long as he remains a starter. The center position gets thin outside of the top-tier players such as Nikola Jokic, Joel Embiid and Bam Adebayo.
Valanciunas was a coveted player heading into the 2024 offseason and several teams were interested in signing him as a free agent. Still, he chose to join the Wizards on a three-year, $30 million contract. Valanciunas is expected to operate as the Wizards' starting center to open the 2024-25 season, but the team signed him to mentor Alex Sarr, the second overall pick in the 2024 NBA Draft, as well. That off-court role shouldn't impact his fantasy upside, and there's a chance Valanciunas could be in line for a bounce-back performance. The veteran center posted down numbers in 2023-24, but the averages of 12.2 points and 8.8 rebounds in 23.5 minutes per game remain decent for fantasy purposes. Considering Valanciunas could operate as the Wizards' third-best offensive option behind Jordan Poole and Kyle Kuzma, he should have a decent shot at averaging a double-double for the fifth time over the last six campaigns. Even if he's not featured on offense, his traditional big man stats should be enough to make him valuable in all formats as long as he remains a starter. The center position gets thin outside of the top-tier players such as Nikola Jokic, Joel Embiid and Bam Adebayo.
Scary Terry has quietly been one of the most underrated players in the league since signing with Charlotte five years ago. With the Hornets going into rebuild mode, they decided to ship him off to Miami. The only issue is that Rozier had an injury-riddled second half after joining the Heat. In his 31 games with Miami, Rozier averaged 16.4 points, 4.2 rebounds, 4.6 assists, 1.0 steals and 2.1 threes per game. That's a falloff from the guy we saw in Charlotte when he averaged 19.7 points, 4.3 rebounds, 4.5 assists, 1.2 steals and 2.9 threes in the four years prior. While we expect Rozier to take a small dip, we still see him landing between last year's averages and his Charlotte numbers. The reason we expect the drop is that he has to battle Jimmy Butler, Tyler Herro and Bam Adebayo for touches. There weren't many games when all four of those guys were healthy last year, and it's tough to get a grasp on how Rozier's role will look when all of these guys are out there. We're encouraged that Rozier has seen his shooting numbers rise over recent years, shooting at least 44 percent from the field and 36 percent from three-point range in three of the last four years. That used to kill his fantasy value in category leagues. Rozier could become even more efficient with how many playmakers are on this team, but that depends on his shot selection.
Scary Terry has quietly been one of the most underrated players in the league since signing with Charlotte five years ago. With the Hornets going into rebuild mode, they decided to ship him off to Miami. The only issue is that Rozier had an injury-riddled second half after joining the Heat. In his 31 games with Miami, Rozier averaged 16.4 points, 4.2 rebounds, 4.6 assists, 1.0 steals and 2.1 threes per game. That's a falloff from the guy we saw in Charlotte when he averaged 19.7 points, 4.3 rebounds, 4.5 assists, 1.2 steals and 2.9 threes in the four years prior. While we expect Rozier to take a small dip, we still see him landing between last year's averages and his Charlotte numbers. The reason we expect the drop is that he has to battle Jimmy Butler, Tyler Herro and Bam Adebayo for touches. There weren't many games when all four of those guys were healthy last year, and it's tough to get a grasp on how Rozier's role will look when all of these guys are out there. We're encouraged that Rozier has seen his shooting numbers rise over recent years, shooting at least 44 percent from the field and 36 percent from three-point range in three of the last four years. That used to kill his fantasy value in category leagues. Rozier could become even more efficient with how many playmakers are on this team, but that depends on his shot selection.
Garland's 2023-24 season was interrupted by a six-week absence from mid-December to late January due to a fractured jaw. He got out to a strong start and averaged 20.7 points, 2.8 rebounds 5.9 assists and 1.6 steals through his first 20 games of the season. After his return, he averaged 16.6 points, 2.6 rebounds, 6.9 assists and 1.1 steals over his final 37 appearances of the regular season. His production took another slight step backward in the playoffs, where he averaged 15.7 points, 3.5 rebounds 5.8 assists and 1.1 steals in 35.9 minutes over 12 outings. Overall, he reached the 20-point mark in 22 games, including five with at least 30 and a season-high of 36 points on 11-for-23 shooting during a road loss against the Magic in early December. Garland continued to pose a respectable threat from long range, shooting an average of 37.1 percent from deep on the season, knocking down more than three threes on 13 occasions and a high of eight three-pointers in a single game. He also dished more than seven assists 22 times, including a season-high 12 assists on two occasions. Garland is set for his sixth NBA season as a member of the Cavaliers and is likely to continue to shine alongside Donovan Mitchell, as a top-tier backcourt duo.
Garland's 2023-24 season was interrupted by a six-week absence from mid-December to late January due to a fractured jaw. He got out to a strong start and averaged 20.7 points, 2.8 rebounds 5.9 assists and 1.6 steals through his first 20 games of the season. After his return, he averaged 16.6 points, 2.6 rebounds, 6.9 assists and 1.1 steals over his final 37 appearances of the regular season. His production took another slight step backward in the playoffs, where he averaged 15.7 points, 3.5 rebounds 5.8 assists and 1.1 steals in 35.9 minutes over 12 outings. Overall, he reached the 20-point mark in 22 games, including five with at least 30 and a season-high of 36 points on 11-for-23 shooting during a road loss against the Magic in early December. Garland continued to pose a respectable threat from long range, shooting an average of 37.1 percent from deep on the season, knocking down more than three threes on 13 occasions and a high of eight three-pointers in a single game. He also dished more than seven assists 22 times, including a season-high 12 assists on two occasions. Garland is set for his sixth NBA season as a member of the Cavaliers and is likely to continue to shine alongside Donovan Mitchell, as a top-tier backcourt duo.
Capela is coming off his seventh consecutive season averaging a double-double, but he saw a slight downtick in production last year. The 30-year-old appeared in 73 regular-season games last season, during which he averaged 11.5 points, 10.6 rebounds, 1.5 blocks and 1.2 assists across 25.8 minutes per game. Capela also shot an efficient 57.1 percent from the field on 8.5 attempts per game. The 10-year veteran is an elite shot-blocker, averaging 1.6 blocks per game throughout his career. The big man has played over 60 games in each of the last four seasons and has been a solid contributor in the Hawks' starting five. However, Capela does have competition at the center position. Onyeka Okongwu is only 24 years old and has seen solid progression in each season of his career. Moreover, the Hawks acquired more depth with Larry Nance and Cody Zeller coming over in the Dejounte Murray trade, making the competition for minutes at center a bit more complex. The club is in the early stages of a rebuild, and Capela has one year remaining on his contract, which could mean he gets traded this season. The center finished outside of the top 80 in standard fantasy formats last year, and even if he gets traded, he will likely still serve as a viable fantasy option due to his shot-blocking and offensive efficiency. For now, Capela will likely slot in as the Hawks' starting center, and he has the potential to produce a double-double on a nightly basis.
Capela is coming off his seventh consecutive season averaging a double-double, but he saw a slight downtick in production last year. The 30-year-old appeared in 73 regular-season games last season, during which he averaged 11.5 points, 10.6 rebounds, 1.5 blocks and 1.2 assists across 25.8 minutes per game. Capela also shot an efficient 57.1 percent from the field on 8.5 attempts per game. The 10-year veteran is an elite shot-blocker, averaging 1.6 blocks per game throughout his career. The big man has played over 60 games in each of the last four seasons and has been a solid contributor in the Hawks' starting five. However, Capela does have competition at the center position. Onyeka Okongwu is only 24 years old and has seen solid progression in each season of his career. Moreover, the Hawks acquired more depth with Larry Nance and Cody Zeller coming over in the Dejounte Murray trade, making the competition for minutes at center a bit more complex. The club is in the early stages of a rebuild, and Capela has one year remaining on his contract, which could mean he gets traded this season. The center finished outside of the top 80 in standard fantasy formats last year, and even if he gets traded, he will likely still serve as a viable fantasy option due to his shot-blocking and offensive efficiency. For now, Capela will likely slot in as the Hawks' starting center, and he has the potential to produce a double-double on a nightly basis.
Poeltl has always been one of the most underrated centers in the NBA, but he had an injury-riddled 2023-24 campaign. The big man missed time early due to a leg issue and was sidelined for the final month due to a finger injury. That's unfortunate because he averaged 12.8 points, 9.6 rebounds, 2.8 assists, 0.8 steals and 1.8 blocks on 60 percent shooting in his final 13 games before the finger issue. We also saw Poeltl play at least 66 games in the six years prior, so we have to call last season a fluke from an injury standpoint. Over the last three years, Poeltl has averaged 12.4 points, 9.0 rebounds, 2.7 assists, 0.8 steals and 1.5 blocks on 63 percent shooting. That's the progression we want to see from a blossoming center, and he should continue to start for the Raptors next season. He also might get a bump with Pascal Siakam and OG Anunoby leaving over the last year because the Raptors are clearly in rebuild mode. The only other center on the roster is Kelly Olynyk, but that should still guarantee Poeltl 25-30 minutes a night. There aren't many traditional centers left in the NBA, but Poeltl should be an excellent source of rebounds, blocks and field-goal percentage in 2024-25.
Poeltl has always been one of the most underrated centers in the NBA, but he had an injury-riddled 2023-24 campaign. The big man missed time early due to a leg issue and was sidelined for the final month due to a finger injury. That's unfortunate because he averaged 12.8 points, 9.6 rebounds, 2.8 assists, 0.8 steals and 1.8 blocks on 60 percent shooting in his final 13 games before the finger issue. We also saw Poeltl play at least 66 games in the six years prior, so we have to call last season a fluke from an injury standpoint. Over the last three years, Poeltl has averaged 12.4 points, 9.0 rebounds, 2.7 assists, 0.8 steals and 1.5 blocks on 63 percent shooting. That's the progression we want to see from a blossoming center, and he should continue to start for the Raptors next season. He also might get a bump with Pascal Siakam and OG Anunoby leaving over the last year because the Raptors are clearly in rebuild mode. The only other center on the roster is Kelly Olynyk, but that should still guarantee Poeltl 25-30 minutes a night. There aren't many traditional centers left in the NBA, but Poeltl should be an excellent source of rebounds, blocks and field-goal percentage in 2024-25.
Leonard played in 68 regular-season games last year, his most since making 74 appearances with San Antonio during the 2016-17 season. As usual, the veteran was a consistent producer, averaging at least 23.5 points, 6.0 rebounds, 3.0 assists and 1.4 steals for a fifth straight campaign -- Leonard missed 2021-22 rehabbing from an ACL injury. In those five seasons, the superstar forward has finished inside the top 22 in eight-category leagues four times, including an 11th-place finish in 2023-24. However, once again, Leonard suffered a knee injury during the postseason, putting his status for the start of 2024-25 in question. He was practicing with Team USA ahead of the 2024 Paris Olympics but had to withdraw before the exhibition showcase began. It was revealed in late September that Leonard had undergone offseason surgery and would be limited to start camp, making his return for the start of the year murky. With Paul George in Philadelphia, Leonard and James Harden will assume leading roles for the Clippers, who may struggle to flirt with contender status in a loaded Western Conference.
Leonard played in 68 regular-season games last year, his most since making 74 appearances with San Antonio during the 2016-17 season. As usual, the veteran was a consistent producer, averaging at least 23.5 points, 6.0 rebounds, 3.0 assists and 1.4 steals for a fifth straight campaign -- Leonard missed 2021-22 rehabbing from an ACL injury. In those five seasons, the superstar forward has finished inside the top 22 in eight-category leagues four times, including an 11th-place finish in 2023-24. However, once again, Leonard suffered a knee injury during the postseason, putting his status for the start of 2024-25 in question. He was practicing with Team USA ahead of the 2024 Paris Olympics but had to withdraw before the exhibition showcase began. It was revealed in late September that Leonard had undergone offseason surgery and would be limited to start camp, making his return for the start of the year murky. With Paul George in Philadelphia, Leonard and James Harden will assume leading roles for the Clippers, who may struggle to flirt with contender status in a loaded Western Conference.
After an encouraging rookie season, Ivey was unable to make any significant steps forward during his sophomore campaign. While his production was comparable to his first season, his efficiency remains an issue, as does his lack of defensive contributions. He finished outside the top 250 in nine-category leagues, averaging 15.4 points, 3.4 rebounds, 3.8 assists, 0.7 steals and 1.6 three-pointers on 42.9 percent shooting from the field and 74.9 percent from the line. With Cade Cunningham locked in as the starting point guard, Ivey's inability to consistently score from the perimeter raises a few questions regarding his role moving forward. In an attempt to address those concerns, Detroit added Tim Hardaway and Malik Beasley, both players noted for their shooting acumen. Tobias Harris also signed a multi-year deal to return to Detroit, while Ron Holland was taken with the fifth pick in the 2024 Draft. The Pistons are now in a position where they can chop and change the guard rotation, meaning Ivey's playing time could fluctuate. However, his age should work in his favor, at least down the stretch. If and when the Pistons are eliminated from playoff contention, they may lean into their youth a bit more. Ivey is worth considering as a pick in the final rounds of drafts, albeit one who may have to be dropped if his offensive struggles continue.
After an encouraging rookie season, Ivey was unable to make any significant steps forward during his sophomore campaign. While his production was comparable to his first season, his efficiency remains an issue, as does his lack of defensive contributions. He finished outside the top 250 in nine-category leagues, averaging 15.4 points, 3.4 rebounds, 3.8 assists, 0.7 steals and 1.6 three-pointers on 42.9 percent shooting from the field and 74.9 percent from the line. With Cade Cunningham locked in as the starting point guard, Ivey's inability to consistently score from the perimeter raises a few questions regarding his role moving forward. In an attempt to address those concerns, Detroit added Tim Hardaway and Malik Beasley, both players noted for their shooting acumen. Tobias Harris also signed a multi-year deal to return to Detroit, while Ron Holland was taken with the fifth pick in the 2024 Draft. The Pistons are now in a position where they can chop and change the guard rotation, meaning Ivey's playing time could fluctuate. However, his age should work in his favor, at least down the stretch. If and when the Pistons are eliminated from playoff contention, they may lean into their youth a bit more. Ivey is worth considering as a pick in the final rounds of drafts, albeit one who may have to be dropped if his offensive struggles continue.
Beal's first full season in Phoenix yielded modest production, clouded by an all too familiar case of missed games. He simply can't stay healthy at this point, having played no more than 60 games in each of the past five seasons. As if that wasn't enough to deter managers, he is now the clear third option on offense, behind both Kevin Durant and Devin Booker. Beal closed the season averaging 18.2 points per game, the fewest he has averaged since the 2015-16 season. He added 4.4 rounds, 5.0 assists, 1.0 steals and 1.9 three-pointers, good enough for top-75 value in standard leagues. On a positive note, he did manage to shoot better than 50 percent from the field for the second time in his career, making him a positive contributor in that category. Coming into the 2024-25 season, Beal appears as though he will play a very similar role once again. The addition of Tyus Jones could result in a small hit to Beal's assist numbers, something to consider when drafting him. Given the recent slew of missed games and declining role, Beal does not need to be drafted before the sixth round.
Beal's first full season in Phoenix yielded modest production, clouded by an all too familiar case of missed games. He simply can't stay healthy at this point, having played no more than 60 games in each of the past five seasons. As if that wasn't enough to deter managers, he is now the clear third option on offense, behind both Kevin Durant and Devin Booker. Beal closed the season averaging 18.2 points per game, the fewest he has averaged since the 2015-16 season. He added 4.4 rounds, 5.0 assists, 1.0 steals and 1.9 three-pointers, good enough for top-75 value in standard leagues. On a positive note, he did manage to shoot better than 50 percent from the field for the second time in his career, making him a positive contributor in that category. Coming into the 2024-25 season, Beal appears as though he will play a very similar role once again. The addition of Tyus Jones could result in a small hit to Beal's assist numbers, something to consider when drafting him. Given the recent slew of missed games and declining role, Beal does not need to be drafted before the sixth round.
Turner is coming off his most games played (77) since 2016-17 (81), rewarding managers who bet on his three-and-D potential. Despite the injury issues and not cracking 30 minutes per game since 2020-21, Turner has remained in the discussion for a top-40 fantasy selection due to his unique skillset at a position of scarcity. That said, aside from his health, it wasn't an especially stand-out season for the big man. He averaged exactly 1.5 made threes for the fourth year in a row (what are the odds?) and registered his fewest blocks per game (1.9) since 2017-18. Indiana, after a year of surprising success, is running out essentially the same team for 2024-25. Fantasy managers should expect more of the same from Turner, whose role isn't expected to change in a meaningful way. The injury concerns aren't completely behind him, but Turner is still a worthy selection in the early-to-mid rounds of most fantasy leagues.
Turner is coming off his most games played (77) since 2016-17 (81), rewarding managers who bet on his three-and-D potential. Despite the injury issues and not cracking 30 minutes per game since 2020-21, Turner has remained in the discussion for a top-40 fantasy selection due to his unique skillset at a position of scarcity. That said, aside from his health, it wasn't an especially stand-out season for the big man. He averaged exactly 1.5 made threes for the fourth year in a row (what are the odds?) and registered his fewest blocks per game (1.9) since 2017-18. Indiana, after a year of surprising success, is running out essentially the same team for 2024-25. Fantasy managers should expect more of the same from Turner, whose role isn't expected to change in a meaningful way. The injury concerns aren't completely behind him, but Turner is still a worthy selection in the early-to-mid rounds of most fantasy leagues.
Murray saw a massive bump in production during his sophomore season as his role skyrocketed. That's the progression you want from a second-year player, averaging 15.2 points, 5.5 rebounds, 1.7 assists, 1.0 steals, 0.8 blocks and 2.4 threes per game. That's a well-rounded stat line from such a young player, and many people believe Murray can get to over three three-pointers a game because we saw his percentage drop from 41 percent as a rookie to 36 percent last year. This is one of the best shooters in the league, and as long as he's playing 35 minutes and taking 15 shots a night, Murray should be one of the league leaders in threes. It's also impressive to see him average nearly a block and steal per game, especially since he's providing 5-6 rebounds as well. The one issue is that Sacramento decided to trade for DeMar DeRozan in the offseason. He'll fill the 30 minutes that Harrison Barnes was playing, but DeRozan's presence will take away shots and usage from everyone else. We don't expect it to hurt Murray too much, though, because the Kings desperately need him to stretch the floor for DeRozan, De'Aaron Fox and Domantas Sabonis.
Murray saw a massive bump in production during his sophomore season as his role skyrocketed. That's the progression you want from a second-year player, averaging 15.2 points, 5.5 rebounds, 1.7 assists, 1.0 steals, 0.8 blocks and 2.4 threes per game. That's a well-rounded stat line from such a young player, and many people believe Murray can get to over three three-pointers a game because we saw his percentage drop from 41 percent as a rookie to 36 percent last year. This is one of the best shooters in the league, and as long as he's playing 35 minutes and taking 15 shots a night, Murray should be one of the league leaders in threes. It's also impressive to see him average nearly a block and steal per game, especially since he's providing 5-6 rebounds as well. The one issue is that Sacramento decided to trade for DeMar DeRozan in the offseason. He'll fill the 30 minutes that Harrison Barnes was playing, but DeRozan's presence will take away shots and usage from everyone else. We don't expect it to hurt Murray too much, though, because the Kings desperately need him to stretch the floor for DeRozan, De'Aaron Fox and Domantas Sabonis.
George started his rookie campaign slowly as most rookies do, but he was thrust into some serious action over the final months. Despite playing limited minutes through the opening three months, George averaged 13.0 points, 2.8 rebounds, 4.4 assists, 0.5 steals and 2.0 threes across 27.0 minutes a night. He was even better from February on, averaging 15.6 points, 2.9 rebounds, 4.7 assists, 0.5 steals and 2.4 threes across 30.7 minutes in his final 32 games. That was mainly due to a bump in responsibility because Collin Sexton, Jordan Clarkson and Lauri Markkanen were all out for most of that stretch. The good news is that the Jazz didn't bring in any point guards in the offseason, so George should be locked into 30-35 minutes as Utah's starting point guard. There's also a chance Utah's roster looks different by the end of the season, though Markkanen is ineligible to be traded after signing a massive extension this offseason. If there's one thing this kid needs to work on, it's his efficiency. George shot 39 percent from the field and 33 percent from three-point range, showcasing some nightmarish shooting nights. Those are inevitable from a rookie like this, but George looks like a great bet to take another major leap this season after a successful rookie campaign.
George started his rookie campaign slowly as most rookies do, but he was thrust into some serious action over the final months. Despite playing limited minutes through the opening three months, George averaged 13.0 points, 2.8 rebounds, 4.4 assists, 0.5 steals and 2.0 threes across 27.0 minutes a night. He was even better from February on, averaging 15.6 points, 2.9 rebounds, 4.7 assists, 0.5 steals and 2.4 threes across 30.7 minutes in his final 32 games. That was mainly due to a bump in responsibility because Collin Sexton, Jordan Clarkson and Lauri Markkanen were all out for most of that stretch. The good news is that the Jazz didn't bring in any point guards in the offseason, so George should be locked into 30-35 minutes as Utah's starting point guard. There's also a chance Utah's roster looks different by the end of the season, though Markkanen is ineligible to be traded after signing a massive extension this offseason. If there's one thing this kid needs to work on, it's his efficiency. George shot 39 percent from the field and 33 percent from three-point range, showcasing some nightmarish shooting nights. Those are inevitable from a rookie like this, but George looks like a great bet to take another major leap this season after a successful rookie campaign.
It was easy to lose track of Vassell refining his game last year due to the gravitational field of Victor Wembanyama. But the 24-year-old wing is a key cog in the machine the Spurs are constructing. Vassell saw a career-high 33.1 minutes and reached new highs in points (19.5) and assists (4.1) per game, as well as field-goal percentage (47.2%). He's quietly one of the league's more prolific mid-range shooters, with 38 percent of his attempts coming between four feet and the three-point line. Most of his strides in efficiency came at the rim and floater range, opened up by Wembanyama's presence and passing ability. Vassell reached high marks in rim efficiency (71%) and short mid-range efficiency (51%) last year. With the No. 4 pick in this summer's draft, the Spurs selected Stephon Castle, who is essentially the same size as Vassell. However, he doesn't project to threaten Vassell's minutes due to Vassell's established presence and great three-point shooting. As it stands, it looks like Vassell should again be San Antonio's second scoring option behind Wembanyama, though he might be asked to handle the ball slightly less with Chris Paul in town. With his age and role, Vassell's fantasy value has the potential to rise for a fourth year in a row.
It was easy to lose track of Vassell refining his game last year due to the gravitational field of Victor Wembanyama. But the 24-year-old wing is a key cog in the machine the Spurs are constructing. Vassell saw a career-high 33.1 minutes and reached new highs in points (19.5) and assists (4.1) per game, as well as field-goal percentage (47.2%). He's quietly one of the league's more prolific mid-range shooters, with 38 percent of his attempts coming between four feet and the three-point line. Most of his strides in efficiency came at the rim and floater range, opened up by Wembanyama's presence and passing ability. Vassell reached high marks in rim efficiency (71%) and short mid-range efficiency (51%) last year. With the No. 4 pick in this summer's draft, the Spurs selected Stephon Castle, who is essentially the same size as Vassell. However, he doesn't project to threaten Vassell's minutes due to Vassell's established presence and great three-point shooting. As it stands, it looks like Vassell should again be San Antonio's second scoring option behind Wembanyama, though he might be asked to handle the ball slightly less with Chris Paul in town. With his age and role, Vassell's fantasy value has the potential to rise for a fourth year in a row.
After years of promise, Gafford finally rewarded managers with a breakout performance, completing easily his best season to date. He finished as the 38th-ranked player in standard leagues, averaging 11.0 points, 7.6 rebounds, 1.6 assists and 3.0 combined steals and blocks. While it was a great season for Gafford, a midseason trade to Dallas did limit what he was able to do down the stretch. He carved out a role as a starter for his new team, however, his minutes fluctuated from game to game. The Mavericks likely view Dereck Lively as their center of the future, something that could become more obvious moving forward. Despite starting, Gafford regularly saw fewer minutes than Lively, seemingly playing as a backup. Should that trend continue into the 2024-25 season, it's hard to see Gafford replicating what he did last year. He still warrants attention in drafts as an elite per-minute fantasy producer. With that said, Lively is likely to be the preferred option in both fantasy and reality. Gafford should still have a relatively safe floor if he can crack at least 22 minutes per night. Should that drop to fewer than 20 minutes, there may not be enough meat on the bone for anyone not simply seeking blocks and rebounds.
After years of promise, Gafford finally rewarded managers with a breakout performance, completing easily his best season to date. He finished as the 38th-ranked player in standard leagues, averaging 11.0 points, 7.6 rebounds, 1.6 assists and 3.0 combined steals and blocks. While it was a great season for Gafford, a midseason trade to Dallas did limit what he was able to do down the stretch. He carved out a role as a starter for his new team, however, his minutes fluctuated from game to game. The Mavericks likely view Dereck Lively as their center of the future, something that could become more obvious moving forward. Despite starting, Gafford regularly saw fewer minutes than Lively, seemingly playing as a backup. Should that trend continue into the 2024-25 season, it's hard to see Gafford replicating what he did last year. He still warrants attention in drafts as an elite per-minute fantasy producer. With that said, Lively is likely to be the preferred option in both fantasy and reality. Gafford should still have a relatively safe floor if he can crack at least 22 minutes per night. Should that drop to fewer than 20 minutes, there may not be enough meat on the bone for anyone not simply seeking blocks and rebounds.
Last season was one to forget for LaVine, playing just 25 games due to a right foot injury. He closed as the 81st-ranked player in nine-category leagues per game, his worst return since the 2017-18 season. With averages of 19.5 points, 5.2 rebounds, 3.9 assists, 0.8 steals and 2.4 three-pointers, it's fair to say LaVine was a non-factor for the majority of the season. In what has been an offseason full of rumors, LaVine's name continues to be thrown around in potential trade scenarios, albeit hypothetical ones. At this stage, a suitor has not been found, meaning LaVine will likely open the 2024-25 season as a member of the Bulls. Coming off such a disappointing campaign, managers are within their rights to let LaVine fall in drafts. However, his mentality coming into the season could have him in a position to surprise many. Before last season, LaVine had been a top-50 player for four straight years. With DeMar DeRozan no longer on the roster, LaVine could find himself back at the top of the offensive pecking order, or at least adjacent to Coby White. LaVine's floor remains relatively safe, at least on a per-game basis. Assuming he is healthy and ready to prove people wrong, LaVine could be a difference-maker this season, if managers can grab him in the sixth or even seventh round.
Last season was one to forget for LaVine, playing just 25 games due to a right foot injury. He closed as the 81st-ranked player in nine-category leagues per game, his worst return since the 2017-18 season. With averages of 19.5 points, 5.2 rebounds, 3.9 assists, 0.8 steals and 2.4 three-pointers, it's fair to say LaVine was a non-factor for the majority of the season. In what has been an offseason full of rumors, LaVine's name continues to be thrown around in potential trade scenarios, albeit hypothetical ones. At this stage, a suitor has not been found, meaning LaVine will likely open the 2024-25 season as a member of the Bulls. Coming off such a disappointing campaign, managers are within their rights to let LaVine fall in drafts. However, his mentality coming into the season could have him in a position to surprise many. Before last season, LaVine had been a top-50 player for four straight years. With DeMar DeRozan no longer on the roster, LaVine could find himself back at the top of the offensive pecking order, or at least adjacent to Coby White. LaVine's floor remains relatively safe, at least on a per-game basis. Assuming he is healthy and ready to prove people wrong, LaVine could be a difference-maker this season, if managers can grab him in the sixth or even seventh round.
Monk agreed to a four-year, $78 million deal with the Kings before the start of free agency, and the fact that he was the first free agent signing for Sacramento shows how important he'll be for the team in the team's contention window. Monk came away with a second-place finish in the NBA's Sixth Man of the Year Award race after averaging career highs in points (15.4) and assists (5.1) in 26.0 minutes per game over 72 appearances. His three-point efficiency numbers fell for the third consecutive season, and he made only 35 percent of his shots from beyond the arc, but it wouldn't be surprising if those numbers experienced an uptick in 2024-25. After all, he's expected to operate even more as a floor-spacer and spot-up shooter now that the Kings added DeMar DeRozan in the offseason. Opposing defenses will have to split their attention in covering DeRozan, De'Aaron Fox and Domantas Sabonis, which should open up plenty of looks for Monk, who figures to handle a sizable workload off the bench. He's averaged at least 26.0 minutes per game in two of his last three seasons, and fantasy managers should expect Monk's minutes to hover around that mark once again.
Monk agreed to a four-year, $78 million deal with the Kings before the start of free agency, and the fact that he was the first free agent signing for Sacramento shows how important he'll be for the team in the team's contention window. Monk came away with a second-place finish in the NBA's Sixth Man of the Year Award race after averaging career highs in points (15.4) and assists (5.1) in 26.0 minutes per game over 72 appearances. His three-point efficiency numbers fell for the third consecutive season, and he made only 35 percent of his shots from beyond the arc, but it wouldn't be surprising if those numbers experienced an uptick in 2024-25. After all, he's expected to operate even more as a floor-spacer and spot-up shooter now that the Kings added DeMar DeRozan in the offseason. Opposing defenses will have to split their attention in covering DeRozan, De'Aaron Fox and Domantas Sabonis, which should open up plenty of looks for Monk, who figures to handle a sizable workload off the bench. He's averaged at least 26.0 minutes per game in two of his last three seasons, and fantasy managers should expect Monk's minutes to hover around that mark once again.
DiVincenzo had one of the best seasons of his career during the 2023-24 campaign while featuring in a prominent role for Tom Thibodeau's Knicks. The six-year guard posted career-high marks in several categories, including points (15.5), steals (1.3) and blocks (0.4) while also draining a career-high 40.7 percent from three-point range on 8.7 attempts per contest. The uptick in scoring numbers was directly tied to the fact that key contributors such as Julius Randle and OG Anunoby missed considerable time due to injuries, but either way, DiVincenzo showed he could handle a sizable offensive role. That might not be the case in the 2024-25 campaign. DiVincenzo was sent to the Timberwolves in a surprising trade right before training camp, making that five teams in four years for the Villanova product. In Minnesota, the sharpshooter will likely be a spark plug off the bench. DiVincenzo finished third in the NBA in made three-pointers with 283, so his elite shooting will be an asset to fantasy managers attempting to boost their three-point percentage in roto formats. However, playing behind Mike Conley, Anthony Edwards and Jaden McDaniels makes DiVincenzo unlikely to replicate his breakout campaign from last season.
DiVincenzo had one of the best seasons of his career during the 2023-24 campaign while featuring in a prominent role for Tom Thibodeau's Knicks. The six-year guard posted career-high marks in several categories, including points (15.5), steals (1.3) and blocks (0.4) while also draining a career-high 40.7 percent from three-point range on 8.7 attempts per contest. The uptick in scoring numbers was directly tied to the fact that key contributors such as Julius Randle and OG Anunoby missed considerable time due to injuries, but either way, DiVincenzo showed he could handle a sizable offensive role. That might not be the case in the 2024-25 campaign. DiVincenzo was sent to the Timberwolves in a surprising trade right before training camp, making that five teams in four years for the Villanova product. In Minnesota, the sharpshooter will likely be a spark plug off the bench. DiVincenzo finished third in the NBA in made three-pointers with 283, so his elite shooting will be an asset to fantasy managers attempting to boost their three-point percentage in roto formats. However, playing behind Mike Conley, Anthony Edwards and Jaden McDaniels makes DiVincenzo unlikely to replicate his breakout campaign from last season.
Murphy alternated between the starting unit and the bench in 2023-24. While his efficiency decreased, the third-year wing delivered a career-best season statistically. Across 57 regular-season appearances and 23 starts, Murphy averaged career-high marks in points (14.8), rebounds (4.9) and assists (2.2) per game while also putting up a combined 1.4 steals-plus-blocks in 29.6 minutes. That kind of production is solid across any fantasy format, and Murphy should be a reliable contributor once again. Even though there's no clear path to the starting lineup unless one of CJ McCollum, Brandon Ingram or Dejounte Murray get injured, Murphy should log enough minutes to make his presence count off the bench. Murphy is particularly valuable in category-based leagues, as he doesn't have any glaring weaknesses. He can contribute across the five major categories while shooting the ball at an accurate clip, including from three, where he's made at least 38 percent of his attempts in his three years in the league. Fantasy managers would be wise to wait until the second half of their drafts to target Murphy, but he's a player who could deliver excellent value related to his APD if he continues the upward trajectory he's shown in the last two seasons.
Murphy alternated between the starting unit and the bench in 2023-24. While his efficiency decreased, the third-year wing delivered a career-best season statistically. Across 57 regular-season appearances and 23 starts, Murphy averaged career-high marks in points (14.8), rebounds (4.9) and assists (2.2) per game while also putting up a combined 1.4 steals-plus-blocks in 29.6 minutes. That kind of production is solid across any fantasy format, and Murphy should be a reliable contributor once again. Even though there's no clear path to the starting lineup unless one of CJ McCollum, Brandon Ingram or Dejounte Murray get injured, Murphy should log enough minutes to make his presence count off the bench. Murphy is particularly valuable in category-based leagues, as he doesn't have any glaring weaknesses. He can contribute across the five major categories while shooting the ball at an accurate clip, including from three, where he's made at least 38 percent of his attempts in his three years in the league. Fantasy managers would be wise to wait until the second half of their drafts to target Murphy, but he's a player who could deliver excellent value related to his APD if he continues the upward trajectory he's shown in the last two seasons.
As third-string fantasy centers come, Zubac is the best of the best. Coming off a career-best performance during the 2022-23 season, Zubac was able to basically replicate his production in 2023-24. He closed as the 106th-ranked player in nine-category leagues, delivering averages of 11.7 points, 9.2 rebounds and 1.2 blocks on 64.9 percent shooting from the floor. Although he remains the starting center in Los Angeles, Zubac typically plays minutes in the mid-20s, fewer than what is assumed of most starting centers. Coming into the 2024-25 season, his main competition for playing time will come from the newly acquired Mo Bamba. While he has proven he can serve as a semi-reliable backup, Bamba is unlikely to challenge for the starting spot. This leaves Zubac as option No. 1, meaning managers should expect much of the same from him when it comes to fantasy value. He should be targeted anywhere after pick 100 for anyone needing to shore up their center spot.
As third-string fantasy centers come, Zubac is the best of the best. Coming off a career-best performance during the 2022-23 season, Zubac was able to basically replicate his production in 2023-24. He closed as the 106th-ranked player in nine-category leagues, delivering averages of 11.7 points, 9.2 rebounds and 1.2 blocks on 64.9 percent shooting from the floor. Although he remains the starting center in Los Angeles, Zubac typically plays minutes in the mid-20s, fewer than what is assumed of most starting centers. Coming into the 2024-25 season, his main competition for playing time will come from the newly acquired Mo Bamba. While he has proven he can serve as a semi-reliable backup, Bamba is unlikely to challenge for the starting spot. This leaves Zubac as option No. 1, meaning managers should expect much of the same from him when it comes to fantasy value. He should be targeted anywhere after pick 100 for anyone needing to shore up their center spot.
Henderson really struggled at times in his rookie campaign, but there were some signs in the second half. The 2023 No. 3 overall pick was shoved into a playmaking role once Anfernee Simons got injured, leading to mixed results. While he shot below 39 percent and committed 3.4 turnovers per game, Henderson finished the season strong. He averaged 18.9 points, 3.6 rebounds, 7.9 assists, 1.4 steals and 2.3 steals over the final 14 games. That stretch showed Henderson's potential, but it's hard to overlook that he averaged 12.3 points, 2.9 rebounds, 4.6 assists, 0.6 steals and 1.2 threes across his first 39 games. He also did his late-season damage with most of the roster missing, as Simons, Shaedon Sharpe and Jerami Grant were notably sidelined. That means three key players will be back and taking away touches, but it's hard to know where things go from here. Henderson should be considered the primary piece to build around, but these other players will inevitably take away touches and playmaking opportunities. There aren't many second-year players with a higher upside, making Henderson one of the most enticing picks in the middle of drafts. His efficiency numbers are likely still going to be terrible for category leagues, but don't be surprised to see Henderson take a major step in Year 2.
Henderson really struggled at times in his rookie campaign, but there were some signs in the second half. The 2023 No. 3 overall pick was shoved into a playmaking role once Anfernee Simons got injured, leading to mixed results. While he shot below 39 percent and committed 3.4 turnovers per game, Henderson finished the season strong. He averaged 18.9 points, 3.6 rebounds, 7.9 assists, 1.4 steals and 2.3 steals over the final 14 games. That stretch showed Henderson's potential, but it's hard to overlook that he averaged 12.3 points, 2.9 rebounds, 4.6 assists, 0.6 steals and 1.2 threes across his first 39 games. He also did his late-season damage with most of the roster missing, as Simons, Shaedon Sharpe and Jerami Grant were notably sidelined. That means three key players will be back and taking away touches, but it's hard to know where things go from here. Henderson should be considered the primary piece to build around, but these other players will inevitably take away touches and playmaking opportunities. There aren't many second-year players with a higher upside, making Henderson one of the most enticing picks in the middle of drafts. His efficiency numbers are likely still going to be terrible for category leagues, but don't be surprised to see Henderson take a major step in Year 2.
Despite playing just 22.4 minutes per game during his rookie season, Thompson flirted with standard league value, ending as the 140th-ranked player. He missed 19 games early in the season due to an ankle injury, limiting his opportunity to carve out a role on a young team laden with talent. He finished the season strong, closing with a triple-double on the final night. However, his output was largely due to the fact that Alperen Sengun was shut down due to injury. The Rockets are a team on the rise and Thompson is likely to be a key piece for them moving forward. With that said, he will have to contend with players like Cam Whitmore and Tari Eason, not to mention impressive rookie Reed Sheppard, with all looking to make a case for more playing time. Thompson's offensive game remains a work in progress, something that could limit his short-term appeal. However, a proven ability to contribute across multiple categories while providing elite rebounding numbers from the guard/wing position should ensure he has a consistent role. Uncertainty aside, Thompson is worth considering as a late-round pick, just in case he asserts himself early in the campaign.
Despite playing just 22.4 minutes per game during his rookie season, Thompson flirted with standard league value, ending as the 140th-ranked player. He missed 19 games early in the season due to an ankle injury, limiting his opportunity to carve out a role on a young team laden with talent. He finished the season strong, closing with a triple-double on the final night. However, his output was largely due to the fact that Alperen Sengun was shut down due to injury. The Rockets are a team on the rise and Thompson is likely to be a key piece for them moving forward. With that said, he will have to contend with players like Cam Whitmore and Tari Eason, not to mention impressive rookie Reed Sheppard, with all looking to make a case for more playing time. Thompson's offensive game remains a work in progress, something that could limit his short-term appeal. However, a proven ability to contribute across multiple categories while providing elite rebounding numbers from the guard/wing position should ensure he has a consistent role. Uncertainty aside, Thompson is worth considering as a late-round pick, just in case he asserts himself early in the campaign.
Jaquez surprised many during his rookie season, playing a larger role than expected due to injuries to other players. He started in 20 of his 75 games played, yet it could be argued that he logged typical starters' minutes on more than 20 occasions. He finished the season with averages of 11.9 points, 3.8 rebounds, 2.6 assists, 1.0 steals and 0.9 three-pointers in 28.2 minutes per game, good enough for top-170 value. On the surface, this was an encouraging debut season, providing Jaquez with a platform from which to build. However, if the Heat are healthy come opening night, Jaquez is likely to be battling several players for minutes, including Duncan Robinson, Haywood Highsmith, Nikola Jovic and Kevin Love. Add in the fact that Miami brought in two promising rookies -- Kel'el Ware and Pelle Larsson -- and we have ourselves a logjam. While Jaquez is fine to consider with a last-round pick, managers should be prepared to move off him if his role becomes unclear.
Jaquez surprised many during his rookie season, playing a larger role than expected due to injuries to other players. He started in 20 of his 75 games played, yet it could be argued that he logged typical starters' minutes on more than 20 occasions. He finished the season with averages of 11.9 points, 3.8 rebounds, 2.6 assists, 1.0 steals and 0.9 three-pointers in 28.2 minutes per game, good enough for top-170 value. On the surface, this was an encouraging debut season, providing Jaquez with a platform from which to build. However, if the Heat are healthy come opening night, Jaquez is likely to be battling several players for minutes, including Duncan Robinson, Haywood Highsmith, Nikola Jovic and Kevin Love. Add in the fact that Miami brought in two promising rookies -- Kel'el Ware and Pelle Larsson -- and we have ourselves a logjam. While Jaquez is fine to consider with a last-round pick, managers should be prepared to move off him if his role becomes unclear.
A staple of tanking teams, Grant hasn't played a basketball game in April in the past three years and has emerged victorious in just 56 of those past 165 appearances. Despite playing in just 54 games last year, he led the Trail Blazers in total points (1,132), averaging 21.0 per game on 45/40/82 shooting. He also added 3.5 rebounds and 2.8 assists in his 33.9 minutes. Once again, he projects to be a roughly 20-point scorer on one of the worst teams in the league. At 30 years old and with a contract through the 2027-28 season, the Blazers will presumably attempt to trade Grant sooner than later, but finding a suitor might be close to impossible. Portland is constructing an intriguing young core with Anfernee Simons, Scoot Henderson, Shaedon Sharpe, Deni Avdija and Donovan Clingan (maybe Deandre Ayton qualifies). Does it make sense to keep feeding Grant the ball? He's in a bit of a fantasy basketball no man's land - only selected late in drafts out of obligation, not because anyone actually wants to roster him. He's fine to price enforce after pick 100, but it's probably not necessary to draft him sooner. Even if he manages to return top-75 value when he's on the court, will he play in April, let alone mid-March?
A staple of tanking teams, Grant hasn't played a basketball game in April in the past three years and has emerged victorious in just 56 of those past 165 appearances. Despite playing in just 54 games last year, he led the Trail Blazers in total points (1,132), averaging 21.0 per game on 45/40/82 shooting. He also added 3.5 rebounds and 2.8 assists in his 33.9 minutes. Once again, he projects to be a roughly 20-point scorer on one of the worst teams in the league. At 30 years old and with a contract through the 2027-28 season, the Blazers will presumably attempt to trade Grant sooner than later, but finding a suitor might be close to impossible. Portland is constructing an intriguing young core with Anfernee Simons, Scoot Henderson, Shaedon Sharpe, Deni Avdija and Donovan Clingan (maybe Deandre Ayton qualifies). Does it make sense to keep feeding Grant the ball? He's in a bit of a fantasy basketball no man's land - only selected late in drafts out of obligation, not because anyone actually wants to roster him. He's fine to price enforce after pick 100, but it's probably not necessary to draft him sooner. Even if he manages to return top-75 value when he's on the court, will he play in April, let alone mid-March?
Following an impressive rookie season, Kessler was seen as a slam dunk in drafts last season, with many going as high as the third round to secure his services. Sadly, he failed to live up to the hype, replicating what he did during the 2023-24 campaign with reduced efficiency. Now the dust has settled, it wasn't all doom and gloom for managers. Kessler averaged 2.4 blocks and 7.5 rebounds in 23.3 minutes per game and produced in the appropriate categories. Based on what we saw last season, it's hard to project what Kessler's role might look like in 2024-25. The Jazz are really no closer to becoming a contender, so they may move some contracts before the season is done. If the path to minutes becomes clearer, Kessler could finally get the opportunity we thought was due last season. As one of the elite rim protectors in the league, his fantasy floor feels relatively safe around the top 100. If he can get closer to 26 minutes per night, early or late in the season, that rank could push closer to the top 50.
Following an impressive rookie season, Kessler was seen as a slam dunk in drafts last season, with many going as high as the third round to secure his services. Sadly, he failed to live up to the hype, replicating what he did during the 2023-24 campaign with reduced efficiency. Now the dust has settled, it wasn't all doom and gloom for managers. Kessler averaged 2.4 blocks and 7.5 rebounds in 23.3 minutes per game and produced in the appropriate categories. Based on what we saw last season, it's hard to project what Kessler's role might look like in 2024-25. The Jazz are really no closer to becoming a contender, so they may move some contracts before the season is done. If the path to minutes becomes clearer, Kessler could finally get the opportunity we thought was due last season. As one of the elite rim protectors in the league, his fantasy floor feels relatively safe around the top 100. If he can get closer to 26 minutes per night, early or late in the season, that rank could push closer to the top 50.
Collins spent the first six years of his career in Atlanta. He peaked in 2019-20 while averaging 21.6 points, 10.1 rebounds and 1.6 blocks, but he went on a downward trajectory after that. He became the topic of trade rumors for years and was finally dealt to the Jazz last summer in what essentially amounted to a salary dump. There was some hope for a bounceback season, and the results were mixed. His numbers were especially underwhelming to start the year, going most of the way through January. However, he stepped up his game at the end of the month, and for his final 27 appearances, he averaged 17.1 points, 9.7 rebounds, 1.3 assists and 1.0 blocks while shooting 58/40/79. The Jazz have become a difficult team to analyze for fantasy. They've pulled the plug toward the end of each of the past two seasons, creating well-timed absences for key players. It doesn't project to be any different this year. Lauri Markkanen signed a massive extension that prevents him from being traded at the deadline, but the rumors were still out there that the front office was looking to send him to a more competitive team. As it stands, Utah could easily be considered a bottom-two team in the conference, along with Portland. Will all of that be good or bad for Collins? He just happened to miss the final eight games of last season with back spasms, at the exact same time that Jordan Clarkson had a back injury and Markkanen had a shoulder injury. But Collins also played well when available in the second half of the year. And this is before considering the potential for Walker Kessler and Taylor Hendricks to develop and take minutes away from Collins. With all that in mind, it's probably not worth the risk to select Collins significantly inside the top 100. After that, the risk/reward balance becomes more favorable.
Collins spent the first six years of his career in Atlanta. He peaked in 2019-20 while averaging 21.6 points, 10.1 rebounds and 1.6 blocks, but he went on a downward trajectory after that. He became the topic of trade rumors for years and was finally dealt to the Jazz last summer in what essentially amounted to a salary dump. There was some hope for a bounceback season, and the results were mixed. His numbers were especially underwhelming to start the year, going most of the way through January. However, he stepped up his game at the end of the month, and for his final 27 appearances, he averaged 17.1 points, 9.7 rebounds, 1.3 assists and 1.0 blocks while shooting 58/40/79. The Jazz have become a difficult team to analyze for fantasy. They've pulled the plug toward the end of each of the past two seasons, creating well-timed absences for key players. It doesn't project to be any different this year. Lauri Markkanen signed a massive extension that prevents him from being traded at the deadline, but the rumors were still out there that the front office was looking to send him to a more competitive team. As it stands, Utah could easily be considered a bottom-two team in the conference, along with Portland. Will all of that be good or bad for Collins? He just happened to miss the final eight games of last season with back spasms, at the exact same time that Jordan Clarkson had a back injury and Markkanen had a shoulder injury. But Collins also played well when available in the second half of the year. And this is before considering the potential for Walker Kessler and Taylor Hendricks to develop and take minutes away from Collins. With all that in mind, it's probably not worth the risk to select Collins significantly inside the top 100. After that, the risk/reward balance becomes more favorable.
Outside of the 2021-22 season in which he started in 59 of his 72 appearances, Portis has mostly played off the bench for the Bucks, but there's no question he's thrived as a reserve. The veteran is coming off another solid showing in 2023-24, averaging 13.8 points, 7.4 rebounds, 1.3 assists and 0.8 steals across 24.5 minutes per game while starting in just four of his 82 regular-season appearances. Given Milwaukee's current roster construction for the 2024-25 campaign, Portis seems ticketed for another high-usage role off the bench. Even though the per-game minutes have been trending in the wrong direction in each of the last three seasons, fantasy managers shouldn't have concerns with that as long as he remains productive in a sixth-man role. Consistency could be another word to define Portis' contributions from a fantasy perspective, as he's averaged at least 11.0 points and 7.0 rebounds per game in each of his last four campaigns. Even though it's hard to rely on bench players for fantasy purposes, Portis might be one of the safest bets heading into the 2024-25 campaign. Oh, and the fact he shot 40.7 percent from three-point range in 2023-24 doesn't hurt, either.
Outside of the 2021-22 season in which he started in 59 of his 72 appearances, Portis has mostly played off the bench for the Bucks, but there's no question he's thrived as a reserve. The veteran is coming off another solid showing in 2023-24, averaging 13.8 points, 7.4 rebounds, 1.3 assists and 0.8 steals across 24.5 minutes per game while starting in just four of his 82 regular-season appearances. Given Milwaukee's current roster construction for the 2024-25 campaign, Portis seems ticketed for another high-usage role off the bench. Even though the per-game minutes have been trending in the wrong direction in each of the last three seasons, fantasy managers shouldn't have concerns with that as long as he remains productive in a sixth-man role. Consistency could be another word to define Portis' contributions from a fantasy perspective, as he's averaged at least 11.0 points and 7.0 rebounds per game in each of his last four campaigns. Even though it's hard to rely on bench players for fantasy purposes, Portis might be one of the safest bets heading into the 2024-25 campaign. Oh, and the fact he shot 40.7 percent from three-point range in 2023-24 doesn't hurt, either.
Smart's first season in Memphis was one to forget, playing just 20 games due to ankle and finger injuries. When healthy, Smart was on brand, averaging 14.5 points, 2.7 rebounds, 4.3 assists, 2.1 steals and 2.1 three-pointers on 43.0 percent shooting. However, it should be noted that the small uptick in offensive production came when Ja Morant was sidelined, something that Memphis will be trying to avoid this season. Assuming the Grizzlies are healthy to start the season, Smart should still be able to log starter's minutes on most nights, despite the fact he may come off the bench. His scoring will once again take a backseat to his defensive output, something that doesn't always translate to fantasy value. He is who he is at this point, an inefficient, low-volume scorer who offers elite defensive numbers and moderate upside in both assists and threes. Smart remains a viable asset in the latter half of drafts, providing value anywhere after pick 90.
Smart's first season in Memphis was one to forget, playing just 20 games due to ankle and finger injuries. When healthy, Smart was on brand, averaging 14.5 points, 2.7 rebounds, 4.3 assists, 2.1 steals and 2.1 three-pointers on 43.0 percent shooting. However, it should be noted that the small uptick in offensive production came when Ja Morant was sidelined, something that Memphis will be trying to avoid this season. Assuming the Grizzlies are healthy to start the season, Smart should still be able to log starter's minutes on most nights, despite the fact he may come off the bench. His scoring will once again take a backseat to his defensive output, something that doesn't always translate to fantasy value. He is who he is at this point, an inefficient, low-volume scorer who offers elite defensive numbers and moderate upside in both assists and threes. Smart remains a viable asset in the latter half of drafts, providing value anywhere after pick 90.
Nurkic operated as the Suns' starting center in the 2023-24 campaign, his first year with the franchise, and he should hold that same role in 2024-25 for a Phoenix team that will look to contend in the Western Conference. Nurkic might not deliver flashy numbers on a nightly basis, and that's to be expected given he shares the court with the Suns' Big Three of Kevin Durant, Devin Booker and Bradley Beal. Still, he's one of the most reliable big men in an area with only a few dominant centers in The Association. The 2023-24 campaign marked Nurkic's eighth consecutive season averaging double-digit points, and the fourth time over the last six years in which he also grabbed double-digit rebounds per contest. That consistency, coupled with the fact that he's made over 50 percent of his shots from the field in four straight campaigns, gives him a strong floor in most fantasy formats. Nurkic might be a solid target in mid-to-late rounds in most formats, though it wouldn't be surprising if he's one of the first centers off the board due to his two-way value. He's not going to operate as one of the Suns' primary scoring weapons, at least not in the way he was during his Portland years, but he should produce enough to remain a solid pickup regardless of your league's format.
Nurkic operated as the Suns' starting center in the 2023-24 campaign, his first year with the franchise, and he should hold that same role in 2024-25 for a Phoenix team that will look to contend in the Western Conference. Nurkic might not deliver flashy numbers on a nightly basis, and that's to be expected given he shares the court with the Suns' Big Three of Kevin Durant, Devin Booker and Bradley Beal. Still, he's one of the most reliable big men in an area with only a few dominant centers in The Association. The 2023-24 campaign marked Nurkic's eighth consecutive season averaging double-digit points, and the fourth time over the last six years in which he also grabbed double-digit rebounds per contest. That consistency, coupled with the fact that he's made over 50 percent of his shots from the field in four straight campaigns, gives him a strong floor in most fantasy formats. Nurkic might be a solid target in mid-to-late rounds in most formats, though it wouldn't be surprising if he's one of the first centers off the board due to his two-way value. He's not going to operate as one of the Suns' primary scoring weapons, at least not in the way he was during his Portland years, but he should produce enough to remain a solid pickup regardless of your league's format.
McCollum posted a decent stat line in the 2023-24 season after averaging 20.0 points, 4.6 assists and 4.3 rebounds across 32.7 minutes per game in 66 regular-season appearances. Even though his scoring figures were the lowest mark of his career since he became a full-time starter in his third year in the league, McCollum salvaged his fantasy year with solid contributions in other categories, as this was the third straight campaign in which he also averaged at least 4.0 rebounds, 4.5 assists and 0.9 steals per contest. The Pelicans' roster decisions before the start of the 2024-25 campaign will impact McCollum's fantasy upside, as his role will change considerably if the team finds a way to trade Brandon Ingram. However, even if Ingram stays, McCollum could be in line for a scoring bump since he's expected to move to shooting guard after the team acquired Dejounte Murray in the offseason. With less responsibility to orchestrate the offense and an increase in playing off the ball, McCollum's numbers could move closer to what he used to deliver during his Portland days alongside Damian Lillard. Even if he holds a secondary role in the offensive scheme, McCollum should get enough touches to remain a valuable mid-round target across all formats.
McCollum posted a decent stat line in the 2023-24 season after averaging 20.0 points, 4.6 assists and 4.3 rebounds across 32.7 minutes per game in 66 regular-season appearances. Even though his scoring figures were the lowest mark of his career since he became a full-time starter in his third year in the league, McCollum salvaged his fantasy year with solid contributions in other categories, as this was the third straight campaign in which he also averaged at least 4.0 rebounds, 4.5 assists and 0.9 steals per contest. The Pelicans' roster decisions before the start of the 2024-25 campaign will impact McCollum's fantasy upside, as his role will change considerably if the team finds a way to trade Brandon Ingram. However, even if Ingram stays, McCollum could be in line for a scoring bump since he's expected to move to shooting guard after the team acquired Dejounte Murray in the offseason. With less responsibility to orchestrate the offense and an increase in playing off the ball, McCollum's numbers could move closer to what he used to deliver during his Portland days alongside Damian Lillard. Even if he holds a secondary role in the offensive scheme, McCollum should get enough touches to remain a valuable mid-round target across all formats.
Williams had another injury-riddled season in 2023-24, and staying healthy has been a significant issue for the Duke product in his first two years in the NBA. Williams was limited to just 43 appearances (17 starts) in his rookie year, but his sophomore campaign saw him log a mere 17 appearances -- and zero after Dec. 8. Making things even more complex is the fact that Williams surpassed the 30-minute mark in just three of those 17 contests, so he can't be counted on to see heavy minutes even when starting regularly. Williams is expected to be ready for training camp and be healthy for the start of the 2024-25 campaign, but fantasy managers should approach him with caution due to his injury history. If healthy, though, Williams' size makes him an imposing defensive presence, and his evolving offensive game allows him to be a solid threat at both ends. Williams averaged 12.7 points and 9.7 rebounds per game in his 17 appearances during the 2023-24 season, so fantasy managers could use a mid-to-late flyer on him, perhaps moving toward the latter rounds due to the aforementioned injury history. Williams can be a valuable asset in fantasy due to his two-way impact, but his upside will be limited if he's playing fewer than 25 minutes per game.
Williams had another injury-riddled season in 2023-24, and staying healthy has been a significant issue for the Duke product in his first two years in the NBA. Williams was limited to just 43 appearances (17 starts) in his rookie year, but his sophomore campaign saw him log a mere 17 appearances -- and zero after Dec. 8. Making things even more complex is the fact that Williams surpassed the 30-minute mark in just three of those 17 contests, so he can't be counted on to see heavy minutes even when starting regularly. Williams is expected to be ready for training camp and be healthy for the start of the 2024-25 campaign, but fantasy managers should approach him with caution due to his injury history. If healthy, though, Williams' size makes him an imposing defensive presence, and his evolving offensive game allows him to be a solid threat at both ends. Williams averaged 12.7 points and 9.7 rebounds per game in his 17 appearances during the 2023-24 season, so fantasy managers could use a mid-to-late flyer on him, perhaps moving toward the latter rounds due to the aforementioned injury history. Williams can be a valuable asset in fantasy due to his two-way impact, but his upside will be limited if he's playing fewer than 25 minutes per game.
Schroder was a solid fantasy option last season because he was the starting point guard for a terrible Toronto team. The veteran is walking into a similar situation this season, as he'll likely run point for Brooklyn. The Nets acquired him at the deadline last season, and Schroder averaged 15.9 points, 3.9 rebounds, 6.7 assists, 0.6 steals, 0.4 blocks and 2.2 threes over the final 22 games. That's quite the stat line from a player who was taken at the end of drafts last year. It's safe to expect something similar since the Nets might have the worst roster in the NBA, allowing Schroder to play heavy minutes and rack up stats. The one big question mark is Ben Simmons, who could take ball-handling duties away from Schroder. The Aussie has barely played over the last five years, and we have to assume he won't do much once again. Cam Thomas is the only other player taking away usage, but Schroder should still be the team's primary playmaker. Given Brooklyn is rebuilding, he may be traded at some point, but look for Schroder to be a reliable fantasy asset through the first half of the season.
Schroder was a solid fantasy option last season because he was the starting point guard for a terrible Toronto team. The veteran is walking into a similar situation this season, as he'll likely run point for Brooklyn. The Nets acquired him at the deadline last season, and Schroder averaged 15.9 points, 3.9 rebounds, 6.7 assists, 0.6 steals, 0.4 blocks and 2.2 threes over the final 22 games. That's quite the stat line from a player who was taken at the end of drafts last year. It's safe to expect something similar since the Nets might have the worst roster in the NBA, allowing Schroder to play heavy minutes and rack up stats. The one big question mark is Ben Simmons, who could take ball-handling duties away from Schroder. The Aussie has barely played over the last five years, and we have to assume he won't do much once again. Cam Thomas is the only other player taking away usage, but Schroder should still be the team's primary playmaker. Given Brooklyn is rebuilding, he may be traded at some point, but look for Schroder to be a reliable fantasy asset through the first half of the season.
Sochan is coming off what can only be described as a roller coaster of a season, ending as the 178th-ranked player in standard fantasy formats. He opened the campaign as the starting point guard, an experiment that seemed doomed to fail from the jump. Unsurprisingly, he soon shifted to his more natural position at wing/forward, allowing him to put up intriguing production across multiple categories. He closed with averages of 11.6 points, 6.4 rebounds, 3.4 assists, 0.9 three-pointers and 1.3 combined steals and blocks. In what has been a busy offseason for the Spurs, newly acquired Chris Paul and Harrison Barnes are likely going to be inserted into the starting lineup. This alone muddies the water when it comes to Sochan's role, making him a tough player to draft outside of slightly deeper formats. It is likely he will still play a meaningful role given San Antonio is still figuring out its long-term roster. Sochan is someone to monitor closely on the off chance he starts at power forward or plays significant minutes in a leading role off the bench.
Sochan is coming off what can only be described as a roller coaster of a season, ending as the 178th-ranked player in standard fantasy formats. He opened the campaign as the starting point guard, an experiment that seemed doomed to fail from the jump. Unsurprisingly, he soon shifted to his more natural position at wing/forward, allowing him to put up intriguing production across multiple categories. He closed with averages of 11.6 points, 6.4 rebounds, 3.4 assists, 0.9 three-pointers and 1.3 combined steals and blocks. In what has been a busy offseason for the Spurs, newly acquired Chris Paul and Harrison Barnes are likely going to be inserted into the starting lineup. This alone muddies the water when it comes to Sochan's role, making him a tough player to draft outside of slightly deeper formats. It is likely he will still play a meaningful role given San Antonio is still figuring out its long-term roster. Sochan is someone to monitor closely on the off chance he starts at power forward or plays significant minutes in a leading role off the bench.
Eason enjoyed a solid season as a rookie in 2023-24, appearing in all 82 games during the regular season and averaging 9.3 points, 6.0 rebounds and 1.1 assists across 21.6 minutes per contest. He was expected to hold a steady role off the bench in 2023-24, but he struggled with injuries and didn't play a single game after Jan. 1, ultimately being ruled out for the rest of the campaign in March. The Rockets are far more talented now than in 2022-23 when Eason held an important role in the rotation, and considering he had a reserve role at that time, he's widely expected to continue playing off the bench, though perhaps seeing even fewer minutes. The fact that he's still rehabbing from a lower leg injury complicates his upside even further, and overall, there seem to be too many question marks around the third-year forward to trust him in fantasy outside of the deeper formats. Eason might have a shot at being a late-round flier in formats with 14 or 16 teams, especially as an injury policy if you selected Alperen Sengun or Jabari Smith earlier in your draft.
Eason enjoyed a solid season as a rookie in 2023-24, appearing in all 82 games during the regular season and averaging 9.3 points, 6.0 rebounds and 1.1 assists across 21.6 minutes per contest. He was expected to hold a steady role off the bench in 2023-24, but he struggled with injuries and didn't play a single game after Jan. 1, ultimately being ruled out for the rest of the campaign in March. The Rockets are far more talented now than in 2022-23 when Eason held an important role in the rotation, and considering he had a reserve role at that time, he's widely expected to continue playing off the bench, though perhaps seeing even fewer minutes. The fact that he's still rehabbing from a lower leg injury complicates his upside even further, and overall, there seem to be too many question marks around the third-year forward to trust him in fantasy outside of the deeper formats. Eason might have a shot at being a late-round flier in formats with 14 or 16 teams, especially as an injury policy if you selected Alperen Sengun or Jabari Smith earlier in your draft.
Reid is one of the most intriguing big men in the NBA, but it's frustrating to see him stuck in a bench role with Minnesota. Karl-Anthony Towns and Rudy Gobert were ahead of Reid, and after a blockbuster trade, Julius Randle will replace Towns in 2024-25. In a reduced role, Reid averaged 12.3 points, 4.6 rebounds, 1.1 assists, 0.7 steals, 0.8 blocks and 1.8 threes in his 83 games coming off the bench last season, including the postseason. That's a glimpse of what makes him so special despite playing just 23 minutes a night. We also saw Reid average 17.6 points, 7.0 rebounds, 2.1 assists, 1.2 steals, 1.4 blocks and 2.9 threes across 29.2 minutes in his 14 regular-season games as a starter. There aren't many players with that sort of diverse stat line, and everyone could see it at times during the postseason. The fact is, Reid will likely never play more than 25 minutes as long as Gobert and Randle are healthy. However, Reid still has value because of how dominant he can be in that limited role, taking down Sixth Man of the Year last year. He's also just one injury away from being a top-40 player, so he's one of the toughest players to value heading into drafts.
Reid is one of the most intriguing big men in the NBA, but it's frustrating to see him stuck in a bench role with Minnesota. Karl-Anthony Towns and Rudy Gobert were ahead of Reid, and after a blockbuster trade, Julius Randle will replace Towns in 2024-25. In a reduced role, Reid averaged 12.3 points, 4.6 rebounds, 1.1 assists, 0.7 steals, 0.8 blocks and 1.8 threes in his 83 games coming off the bench last season, including the postseason. That's a glimpse of what makes him so special despite playing just 23 minutes a night. We also saw Reid average 17.6 points, 7.0 rebounds, 2.1 assists, 1.2 steals, 1.4 blocks and 2.9 threes across 29.2 minutes in his 14 regular-season games as a starter. There aren't many players with that sort of diverse stat line, and everyone could see it at times during the postseason. The fact is, Reid will likely never play more than 25 minutes as long as Gobert and Randle are healthy. However, Reid still has value because of how dominant he can be in that limited role, taking down Sixth Man of the Year last year. He's also just one injury away from being a top-40 player, so he's one of the toughest players to value heading into drafts.
Last season, Bogdanovic recorded his highest number of starts (33) since his rookie campaign in 2017-18, and that translated to several career-high numbers such as minutes (30.4), points (16.9) and steals (1.2) per game. Bogdanovic is primed to open the 2024-25 campaign as a starter in the Hawks' backcourt alongside Trae Young, and the former should benefit from Dejounte Murray's departure. Bogdanovic is likely to operate as the Hawks' third- or fourth-best option, presumably behind Young, Jalen Johnson and maybe Zaccharie Risacher. However, that shouldn't limit Bogdanovic's fantasy upside a great deal. He'll retain decent fantasy value across all formats as long as he continues to operate in a starting role, something that's not expected to change any time soon. Considering he's drained at least 37 percent of his three-point attempts in four of his last five seasons, Bogdanovic could be particularly valuable as a fantasy asset in category-based leagues. Regardless of the format, he should be an intriguing option in the mid-to-late rounds of most drafts.
Last season, Bogdanovic recorded his highest number of starts (33) since his rookie campaign in 2017-18, and that translated to several career-high numbers such as minutes (30.4), points (16.9) and steals (1.2) per game. Bogdanovic is primed to open the 2024-25 campaign as a starter in the Hawks' backcourt alongside Trae Young, and the former should benefit from Dejounte Murray's departure. Bogdanovic is likely to operate as the Hawks' third- or fourth-best option, presumably behind Young, Jalen Johnson and maybe Zaccharie Risacher. However, that shouldn't limit Bogdanovic's fantasy upside a great deal. He'll retain decent fantasy value across all formats as long as he continues to operate in a starting role, something that's not expected to change any time soon. Considering he's drained at least 37 percent of his three-point attempts in four of his last five seasons, Bogdanovic could be particularly valuable as a fantasy asset in category-based leagues. Regardless of the format, he should be an intriguing option in the mid-to-late rounds of most drafts.
Holiday's summer of 2023 journey from Milwaukee to Portland to Boston led to the point guard's second NBA championship. But it also resulted in Holiday taking a step back in most statistical categories as he deferred to Jayson Tatum, Jaylen Brown, Kristaps Porzingis and even Derrick White. Holiday's 12.5 points per game were a career low outside of his 2009-10 rookie season. And while his rebounds and blocks perked up, he saw a significant decline in assists and steals per game. This is important, because Boston's roster is essentially the same for the 2024-25 season. Holiday's role should go unchanged, with him often hunting corner threes while Tatum, Brown and Porzingis do more to create their own shot. In fact, White was frequently Boston's offensive point guard last year, while Holiday was in more of a 3-and-D wing role. But don't expect Holiday's minutes to decline. He averaged 32.8 minutes a game as a Celtic and has averaged 33.9 minutes per contest over the past seven seasons. Entering his age-34 season, expect Holiday's second year in Boston to look very much like his first season as a Celtic.
Holiday's summer of 2023 journey from Milwaukee to Portland to Boston led to the point guard's second NBA championship. But it also resulted in Holiday taking a step back in most statistical categories as he deferred to Jayson Tatum, Jaylen Brown, Kristaps Porzingis and even Derrick White. Holiday's 12.5 points per game were a career low outside of his 2009-10 rookie season. And while his rebounds and blocks perked up, he saw a significant decline in assists and steals per game. This is important, because Boston's roster is essentially the same for the 2024-25 season. Holiday's role should go unchanged, with him often hunting corner threes while Tatum, Brown and Porzingis do more to create their own shot. In fact, White was frequently Boston's offensive point guard last year, while Holiday was in more of a 3-and-D wing role. But don't expect Holiday's minutes to decline. He averaged 32.8 minutes a game as a Celtic and has averaged 33.9 minutes per contest over the past seven seasons. Entering his age-34 season, expect Holiday's second year in Boston to look very much like his first season as a Celtic.
Sexton's career was trending in the wrong direction after his final year in Cleveland, but something clicked in Utah last season. The former Alabama guard averaged 18.7 points, 2.6 rebounds, 4.9 assists, 0.8 steals and 1.6 threes. That's a massive boost from what we saw over the past two years. Sexton averaged 24.3 points, 3.1 rebounds, 4.4 assists, 1.0 steals and 1.6 threes in his final year with the Cavs in 2021-22, but his production took a major hit after moving to the Jazz. Sexton's best games came as a starter last year, averaging 21.1 points, 2.6 rebounds, 5.6 assists, 0.9 steals and 1.9 threes in his 51 starts. In his 27 games as a reserve player, Sexton averaged 14.1 points, 2.7 rebounds, 3.6 assists, 0.6 steals and 1.1 threes per game. He's fortunate that Utah didn't do much in the offseason, with Sexton projected to start ahead of Jordan Clarkson at the shooting guard position. There's not much playmaking on this roster, and the Jazz need Sexton to be one of the team leaders in points, shot attempts and usage. Sexton may be a sneaky pick at the end of drafts. Based on his ADP (105), most fantasy managers aren't expecting much.
Sexton's career was trending in the wrong direction after his final year in Cleveland, but something clicked in Utah last season. The former Alabama guard averaged 18.7 points, 2.6 rebounds, 4.9 assists, 0.8 steals and 1.6 threes. That's a massive boost from what we saw over the past two years. Sexton averaged 24.3 points, 3.1 rebounds, 4.4 assists, 1.0 steals and 1.6 threes in his final year with the Cavs in 2021-22, but his production took a major hit after moving to the Jazz. Sexton's best games came as a starter last year, averaging 21.1 points, 2.6 rebounds, 5.6 assists, 0.9 steals and 1.9 threes in his 51 starts. In his 27 games as a reserve player, Sexton averaged 14.1 points, 2.7 rebounds, 3.6 assists, 0.6 steals and 1.1 threes per game. He's fortunate that Utah didn't do much in the offseason, with Sexton projected to start ahead of Jordan Clarkson at the shooting guard position. There's not much playmaking on this roster, and the Jazz need Sexton to be one of the team leaders in points, shot attempts and usage. Sexton may be a sneaky pick at the end of drafts. Based on his ADP (105), most fantasy managers aren't expecting much.
It's been fascinating watching Gordon mature. This guy was the star of the Orlando franchise at one point, but he's developed into one of the most important sidekicks in the NBA since joining Denver. That's obviously led to a dropoff in some of his numbers, as he averaged 13.9 points, 6.5 rebounds, 3.5 assists, 0.8 steals, 0.6 blocks and 0.5 threes on 56 percent shooting last season. Those are his worst numbers since the 2016-17 campaign, but a dropoff like that was inevitable with Nikola Jokic and Jamal Murray doing so much. Battling a three-time MVP for touches is already hurting Gordon's value, but it becomes more problematic since Murray and Michael Porter are asked to do so much. All of those pieces will limit Gordon's upside again, but he should be guaranteed 30 minutes and solid statistics with the way he plays off Jokic. It feels like Gordon has been around forever, but this guy is still just 28 years old. We shouldn't count out a bounceback season. He averaged 15.7 points, 6.3 rebounds, 2.8 assists, 0.7 steals and 0.7 blocks in his first two years with the Nuggets, and there may be more touches in Denver next year with Kentavious Caldwell-Pope out of the picture. There aren't many players with such a low ceiling, but Gordon also has an incredibly high floor.
It's been fascinating watching Gordon mature. This guy was the star of the Orlando franchise at one point, but he's developed into one of the most important sidekicks in the NBA since joining Denver. That's obviously led to a dropoff in some of his numbers, as he averaged 13.9 points, 6.5 rebounds, 3.5 assists, 0.8 steals, 0.6 blocks and 0.5 threes on 56 percent shooting last season. Those are his worst numbers since the 2016-17 campaign, but a dropoff like that was inevitable with Nikola Jokic and Jamal Murray doing so much. Battling a three-time MVP for touches is already hurting Gordon's value, but it becomes more problematic since Murray and Michael Porter are asked to do so much. All of those pieces will limit Gordon's upside again, but he should be guaranteed 30 minutes and solid statistics with the way he plays off Jokic. It feels like Gordon has been around forever, but this guy is still just 28 years old. We shouldn't count out a bounceback season. He averaged 15.7 points, 6.3 rebounds, 2.8 assists, 0.7 steals and 0.7 blocks in his first two years with the Nuggets, and there may be more touches in Denver next year with Kentavious Caldwell-Pope out of the picture. There aren't many players with such a low ceiling, but Gordon also has an incredibly high floor.
When it comes to missed games due to injury, Middleton may very well have taken the mantle from Kawhi Leonard. Although he logged 55 games last season, it could be argued that Middleton was never at full health, often limited in his playing time. He finished the season as the 101st-ranked player in nine-category leagues, averaging 15.1 points, 4.7 rebounds, 5.3 assists, 0.9 steals and 1.7 three-pointers. Adding fuel to the fire is the fact that he underwent surgery on both of his ankles during the offseason, a worrying sign for anyone considering drafting him. Based on what we have seen recently, it's hard to see Middleton getting back to being an All-Star caliber player. Although he should remain a member of the opening five in Milwaukee, his playing time is likely to be limited to around 30 minutes per game. Plus, Damian Lillard and Giannis Antetokounmpo will be the Bucks' undisputed leaders in offensive usage. Taking all of that into consideration, making a case for Middleton is a tough task. Managers should not be too drawn into nostalgia when projecting Middleton's overall fantasy value. Given the risk, he makes sense as a potential target in the later rounds.
When it comes to missed games due to injury, Middleton may very well have taken the mantle from Kawhi Leonard. Although he logged 55 games last season, it could be argued that Middleton was never at full health, often limited in his playing time. He finished the season as the 101st-ranked player in nine-category leagues, averaging 15.1 points, 4.7 rebounds, 5.3 assists, 0.9 steals and 1.7 three-pointers. Adding fuel to the fire is the fact that he underwent surgery on both of his ankles during the offseason, a worrying sign for anyone considering drafting him. Based on what we have seen recently, it's hard to see Middleton getting back to being an All-Star caliber player. Although he should remain a member of the opening five in Milwaukee, his playing time is likely to be limited to around 30 minutes per game. Plus, Damian Lillard and Giannis Antetokounmpo will be the Bucks' undisputed leaders in offensive usage. Taking all of that into consideration, making a case for Middleton is a tough task. Managers should not be too drawn into nostalgia when projecting Middleton's overall fantasy value. Given the risk, he makes sense as a potential target in the later rounds.
Washington went from playing for a struggling Hornets team to reaching the NBA Finals with the Mavericks after a mid-season trade before the February deadline. Washington performed well for Dallas, averaging 11.7 points, 6.2 rebounds, 1.5 assists and 1.2 steals in 32.2 minutes during the regular season, and he was even better in the playoffs, where he notched 13.0 points, 6.6 rebounds, 1.4 assists and 1.5 steals-plus-blocks per game. However, he shot only 42.7 percent from the field and 34.8 percent from three-point range. Washington's starting role in the Mavericks' frontcourt is not under any threat, but don't expect him to be a go-to player on offense, as Dallas will probably rely on Luka Doncic, Kyrie Irving and Klay Thompson to contribute in the scoring column. Washington should average double-digit points again and have a decent upside as a forward option across all formats. Still, he seems to be a complementary piece rather than a dominant fantasy performer. Washington should have a decent floor for the forward position, particularly due to his defensive contributions. However, he doesn't have a lot of upside in an offensive scheme where he'll play a secondary role.
Washington went from playing for a struggling Hornets team to reaching the NBA Finals with the Mavericks after a mid-season trade before the February deadline. Washington performed well for Dallas, averaging 11.7 points, 6.2 rebounds, 1.5 assists and 1.2 steals in 32.2 minutes during the regular season, and he was even better in the playoffs, where he notched 13.0 points, 6.6 rebounds, 1.4 assists and 1.5 steals-plus-blocks per game. However, he shot only 42.7 percent from the field and 34.8 percent from three-point range. Washington's starting role in the Mavericks' frontcourt is not under any threat, but don't expect him to be a go-to player on offense, as Dallas will probably rely on Luka Doncic, Kyrie Irving and Klay Thompson to contribute in the scoring column. Washington should average double-digit points again and have a decent upside as a forward option across all formats. Still, he seems to be a complementary piece rather than a dominant fantasy performer. Washington should have a decent floor for the forward position, particularly due to his defensive contributions. However, he doesn't have a lot of upside in an offensive scheme where he'll play a secondary role.
Williams produced another lackluster year in 2023-24, during which he averaged 10.0 points, 3.9 rebounds and 1.7 combined steals and blocks across 27.3 minutes per game. The forward was plagued by injury last season, playing in only 43 regular-season contests before undergoing a season-ending foot surgery in February. However, Williams is expected to be fully healthy as the Bulls' fall training camp approaches. Selected with the No. 4 overall pick of the 2020 Draft, Williams' career has yet to meet the expectations of fans and fantasy managers. The good news from a fantasy perspective is that the 22-year-old will return to a team without DeMar DeRozan and Alex Caruso, as the Bulls are embarking on a rebuild. There are also rumors that the club is attempting to trade Zach LaVine and Nikola Vucevic, which would mean more opportunity for Williams on the offensive side of the ball. After signing a five-year, $90 million deal this offseason, he will aim to rejuvenate his career and prove he can be a top option on a rebuilding squad. At the end of the day, Williams still has a lot to prove and could be a potential late-round target in fantasy drafts.
Williams produced another lackluster year in 2023-24, during which he averaged 10.0 points, 3.9 rebounds and 1.7 combined steals and blocks across 27.3 minutes per game. The forward was plagued by injury last season, playing in only 43 regular-season contests before undergoing a season-ending foot surgery in February. However, Williams is expected to be fully healthy as the Bulls' fall training camp approaches. Selected with the No. 4 overall pick of the 2020 Draft, Williams' career has yet to meet the expectations of fans and fantasy managers. The good news from a fantasy perspective is that the 22-year-old will return to a team without DeMar DeRozan and Alex Caruso, as the Bulls are embarking on a rebuild. There are also rumors that the club is attempting to trade Zach LaVine and Nikola Vucevic, which would mean more opportunity for Williams on the offensive side of the ball. After signing a five-year, $90 million deal this offseason, he will aim to rejuvenate his career and prove he can be a top option on a rebuilding squad. At the end of the day, Williams still has a lot to prove and could be a potential late-round target in fantasy drafts.
Strus was a regular starter in his first season with the Cavaliers and was part of the starting unit in his 70 regular-season appearances, a career-high mark. Even though he thrived as a spot-up shooter in an offense that was designed for the likes of Donovan Mitchell, Darius Garland and Evan Mobley, Strus posted career highs in each of the five major categories, averaging 12.2 points, 4.8 rebounds, 4.0 assists, 0.9 steals and 0.4 blocks across 32.0 minutes per game in the regular season. Strus figures to remain the Cavaliers' starting small forward for the 2024-25 campaign, but his fantasy prospects will be similar to the ones of the previous season, especially since the Cavaliers didn't undergo any massive changes. However, Strus' upside is capped by the fact he has a minor role in the offense, particularly from a usage-rate perspective, and he also struggles in the efficiency department -- he has shot under 42 percent from the field and 36 percent from deep in the last two seasons. Strus might be an interesting player to stream at times and should provide decent averages, but he'll be better suited to be drafted in the latter stages of most fantasy drafts.
Strus was a regular starter in his first season with the Cavaliers and was part of the starting unit in his 70 regular-season appearances, a career-high mark. Even though he thrived as a spot-up shooter in an offense that was designed for the likes of Donovan Mitchell, Darius Garland and Evan Mobley, Strus posted career highs in each of the five major categories, averaging 12.2 points, 4.8 rebounds, 4.0 assists, 0.9 steals and 0.4 blocks across 32.0 minutes per game in the regular season. Strus figures to remain the Cavaliers' starting small forward for the 2024-25 campaign, but his fantasy prospects will be similar to the ones of the previous season, especially since the Cavaliers didn't undergo any massive changes. However, Strus' upside is capped by the fact he has a minor role in the offense, particularly from a usage-rate perspective, and he also struggles in the efficiency department -- he has shot under 42 percent from the field and 36 percent from deep in the last two seasons. Strus might be an interesting player to stream at times and should provide decent averages, but he'll be better suited to be drafted in the latter stages of most fantasy drafts.
Even heading into his age-36 season, Lopez's ability to stretch the floor and block shots makes him worthy of a top-50 pick in fantasy drafts. The veteran has remarkably stayed healthy recently, appearing in 78 and 79 games over the past two seasons, respectively. However, his scoring and field-goal percentage dropped last season compared to the previous campaign. Lopez's points per game went from 15.9 in 2022-23 - his highest mark since 2016-17 - to 12.5 last year, but that can be attributed to the Bucks adding a high-usage player in Damian Lillard. Lopez's field-goal percentage dropped from 53.1 percent in 2022-23 - his highest mark since 2013-14 - to 48.5 last season, but that can be attributed to the big man taking difficult shots with the Bucks' poor floor spacing when Lillard, Giannis Antetokounmpo and Khris Middleton were unavailable for long stretches. Ideally for Lopez, the Bucks will have better team health this season, so he can focus on what he does best - roaming the paint defensively and hoisting threes offensively. If that's the case, Lopez should easily return top-50 value again, but it's always a risky proposition to use an early-round pick on an aging veteran.
Even heading into his age-36 season, Lopez's ability to stretch the floor and block shots makes him worthy of a top-50 pick in fantasy drafts. The veteran has remarkably stayed healthy recently, appearing in 78 and 79 games over the past two seasons, respectively. However, his scoring and field-goal percentage dropped last season compared to the previous campaign. Lopez's points per game went from 15.9 in 2022-23 - his highest mark since 2016-17 - to 12.5 last year, but that can be attributed to the Bucks adding a high-usage player in Damian Lillard. Lopez's field-goal percentage dropped from 53.1 percent in 2022-23 - his highest mark since 2013-14 - to 48.5 last season, but that can be attributed to the big man taking difficult shots with the Bucks' poor floor spacing when Lillard, Giannis Antetokounmpo and Khris Middleton were unavailable for long stretches. Ideally for Lopez, the Bucks will have better team health this season, so he can focus on what he does best - roaming the paint defensively and hoisting threes offensively. If that's the case, Lopez should easily return top-50 value again, but it's always a risky proposition to use an early-round pick on an aging veteran.
Edey was selected with the No. 9 overall pick in the 2024 NBA Draft by Memphis. Edey will provide frontcourt reinforcement for a Grizzlies team that has plenty of question marks outside of Jaren Jackson up front. An ankle sprain limited Edey to just 42 total minutes in Summer League, but he showed off everything optimists were hoping for. At 7-foot-4, 300 pounds, Edey possesses the size and strength to be a high-level rebounder and interior defender. He also has surprisingly good touch for a player of his stature, making 71 percent of his attempts from the charity stripe last season at Purdue and hitting finesse shots in the paint with both hands. While his lack of foot speed will make him a target for opposing offenses in the pick-and-roll, Edey could be an excellent per-minute producer for fantasy purposes, whether that's alongside Jackson or off the bench. Don't be surprised if he's the first rookie off the board in many fantasy drafts.
Edey was selected with the No. 9 overall pick in the 2024 NBA Draft by Memphis. Edey will provide frontcourt reinforcement for a Grizzlies team that has plenty of question marks outside of Jaren Jackson up front. An ankle sprain limited Edey to just 42 total minutes in Summer League, but he showed off everything optimists were hoping for. At 7-foot-4, 300 pounds, Edey possesses the size and strength to be a high-level rebounder and interior defender. He also has surprisingly good touch for a player of his stature, making 71 percent of his attempts from the charity stripe last season at Purdue and hitting finesse shots in the paint with both hands. While his lack of foot speed will make him a target for opposing offenses in the pick-and-roll, Edey could be an excellent per-minute producer for fantasy purposes, whether that's alongside Jackson or off the bench. Don't be surprised if he's the first rookie off the board in many fantasy drafts.
Clarkson has developed into one of the best bench players in the NBA over recent years, making himself a Sixth Man of the Year candidate every year. The veteran averaged 17.1 points, 3.4 rebounds, 5.0 assists, 0.6 assists and 1.7 threes per game last season. Most of those statistics dropped from previous years outside of the assists, and it's becoming clear that Utah wants him to be more of a playmaker than just a scorer. What also made the scoring drop off was his atrocious efficiency, shooting 41 percent from the field and 29 percent from three-point range. We have to assume his shooting numbers will creep back to career norms this year, and Clarkson could be asked to do even more. Utah didn't add much to this backcourt, and Clarkson will be one of the primary playmakers. Keyonte George and Collin Sexton are the only ones ahead of Clarkson, and we expect JC to get back to the 20-point scorer he was in years prior. If he could add that to the five assists a night, Clarkson could be one of the frontrunners for Sixth Man of the Year again. Considering this team is rebuilding, Clarkson could be one of the first players traded if Utah falls out of playoff contention. It's unlikely Clarkson sees an increased role anywhere else, but he's worth streaming as long as he has a key role in Utah.
Clarkson has developed into one of the best bench players in the NBA over recent years, making himself a Sixth Man of the Year candidate every year. The veteran averaged 17.1 points, 3.4 rebounds, 5.0 assists, 0.6 assists and 1.7 threes per game last season. Most of those statistics dropped from previous years outside of the assists, and it's becoming clear that Utah wants him to be more of a playmaker than just a scorer. What also made the scoring drop off was his atrocious efficiency, shooting 41 percent from the field and 29 percent from three-point range. We have to assume his shooting numbers will creep back to career norms this year, and Clarkson could be asked to do even more. Utah didn't add much to this backcourt, and Clarkson will be one of the primary playmakers. Keyonte George and Collin Sexton are the only ones ahead of Clarkson, and we expect JC to get back to the 20-point scorer he was in years prior. If he could add that to the five assists a night, Clarkson could be one of the frontrunners for Sixth Man of the Year again. Considering this team is rebuilding, Clarkson could be one of the first players traded if Utah falls out of playoff contention. It's unlikely Clarkson sees an increased role anywhere else, but he's worth streaming as long as he has a key role in Utah.
Despite playing primarily as a starter during the 2023-24 season, Mann struggled to put up anything close to tangible fantasy value, ending well outside the top 200 in nine-category leagues. With modest averages of just 8.8 points, 3.4 rebounds, 1.6 assists, 0.6 steals and 0.9 three-pointers, Mann rightfully spent most of his time on the waiver wire. To this point in his career, Mann has been unable to produce consistently, a trend that needs to change should the Clippers hope to make any real noise this season. The departure of Paul George leaves a gaping hole in their offense, a hole that ideally Mann and Norman Powell will be working to fill. Both Kawhi Leonard and James Harden are going to shoulder the bulk of the scoring load, but Mann should at least be given an opportunity to step up on that end of the court. At this point, Powell would be the preferred target even if he is coming off the bench, given he has a proven track record when it comes to scoring the basketball. Mann is worth considering with a last-round pick and if things don't pan out, it's back to the waiver wire he goes.
Despite playing primarily as a starter during the 2023-24 season, Mann struggled to put up anything close to tangible fantasy value, ending well outside the top 200 in nine-category leagues. With modest averages of just 8.8 points, 3.4 rebounds, 1.6 assists, 0.6 steals and 0.9 three-pointers, Mann rightfully spent most of his time on the waiver wire. To this point in his career, Mann has been unable to produce consistently, a trend that needs to change should the Clippers hope to make any real noise this season. The departure of Paul George leaves a gaping hole in their offense, a hole that ideally Mann and Norman Powell will be working to fill. Both Kawhi Leonard and James Harden are going to shoulder the bulk of the scoring load, but Mann should at least be given an opportunity to step up on that end of the court. At this point, Powell would be the preferred target even if he is coming off the bench, given he has a proven track record when it comes to scoring the basketball. Mann is worth considering with a last-round pick and if things don't pan out, it's back to the waiver wire he goes.
As expected, Simons took on more offensive responsibility during the 2023-24 season, serving as the primary scoring option following the departure of Damian Lillard. Simons rounded out the season with averages of 22.6 points, 3.6 rebounds, 5.5 assists, 0.5 steals and 3.4 three-pointers in 34.4 minutes per game. Sadly, his season was bookended by ankle and knee injuries, limiting him to just 46 games. The Trail Blazers are in a rebuilding phase, something that seems likely to continue for at least the next 12 months. Heading into the 2024-25 season, Simons is likely to once again be utilized as the first or second option on offense, giving him a relatively safe fantasy floor. He will have to share the ball with Scoot Henderson and Shaedon Sharpe, both of whom will be looking to put together strong seasons of their own. Lack of team success could result in missed games down the stretch, something that managers will need to account for when drafting Portland players. As a potential 23+ point scorer, Simons is worth considering as early as the sixth round, although nabbing him in the seventh round feels less fraught with risk.
As expected, Simons took on more offensive responsibility during the 2023-24 season, serving as the primary scoring option following the departure of Damian Lillard. Simons rounded out the season with averages of 22.6 points, 3.6 rebounds, 5.5 assists, 0.5 steals and 3.4 three-pointers in 34.4 minutes per game. Sadly, his season was bookended by ankle and knee injuries, limiting him to just 46 games. The Trail Blazers are in a rebuilding phase, something that seems likely to continue for at least the next 12 months. Heading into the 2024-25 season, Simons is likely to once again be utilized as the first or second option on offense, giving him a relatively safe fantasy floor. He will have to share the ball with Scoot Henderson and Shaedon Sharpe, both of whom will be looking to put together strong seasons of their own. Lack of team success could result in missed games down the stretch, something that managers will need to account for when drafting Portland players. As a potential 23+ point scorer, Simons is worth considering as early as the sixth round, although nabbing him in the seventh round feels less fraught with risk.
Although Johnson continues to provide serviceable numbers on the offensive end of the floor, it's fair to say that his role has diminished over the past 12 months and could continue to do so moving forward. He finished last season coming off the bench, impacting his ability to be a high-volume producer. He placed 141st in the rankings, averaging 15.7 points per game to go with 5.5 rebounds, 2.8 assists and 1.8 three-pointers. The ascension of Victor Wembanyama and Devin Vassell plus the addition of Harrison Barnes, Chris Paul and Stephon Castle make things more complicated for Johnson. Despite being only 24 years old, it does not appear as though he will be a priority piece moving forward. Given what we saw to close the season, he seems likely to assume a sixth-man role, playing somewhere in the vicinity of 25 minutes per night. If that is indeed the case, managers don't need to go out of their way to draft him. At best, Johnson could be considered for streaming purposes throughout the season, typically when those around him are sidelined due to injury or rest purposes.
Although Johnson continues to provide serviceable numbers on the offensive end of the floor, it's fair to say that his role has diminished over the past 12 months and could continue to do so moving forward. He finished last season coming off the bench, impacting his ability to be a high-volume producer. He placed 141st in the rankings, averaging 15.7 points per game to go with 5.5 rebounds, 2.8 assists and 1.8 three-pointers. The ascension of Victor Wembanyama and Devin Vassell plus the addition of Harrison Barnes, Chris Paul and Stephon Castle make things more complicated for Johnson. Despite being only 24 years old, it does not appear as though he will be a priority piece moving forward. Given what we saw to close the season, he seems likely to assume a sixth-man role, playing somewhere in the vicinity of 25 minutes per night. If that is indeed the case, managers don't need to go out of their way to draft him. At best, Johnson could be considered for streaming purposes throughout the season, typically when those around him are sidelined due to injury or rest purposes.
Jones went back and forth between the starting unit and the bench for much of the 2023-24 season but ended the campaign on a solid note. He started each of his 48 appearances after Jan. 1, averaging a solid 11.3 points, 7.0 assists and 4.3 rebounds across 30.3 minutes per game in that span. The assists-per-game figure would be a career-high mark if he had posted it during an entire season. He also shot 38.8 percent from three-point range on 2.7 attempts per contest in a starting role, so it seemed he was finally primed to have a breakout season in 2024-25. However, the Spurs signed Chris Paul in free agency and added Stephon Castle with the fourth overall pick in the 2024 NBA Draft, so Jones is primed to spend another year as a backup point guard for a rebuilding squad. While there's no question the Spurs are making all the right moves to return to relevancy as soon as possible, having a backup role will not help Jones' cause to be a solid fantasy contributor. At this point, Jones won't have a lot of upside in any format as long as Paul and Castle remain healthy. Thus, Jones might be better suited to remain on waivers in most formats unless he finds a way to log consistent minutes in a starting role while the Spurs are shorthanded.
Jones went back and forth between the starting unit and the bench for much of the 2023-24 season but ended the campaign on a solid note. He started each of his 48 appearances after Jan. 1, averaging a solid 11.3 points, 7.0 assists and 4.3 rebounds across 30.3 minutes per game in that span. The assists-per-game figure would be a career-high mark if he had posted it during an entire season. He also shot 38.8 percent from three-point range on 2.7 attempts per contest in a starting role, so it seemed he was finally primed to have a breakout season in 2024-25. However, the Spurs signed Chris Paul in free agency and added Stephon Castle with the fourth overall pick in the 2024 NBA Draft, so Jones is primed to spend another year as a backup point guard for a rebuilding squad. While there's no question the Spurs are making all the right moves to return to relevancy as soon as possible, having a backup role will not help Jones' cause to be a solid fantasy contributor. At this point, Jones won't have a lot of upside in any format as long as Paul and Castle remain healthy. Thus, Jones might be better suited to remain on waivers in most formats unless he finds a way to log consistent minutes in a starting role while the Spurs are shorthanded.
Despite pockets of strong production throughout the 2023-24 season, LeVert once again struggled to deliver consistent fantasy value. Typically coming off the bench behind Donovan Mitchell and Darius Garland, LeVert provides the Cavaliers with a reliable on-court piece, who can step up when either starter is ruled out. He was the 128th-ranked player in nine-category leagues, compiling averages of 14.0 points, 4.1 rebounds, 5.1 assists, 1.1 steals and 1.6 three-pointers. While on the surface, this makes him a must-roster player, anyone who understands fantasy knows that this is not the case. Poor percentages and an inability to produce at a high level when coming off the bench make him more of an elite streaming option if and when the Cavaliers' backcourt depth is challenged. With all key pieces returning to Cleveland this season, LeVert is likely to resume this role, meaning managers do not have to go out of their way to secure him in drafts. The preferred strategy is to add him to a waitlist, picking him up when the time is right.
Despite pockets of strong production throughout the 2023-24 season, LeVert once again struggled to deliver consistent fantasy value. Typically coming off the bench behind Donovan Mitchell and Darius Garland, LeVert provides the Cavaliers with a reliable on-court piece, who can step up when either starter is ruled out. He was the 128th-ranked player in nine-category leagues, compiling averages of 14.0 points, 4.1 rebounds, 5.1 assists, 1.1 steals and 1.6 three-pointers. While on the surface, this makes him a must-roster player, anyone who understands fantasy knows that this is not the case. Poor percentages and an inability to produce at a high level when coming off the bench make him more of an elite streaming option if and when the Cavaliers' backcourt depth is challenged. With all key pieces returning to Cleveland this season, LeVert is likely to resume this role, meaning managers do not have to go out of their way to secure him in drafts. The preferred strategy is to add him to a waitlist, picking him up when the time is right.
Lively gained tons of attention and a much-deserved spotlight due to his playoff performances as a rookie. However, that may not translate into much fantasy relevancy ahead of the 2024-25 season. Lively should see plenty of minutes in the Mavericks' frontcourt, and he's expected to push Daniel Gafford for the starting gig. Lively started 42 of his 55 regular-season appearances as a rookie and averaged 8.8 points, 6.9 rebounds, 1.4 blocks and 1.1 assists across 23.5 minutes per game. Meanwhile, in the playoffs, the Duke product posted 7.9 points, 7.4 rebounds, 1.3 assists and 1.0 blocks across 21.9 minutes per game off the bench. Essentially, this means Lively's role and productivity won't change much if he plays as a starter or off the bench. Backup centers aren't reliable options in fantasy, but given his upside and the fact he's expected to see steady minutes, Lively could be an interesting alternative in the late rounds of most formats. Lively could end up being a solid value pick once it's all said and done, but to do that, he'll likely need to win the starting job and play 25-plus minutes per game.
Lively gained tons of attention and a much-deserved spotlight due to his playoff performances as a rookie. However, that may not translate into much fantasy relevancy ahead of the 2024-25 season. Lively should see plenty of minutes in the Mavericks' frontcourt, and he's expected to push Daniel Gafford for the starting gig. Lively started 42 of his 55 regular-season appearances as a rookie and averaged 8.8 points, 6.9 rebounds, 1.4 blocks and 1.1 assists across 23.5 minutes per game. Meanwhile, in the playoffs, the Duke product posted 7.9 points, 7.4 rebounds, 1.3 assists and 1.0 blocks across 21.9 minutes per game off the bench. Essentially, this means Lively's role and productivity won't change much if he plays as a starter or off the bench. Backup centers aren't reliable options in fantasy, but given his upside and the fact he's expected to see steady minutes, Lively could be an interesting alternative in the late rounds of most formats. Lively could end up being a solid value pick once it's all said and done, but to do that, he'll likely need to win the starting job and play 25-plus minutes per game.
Powell played 76 games during the 2023-24 season, the most he has played since his 2016-17 campaign with the Raptors. Although he was largely healthy, the same cannot be said for his per-game production. He closed as the 164th-ranked player in standard leagues, delivering modest averages of 13.9 points, 2.6 rebounds, 1.1 assists, 0.6 steals and 2.2 three-pointers. At 31 years old, Powell's role is somewhat up in the air. Paul George opted to take his talents to Philadelphia, which could open up more playing time for Powell. If he can get back to 30 minutes per night, Powell's offensive talent could shine again. During the 2021-22 season, he was a top-90 fantasy asset, averaging 19.0 points and 2.4 three-pointers in 32.4 minutes per game. This would likely be a best-case scenario, making Powell a sneaky late-round target. However, managers should keep in mind the Clippers also have Terrance Mann, Derrick Jones and Kevin Porter who will be vying for minutes in the backcourt, making the situation a tough one to gauge initially.
Powell played 76 games during the 2023-24 season, the most he has played since his 2016-17 campaign with the Raptors. Although he was largely healthy, the same cannot be said for his per-game production. He closed as the 164th-ranked player in standard leagues, delivering modest averages of 13.9 points, 2.6 rebounds, 1.1 assists, 0.6 steals and 2.2 three-pointers. At 31 years old, Powell's role is somewhat up in the air. Paul George opted to take his talents to Philadelphia, which could open up more playing time for Powell. If he can get back to 30 minutes per night, Powell's offensive talent could shine again. During the 2021-22 season, he was a top-90 fantasy asset, averaging 19.0 points and 2.4 three-pointers in 32.4 minutes per game. This would likely be a best-case scenario, making Powell a sneaky late-round target. However, managers should keep in mind the Clippers also have Terrance Mann, Derrick Jones and Kevin Porter who will be vying for minutes in the backcourt, making the situation a tough one to gauge initially.
The Bulls were shorthanded at guard for much of last season. Lonzo Ball missed the entire campaign, and injuries limited Zach LaVine to only 25 games. On the bright side, Dosunmu stepped up his production in an expanded role. Dosunmu logged 29.1 minutes per game, which helped him average 12.2 points, 2.8 rebounds, 3.2 assists and 0.9 steals. Dosunmu's biggest improvement came from behind the arc, where he averaged 1.6 made three-pointers and shot 40.3 percent. Dosunmu shot just 31.2 percent on three-pointers the previous season. The Bulls wanted to get younger this past offseason, moving on from DeMar DeRozan and Alex Caruso. They have tried to part ways with LaVine but have been unable to find a deal to their liking. Coby White is still in the fold after a breakout season of his own, and the Bulls netted Josh Giddey when they traded Caruso to the Thunder. That means even if LaVine were to be dealt at some point, Dosunmu is likely ticketed for another limited role off the bench. Dosunmu is worth a look late in drafts, but he shouldn't be considered as anything more than a bench player in standard-sized fantasy leagues.
The Bulls were shorthanded at guard for much of last season. Lonzo Ball missed the entire campaign, and injuries limited Zach LaVine to only 25 games. On the bright side, Dosunmu stepped up his production in an expanded role. Dosunmu logged 29.1 minutes per game, which helped him average 12.2 points, 2.8 rebounds, 3.2 assists and 0.9 steals. Dosunmu's biggest improvement came from behind the arc, where he averaged 1.6 made three-pointers and shot 40.3 percent. Dosunmu shot just 31.2 percent on three-pointers the previous season. The Bulls wanted to get younger this past offseason, moving on from DeMar DeRozan and Alex Caruso. They have tried to part ways with LaVine but have been unable to find a deal to their liking. Coby White is still in the fold after a breakout season of his own, and the Bulls netted Josh Giddey when they traded Caruso to the Thunder. That means even if LaVine were to be dealt at some point, Dosunmu is likely ticketed for another limited role off the bench. Dosunmu is worth a look late in drafts, but he shouldn't be considered as anything more than a bench player in standard-sized fantasy leagues.
Thompson saw his scoring dip to fewer than 20 points per game last year, his lowest mark since the 2012-13 season. Despite playing in 77 total games, Thompson struggled to replicate what he has done in the past, not surprising given his recent injury history. He ended as the 95th-ranked player in nine-category leagues, averaging 17.9 points, 3.3 rebounds, 2.5 assists, 0.6 steals and 3.5 three-pointers. The Warriors failed to make any real noise last season and subsequently opted to part ways with Thompson during the offseason. Now residing in Dallas, Thompson will line up alongside Kyrie Irving and Luka Doncic, where he will look to prove he's still an elite perimeter scorer. He should remain among the league leaders when it comes to made three-pointers, however, it is clear that his lateral movement on the defensive end has regressed. His overall value is now reliant on points, threes and free-throw percentage. Keeping this in mind, he could be viewed as more of a specialist than a must-roster fantasy asset. He is fine to target later in drafts if you need a boost in scoring.
Thompson saw his scoring dip to fewer than 20 points per game last year, his lowest mark since the 2012-13 season. Despite playing in 77 total games, Thompson struggled to replicate what he has done in the past, not surprising given his recent injury history. He ended as the 95th-ranked player in nine-category leagues, averaging 17.9 points, 3.3 rebounds, 2.5 assists, 0.6 steals and 3.5 three-pointers. The Warriors failed to make any real noise last season and subsequently opted to part ways with Thompson during the offseason. Now residing in Dallas, Thompson will line up alongside Kyrie Irving and Luka Doncic, where he will look to prove he's still an elite perimeter scorer. He should remain among the league leaders when it comes to made three-pointers, however, it is clear that his lateral movement on the defensive end has regressed. His overall value is now reliant on points, threes and free-throw percentage. Keeping this in mind, he could be viewed as more of a specialist than a must-roster fantasy asset. He is fine to target later in drafts if you need a boost in scoring.
The Knicks made one of the biggest splashes at last year's trade deadline when they acquired Anunoby. It was a match made in heaven for Tom Thibodeau, who loves to play his guys 40 minutes a night while expecting elite defense throughout that lofty workload. That's the type of player Anunoby has been throughout his career, playing over 34 minutes a night across the last three seasons. With that said, Anunoby had his worst averages of those three years last season, posting 14.7 points, 4.2 rebounds, 2.1 assists, 1.4 steals, 0.7 steals and 2.0 threes. Those are solid averages, but it's a bit off of his 17.0 points, 5.3 rebounds, 2.3 assists, 1.7 steals, 0.6 blocks and 2.3 threes in the two years prior. The slight dropoff is no surprise when looking at the construction of this roster, and it gets even more problematic with Mikal Bridges and Karl-Anthony Towns joining the team. That will likely leave Anunoby with crumbs in this offense, but he should still play 35 minutes and be one of the best defenders in the NBA. All of that makes Anunoby a tough sell in fantasy.
The Knicks made one of the biggest splashes at last year's trade deadline when they acquired Anunoby. It was a match made in heaven for Tom Thibodeau, who loves to play his guys 40 minutes a night while expecting elite defense throughout that lofty workload. That's the type of player Anunoby has been throughout his career, playing over 34 minutes a night across the last three seasons. With that said, Anunoby had his worst averages of those three years last season, posting 14.7 points, 4.2 rebounds, 2.1 assists, 1.4 steals, 0.7 steals and 2.0 threes. Those are solid averages, but it's a bit off of his 17.0 points, 5.3 rebounds, 2.3 assists, 1.7 steals, 0.6 blocks and 2.3 threes in the two years prior. The slight dropoff is no surprise when looking at the construction of this roster, and it gets even more problematic with Mikal Bridges and Karl-Anthony Towns joining the team. That will likely leave Anunoby with crumbs in this offense, but he should still play 35 minutes and be one of the best defenders in the NBA. All of that makes Anunoby a tough sell in fantasy.
Hield joined the Warriors this offseason and will play for his fourth team over the last four years. It all came crashing down last season for the sharpshooter in Philadelphia, who had the worst year of his career, averaging 12.1 points, 3.2 rebounds, 2.8 assists, 0.8 steals, 0.5 blocks and 2.6 threes per game. What's discouraging is that Buddy played just 25.7 minutes while taking 10.1 shots per game. Those are massive drop-offs from what we've seen in past years, with Hield averaging 31.8 minutes and 14.7 shots across the previous five years. It's unclear what sort of role he'll play for his new team, but Golden State parted ways with Klay Thompson, opening up the door for Hield to fill a major role. The only problem is that the Warriors have developed into one of the deepest teams in the league, with Brandin Podziemski, De'Anthony Melton, Kyle Anderson, Jonathan Kuminga and Andrew Wiggins all occupying minutes at the wing positions. That doesn't even take into consideration Stephen Curry and Draymond Green, so it wouldn't be surprising to see Hield limited to 25 minutes again. A bounce-back season could be in the cards, but there are just too many bodies to see Hield return to the stud we saw before last season.
Hield joined the Warriors this offseason and will play for his fourth team over the last four years. It all came crashing down last season for the sharpshooter in Philadelphia, who had the worst year of his career, averaging 12.1 points, 3.2 rebounds, 2.8 assists, 0.8 steals, 0.5 blocks and 2.6 threes per game. What's discouraging is that Buddy played just 25.7 minutes while taking 10.1 shots per game. Those are massive drop-offs from what we've seen in past years, with Hield averaging 31.8 minutes and 14.7 shots across the previous five years. It's unclear what sort of role he'll play for his new team, but Golden State parted ways with Klay Thompson, opening up the door for Hield to fill a major role. The only problem is that the Warriors have developed into one of the deepest teams in the league, with Brandin Podziemski, De'Anthony Melton, Kyle Anderson, Jonathan Kuminga and Andrew Wiggins all occupying minutes at the wing positions. That doesn't even take into consideration Stephen Curry and Draymond Green, so it wouldn't be surprising to see Hield limited to 25 minutes again. A bounce-back season could be in the cards, but there are just too many bodies to see Hield return to the stud we saw before last season.
The Trail Blazers have three capable players for two backcourt spots, but given Anfernee Simons' impressive numbers in 2023-24, it seems Sharpe will battle with Scoot Henderson to operate as Simons' guard pairing. Henderson struggled with efficiency as a rookie, so don't be surprised if Sharpe wins the battle, although he'll have to stay healthy to do so, and that has been a big "if" throughout his first two years in The Association. The signs of progress are clear in terms of pure numbers, though. Sharpe averaged 15.9 points, 5.0 rebounds, 2.9 assists and 0.9 steals across 33.1 minutes per game, all career-high marks, across 32 appearances (25 starts). If Sharpe stays healthy, he should see enough minutes and touches to be a reliable fantasy asset regardless of his role. However, Sharpe's status for the start of the campaign is in danger due to a shoulder injury sustained at the beginning of training camp. Sharpe should be targeted as a mid-to-late-round option across all formats solely based on his scoring potential, and he should be an even better player to target in dynasty formats.
The Trail Blazers have three capable players for two backcourt spots, but given Anfernee Simons' impressive numbers in 2023-24, it seems Sharpe will battle with Scoot Henderson to operate as Simons' guard pairing. Henderson struggled with efficiency as a rookie, so don't be surprised if Sharpe wins the battle, although he'll have to stay healthy to do so, and that has been a big "if" throughout his first two years in The Association. The signs of progress are clear in terms of pure numbers, though. Sharpe averaged 15.9 points, 5.0 rebounds, 2.9 assists and 0.9 steals across 33.1 minutes per game, all career-high marks, across 32 appearances (25 starts). If Sharpe stays healthy, he should see enough minutes and touches to be a reliable fantasy asset regardless of his role. However, Sharpe's status for the start of the campaign is in danger due to a shoulder injury sustained at the beginning of training camp. Sharpe should be targeted as a mid-to-late-round option across all formats solely based on his scoring potential, and he should be an even better player to target in dynasty formats.
Coming off easily his best season to date, Suggs will be looking to establish himself as an elite defensive point guard on a team with playoff aspirations. After playing fewer than 55 games in each of the two previous campaigns, Suggs logged 75 games last year, allowing him to develop a somewhat consistent offensive game. He closed as the 100th-ranked player in nine-category leagues, averaging 12.6 points, 3.1 rebounds, 2.7 assists, 1.4 steals, 0.6 blocks and 2.0 three-pointers on 47.1 percent from the floor and 75.6 percent from the line. It appears as though Suggs will open the 2024-25 season as the starting point guard, playing alongside newly acquired Kentavious Caldwell-Pope. Although he still has both Anthony Black and Cole Anthony to contend with, Suggs' impact on the defensive end should give him first crack. Playing as a lead facilitator could see his assist numbers get closer to 5.0 per game, boosting his overall appeal. With that said, it's hard to see him developing into a high-volume scorer, limiting his ceiling. Considering both sides of the equation, managers are well within their rights to target Suggs in the ninth or tenth round, as a sneaky source of steals, assists and threes.
Coming off easily his best season to date, Suggs will be looking to establish himself as an elite defensive point guard on a team with playoff aspirations. After playing fewer than 55 games in each of the two previous campaigns, Suggs logged 75 games last year, allowing him to develop a somewhat consistent offensive game. He closed as the 100th-ranked player in nine-category leagues, averaging 12.6 points, 3.1 rebounds, 2.7 assists, 1.4 steals, 0.6 blocks and 2.0 three-pointers on 47.1 percent from the floor and 75.6 percent from the line. It appears as though Suggs will open the 2024-25 season as the starting point guard, playing alongside newly acquired Kentavious Caldwell-Pope. Although he still has both Anthony Black and Cole Anthony to contend with, Suggs' impact on the defensive end should give him first crack. Playing as a lead facilitator could see his assist numbers get closer to 5.0 per game, boosting his overall appeal. With that said, it's hard to see him developing into a high-volume scorer, limiting his ceiling. Considering both sides of the equation, managers are well within their rights to target Suggs in the ninth or tenth round, as a sneaky source of steals, assists and threes.
After a championship season with the Nuggets in 2022-23, Brown began the 2023-24 season with the Pacers before being traded to the Raptors in mid-January. He put together a solid run with the Raptors, averaging 9.6 points on 48.1 percent shooting, 3.8 rebounds and 2.7 assists in 26.1 minutes per game over his final 34 appearances. He topped the 20-point mark twice during the season, both times with the Pacers in the first half of the campaign, including a season-high 30 points on 11-for-16 shooting in a road win against the Heat in early December. During his final stretch of the season with the Raptors, Brown logged a high of 19 points on a 7-for-13 shooting effort in a road win against the Bulls in late January. He also logged one double-double with 13 points and 10 rebounds in a road win over the Nuggets in early March. Despite being linked in trade talks, Brown is on track to start the season with the Raptors and will likely be back in a sixth-man role, which is where he has thrived in the past. He is also likely to see more than a few opportunities to close games, as his defensive ability often helps him spark runs and protect leads in key situations.
After a championship season with the Nuggets in 2022-23, Brown began the 2023-24 season with the Pacers before being traded to the Raptors in mid-January. He put together a solid run with the Raptors, averaging 9.6 points on 48.1 percent shooting, 3.8 rebounds and 2.7 assists in 26.1 minutes per game over his final 34 appearances. He topped the 20-point mark twice during the season, both times with the Pacers in the first half of the campaign, including a season-high 30 points on 11-for-16 shooting in a road win against the Heat in early December. During his final stretch of the season with the Raptors, Brown logged a high of 19 points on a 7-for-13 shooting effort in a road win against the Bulls in late January. He also logged one double-double with 13 points and 10 rebounds in a road win over the Nuggets in early March. Despite being linked in trade talks, Brown is on track to start the season with the Raptors and will likely be back in a sixth-man role, which is where he has thrived in the past. He is also likely to see more than a few opportunities to close games, as his defensive ability often helps him spark runs and protect leads in key situations.
Wiggins never averaged fewer than 16.9 points in any year until last season, posting a career-worst 13.2 points per game. Such a massive drop-off is hard to understand, with Wiggins averaging 13.2 points, 4.5 rebounds, 1.7 assists, 0.6 steals, 0.6 blocks and 1.3 threes per game. That's a guy who doesn't even need to be rostered in fantasy, and it's hard to understand why he fell off so hard. The minute total dipping to 27 minutes is part of it but taking just 11 shots a game is the biggest culprit. To make things even messier for Wiggins, Golden State decided to revamp its rotation. The Warriors added De'Anthony Melton, Buddy Hield and Kyle Anderson while parting ways with Klay Thompson. That means there are way more minutes and shot attempts coming in than leaving, and we have to assume Wiggins will have another tough season in this muddled rotation. A former top pick who's never finished below 17 points should be in line for a bounce-back season, but there's not much in Wiggins' favor when looking at all the variables.
Wiggins never averaged fewer than 16.9 points in any year until last season, posting a career-worst 13.2 points per game. Such a massive drop-off is hard to understand, with Wiggins averaging 13.2 points, 4.5 rebounds, 1.7 assists, 0.6 steals, 0.6 blocks and 1.3 threes per game. That's a guy who doesn't even need to be rostered in fantasy, and it's hard to understand why he fell off so hard. The minute total dipping to 27 minutes is part of it but taking just 11 shots a game is the biggest culprit. To make things even messier for Wiggins, Golden State decided to revamp its rotation. The Warriors added De'Anthony Melton, Buddy Hield and Kyle Anderson while parting ways with Klay Thompson. That means there are way more minutes and shot attempts coming in than leaving, and we have to assume Wiggins will have another tough season in this muddled rotation. A former top pick who's never finished below 17 points should be in line for a bounce-back season, but there's not much in Wiggins' favor when looking at all the variables.
Despite an uptick in playing time compared to his sophomore season, Okongwu's production remained relatively stable. He landed with season averages of 10.2 points to go with 6.8 rebounds and 1.1 blocks, both of which were slightly down from his 2022-23 numbers. One of the more frustrating fantasy assets, Okongwu could once again open the season playing as the backup center behind Clint Capela. While rumors continue to swirl regarding Capela's playing future, managers could be faced with another season of missed opportunities. Barring a trade, managers may want to exercise caution when it comes to drafting Okongwu, given the Hawks' refusal to change direction. As long as Capela is in town, Okongwu should be targeted in the seventh or eighth rounds of drafts.
Despite an uptick in playing time compared to his sophomore season, Okongwu's production remained relatively stable. He landed with season averages of 10.2 points to go with 6.8 rebounds and 1.1 blocks, both of which were slightly down from his 2022-23 numbers. One of the more frustrating fantasy assets, Okongwu could once again open the season playing as the backup center behind Clint Capela. While rumors continue to swirl regarding Capela's playing future, managers could be faced with another season of missed opportunities. Barring a trade, managers may want to exercise caution when it comes to drafting Okongwu, given the Hawks' refusal to change direction. As long as Capela is in town, Okongwu should be targeted in the seventh or eighth rounds of drafts.
Olynyk has always been a fantasy darling with his unique skillset from the center position, and it's hard to understand why he continues to move around so much. The big man was a reserve in Utah for the opening months of last season, but a trade to Toronto skyrocketed his value. The big man averaged 12.7 points, 5.6 rebounds, 4.6 assists, 1.3 steals, 0.6 blocks and 0.9 threes on 55 percent from the field and 82 percent from the free-throw line with the Raptors. That well-rounded stat line is why he carried so many fantasy managers to championships, but we saw him post similar numbers as a starter in the past. While we expect Toronto to struggle, those late-season numbers need to be examined. He did most of that damage with Jakob Poeltl and Scottie Barnes both injured, which will likely force Olynyk back to the bench to start the year. The one bit of good news is that he's the first player off the bench, and they could play him with those two big guys since Barnes and Olynyk can run the offense. There's also a chance that Toronto continues to blow things up because the rebuild isn't finished. Olynyk would likely be the first victim if more trades happened, and we'd have to assume a contender would want him in a reserve role as well. With all that said, Olynyk is a solid value in the final rounds of drafts.
Olynyk has always been a fantasy darling with his unique skillset from the center position, and it's hard to understand why he continues to move around so much. The big man was a reserve in Utah for the opening months of last season, but a trade to Toronto skyrocketed his value. The big man averaged 12.7 points, 5.6 rebounds, 4.6 assists, 1.3 steals, 0.6 blocks and 0.9 threes on 55 percent from the field and 82 percent from the free-throw line with the Raptors. That well-rounded stat line is why he carried so many fantasy managers to championships, but we saw him post similar numbers as a starter in the past. While we expect Toronto to struggle, those late-season numbers need to be examined. He did most of that damage with Jakob Poeltl and Scottie Barnes both injured, which will likely force Olynyk back to the bench to start the year. The one bit of good news is that he's the first player off the bench, and they could play him with those two big guys since Barnes and Olynyk can run the offense. There's also a chance that Toronto continues to blow things up because the rebuild isn't finished. Olynyk would likely be the first victim if more trades happened, and we'd have to assume a contender would want him in a reserve role as well. With all that said, Olynyk is a solid value in the final rounds of drafts.
Green is coming off a season fragmented by multiple absences, including a couple of significant suspensions. His troubles began with a five-game suspension stemming from an on-court scuffle against the Timberwolves, then in his sixth game back, he struck Jusuf Nurkic of the Phoenix Suns with a violent motion, earning him a month-long suspension spanning from mid-December to mid-January, which also included having to attend counseling sessions. Upon his return to action, Green eased his way back into rhythm by coming off the bench for a few games before returning to his usual starting role. He averaged 8.3 points, 7.9 rebounds, 6.1 assists, 1.2 steals and 0.9 blocks through his final 40 games down the stretch of the season, closely resembling his averages from the previous five seasons. He topped 20 points three times among his 55 regular-season appearances in 2023-24, including a season-high 23 points on 9-for-14 shooting during a road win against the Jazz in mid-February. He also reached double-digit rebounds on 13 occasions and double-digit assists eight times. He finished with three double-doubles involving assists and rebounds, three with points and rebounds and one triple-double. Moving forward, Green is set to remain the starting power forward in what will mark his 13th NBA season with the Warriors. He should continue to make an impact across the stat sheet and help foster success with his defensive effort.
Green is coming off a season fragmented by multiple absences, including a couple of significant suspensions. His troubles began with a five-game suspension stemming from an on-court scuffle against the Timberwolves, then in his sixth game back, he struck Jusuf Nurkic of the Phoenix Suns with a violent motion, earning him a month-long suspension spanning from mid-December to mid-January, which also included having to attend counseling sessions. Upon his return to action, Green eased his way back into rhythm by coming off the bench for a few games before returning to his usual starting role. He averaged 8.3 points, 7.9 rebounds, 6.1 assists, 1.2 steals and 0.9 blocks through his final 40 games down the stretch of the season, closely resembling his averages from the previous five seasons. He topped 20 points three times among his 55 regular-season appearances in 2023-24, including a season-high 23 points on 9-for-14 shooting during a road win against the Jazz in mid-February. He also reached double-digit rebounds on 13 occasions and double-digit assists eight times. He finished with three double-doubles involving assists and rebounds, three with points and rebounds and one triple-double. Moving forward, Green is set to remain the starting power forward in what will mark his 13th NBA season with the Warriors. He should continue to make an impact across the stat sheet and help foster success with his defensive effort.
Melton agreed to a one-year, $12.8 million deal with the Warriors during the offseason, and he's expected to fill a role off the bench in a backcourt where Stephen Curry and Brandin Podziemski are expected to start. Injuries limited Melton to just 38 appearances (33 starts) with the 76ers in the 2023-24 regular season, but he delivered solid results by averaging 11.1 points, 3.7 rebounds, 3.0 assists, 1.6 steals and 2.0 three-pointers per contest. Melton is an above-average defender and a capable three-point shooter, making at least 36 percent of his threes in each of the last four seasons. However, the fact he's going to back up one of the best point guards in the league limits Melton's upside considerably. Melton would be better left in waivers in most formats outside of very deep leagues, but he would be an interesting player to stream at times, especially in games where Curry receives rest.
Melton agreed to a one-year, $12.8 million deal with the Warriors during the offseason, and he's expected to fill a role off the bench in a backcourt where Stephen Curry and Brandin Podziemski are expected to start. Injuries limited Melton to just 38 appearances (33 starts) with the 76ers in the 2023-24 regular season, but he delivered solid results by averaging 11.1 points, 3.7 rebounds, 3.0 assists, 1.6 steals and 2.0 three-pointers per contest. Melton is an above-average defender and a capable three-point shooter, making at least 36 percent of his threes in each of the last four seasons. However, the fact he's going to back up one of the best point guards in the league limits Melton's upside considerably. Melton would be better left in waivers in most formats outside of very deep leagues, but he would be an interesting player to stream at times, especially in games where Curry receives rest.
Allen quietly put together a top-60 season during the 2023-24 campaign, averaging 13.5 points, 3.9 rebounds, 3.0 assists, 0.9 steals and 2.7 three-pointers. Perhaps more impressive was the fact that he shot 46.1 percent from the perimeter, leading the league in that category. Although typically the third or fourth option on offense, Allen was able to make the most of playing alongside such a talented offensive cast. This was by far Allen's best season, raising the question of whether he can sustain his production or not. While the Suns have not made significant changes, the recent addition of Tyus Jones could certainly impact Allen's playing time. In fact, there is even a chance he shifts to the bench to allow Phoenix to start a more traditional point guard. Nonetheless, Allen did enough last season to make us think he can have fantasy value, even off the bench. He doesn't need to be targeted in the middle rounds of drafts, more so toward the end, at which point managers can afford to draft players risk-free.
Allen quietly put together a top-60 season during the 2023-24 campaign, averaging 13.5 points, 3.9 rebounds, 3.0 assists, 0.9 steals and 2.7 three-pointers. Perhaps more impressive was the fact that he shot 46.1 percent from the perimeter, leading the league in that category. Although typically the third or fourth option on offense, Allen was able to make the most of playing alongside such a talented offensive cast. This was by far Allen's best season, raising the question of whether he can sustain his production or not. While the Suns have not made significant changes, the recent addition of Tyus Jones could certainly impact Allen's playing time. In fact, there is even a chance he shifts to the bench to allow Phoenix to start a more traditional point guard. Nonetheless, Allen did enough last season to make us think he can have fantasy value, even off the bench. He doesn't need to be targeted in the middle rounds of drafts, more so toward the end, at which point managers can afford to draft players risk-free.
Are the highs worth the lows? That's the question regarding Porzingis and his value. When he's healthy, the numbers are fantastic. Almost two blocks per game. Over 20 points per contest while shooting roughly 50 percent from the field. Almost two three-pointers per game. An enticing 85 percent from the charity stripe. Porzingis proved during last year's championship season that he is still The Unicorn. But he also made only 57 appearances and missed a dozen playoff games. The foot injuries he suffered during the NBA Finals forced surgery in late June. Porzingis is not expected back until early December, at best. A game count in the low 40's seems realistic for 2024-25. With sights set on back-to-back championships, Boston will be as gentle as possible with the Latvian and not force him to play too early. The Celtics bring back 38-year-old big man Al Horford to start while Porzingis is out. That means reserves Luke Kornet, Xavier Tillman and even Neemias Queta should receive big minutes early in the season. In the meantime, Porzingis can heal and focus on improving on the career-best 51.6 percent the center shot from the field last season. With Jayson Tatum, Jaylen Brown, Jrue Holiday and Derrick White on the roster, the Unicorn can take his sweet time healing and ease into things as the third or fourth scoring option when healthy. But will he stay healthy after his return? That's the big question.
Are the highs worth the lows? That's the question regarding Porzingis and his value. When he's healthy, the numbers are fantastic. Almost two blocks per game. Over 20 points per contest while shooting roughly 50 percent from the field. Almost two three-pointers per game. An enticing 85 percent from the charity stripe. Porzingis proved during last year's championship season that he is still The Unicorn. But he also made only 57 appearances and missed a dozen playoff games. The foot injuries he suffered during the NBA Finals forced surgery in late June. Porzingis is not expected back until early December, at best. A game count in the low 40's seems realistic for 2024-25. With sights set on back-to-back championships, Boston will be as gentle as possible with the Latvian and not force him to play too early. The Celtics bring back 38-year-old big man Al Horford to start while Porzingis is out. That means reserves Luke Kornet, Xavier Tillman and even Neemias Queta should receive big minutes early in the season. In the meantime, Porzingis can heal and focus on improving on the career-best 51.6 percent the center shot from the field last season. With Jayson Tatum, Jaylen Brown, Jrue Holiday and Derrick White on the roster, the Unicorn can take his sweet time healing and ease into things as the third or fourth scoring option when healthy. But will he stay healthy after his return? That's the big question.
Buzelis was the No. 11 overall pick in the 2024 NBA Draft by the Bulls. In Summer League, Buzelis posted 16.4 points and 1.2 threes on 34/21/74 shooting, 4.2 rebounds, 2.0 blocks, 2.0 steals, 0.8 assists with 2.4 turnovers in 29.7 minutes. It was clear during Summer League that Buzelis' shooting is still a work in progress, but he was constantly making highlight plays and often looked like the best athlete on the court. Buzelis slipping to No. 11 was a surprise, as he was often mocked in the Top 5. Teams may have gotten scared off by his poor shooting for the G League Ignite - a team so bad the NBA just quietly dissolved it. Buzelis didn't waste any time racking up highlight plays in Summer League. He's dunking on people, crossing people over, euro-step bumping guys out of the way. Buzelis is fast, twitchy and can jump, and he plays with the aggression that every athlete of his caliber should. And while his efficiency wasn't great, he got hacked plenty, averaging 5.4 free-throw attempts per game. NBA teams will dare him to shoot, and we'll see how he fares athletically against the real competition. Aside from that, he needs to do a better job of finding open teammates when he creates advantages. He doesn't necessarily play with tunnel vision, but his awareness is a work in progress. Defensively, he can certainly make plays with his length and athleticism, but he's not a great one-on-one container yet. As it stands, Buzelis should be a staple of the second unit, and a relatively weak second unit at that. There could be a lot of opportunities for him to be the go-to option in those situations.
Buzelis was the No. 11 overall pick in the 2024 NBA Draft by the Bulls. In Summer League, Buzelis posted 16.4 points and 1.2 threes on 34/21/74 shooting, 4.2 rebounds, 2.0 blocks, 2.0 steals, 0.8 assists with 2.4 turnovers in 29.7 minutes. It was clear during Summer League that Buzelis' shooting is still a work in progress, but he was constantly making highlight plays and often looked like the best athlete on the court. Buzelis slipping to No. 11 was a surprise, as he was often mocked in the Top 5. Teams may have gotten scared off by his poor shooting for the G League Ignite - a team so bad the NBA just quietly dissolved it. Buzelis didn't waste any time racking up highlight plays in Summer League. He's dunking on people, crossing people over, euro-step bumping guys out of the way. Buzelis is fast, twitchy and can jump, and he plays with the aggression that every athlete of his caliber should. And while his efficiency wasn't great, he got hacked plenty, averaging 5.4 free-throw attempts per game. NBA teams will dare him to shoot, and we'll see how he fares athletically against the real competition. Aside from that, he needs to do a better job of finding open teammates when he creates advantages. He doesn't necessarily play with tunnel vision, but his awareness is a work in progress. Defensively, he can certainly make plays with his length and athleticism, but he's not a great one-on-one container yet. As it stands, Buzelis should be a staple of the second unit, and a relatively weak second unit at that. There could be a lot of opportunities for him to be the go-to option in those situations.
With a 9-foot-2 standing reach, plus great athleticism and ballhandling for his size, Sarr, out of Perth of the NBL, is an enticing prospect. It's easy to see why he went No. 2 overall in the draft. However, he struggled mightily in Summer League, averaging 5.5 points and 0.5 threes on 19/12/50 shooting, 7.8 rebounds, 3.3 assists, 2.5 blocks, 0.8 steals and 2.3 turnovers in 29.6 minutes. I'm afraid you read that correctly; Sarr went 9-for-47 shooting as a 7-footer. At the same time, there are just not that many 7-footers that move with his fluidity and have a jumper that looks mechanically sound, and that's before considering his defensive upside. He has the height of a towering center but plays like a perimeter power forward. He wants to run in transition; he wants to take threes; he wants to take mid-range jumpers; he wants to work at the elbow. He often has his mind made up before entering the paint, and he doesn't make any effort to bully into the restricted area. On a positive note, Sarr has passing vision and was relatively active on the offensive glass. Defensively, there was plenty to like in Summer League. He can swat shots at the rim, and players on the wing appear uncomfortable when he's switched onto them. Fantasy-wise, his blocks and steals potential may carry him. Plus, the Wizards are expected to be bad again, which should afford the 19-year-old plenty of minutes and opportunities.
With a 9-foot-2 standing reach, plus great athleticism and ballhandling for his size, Sarr, out of Perth of the NBL, is an enticing prospect. It's easy to see why he went No. 2 overall in the draft. However, he struggled mightily in Summer League, averaging 5.5 points and 0.5 threes on 19/12/50 shooting, 7.8 rebounds, 3.3 assists, 2.5 blocks, 0.8 steals and 2.3 turnovers in 29.6 minutes. I'm afraid you read that correctly; Sarr went 9-for-47 shooting as a 7-footer. At the same time, there are just not that many 7-footers that move with his fluidity and have a jumper that looks mechanically sound, and that's before considering his defensive upside. He has the height of a towering center but plays like a perimeter power forward. He wants to run in transition; he wants to take threes; he wants to take mid-range jumpers; he wants to work at the elbow. He often has his mind made up before entering the paint, and he doesn't make any effort to bully into the restricted area. On a positive note, Sarr has passing vision and was relatively active on the offensive glass. Defensively, there was plenty to like in Summer League. He can swat shots at the rim, and players on the wing appear uncomfortable when he's switched onto them. Fantasy-wise, his blocks and steals potential may carry him. Plus, the Wizards are expected to be bad again, which should afford the 19-year-old plenty of minutes and opportunities.
Thompson roared out of the blocks during his rookie season, despite some obvious flaws on the offensive end of the floor. He quickly established himself as an elite rebounder from the wing position, tallying double-digit boards in eight of his first 14 games. During that time, he also recorded a total of 17 steals and 24 blocks, providing elite defensive production in anyone's book. However, Thompson was benched after Christmas, playing fewer than 20 minutes in eight of the next 10 games. He then shifted back into the starting lineup before having his season cut short due to blood clots. When all was said and done, Thompson finished as the 180th-ranked player in standard leagues, averaging 8.8 points, 6.4 rebounds, 1.9 assists, 1.1 steals and 0.9 blocks in 25.1 minutes per game. The Pistons have made more than a few lineup changes during the offseason, bringing in Malik Beasley, Tobias Harris, Tim Hardaway and Paul Reed while re-signing Simone Fontecchio and drafting Ron Holland. While depth is certainly a good thing in terms of reality, it creates a logjam of which Thompson is likely to be a part. Poor shooting could once again cap Thompson's upside, making him more of a defensive specialist with rebounding potential. Thompson is worth a flier at the backend of drafts, but managers will want to keep a close eye on his playing time.
Thompson roared out of the blocks during his rookie season, despite some obvious flaws on the offensive end of the floor. He quickly established himself as an elite rebounder from the wing position, tallying double-digit boards in eight of his first 14 games. During that time, he also recorded a total of 17 steals and 24 blocks, providing elite defensive production in anyone's book. However, Thompson was benched after Christmas, playing fewer than 20 minutes in eight of the next 10 games. He then shifted back into the starting lineup before having his season cut short due to blood clots. When all was said and done, Thompson finished as the 180th-ranked player in standard leagues, averaging 8.8 points, 6.4 rebounds, 1.9 assists, 1.1 steals and 0.9 blocks in 25.1 minutes per game. The Pistons have made more than a few lineup changes during the offseason, bringing in Malik Beasley, Tobias Harris, Tim Hardaway and Paul Reed while re-signing Simone Fontecchio and drafting Ron Holland. While depth is certainly a good thing in terms of reality, it creates a logjam of which Thompson is likely to be a part. Poor shooting could once again cap Thompson's upside, making him more of a defensive specialist with rebounding potential. Thompson is worth a flier at the backend of drafts, but managers will want to keep a close eye on his playing time.
Castle was selected by the Spurs with the No. 4 overall pick in the 2024 NBA Draft. A key piece in UConn's run to the national championship this spring, Castle will now team up with Victor Wembanyama in San Antonio. Checking in at 6-foot-6 with a 6-foot-9 wingspan, Castle has excellent size and is capable of playing both guard spots, as well as defending on the wing. Defense was his calling card at UConn, but the belief is that he'll be able to show off an expanded offensive package at the NBA level. Shooting is a major question mark for Castle, as he knocked down just 26.7 percent of his three-point attempts for the Huskies as a freshman. In Summer League, he averaged 17.3 points and 1.3 threes on 37/25/67 shooting, 5.7 rebounds, 4.0 assists, 1.3 steals and 2.3 turnovers in 25.5 minutes. He was aggressive offensively and played with physicality but didn't answer any questions about his shooting. For fantasy, there is concern about Castle's role in the offense and how many minutes he'll get. He's competing with Chris Paul, Tre Jones, Devin Vassell, Keldon Johnson, and to some extent, Harrison Barnes and Jeremy Sochan. Castle's lack of floor spacing complicates an already-squeezed court for Wembanyama.
Castle was selected by the Spurs with the No. 4 overall pick in the 2024 NBA Draft. A key piece in UConn's run to the national championship this spring, Castle will now team up with Victor Wembanyama in San Antonio. Checking in at 6-foot-6 with a 6-foot-9 wingspan, Castle has excellent size and is capable of playing both guard spots, as well as defending on the wing. Defense was his calling card at UConn, but the belief is that he'll be able to show off an expanded offensive package at the NBA level. Shooting is a major question mark for Castle, as he knocked down just 26.7 percent of his three-point attempts for the Huskies as a freshman. In Summer League, he averaged 17.3 points and 1.3 threes on 37/25/67 shooting, 5.7 rebounds, 4.0 assists, 1.3 steals and 2.3 turnovers in 25.5 minutes. He was aggressive offensively and played with physicality but didn't answer any questions about his shooting. For fantasy, there is concern about Castle's role in the offense and how many minutes he'll get. He's competing with Chris Paul, Tre Jones, Devin Vassell, Keldon Johnson, and to some extent, Harrison Barnes and Jeremy Sochan. Castle's lack of floor spacing complicates an already-squeezed court for Wembanyama.
Following a solid rookie campaign, Mathurin failed to take any major steps forward during the 2023-24 season before it was cut short due to shoulder surgery. Although he is expected to be fully healthy for the start of training camp, Mathurin will need to make some improvements on both ends of the floor, should he hope to attract the attention of fantasy managers. He finished as the 239th-ranked player in nine-category leagues last year, averaging 14.5 points, 4.0 rebounds, 2.0 assists, 0.6 steals and 1.4 three-pointers. His scoring was down when compared to his rookie season, however, he did manage to shoot the ball slightly better. The Pacers as a team took some major steps forward, earning themselves an Eastern Conference Finals appearance. After a deep postseason run, they opted to stick with basically the same roster heading into the 2024-25 campaign. This should mean that Mathurin will continue to come off the bench, serving as the sixth man. Mathurin can be considered a last-round target for anyone simply seeking a boost in points. If he is unable to make any improvements, Mathurin could find himself an elite streaming option and nothing more.
Following a solid rookie campaign, Mathurin failed to take any major steps forward during the 2023-24 season before it was cut short due to shoulder surgery. Although he is expected to be fully healthy for the start of training camp, Mathurin will need to make some improvements on both ends of the floor, should he hope to attract the attention of fantasy managers. He finished as the 239th-ranked player in nine-category leagues last year, averaging 14.5 points, 4.0 rebounds, 2.0 assists, 0.6 steals and 1.4 three-pointers. His scoring was down when compared to his rookie season, however, he did manage to shoot the ball slightly better. The Pacers as a team took some major steps forward, earning themselves an Eastern Conference Finals appearance. After a deep postseason run, they opted to stick with basically the same roster heading into the 2024-25 campaign. This should mean that Mathurin will continue to come off the bench, serving as the sixth man. Mathurin can be considered a last-round target for anyone simply seeking a boost in points. If he is unable to make any improvements, Mathurin could find himself an elite streaming option and nothing more.
Caldwell-Pope left the Nuggets to join the Magic in the offseason after signing a three-year, $66 million deal during the offseason. His role in Denver was limited to being a spot-up shooter in an offense that featured Nikola Jokic and Jamal Murray as the alpha dogs on a nightly basis. Though his situation won't change too much in Orlando, there's a chance he might have a more significant responsibility on offense due to his status as a veteran with tons of playoff experience under his belt. After all, the two best players in the Orlando roster, Paolo Banchero and Franz Wagner, have combined for just five years in The Association, whereas this will be Caldwell-Pope's 12th campaign in the NBA. Caldwell-Pope averaged 10.1 points per game, 2.4 rebounds, 2.4 assists and 1.3 steals per game while shooting 40.6 percent from three-point range in 2023-24. Don't be surprised if those numbers experience a slight uptick due to a potential higher usage rage, but either way, the fact he's scored in double digits while shooting at least 39 percent from deep in his last three years playing for a contending team bodes well for his chances of making an even bigger fantasy impact in Orlando. He can be particularly effective in category-based leagues since he can chip in with points, shooting percentages and peripheral stats, such as assists and steals, on a nightly basis.
Caldwell-Pope left the Nuggets to join the Magic in the offseason after signing a three-year, $66 million deal during the offseason. His role in Denver was limited to being a spot-up shooter in an offense that featured Nikola Jokic and Jamal Murray as the alpha dogs on a nightly basis. Though his situation won't change too much in Orlando, there's a chance he might have a more significant responsibility on offense due to his status as a veteran with tons of playoff experience under his belt. After all, the two best players in the Orlando roster, Paolo Banchero and Franz Wagner, have combined for just five years in The Association, whereas this will be Caldwell-Pope's 12th campaign in the NBA. Caldwell-Pope averaged 10.1 points per game, 2.4 rebounds, 2.4 assists and 1.3 steals per game while shooting 40.6 percent from three-point range in 2023-24. Don't be surprised if those numbers experience a slight uptick due to a potential higher usage rage, but either way, the fact he's scored in double digits while shooting at least 39 percent from deep in his last three years playing for a contending team bodes well for his chances of making an even bigger fantasy impact in Orlando. He can be particularly effective in category-based leagues since he can chip in with points, shooting percentages and peripheral stats, such as assists and steals, on a nightly basis.
Jones was a popular pick among experts last season when he stepped into a starting point guard gig for the Wizards, but things didn't go as planned. It certainly wasn't Jones' fault, averaging 12.0 points, 2.7 rebounds, 7.0 assists, 1.1 steals and 1.6 threes last season. He also shot 49 percent from the field, 41 percent from three-point range and 80 percent from the free-throw line. Those statistics help fantasy managers fill every category, making Jones one of the most useful players in nine-category leagues at the end of drafts. It'll be interesting to see how that plays out in his new home, with Jones taking over as a point guard in Phoenix. It was the perfect move for the Suns since they didn't have a true point guard, but we have to assume it'll hurt Jones' fantasy value. Devin Booker is still expected to be the primary playmaker, while Bradley Beal, Kevin Durant and Jusuf Nurkic also need their touches. While this is an excellent move for real-life basketball, it's difficult to see Jones being a massive asset in fantasy since there are so many cooks in this Phoenix kitchen. In any case, Jones is a solid pick near the end of drafts because he won't hurt you anywhere and should provide value across the board.
Jones was a popular pick among experts last season when he stepped into a starting point guard gig for the Wizards, but things didn't go as planned. It certainly wasn't Jones' fault, averaging 12.0 points, 2.7 rebounds, 7.0 assists, 1.1 steals and 1.6 threes last season. He also shot 49 percent from the field, 41 percent from three-point range and 80 percent from the free-throw line. Those statistics help fantasy managers fill every category, making Jones one of the most useful players in nine-category leagues at the end of drafts. It'll be interesting to see how that plays out in his new home, with Jones taking over as a point guard in Phoenix. It was the perfect move for the Suns since they didn't have a true point guard, but we have to assume it'll hurt Jones' fantasy value. Devin Booker is still expected to be the primary playmaker, while Bradley Beal, Kevin Durant and Jusuf Nurkic also need their touches. While this is an excellent move for real-life basketball, it's difficult to see Jones being a massive asset in fantasy since there are so many cooks in this Phoenix kitchen. In any case, Jones is a solid pick near the end of drafts because he won't hurt you anywhere and should provide value across the board.
Williams is one of the most hated players in the NBA but has carved out a solid role as a defensive stud. Williams is such a valuable player in fantasy because he rarely misses games and plays some of the best defense in the league. Williams has played at least 76 regular-season games in three straight years, posting career-high numbers across the board last season. In Williams' first season with Charlotte, he averaged 10.3 points, 4.2 rebounds, 2.3 assists, 0.6 steals, 0.5 blocks and 1.7 threes per game. It's frustrating to have such an elite defender provide limited value in steals and blocks, making him a tough sell for most fantasy managers. This is essentially a P.J. Tucker-type profile. The increase in production is no surprise with how shorthanded this Charlotte roster was at times. LaMelo Ball, Mark Williams and Gordon Hayward all missed significant time last season, and Williams was the primary beneficiary, playing nearly 30 minutes a night. It's unlikely he will duplicate that again this season, but he should still have a consistent role in Charlotte's rotation.
Williams is one of the most hated players in the NBA but has carved out a solid role as a defensive stud. Williams is such a valuable player in fantasy because he rarely misses games and plays some of the best defense in the league. Williams has played at least 76 regular-season games in three straight years, posting career-high numbers across the board last season. In Williams' first season with Charlotte, he averaged 10.3 points, 4.2 rebounds, 2.3 assists, 0.6 steals, 0.5 blocks and 1.7 threes per game. It's frustrating to have such an elite defender provide limited value in steals and blocks, making him a tough sell for most fantasy managers. This is essentially a P.J. Tucker-type profile. The increase in production is no surprise with how shorthanded this Charlotte roster was at times. LaMelo Ball, Mark Williams and Gordon Hayward all missed significant time last season, and Williams was the primary beneficiary, playing nearly 30 minutes a night. It's unlikely he will duplicate that again this season, but he should still have a consistent role in Charlotte's rotation.
Holland was selected by the Pistons with the No. 5 overall pick in the 2024 NBA Draft. Holland's calling card is his defense, owning a high motor and exceptional athleticism while showcasing a quality handle that makes him an intriguing prospect at 18 years of age. He was one of the top players coming out of high school but partially fell under the radar with the G League Ignite due to a season-ending thumb injury suffered in January after appearing in just 14 games. If Holland can add a reliable three-point shot -- he connected on 24 percent of his attempts in the G League -- he could be a cornerstone player for the Pistons. In Summer League, he averaged 18.8 points and 1.0 threes on 41/24/65 shooting, 6.5 rebounds, 2.3 assists, 1.5 steals and 1.0 blocks with 1.0 turnovers in 27.4 minutes. His immediate fit with the team is a bit murky. Detroit already has a relatively similar player in Ausar Thompson, who also can't shoot, and a lack of floor spacing was already a major issue for the team.
Holland was selected by the Pistons with the No. 5 overall pick in the 2024 NBA Draft. Holland's calling card is his defense, owning a high motor and exceptional athleticism while showcasing a quality handle that makes him an intriguing prospect at 18 years of age. He was one of the top players coming out of high school but partially fell under the radar with the G League Ignite due to a season-ending thumb injury suffered in January after appearing in just 14 games. If Holland can add a reliable three-point shot -- he connected on 24 percent of his attempts in the G League -- he could be a cornerstone player for the Pistons. In Summer League, he averaged 18.8 points and 1.0 threes on 41/24/65 shooting, 6.5 rebounds, 2.3 assists, 1.5 steals and 1.0 blocks with 1.0 turnovers in 27.4 minutes. His immediate fit with the team is a bit murky. Detroit already has a relatively similar player in Ausar Thompson, who also can't shoot, and a lack of floor spacing was already a major issue for the team.
Anderson signed a three-year, $27 million contract with the Warriors during the offseason. The veteran is expected to fill a similar role to the one he had with the Timberwolves in 2023-24, coming off the bench regularly but filling in either of the forward spots and even at shooting guard if needed in a starting role. Unfortunately for him, the Warriors are pretty much two players deep at nearly every position except center. If Anderson battles for frontcourt minutes, he'll do so against Draymond Green, Jonathan Kuminga and Moses Moody. If he aims to earn minutes in the backcourt, he'd battle De'Anthony Melton and Buddy Hield, two of the other signings in free agency to replace Klay Thompson. Anderson will probably have to settle by playing around 20 minutes per game without a clear role. He'll get his numbers one way or another, but given the roster situation and the fact he doesn't really stand out in any category, Anderson might not have much fantasy upside with the Warriors.
Anderson signed a three-year, $27 million contract with the Warriors during the offseason. The veteran is expected to fill a similar role to the one he had with the Timberwolves in 2023-24, coming off the bench regularly but filling in either of the forward spots and even at shooting guard if needed in a starting role. Unfortunately for him, the Warriors are pretty much two players deep at nearly every position except center. If Anderson battles for frontcourt minutes, he'll do so against Draymond Green, Jonathan Kuminga and Moses Moody. If he aims to earn minutes in the backcourt, he'd battle De'Anthony Melton and Buddy Hield, two of the other signings in free agency to replace Klay Thompson. Anderson will probably have to settle by playing around 20 minutes per game without a clear role. He'll get his numbers one way or another, but given the roster situation and the fact he doesn't really stand out in any category, Anderson might not have much fantasy upside with the Warriors.
There's no question McDaniels delivers a big on-court impact for the Timberwolves, a team that's expected to be among the contenders. He'll remain in a starting role alongside elite fantasy performers such as Anthony Edwards, Julius Randle and Rudy Gobert. However, McDaniels' contributions don't often translate into huge fantasy numbers outside of days when his shooting efficiency is above average. McDaniels suffered a decrease in his shooting numbers in 2023-24, as his field-goal percentage decreased from 51.7 to 48.9, and his three-point efficiency fell from 39.8 percent to a mere 33.7. The attention that players like Edwards and Randle will command could open up more shooting opportunities for McDaniels, and if he manages to take advantage of them, he could be a solid fantasy contributor again. He doesn't have a lot of upside, but his floor should remain high since he's entrenched into a starting role for a win-now team. As such, fantasy managers could take a late-round flier on him, but that's as high as he should go in most formats.
There's no question McDaniels delivers a big on-court impact for the Timberwolves, a team that's expected to be among the contenders. He'll remain in a starting role alongside elite fantasy performers such as Anthony Edwards, Julius Randle and Rudy Gobert. However, McDaniels' contributions don't often translate into huge fantasy numbers outside of days when his shooting efficiency is above average. McDaniels suffered a decrease in his shooting numbers in 2023-24, as his field-goal percentage decreased from 51.7 to 48.9, and his three-point efficiency fell from 39.8 percent to a mere 33.7. The attention that players like Edwards and Randle will command could open up more shooting opportunities for McDaniels, and if he manages to take advantage of them, he could be a solid fantasy contributor again. He doesn't have a lot of upside, but his floor should remain high since he's entrenched into a starting role for a win-now team. As such, fantasy managers could take a late-round flier on him, but that's as high as he should go in most formats.
Following a breakout campaign during the 2022-23 season, Nesmith continued to establish himself as an NBA rotation player in 2023-24, finishing as a borderline top-100 player in standard formats. He slotted in as the 109th-ranked player in 27.7 minutes per game, averaging 12.2 points, 3.8 rebounds, 1.5 assists, 1.9 three-pointers and 1.6 combined steals and blocks. He also played at least 70 games for the second straight season, seeing him end as a top-100 player when considering total value. Although he was a somewhat surprising fantasy asset, the lack of upside is likely to make him a hit-or-miss target when drafting this season. While he is serviceable across multiple categories, he is not someone who stands out, meaning managers could select him as a safe last-round pick or take a flier on someone with a higher ceiling.
Following a breakout campaign during the 2022-23 season, Nesmith continued to establish himself as an NBA rotation player in 2023-24, finishing as a borderline top-100 player in standard formats. He slotted in as the 109th-ranked player in 27.7 minutes per game, averaging 12.2 points, 3.8 rebounds, 1.5 assists, 1.9 three-pointers and 1.6 combined steals and blocks. He also played at least 70 games for the second straight season, seeing him end as a top-100 player when considering total value. Although he was a somewhat surprising fantasy asset, the lack of upside is likely to make him a hit-or-miss target when drafting this season. While he is serviceable across multiple categories, he is not someone who stands out, meaning managers could select him as a safe last-round pick or take a flier on someone with a higher ceiling.
Johnson finished well outside the top 100 in standard formats last year, coming off two seasons during which he had been the 54th- and 93rd-ranked player. He continues to be hampered by injuries, playing 58 total games, averaging 13.4 points, 4.3 rebounds, 2.4 assists, 2.4 three-pointers and 1.1 combined steals and blocks. All in all, it was a season to forget for anyone who drafted Johnson, given he was viewed as a potential top-50 candidate. Fast forward 12 months and the Nets are faced with a bleak short-term future in terms of projected wins. Having traded Mikal Bridges to the Knicks, they are set to undergo a re-tooling, likely seeing them positioned towards the bottom of the standings. However, this could provide Johnson with an opportunity to rejuvenate his value in both fantasy and reality. He should begin the season as the starting power forward on a squad lacking offensive firepower. Outside of Cam Thomas, Johnson could very well be the second option on paper. He is coming into the season healthy, something that should allow him to hit the ground running come Opening Night. Many could be soured by what transpired last year, making him a sneaky target in the final rounds.
Johnson finished well outside the top 100 in standard formats last year, coming off two seasons during which he had been the 54th- and 93rd-ranked player. He continues to be hampered by injuries, playing 58 total games, averaging 13.4 points, 4.3 rebounds, 2.4 assists, 2.4 three-pointers and 1.1 combined steals and blocks. All in all, it was a season to forget for anyone who drafted Johnson, given he was viewed as a potential top-50 candidate. Fast forward 12 months and the Nets are faced with a bleak short-term future in terms of projected wins. Having traded Mikal Bridges to the Knicks, they are set to undergo a re-tooling, likely seeing them positioned towards the bottom of the standings. However, this could provide Johnson with an opportunity to rejuvenate his value in both fantasy and reality. He should begin the season as the starting power forward on a squad lacking offensive firepower. Outside of Cam Thomas, Johnson could very well be the second option on paper. He is coming into the season healthy, something that should allow him to hit the ground running come Opening Night. Many could be soured by what transpired last year, making him a sneaky target in the final rounds.
Once again, Oubre quietly put together a somewhat productive campaign, ending the 2023-24 season as the 132nd-ranked player in standard fantasy formats. As per usual, his overall value was built on his ability to score the basketball while chipping in serviceable numbers on the defensive end. When the dust settled, he finished with averages of 15.4 points, 5.0 rebounds, 1.5 assists, 1.5 three-pointers and 1.8 combined steals and blocks. Heading into the 2024-25 season, Oubre may very well find himself in the starting lineup come Opening Night. On paper, this may lead us to believe he could at least replicate what he did last season. However, the addition of Paul George likely shifts Oubre down the offensive pecking order, behind not only George but also Joel Embiid and Tyrese Maxey. In fact, an argument could be made that Oubre's fantasy appeal would look a little tastier if he came off the bench, playing as the primary offensive option with the second unit. Points are typically hard to come by later in drafts, making Oubre a viable target in the last or second-to-last round. Should any of those ahead of him miss time due to injury, and let's be honest, Embiid fits that bill, Oubre would likely get a short-term bump.
Once again, Oubre quietly put together a somewhat productive campaign, ending the 2023-24 season as the 132nd-ranked player in standard fantasy formats. As per usual, his overall value was built on his ability to score the basketball while chipping in serviceable numbers on the defensive end. When the dust settled, he finished with averages of 15.4 points, 5.0 rebounds, 1.5 assists, 1.5 three-pointers and 1.8 combined steals and blocks. Heading into the 2024-25 season, Oubre may very well find himself in the starting lineup come Opening Night. On paper, this may lead us to believe he could at least replicate what he did last season. However, the addition of Paul George likely shifts Oubre down the offensive pecking order, behind not only George but also Joel Embiid and Tyrese Maxey. In fact, an argument could be made that Oubre's fantasy appeal would look a little tastier if he came off the bench, playing as the primary offensive option with the second unit. Points are typically hard to come by later in drafts, making Oubre a viable target in the last or second-to-last round. Should any of those ahead of him miss time due to injury, and let's be honest, Embiid fits that bill, Oubre would likely get a short-term bump.
Daniels was selected with the No. 8 overall pick in the 2022 NBA Draft, but he has struggled to find consistent minutes so far in his career, first due to injury and then due to an influx of win-now talent on New Orleans' roster. He was dealt to the Hawks in the trade that sent Dejounte Murray to the Pelicans, and while Daniels is primed to come off the bench to start his Atlanta tenure, there's a chance he might be in line to see more minutes than what he saw with the Pelicans. To note, Daniels averaged just 22.3 minutes per game for the Pelicans in 2023-24, averaging 5.8 points, 3.9 rebounds, 2.7 assists and 1.4 steals per game while starting 16 of his 61 appearances. His fit is a bit questionable next to Trae Young, and the fact that he's yet to prove himself in The Association suggests Daniels should be left on waivers in most drafts outside of the very deep formats. Even in those unlikely scenarios, he's not expected to have a lot of upside as a backup guard who's shot 31.3 percent from three-point range in his NBA career.
Daniels was selected with the No. 8 overall pick in the 2022 NBA Draft, but he has struggled to find consistent minutes so far in his career, first due to injury and then due to an influx of win-now talent on New Orleans' roster. He was dealt to the Hawks in the trade that sent Dejounte Murray to the Pelicans, and while Daniels is primed to come off the bench to start his Atlanta tenure, there's a chance he might be in line to see more minutes than what he saw with the Pelicans. To note, Daniels averaged just 22.3 minutes per game for the Pelicans in 2023-24, averaging 5.8 points, 3.9 rebounds, 2.7 assists and 1.4 steals per game while starting 16 of his 61 appearances. His fit is a bit questionable next to Trae Young, and the fact that he's yet to prove himself in The Association suggests Daniels should be left on waivers in most drafts outside of the very deep formats. Even in those unlikely scenarios, he's not expected to have a lot of upside as a backup guard who's shot 31.3 percent from three-point range in his NBA career.
Sheppard was selected with the third overall pick in the 2024 NBA Draft by the Rockets. Sheppard should add a jolt of elite perimeter shooting to the Rockets while sharing reserve playmaking responsibilities with Amen Thompson. It's easy to envision Sheppard running two-man action with Alperen Sengun, or Sengun finding Sheppard for open looks coming off a variety of off-ball screens. The guard out of Kentucky is also a smart and active defender, though his 6-foot-2 frame will limit his upside on that side of the ball. Sheppard showed out in Summer League, averaging 20.0 points and 1.3 threes on 50/28/75 shooting, 5.3 assists, 4.8 rebounds, 2.8 steals, 1.3 blocks and 4.8 turnovers in 33.1 minutes. Despite Sheppard being a historically great three-point shooter in college, he used it to just supplement his game in Summer League. He was much more active from the mid-range, firing away when discarding his defender or freezing the defense in a pick-and-roll. Sheppard has enough potential to be worth taking with the No. 1 pick in keeper/dynasty formats, but his path to immediate minutes as a rookie is complicated and may limit his Year 1 potential.
Sheppard was selected with the third overall pick in the 2024 NBA Draft by the Rockets. Sheppard should add a jolt of elite perimeter shooting to the Rockets while sharing reserve playmaking responsibilities with Amen Thompson. It's easy to envision Sheppard running two-man action with Alperen Sengun, or Sengun finding Sheppard for open looks coming off a variety of off-ball screens. The guard out of Kentucky is also a smart and active defender, though his 6-foot-2 frame will limit his upside on that side of the ball. Sheppard showed out in Summer League, averaging 20.0 points and 1.3 threes on 50/28/75 shooting, 5.3 assists, 4.8 rebounds, 2.8 steals, 1.3 blocks and 4.8 turnovers in 33.1 minutes. Despite Sheppard being a historically great three-point shooter in college, he used it to just supplement his game in Summer League. He was much more active from the mid-range, firing away when discarding his defender or freezing the defense in a pick-and-roll. Sheppard has enough potential to be worth taking with the No. 1 pick in keeper/dynasty formats, but his path to immediate minutes as a rookie is complicated and may limit his Year 1 potential.
Nembhard has progressed massively since being selected in the second round of the 2022 NBA Draft. Even though he's capable of playing both point guard and shooting guard, he has settled as Tyrese Haliburton's partner in the Pacers' backcourt, and he'll remain as such for years to come after signing a three-year extension worth $59 million in the offseason. Nembhard delivered solid numbers in the 2023-24 regular season, averaging 9.2 points, 4.1 assists, 2.1 rebounds and 0.9 three-pointers in 25.0 minutes. However, his numbers spiked during the playoffs, posting 14.9 points, 5.5 assists and 3.3 rebounds in 32.6 minutes per contest, becoming the fourth player in NBA history to shoot at least 55 percent from the floor and 45 percent from three-point range in a single postseason. Nembhard's established role as a starter, solid three-point shooting numbers and passing ability make him a solid pickup across all formats even though he has a secondary role in an offensive scheme that also features Haliburton, Pascal Siakam and Myles Turner. Nembhard should be involved enough to be a reliable fantasy contributor in all formats despite not recording eye-popping stats most nights.
Nembhard has progressed massively since being selected in the second round of the 2022 NBA Draft. Even though he's capable of playing both point guard and shooting guard, he has settled as Tyrese Haliburton's partner in the Pacers' backcourt, and he'll remain as such for years to come after signing a three-year extension worth $59 million in the offseason. Nembhard delivered solid numbers in the 2023-24 regular season, averaging 9.2 points, 4.1 assists, 2.1 rebounds and 0.9 three-pointers in 25.0 minutes. However, his numbers spiked during the playoffs, posting 14.9 points, 5.5 assists and 3.3 rebounds in 32.6 minutes per contest, becoming the fourth player in NBA history to shoot at least 55 percent from the floor and 45 percent from three-point range in a single postseason. Nembhard's established role as a starter, solid three-point shooting numbers and passing ability make him a solid pickup across all formats even though he has a secondary role in an offensive scheme that also features Haliburton, Pascal Siakam and Myles Turner. Nembhard should be involved enough to be a reliable fantasy contributor in all formats despite not recording eye-popping stats most nights.
Conley is in line to play his 18th season in the NBA, making him one of the most veteran players in The Association. However, his age and mileage have not limited his effectiveness, and the veteran floor general is expected to open the 2024-25 season as the Timberwolves' starting point guard despite being 37 years old by the time the campaign begins. Conley is coming off a 2023-24 season in which his scoring average dropped for the third consecutive campaign, but that's to be expected given he mainly operates as a facilitator in an offense that features Anthony Edwards and Julius Randle as go-to threats. Conley can provide decent value in other categories to compensate for the lack of scoring -- mainly the 5.9 assists per game and the 44.2 percent from three-point range he delivered in 2023-24. Some regression could be expected, especially in the shooting department, but Conley should remain a competent floor general for one of the best teams in the Western Conference. He's far from being a game-changing player, but Conley should be a decent player to target in mid-to-late rounds for managers needing a competent guard to round out a roster.
Conley is in line to play his 18th season in the NBA, making him one of the most veteran players in The Association. However, his age and mileage have not limited his effectiveness, and the veteran floor general is expected to open the 2024-25 season as the Timberwolves' starting point guard despite being 37 years old by the time the campaign begins. Conley is coming off a 2023-24 season in which his scoring average dropped for the third consecutive campaign, but that's to be expected given he mainly operates as a facilitator in an offense that features Anthony Edwards and Julius Randle as go-to threats. Conley can provide decent value in other categories to compensate for the lack of scoring -- mainly the 5.9 assists per game and the 44.2 percent from three-point range he delivered in 2023-24. Some regression could be expected, especially in the shooting department, but Conley should remain a competent floor general for one of the best teams in the Western Conference. He's far from being a game-changing player, but Conley should be a decent player to target in mid-to-late rounds for managers needing a competent guard to round out a roster.
Despite putting together a career-best season, Toppin struggled to be anything more than a borderline standard league asset. After opening the 2023-24 season as a member of the starting unit, he shifted to the bench in late December, a spot that he held for the remainder of the campaign. Outside of some sporadic scoring, Toppin did very little to get us excited, finishing as the 151st-ranked player. His numbers were reflective of his role, averaging 10.3 points, 3.9 rebounds, 1.6 assists, 1.2 three-pointers and 1.1 combined steals and blocks. With Pascal Siakam now signed to a long-term deal, the path to minutes for Toppin is murky, to say the least. He should continue to play as a valuable piece off the bench, something the coaching staff values highly given his new four-year deal. However, that typically doesn't translate to fantasy value, meaning he can be ignored outside of deeper formats. Should the Pacers suffer an injury to their frontcourt, Toppin could step into a larger role, making him someone to at least consider as a short-term pickup.
Despite putting together a career-best season, Toppin struggled to be anything more than a borderline standard league asset. After opening the 2023-24 season as a member of the starting unit, he shifted to the bench in late December, a spot that he held for the remainder of the campaign. Outside of some sporadic scoring, Toppin did very little to get us excited, finishing as the 151st-ranked player. His numbers were reflective of his role, averaging 10.3 points, 3.9 rebounds, 1.6 assists, 1.2 three-pointers and 1.1 combined steals and blocks. With Pascal Siakam now signed to a long-term deal, the path to minutes for Toppin is murky, to say the least. He should continue to play as a valuable piece off the bench, something the coaching staff values highly given his new four-year deal. However, that typically doesn't translate to fantasy value, meaning he can be ignored outside of deeper formats. Should the Pacers suffer an injury to their frontcourt, Toppin could step into a larger role, making him someone to at least consider as a short-term pickup.
Mitchell spent the 2023-24 season as De'Aaron Fox's backup in Sacramento, but that won't be the case in 2024-25 after he was traded in late June in the deal that sent Jalen McDaniels to the Kings. This might lead to a more significant role for Mitchell. The Raptors are clearly in a rebuilding mode while the Kings aim to contend in the Western Conference. However, fantasy managers shouldn't get over-excited by this trade. Mitchell is expected to remain a backup for the Raptors, but instead of being Fox's replacement, he'll play behind Immanuel Quickley. Plus, Mitchell's numbers have been trending in the wrong direction ever since he averaged 11.5 points per game as a rookie and delivered a career-low 5.3 points per game in 2023-24. However, Mitchell posted a career-high mark in three-point shooting, draining 36.1 percent of his attempts on 2.2 attempts per game. Either way, the lack of production and the bench role suggest Mitchell should stay on waivers across all formats, with the lone path to fantasy relevancy being a potential injury to Quickley or Gradey Dick, who figures to start at shooting guard for the Raptors.
Mitchell spent the 2023-24 season as De'Aaron Fox's backup in Sacramento, but that won't be the case in 2024-25 after he was traded in late June in the deal that sent Jalen McDaniels to the Kings. This might lead to a more significant role for Mitchell. The Raptors are clearly in a rebuilding mode while the Kings aim to contend in the Western Conference. However, fantasy managers shouldn't get over-excited by this trade. Mitchell is expected to remain a backup for the Raptors, but instead of being Fox's replacement, he'll play behind Immanuel Quickley. Plus, Mitchell's numbers have been trending in the wrong direction ever since he averaged 11.5 points per game as a rookie and delivered a career-low 5.3 points per game in 2023-24. However, Mitchell posted a career-high mark in three-point shooting, draining 36.1 percent of his attempts on 2.2 attempts per game. Either way, the lack of production and the bench role suggest Mitchell should stay on waivers across all formats, with the lone path to fantasy relevancy being a potential injury to Quickley or Gradey Dick, who figures to start at shooting guard for the Raptors.
It's hard to determine just how important Porter might be for the Clippers, who took a flyer by signing him to a two-year deal in the offseason. The 24-year-old guard, who will turn 25 in the latter stages of the regular season, didn't play in the NBA this past season after being arrested on an assault charge relating to a domestic incident that occurred in September. The Rockets traded him a month later to the Thunder, who immediately waived him. Porter played in Greece during the spring, but it's unclear how he'll adjust to the pace of the NBA after spending almost 18 months away from the league. There might be some untapped potential there, as he averaged 19.2 points, 5.7 assists, 5.3 rebounds and 1.4 steals in 34.3 minutes per game over 59 regular-season appearances with the Rockets during the 2022-23 campaign. However, fantasy managers shouldn't expect Porter to handle that kind of role in Los Angeles, with his minutes probably hovering around the 15-20 mark while coming off the bench in a backcourt featuring James Harden, Terance Mann, Norman Powell and Kris Dunn. Porter should see minutes steadily off the bench, but he shouldn't have a role significant enough to make him valuable in fantasy regardless of the format. The only path Porter has toward fantasy relevancy is to earn one of the two backup roles in the backcourt, and even in that scenario, his upside would be severely limited.
It's hard to determine just how important Porter might be for the Clippers, who took a flyer by signing him to a two-year deal in the offseason. The 24-year-old guard, who will turn 25 in the latter stages of the regular season, didn't play in the NBA this past season after being arrested on an assault charge relating to a domestic incident that occurred in September. The Rockets traded him a month later to the Thunder, who immediately waived him. Porter played in Greece during the spring, but it's unclear how he'll adjust to the pace of the NBA after spending almost 18 months away from the league. There might be some untapped potential there, as he averaged 19.2 points, 5.7 assists, 5.3 rebounds and 1.4 steals in 34.3 minutes per game over 59 regular-season appearances with the Rockets during the 2022-23 campaign. However, fantasy managers shouldn't expect Porter to handle that kind of role in Los Angeles, with his minutes probably hovering around the 15-20 mark while coming off the bench in a backcourt featuring James Harden, Terance Mann, Norman Powell and Kris Dunn. Porter should see minutes steadily off the bench, but he shouldn't have a role significant enough to make him valuable in fantasy regardless of the format. The only path Porter has toward fantasy relevancy is to earn one of the two backup roles in the backcourt, and even in that scenario, his upside would be severely limited.
Despite his elite per-minute production, McConnell remains on the outside looking in when it comes to consistent, meaningful playing time. He finished as the 153rd-ranked player in standard formats last season, averaging a career-high 10.3 points to go with 2.7 rebounds, 5.5 assists and 1.0 steals in just 18.2 minutes per game. He was particularly effective down the stretch of the regular season, scoring double-digits in 15 of the final 16 games. During that span, he also handed out at least six assists on nine separate occasions. While he is one of the better backup options in the NBA, there are no indications his role will change moving forward. Tyrese Haliburton has the starting point guard position locked down and with good reason. If and when he misses time, McConnell typically sees a handful of extra minutes, elevating him to streaming status. Managers don't need to look too hard at McConnell when drafting, however, he should be on just about every watchlist, given his upside in assists and steals.
Despite his elite per-minute production, McConnell remains on the outside looking in when it comes to consistent, meaningful playing time. He finished as the 153rd-ranked player in standard formats last season, averaging a career-high 10.3 points to go with 2.7 rebounds, 5.5 assists and 1.0 steals in just 18.2 minutes per game. He was particularly effective down the stretch of the regular season, scoring double-digits in 15 of the final 16 games. During that span, he also handed out at least six assists on nine separate occasions. While he is one of the better backup options in the NBA, there are no indications his role will change moving forward. Tyrese Haliburton has the starting point guard position locked down and with good reason. If and when he misses time, McConnell typically sees a handful of extra minutes, elevating him to streaming status. Managers don't need to look too hard at McConnell when drafting, however, he should be on just about every watchlist, given his upside in assists and steals.
Barnes will change teams after spending the last five-and-a-half seasons with the Kings. However, he'll remain in the Western Conference, as he was traded to the Spurs in the three-team deal that sent DeMar DeRozan to Sacramento. Barnes is projected to be a starter for the rebuilding Spurs. While he could be traded midway through the campaign, he should see enough minutes to be a steady fantasy contributor for a team that lacks top-tier talent outside of Victor Wembanyama and, perhaps, Chris Paul. That said, Barnes is coming off his worst statistical output in quite some time, as the 12.2 points he averaged in 2023-24 were his lowest mark since the 11.7 points per contest he averaged in 2015-16, his final year with the Warriors. Barnes also experienced a regression in other categories such as rebounds, assists and minutes per game. Barnes should have a high floor due to his starting role and efficient three-point shooting -- he's drained more than 37 percent of his three-point attempts in six straight seasons -- but he's not expected to do more than what he's done in previous seasons. That means he could be worth a flier in late rounds regardless of the format, but not much else.
Barnes will change teams after spending the last five-and-a-half seasons with the Kings. However, he'll remain in the Western Conference, as he was traded to the Spurs in the three-team deal that sent DeMar DeRozan to Sacramento. Barnes is projected to be a starter for the rebuilding Spurs. While he could be traded midway through the campaign, he should see enough minutes to be a steady fantasy contributor for a team that lacks top-tier talent outside of Victor Wembanyama and, perhaps, Chris Paul. That said, Barnes is coming off his worst statistical output in quite some time, as the 12.2 points he averaged in 2023-24 were his lowest mark since the 11.7 points per contest he averaged in 2015-16, his final year with the Warriors. Barnes also experienced a regression in other categories such as rebounds, assists and minutes per game. Barnes should have a high floor due to his starting role and efficient three-point shooting -- he's drained more than 37 percent of his three-point attempts in six straight seasons -- but he's not expected to do more than what he's done in previous seasons. That means he could be worth a flier in late rounds regardless of the format, but not much else.
Caruso will begin his tenure with the Thunder following an offseason trade from the Bulls, coming off a career-best year in which he ended as the 50th-ranked player in nine-category formats. His numbers across the board represented career-high marks, averaging 10.1 points, 3.8 rebounds, 3.5 assists, 1.7 steals, 1.0 blocks and 1.9 three-pointers in 28.7 minutes per game. Caruso lands in Oklahoma City having built a reputation as one of the best wing defenders in the league. Already arguably the best team in the Western Conference, the Thunder will look to Caruso to guard the opponent's best player on a nightly basis. He will likely slide in as the starting two-guard alongside Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, playing close to 30 minutes per night. Health has been an issue in the past, although Caruso has played in 67 and 71 games in each of the past two seasons. If he can stay on the floor, Caruso should be able to maintain mid-round value thanks to his defensive output and ability to spread the floor.
Caruso will begin his tenure with the Thunder following an offseason trade from the Bulls, coming off a career-best year in which he ended as the 50th-ranked player in nine-category formats. His numbers across the board represented career-high marks, averaging 10.1 points, 3.8 rebounds, 3.5 assists, 1.7 steals, 1.0 blocks and 1.9 three-pointers in 28.7 minutes per game. Caruso lands in Oklahoma City having built a reputation as one of the best wing defenders in the league. Already arguably the best team in the Western Conference, the Thunder will look to Caruso to guard the opponent's best player on a nightly basis. He will likely slide in as the starting two-guard alongside Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, playing close to 30 minutes per night. Health has been an issue in the past, although Caruso has played in 67 and 71 games in each of the past two seasons. If he can stay on the floor, Caruso should be able to maintain mid-round value thanks to his defensive output and ability to spread the floor.
Bey suffered a left ACL tear in March of 2023 and is unlikely to be ready for the start of next season. However, this didn't stop the Wizards from signing the 25-year-old forward to a three-year, $20 million contract this offseason. Even when available, Bey had a down year in 2023-24, averaging 13.7 points, 6.5 rebounds and 1.5 assists in 63 appearances, including 51 starts. While the counting stats were solid, his efficiency was poor. Bey shot 41.6 percent from the field and converted just 31.6 percent of his 5.7 three-point attempts per contest last season. Even with the departure of Deni Avdija, Bey will still have plenty of competition for playing time in Washington's forward rotation when he is ready to take the court, as Kyle Kuzma, Bilal Coulibaly and Corey Kispert will all be vying for minutes. With Bey likely to miss a large chunk of the beginning of the 2024-25 campaign, fantasy managers should only draft him if they plan on stashing him on the IR to provide a scoring boost later on in the campaign.
Bey suffered a left ACL tear in March of 2023 and is unlikely to be ready for the start of next season. However, this didn't stop the Wizards from signing the 25-year-old forward to a three-year, $20 million contract this offseason. Even when available, Bey had a down year in 2023-24, averaging 13.7 points, 6.5 rebounds and 1.5 assists in 63 appearances, including 51 starts. While the counting stats were solid, his efficiency was poor. Bey shot 41.6 percent from the field and converted just 31.6 percent of his 5.7 three-point attempts per contest last season. Even with the departure of Deni Avdija, Bey will still have plenty of competition for playing time in Washington's forward rotation when he is ready to take the court, as Kyle Kuzma, Bilal Coulibaly and Corey Kispert will all be vying for minutes. With Bey likely to miss a large chunk of the beginning of the 2024-25 campaign, fantasy managers should only draft him if they plan on stashing him on the IR to provide a scoring boost later on in the campaign.
Anthony set a new career high with 81 regular-season games played in 2023-24, surpassing his previous high of 65 appearances during his sophomore season in 2021-22. Amidst the increased games played, Anthony saw reductions in his minutes, points, rebounds, assists and three-pointers made per game compared to the previous two seasons. Nonetheless, he remained a critical piece for the Magic's young core as they put together an impressive season, finishing fifth place in the East. Anthony averaged the team's sixth-most minutes per game and led the team in games played during the 2023-24 campaign. His regular season was highlighted by several impressive performances, including a season-high 30 points on 9-for-16 shooting in a home win over the Hornets in November. Anthony had 21 outings with more than 15 points. He also had two double-doubles with points and rebounds and logged more than five assists on 12 occasions. Regular season and playoffs combined, Anthony recorded 21 games with zero turnovers, averaging 9.8 points, 3.8 rebounds, 2.3 assists and 1.0 steals in 20.9 minutes over those games. Looking ahead, he is set to remain the leader of the second unit, playing a key bench role for the emerging squad. Anthony has room for improvement with his shooting efficiency but has shown he can help close games when hot from the field.
Anthony set a new career high with 81 regular-season games played in 2023-24, surpassing his previous high of 65 appearances during his sophomore season in 2021-22. Amidst the increased games played, Anthony saw reductions in his minutes, points, rebounds, assists and three-pointers made per game compared to the previous two seasons. Nonetheless, he remained a critical piece for the Magic's young core as they put together an impressive season, finishing fifth place in the East. Anthony averaged the team's sixth-most minutes per game and led the team in games played during the 2023-24 campaign. His regular season was highlighted by several impressive performances, including a season-high 30 points on 9-for-16 shooting in a home win over the Hornets in November. Anthony had 21 outings with more than 15 points. He also had two double-doubles with points and rebounds and logged more than five assists on 12 occasions. Regular season and playoffs combined, Anthony recorded 21 games with zero turnovers, averaging 9.8 points, 3.8 rebounds, 2.3 assists and 1.0 steals in 20.9 minutes over those games. Looking ahead, he is set to remain the leader of the second unit, playing a key bench role for the emerging squad. Anthony has room for improvement with his shooting efficiency but has shown he can help close games when hot from the field.
It's difficult to get excited about Coulibaly when looking at his statistics, but people in Washington have been raving about the former top-10 pick. Some have compared him to Giannis Antetokounmpo, but that seems dramatic at this point. After struggling the first few weeks, Coulibaly averaged 8.7 points, 4.2 rebounds, 1.8 assists, 1.0 steals, 0.7 blocks and 1.0 threes across 28 minutes over his final 55 games. None of those numbers jump off the page, but few players provide value in every category like that. Coulibaly is also supposed to be an elite defender, and it'll be interesting to see the 20-year-old wing play over 30 minutes for a rebuilding Washington team. It remains to be seen if Coulibaly will start. Alex Sarr and Kyle Kuzma are projected to start at the forward spots. That's a frustrating development for such a talented youngster, but Coulibaly should still have plenty of developmental opportunities. There's also some thought that Kuzma will be traded at some point, which could move Coulibaly right into a 35-minute role as a starter. The young wing could be a top-50 player with that role combined with his nine-category potential, making Coulibaly an enticing late-round flier at the end of drafts.
It's difficult to get excited about Coulibaly when looking at his statistics, but people in Washington have been raving about the former top-10 pick. Some have compared him to Giannis Antetokounmpo, but that seems dramatic at this point. After struggling the first few weeks, Coulibaly averaged 8.7 points, 4.2 rebounds, 1.8 assists, 1.0 steals, 0.7 blocks and 1.0 threes across 28 minutes over his final 55 games. None of those numbers jump off the page, but few players provide value in every category like that. Coulibaly is also supposed to be an elite defender, and it'll be interesting to see the 20-year-old wing play over 30 minutes for a rebuilding Washington team. It remains to be seen if Coulibaly will start. Alex Sarr and Kyle Kuzma are projected to start at the forward spots. That's a frustrating development for such a talented youngster, but Coulibaly should still have plenty of developmental opportunities. There's also some thought that Kuzma will be traded at some point, which could move Coulibaly right into a 35-minute role as a starter. The young wing could be a top-50 player with that role combined with his nine-category potential, making Coulibaly an enticing late-round flier at the end of drafts.
Brogdon has always been an underrated fantasy asset, but he's had trouble staying on the court in recent years. A chronic elbow issue has kept him sidelined for long periods, playing 56 games or fewer in four of his last five years. He's played just 36 and 39 games in two of the last three years and is suiting up for his fourth team in that span. Washington decided to trade for Brogdon, and it looks like he'll start at point guard with Tyus Jones going to Phoenix. That's a wonderful opportunity for Brogdon to become a fantasy-relevant option again. He was a top-75 player as a starter in the past. We're talking about a guy averaging 17.5 points, 4.7 rebounds, 5.6 assists, 0.7 steals and 1.9 threes over the last five years. More importantly, he's shot 45 percent from the field, 38 percent from three-point range and 86 percent from the free-throw line. That's the ultimate nine-cat stat line because Brogdon doesn't hurt you anywhere. All of the injuries have moved Brogdon down near the end of drafts, and he looks like one of the best bargains in Washington's weak roster. Even if Brogdon misses time again, he isn't a risky pick at his current ADP of 141.
Brogdon has always been an underrated fantasy asset, but he's had trouble staying on the court in recent years. A chronic elbow issue has kept him sidelined for long periods, playing 56 games or fewer in four of his last five years. He's played just 36 and 39 games in two of the last three years and is suiting up for his fourth team in that span. Washington decided to trade for Brogdon, and it looks like he'll start at point guard with Tyus Jones going to Phoenix. That's a wonderful opportunity for Brogdon to become a fantasy-relevant option again. He was a top-75 player as a starter in the past. We're talking about a guy averaging 17.5 points, 4.7 rebounds, 5.6 assists, 0.7 steals and 1.9 threes over the last five years. More importantly, he's shot 45 percent from the field, 38 percent from three-point range and 86 percent from the free-throw line. That's the ultimate nine-cat stat line because Brogdon doesn't hurt you anywhere. All of the injuries have moved Brogdon down near the end of drafts, and he looks like one of the best bargains in Washington's weak roster. Even if Brogdon misses time again, he isn't a risky pick at his current ADP of 141.
Kispert heads into his fourth year in The Association in a familiar role with a rebuilding Wizards team. He figures to be an asset off the bench while starting occasionally. That was the same role he's had in the last two seasons, and essentially, it has translated to fantasy mediocrity regardless of the format. Kispert is an accomplished shooter, making 38.3 percent of his attempts from deep in 2023-24 and 42.4 percent the year before. Still, he shouldn't carry a ton of upside unless he finds a way to start regularly in a team fully committed to a long rebuilding process. Kispert can be a valuable fantasy asset in category-based leagues and deeper formats, and it's worth noting his numbers have been on the rise with each passing year. To note, he either averaged career-best figures or tied his previous career-best mark in points (13.4), rebounds (2.8), assists (2.0), steals (0.5), three-pointers made (2.3) and field-goal attempts (9.9) per game during the 2023-24 season. The only thing that prevents him from being a solid fantasy contributor is the reserve role he'll have in the Wizards' rotation. Re-assessing his value once the season begins could make him worth a waiver-wire pickup, especially if his numbers continue to trend in the right direction.
Kispert heads into his fourth year in The Association in a familiar role with a rebuilding Wizards team. He figures to be an asset off the bench while starting occasionally. That was the same role he's had in the last two seasons, and essentially, it has translated to fantasy mediocrity regardless of the format. Kispert is an accomplished shooter, making 38.3 percent of his attempts from deep in 2023-24 and 42.4 percent the year before. Still, he shouldn't carry a ton of upside unless he finds a way to start regularly in a team fully committed to a long rebuilding process. Kispert can be a valuable fantasy asset in category-based leagues and deeper formats, and it's worth noting his numbers have been on the rise with each passing year. To note, he either averaged career-best figures or tied his previous career-best mark in points (13.4), rebounds (2.8), assists (2.0), steals (0.5), three-pointers made (2.3) and field-goal attempts (9.9) per game during the 2023-24 season. The only thing that prevents him from being a solid fantasy contributor is the reserve role he'll have in the Wizards' rotation. Re-assessing his value once the season begins could make him worth a waiver-wire pickup, especially if his numbers continue to trend in the right direction.
Widely considered one of the best defenders in the NBA, Jones does more than regularly lock down elite offensive weapons. The fourth-year winger started in each of his 76 regular-season appearances in 2023-24 and delivered the best season of his young career, putting up personal bests in points (11.0), assists (2.6) and threes made (1.5) per game while also shooting the ball exceptionally well. To note, his efficiency of 49.8 percent from the field, 41.8 percent from deep and 86.7 percent from the charity stripe was a personal best in each category. The main knock regarding Jones' fantasy value is not tied to his production on the court but to the minutes he might see, as he's likely to move to the bench in 2024-25. Adding Dejounte Murray suggests CJ McCollum will play at shooting guard, and with the duo of Brandon Ingram and Zion Williamson entrenched at the three and four, Jones will have to settle for a sixth-man role. He's still worth targeting in most formats due to his versatility and the fact he's likely to see around 30 minutes per night, but fantasy managers should also expect some kind of regression in his numbers. As long as he remains an impactful player on defense who can shoot the three at an above-average level, Jones should continue to handle enough minutes to remain relevant across all fantasy formats.
Widely considered one of the best defenders in the NBA, Jones does more than regularly lock down elite offensive weapons. The fourth-year winger started in each of his 76 regular-season appearances in 2023-24 and delivered the best season of his young career, putting up personal bests in points (11.0), assists (2.6) and threes made (1.5) per game while also shooting the ball exceptionally well. To note, his efficiency of 49.8 percent from the field, 41.8 percent from deep and 86.7 percent from the charity stripe was a personal best in each category. The main knock regarding Jones' fantasy value is not tied to his production on the court but to the minutes he might see, as he's likely to move to the bench in 2024-25. Adding Dejounte Murray suggests CJ McCollum will play at shooting guard, and with the duo of Brandon Ingram and Zion Williamson entrenched at the three and four, Jones will have to settle for a sixth-man role. He's still worth targeting in most formats due to his versatility and the fact he's likely to see around 30 minutes per night, but fantasy managers should also expect some kind of regression in his numbers. As long as he remains an impactful player on defense who can shoot the three at an above-average level, Jones should continue to handle enough minutes to remain relevant across all fantasy formats.
After years of frustration, Hartenstein realized his potential during the 2023-24 season, putting together a career-best campaign. Despite starting the year as the backup behind Mitchell Robinson, Hartenstein started more games than ever thanks to a significant injury to Robinson. Hartenstein ended with averages of 7.8 points, 8.3 rebounds, 2.5 assists, 1.2 steals and 1.1 blocks in 25.3 minutes per game, good enough for top-75 value. Following his breakout, Hartenstein was signed by the Thunder, a team desperately in need of a big body to play either behind or alongside Chet Holmgren. While his role is a little unclear, it's safe to assume that Hartenstein should see upwards of 25 minutes per game once again. While his ceiling remains capped as long as Holmgren is healthy, there is no reason to think Hartenstein can't flirt with top-100 value. If Oklahoma City decides to start Hartenstein next to Holmgren at any point, the former's short-term value could see a small bump. No matter his assigned role, Hartenstein makes for a viable late-round target, even more so for anyone punting points.
After years of frustration, Hartenstein realized his potential during the 2023-24 season, putting together a career-best campaign. Despite starting the year as the backup behind Mitchell Robinson, Hartenstein started more games than ever thanks to a significant injury to Robinson. Hartenstein ended with averages of 7.8 points, 8.3 rebounds, 2.5 assists, 1.2 steals and 1.1 blocks in 25.3 minutes per game, good enough for top-75 value. Following his breakout, Hartenstein was signed by the Thunder, a team desperately in need of a big body to play either behind or alongside Chet Holmgren. While his role is a little unclear, it's safe to assume that Hartenstein should see upwards of 25 minutes per game once again. While his ceiling remains capped as long as Holmgren is healthy, there is no reason to think Hartenstein can't flirt with top-100 value. If Oklahoma City decides to start Hartenstein next to Holmgren at any point, the former's short-term value could see a small bump. No matter his assigned role, Hartenstein makes for a viable late-round target, even more so for anyone punting points.
Braun enters the 2024-25 season with an exciting opportunity. The former Kansas standout spent the first two years of his NBA career as a depth option for the Nuggets, sitting behind Kentavious Caldwell-Pope. However, the latter signed with the Magic in the offseason, so Braun is slated to open the campaign as the starting shooting guard for one of the best teams in the Western Conference -- and a true championship contender. Braun experienced a statistical jump from his rookie to sophomore year, seeing increases in virtually every major category except steals per game and field-goal percentage. Braun won't hold a prominent role in an offense with two of the best offensive players in the league, Nikola Jokic and Jamal Murray. In fact, the most likely scenario is that Braun will operate as the fifth scoring option. Regardless, the upgrade to a starting role should translate to a massive jump in his fantasy upside, particularly since he's a player who does all the little things well. If he can continue to shoot well from three-point range after making a career-high 38.4 percent of his attempts in 2023-24, Braun could go from being a player not worth targeting in 2023-24 to someone who could be worth a late pick in all formats this season.
Braun enters the 2024-25 season with an exciting opportunity. The former Kansas standout spent the first two years of his NBA career as a depth option for the Nuggets, sitting behind Kentavious Caldwell-Pope. However, the latter signed with the Magic in the offseason, so Braun is slated to open the campaign as the starting shooting guard for one of the best teams in the Western Conference -- and a true championship contender. Braun experienced a statistical jump from his rookie to sophomore year, seeing increases in virtually every major category except steals per game and field-goal percentage. Braun won't hold a prominent role in an offense with two of the best offensive players in the league, Nikola Jokic and Jamal Murray. In fact, the most likely scenario is that Braun will operate as the fifth scoring option. Regardless, the upgrade to a starting role should translate to a massive jump in his fantasy upside, particularly since he's a player who does all the little things well. If he can continue to shoot well from three-point range after making a career-high 38.4 percent of his attempts in 2023-24, Braun could go from being a player not worth targeting in 2023-24 to someone who could be worth a late pick in all formats this season.
While out for the season due to knee surgery, Adams was traded to Houston during the 2023-24 campaign. He should be healthy coming into 2024-25, but his role on a young Rockets squad is unclear. Alperen Sengun is locked in as the starting center, a role he flourished in last season by putting up career-high numbers across the board. This would mean that, at best, Adams will serve as the primary backup, playing no more than 20 minutes off the bench. However, the Rockets also have Jock Landale, who doesn't have a high upside but has more appeal on the offensive end of the floor than Adams. During his last healthy season in Memphis, Adams finished outside the top 300 in nine-category leagues despite playing 27.0 minutes per game. Given his playing time will likely be significantly reduced, there is no reason to think he can be anything but an elite streaming option for anyone needing rebounds and efficient, yet low-volume scoring.
While out for the season due to knee surgery, Adams was traded to Houston during the 2023-24 campaign. He should be healthy coming into 2024-25, but his role on a young Rockets squad is unclear. Alperen Sengun is locked in as the starting center, a role he flourished in last season by putting up career-high numbers across the board. This would mean that, at best, Adams will serve as the primary backup, playing no more than 20 minutes off the bench. However, the Rockets also have Jock Landale, who doesn't have a high upside but has more appeal on the offensive end of the floor than Adams. During his last healthy season in Memphis, Adams finished outside the top 300 in nine-category leagues despite playing 27.0 minutes per game. Given his playing time will likely be significantly reduced, there is no reason to think he can be anything but an elite streaming option for anyone needing rebounds and efficient, yet low-volume scoring.
Collins averaged 11.2 points, 5.4 rebounds, 2.8 assists and 0.8 blocks per game across 69 regular-season appearances in the 2023-24 season, including a career-high 29 starts. He's working his way back from an offseason shoulder surgery but should be available for the start of training camp. It's easy to read Collins' numbers in 2023-24 as a success, as he opened the previous campaign as a starter to ease Victor Wembanyama into the league as a rookie, but now that the Frenchman is fully settled as one of the most dominant players in The Association, Collins is slated to be a backup once again in 2024-25 -- even if he's fully healthy. That's going to limit his minutes considerably, and considering the Spurs also have Jeremy Sochan, Keldon Johnson and even Harrison Barnes as potential frontcourt options, Collins isn't expected to have a lot of minutes. As such, he shouldn't be a target in fantasy outside of the very deep formats, where he could be a solid option to be a third or fourth center.
Collins averaged 11.2 points, 5.4 rebounds, 2.8 assists and 0.8 blocks per game across 69 regular-season appearances in the 2023-24 season, including a career-high 29 starts. He's working his way back from an offseason shoulder surgery but should be available for the start of training camp. It's easy to read Collins' numbers in 2023-24 as a success, as he opened the previous campaign as a starter to ease Victor Wembanyama into the league as a rookie, but now that the Frenchman is fully settled as one of the most dominant players in The Association, Collins is slated to be a backup once again in 2024-25 -- even if he's fully healthy. That's going to limit his minutes considerably, and considering the Spurs also have Jeremy Sochan, Keldon Johnson and even Harrison Barnes as potential frontcourt options, Collins isn't expected to have a lot of minutes. As such, he shouldn't be a target in fantasy outside of the very deep formats, where he could be a solid option to be a third or fourth center.
After an underwhelming start to his rookie season, Clowney thundered onto the standard league radar down the stretch. Over the final two weeks of the season, he managed to put up top-85 value in standard formats, averaging 12.1 points, 6.4 rebounds, 1.9 blocks and 1.1 three-pointers in 29.4 minutes per game. Following the offseason trade of Mikal Bridges, it appears as though the Nets could be ready to lean into a rebuild. Although they still have some veterans on the roster, they also have some intriguing young pieces to experiment with. Clowney fits that bill to perfection, providing Brooklyn with a floor-spacing rim protector who may have only scratched the surface when it comes to overall upside. A few questions remain regarding his exact role coming into the 2024-25 season, not least of which is whether he will start or come off the bench. Either way, it would make sense for the coaching staff to get him on the floor to see what the rotations look like. Managers should keep an eye on the projected rotation as the start of the season draws near. Should Clowney be headed for 25 minutes per game, he makes for a viable late-round flyer, even in standard leagues.
After an underwhelming start to his rookie season, Clowney thundered onto the standard league radar down the stretch. Over the final two weeks of the season, he managed to put up top-85 value in standard formats, averaging 12.1 points, 6.4 rebounds, 1.9 blocks and 1.1 three-pointers in 29.4 minutes per game. Following the offseason trade of Mikal Bridges, it appears as though the Nets could be ready to lean into a rebuild. Although they still have some veterans on the roster, they also have some intriguing young pieces to experiment with. Clowney fits that bill to perfection, providing Brooklyn with a floor-spacing rim protector who may have only scratched the surface when it comes to overall upside. A few questions remain regarding his exact role coming into the 2024-25 season, not least of which is whether he will start or come off the bench. Either way, it would make sense for the coaching staff to get him on the floor to see what the rotations look like. Managers should keep an eye on the projected rotation as the start of the season draws near. Should Clowney be headed for 25 minutes per game, he makes for a viable late-round flyer, even in standard leagues.
Entering his third season in the league, Watson has yet to establish himself as a consistent producer in fantasy or reality. Although he suited up for 80 games last year, he finished outside the top 250 in nine-category leagues, averaging 6.7 points, 3.2 rebounds, 1.1 blocks and 0.6 three-pointers in 18.6 minutes per game. He flashed rim protection upside at stages throughout the season, at one point blocking 13 shots across a span of three games. Sadly, the same cannot be said for his offensive output. He lacks a reliable shot, be it from mid-range or the perimeter, while also shooting just 65.1 percent from the stripe over the course of his career. Despite losing Kentavious Caldwell-Pope to the Magic this offseason, the Nuggets remain in win-now mode, meaning opportunities for Watson could still be sporadic. He is someone to keep an eye on, just in case he can take some strides forward on the offensive end of the floor. However, Watson is not worth drafting outside of deeper formats.
Entering his third season in the league, Watson has yet to establish himself as a consistent producer in fantasy or reality. Although he suited up for 80 games last year, he finished outside the top 250 in nine-category leagues, averaging 6.7 points, 3.2 rebounds, 1.1 blocks and 0.6 three-pointers in 18.6 minutes per game. He flashed rim protection upside at stages throughout the season, at one point blocking 13 shots across a span of three games. Sadly, the same cannot be said for his offensive output. He lacks a reliable shot, be it from mid-range or the perimeter, while also shooting just 65.1 percent from the stripe over the course of his career. Despite losing Kentavious Caldwell-Pope to the Magic this offseason, the Nuggets remain in win-now mode, meaning opportunities for Watson could still be sporadic. He is someone to keep an eye on, just in case he can take some strides forward on the offensive end of the floor. However, Watson is not worth drafting outside of deeper formats.
Hunter was a regular starter for the Hawks in the early months of the 2023-24 season. However, a knee injury sidelined him for 19 games between Dec. 22 and Jan. 28. By the time he returned to action, the emergence of Jalen Johnson moved Hunter to a bench role the rest of the way. Hunter started Atlanta's final 14 contests, but he projects to be a bench player in 2024-25, with highly-touted rookie Zaccharie Risacher and Johnson slated to start in the frontcourt. On paper, Hunter shouldn't have a lot of fantasy appeal as long as he plays off the bench for Atlanta, but he might be worth a late flyer in deep formats since he still averaged 16.0 points per game while posting a 49.1/42.0/81.7 shooting line across 20 appearances off the bench (26.1 minutes per game). He's a player worth keeping close tabs on. The bench role might not fully determine how many minutes he'll get in the rotation, thus making him a viable alternative in most formats. Hunter remains a player who can step up any night. He reached the 20-point mark in 19 of his 57 appearances last season.
Hunter was a regular starter for the Hawks in the early months of the 2023-24 season. However, a knee injury sidelined him for 19 games between Dec. 22 and Jan. 28. By the time he returned to action, the emergence of Jalen Johnson moved Hunter to a bench role the rest of the way. Hunter started Atlanta's final 14 contests, but he projects to be a bench player in 2024-25, with highly-touted rookie Zaccharie Risacher and Johnson slated to start in the frontcourt. On paper, Hunter shouldn't have a lot of fantasy appeal as long as he plays off the bench for Atlanta, but he might be worth a late flyer in deep formats since he still averaged 16.0 points per game while posting a 49.1/42.0/81.7 shooting line across 20 appearances off the bench (26.1 minutes per game). He's a player worth keeping close tabs on. The bench role might not fully determine how many minutes he'll get in the rotation, thus making him a viable alternative in most formats. Hunter remains a player who can step up any night. He reached the 20-point mark in 19 of his 57 appearances last season.
Sharpe saw a slightly increased role for Brooklyn in 2023-24, averaging 6.8 points, 6.4 rebounds, 1.4 assists and 0.7 blocks in 15.1 minutes across 61 appearances, including one start. The 22-year-old big man posted career highs across the board while also shooting 57.1 percent from the field. However, he also converted just 61.0 percent of his 2.0 free-throw attempts per contest and doesn't have much of an outside jumper. Sharpe has also struggled with availability throughout his career, as his 61 appearances last year were actually the most in his three years in the NBA. Next season, Sharpe is slated to be the Nets' backup center to Nic Claxton, who just signed a four-year, $100 million extension this offseason. Unless there is an injury to Claxton, Sharpe's main fantasy value will come from his rebounding, efficient shooting and shot-blocking as a late-round option in deeper leagues.
Sharpe saw a slightly increased role for Brooklyn in 2023-24, averaging 6.8 points, 6.4 rebounds, 1.4 assists and 0.7 blocks in 15.1 minutes across 61 appearances, including one start. The 22-year-old big man posted career highs across the board while also shooting 57.1 percent from the field. However, he also converted just 61.0 percent of his 2.0 free-throw attempts per contest and doesn't have much of an outside jumper. Sharpe has also struggled with availability throughout his career, as his 61 appearances last year were actually the most in his three years in the NBA. Next season, Sharpe is slated to be the Nets' backup center to Nic Claxton, who just signed a four-year, $100 million extension this offseason. Unless there is an injury to Claxton, Sharpe's main fantasy value will come from his rebounding, efficient shooting and shot-blocking as a late-round option in deeper leagues.
Hachimura started 39 of 68 regular-season appearances in his first full season with the Lakers in 2023-24 and posted solid numbers. He averaged 13.6 points, 4.3 rebounds and 1.2 assists per game while shooting an impressive 42.2 percent from three-point range, albeit on only 3.4 attempts per contest. The statistical output was decent for most formats, but Hachimura's best-case scenario remains to be a complementary piece in an offense that already features two high-usage players, LeBron James and Anthony Davis, plus two above-average shooters, D'Angelo Russell and Austin Reaves. Ultimately, much of Hachimura's fantasy upside will be determined by the role he has in JJ Redick's rotation. Hachimura can be a solid pickup in the final rounds of standard drafts if he maintains a starting role. On the contrary, if he doesn't, he won't have a lot of upside as a frontcourt reserve for a star-studded team.
Hachimura started 39 of 68 regular-season appearances in his first full season with the Lakers in 2023-24 and posted solid numbers. He averaged 13.6 points, 4.3 rebounds and 1.2 assists per game while shooting an impressive 42.2 percent from three-point range, albeit on only 3.4 attempts per contest. The statistical output was decent for most formats, but Hachimura's best-case scenario remains to be a complementary piece in an offense that already features two high-usage players, LeBron James and Anthony Davis, plus two above-average shooters, D'Angelo Russell and Austin Reaves. Ultimately, much of Hachimura's fantasy upside will be determined by the role he has in JJ Redick's rotation. Hachimura can be a solid pickup in the final rounds of standard drafts if he maintains a starting role. On the contrary, if he doesn't, he won't have a lot of upside as a frontcourt reserve for a star-studded team.
Carter underwent surgery this offseason to stabilize the third metacarpal in his left hand after missing a month and a half due to a fractured middle finger on the same hand early in the 2023-24 campaign. While Carter is expected to make a full recovery ahead of the 2024-25 season, availability has been a major issue for him. The 25-year-old center has never played more than 62 games in his six-year career. When Carter has been on the floor, he has been a relatively productive player, averaging 11.0 points, 6.9 rebounds and 1.7 assists in 55 regular-season appearances, including 48 starts, last season. He also displayed solid efficiency, shooting 52.5 percent from the field and converting 37.4 percent of his 3.1 three-point attempts per contest. However, Carter's rebounding numbers have declined each of the last two years after averaging 10.5 boards in 2021-22, and he has not recorded over a block a game since his rookie season. Orlando also has one of the NBA's best backup centers in Moritz Wagner, who severely limits Carter's playing time. Overall, despite posting nine double-doubles last year, Carter's availability concerns and competition for playing time limits his fantasy value to a late-round pick in most drafts.
Carter underwent surgery this offseason to stabilize the third metacarpal in his left hand after missing a month and a half due to a fractured middle finger on the same hand early in the 2023-24 campaign. While Carter is expected to make a full recovery ahead of the 2024-25 season, availability has been a major issue for him. The 25-year-old center has never played more than 62 games in his six-year career. When Carter has been on the floor, he has been a relatively productive player, averaging 11.0 points, 6.9 rebounds and 1.7 assists in 55 regular-season appearances, including 48 starts, last season. He also displayed solid efficiency, shooting 52.5 percent from the field and converting 37.4 percent of his 3.1 three-point attempts per contest. However, Carter's rebounding numbers have declined each of the last two years after averaging 10.5 boards in 2021-22, and he has not recorded over a block a game since his rookie season. Orlando also has one of the NBA's best backup centers in Moritz Wagner, who severely limits Carter's playing time. Overall, despite posting nine double-doubles last year, Carter's availability concerns and competition for playing time limits his fantasy value to a late-round pick in most drafts.
Despite playing a significant role during his first season in Houston, Brooks was unable to turn that playing time into viable fantasy value. He finished with averages of 12.7 points, 3.4 rebounds, 1.7 assists, 0.9 steals and 1.8 three-pointers, logging 30.9 minutes per game. Although his efficiency improved compared to the previous season in Memphis, his overall numbers took a hit, not surprising given how he was utilized. Known as an elite wing defender, Brooks is likely to hold onto his spot in the starting lineup for the 2024-25 season. However, his tenacity on the defensive end does not typically translate to value, as demonstrated by his 0.9 steals per game. The Rockets have a roster loaded with youth, a fact that could eventually mean a reduced role for Brooks. For now, he should be viewed as a potential streaming option with the hope you catch him when his shot is falling.
Despite playing a significant role during his first season in Houston, Brooks was unable to turn that playing time into viable fantasy value. He finished with averages of 12.7 points, 3.4 rebounds, 1.7 assists, 0.9 steals and 1.8 three-pointers, logging 30.9 minutes per game. Although his efficiency improved compared to the previous season in Memphis, his overall numbers took a hit, not surprising given how he was utilized. Known as an elite wing defender, Brooks is likely to hold onto his spot in the starting lineup for the 2024-25 season. However, his tenacity on the defensive end does not typically translate to value, as demonstrated by his 0.9 steals per game. The Rockets have a roster loaded with youth, a fact that could eventually mean a reduced role for Brooks. For now, he should be viewed as a potential streaming option with the hope you catch him when his shot is falling.
Risacher was selected by the Hawks with the No. 1 overall pick in the 2024 NBA Draft. Risacher boasts a coveted 3-and-D skill set. He's listed at 6-foot-8 with plenty of length and knocked down 39 percent of his attempts from long range last season while playing with French club JL Bourg. Though he's regarded as a versatile defender who can stroke it from three-point land, Risacher's likelihood of living up to the expectations of the No. 1 pick will likely rely on his ability to produce off the dribble. He averaged less than one assist per game in 2023-24 for JL Bourg and had difficulties creating his own shot. In Summer League, he averaged 14.5 points and 2.0 threes on 39/25/43 shooting, 5.0 rebounds, 2.0 assists, 1.0 blocks and 1.0 turnovers in 29.5 minutes, playing in only two games due to a bruised right quad. Considering his No. 1 overall pick status, Risacher has a strong chance to start immediately, but he'll have to beat out the likes of Bogdan Bogdanovic and De'Andre Hunter to secure the spot. Risacher will also have to fight for playing time against Jalen Johnson, a breakout forward last year. The rookie doesn't project as a true top option for the team right out of the gate.
Risacher was selected by the Hawks with the No. 1 overall pick in the 2024 NBA Draft. Risacher boasts a coveted 3-and-D skill set. He's listed at 6-foot-8 with plenty of length and knocked down 39 percent of his attempts from long range last season while playing with French club JL Bourg. Though he's regarded as a versatile defender who can stroke it from three-point land, Risacher's likelihood of living up to the expectations of the No. 1 pick will likely rely on his ability to produce off the dribble. He averaged less than one assist per game in 2023-24 for JL Bourg and had difficulties creating his own shot. In Summer League, he averaged 14.5 points and 2.0 threes on 39/25/43 shooting, 5.0 rebounds, 2.0 assists, 1.0 blocks and 1.0 turnovers in 29.5 minutes, playing in only two games due to a bruised right quad. Considering his No. 1 overall pick status, Risacher has a strong chance to start immediately, but he'll have to beat out the likes of Bogdan Bogdanovic and De'Andre Hunter to secure the spot. Risacher will also have to fight for playing time against Jalen Johnson, a breakout forward last year. The rookie doesn't project as a true top option for the team right out of the gate.
On paper, Robinson had a fantastic opportunity to establish himself as the defensive anchor for New York in 2024-25. However, his season will start late. He's still recovering from two ankle surgeries, and he's expected to be sidelined until at least December. Plus, the Knicks made a blockbuster trade right before training camp, sending Julius Randle and Donte DiVincenzo to Minnesota in exchange for Karl-Anthony Towns, who'll be New York's starting center. With Isaiah Hartenstein now residing in Oklahoma City, Robinson, when healthy, seemingly has a clear path to backup minutes. However, as has been the case throughout his career, injuries limit his upside. Robinson finished the 2023-24 season well outside the top 150 in standard leagues, averaging 5.6 points, 8.5 rebounds, 1.2 steals and 1.1 blocks in 24.8 minutes per game. That rank tumbles even further when considering total value, given he played just 31 games due to multiple ankle surgeries. When available, Robinson remains a great source of boards and blocks, as well as providing above-average steal numbers from the center position. With no offensive game to speak of, his overall value is capped. Given his injury status to begin the season, Robinson doesn't need to be drafted in standard leagues outside of the final pick in the draft to stash on IR.
On paper, Robinson had a fantastic opportunity to establish himself as the defensive anchor for New York in 2024-25. However, his season will start late. He's still recovering from two ankle surgeries, and he's expected to be sidelined until at least December. Plus, the Knicks made a blockbuster trade right before training camp, sending Julius Randle and Donte DiVincenzo to Minnesota in exchange for Karl-Anthony Towns, who'll be New York's starting center. With Isaiah Hartenstein now residing in Oklahoma City, Robinson, when healthy, seemingly has a clear path to backup minutes. However, as has been the case throughout his career, injuries limit his upside. Robinson finished the 2023-24 season well outside the top 150 in standard leagues, averaging 5.6 points, 8.5 rebounds, 1.2 steals and 1.1 blocks in 24.8 minutes per game. That rank tumbles even further when considering total value, given he played just 31 games due to multiple ankle surgeries. When available, Robinson remains a great source of boards and blocks, as well as providing above-average steal numbers from the center position. With no offensive game to speak of, his overall value is capped. Given his injury status to begin the season, Robinson doesn't need to be drafted in standard leagues outside of the final pick in the draft to stash on IR.
Whitmore slipped in the 2023 NBA Draft and was selected by the Rockets with the 20th overall pick. However, he still enjoyed a solid year after averaging 12.3 points, 3.8 rebounds and 0.7 assists per game despite averaging a mere 18.7 minutes per contest across 47 regular-season appearances (two starts). The potential is clearly there, and Whitmore has all the tools to become an impact scorer in The Association sooner than later, but he's not likely to make the jump in 2024-25. The Rockets are far more talented than in 2032-24. With the continued development of players such as Jalen Green and Jabari Smith, as well as Dillon Brooks and Fred VanVleet as established veterans, the best-case scenario for Whitmore would be to earn minutes off the bench -- and even then, he will have to compete for minutes with several other high-upside players such as Reed Sheppard, Amen Thompson and even possibly Tari Eason. Whitmore could be an interesting addition in dynasty formats, but for standard leagues, he should be left on waivers. However, his upside and progress make him a player worth keeping close tabs on, especially if he ends up having a bigger-than-expected role.
Whitmore slipped in the 2023 NBA Draft and was selected by the Rockets with the 20th overall pick. However, he still enjoyed a solid year after averaging 12.3 points, 3.8 rebounds and 0.7 assists per game despite averaging a mere 18.7 minutes per contest across 47 regular-season appearances (two starts). The potential is clearly there, and Whitmore has all the tools to become an impact scorer in The Association sooner than later, but he's not likely to make the jump in 2024-25. The Rockets are far more talented than in 2032-24. With the continued development of players such as Jalen Green and Jabari Smith, as well as Dillon Brooks and Fred VanVleet as established veterans, the best-case scenario for Whitmore would be to earn minutes off the bench -- and even then, he will have to compete for minutes with several other high-upside players such as Reed Sheppard, Amen Thompson and even possibly Tari Eason. Whitmore could be an interesting addition in dynasty formats, but for standard leagues, he should be left on waivers. However, his upside and progress make him a player worth keeping close tabs on, especially if he ends up having a bigger-than-expected role.
After what can only be described as a disappointing tenure in Golden State, Paul will open the 2024-25 season as the starting point guard in San Antonio. His time with the Warriors was highly underwhelming, playing 26.4 minutes off the bench, averaging 9.2 points, 3.9 rebounds, 6.8 assists, 1.2 steals and 1.3 three-pointers. Although he finished inside the top 100 in standard formats, he offered value in only two categories, those being assists and steals. While he is now 39 years old, Paul should step into a larger role, assisting in developing not only Victor Wembanyama but also Devin Vassell and Stephon Castle. Games played could be something to consider when looking at Paul in fantasy drafts, with 60 games feeling like a safe target. With an increased role and renewed vigor, there is no reason to think Paul can't increase his production across the board. While it is unlikely he will get back to being a top-50 asset, Paul being a top-80 player on a per-game basis is within reach.
After what can only be described as a disappointing tenure in Golden State, Paul will open the 2024-25 season as the starting point guard in San Antonio. His time with the Warriors was highly underwhelming, playing 26.4 minutes off the bench, averaging 9.2 points, 3.9 rebounds, 6.8 assists, 1.2 steals and 1.3 three-pointers. Although he finished inside the top 100 in standard formats, he offered value in only two categories, those being assists and steals. While he is now 39 years old, Paul should step into a larger role, assisting in developing not only Victor Wembanyama but also Devin Vassell and Stephon Castle. Games played could be something to consider when looking at Paul in fantasy drafts, with 60 games feeling like a safe target. With an increased role and renewed vigor, there is no reason to think Paul can't increase his production across the board. While it is unlikely he will get back to being a top-50 asset, Paul being a top-80 player on a per-game basis is within reach.
Pritchard received a significant boost in playing time last season. During the 2022-23 season, Pritchard appeared in only 48 games and averaged a modest 13.4 minutes per game, a small decrease compared to the prior season. Last year, Pritchard appeared in all 82 regular-season games at 22.3 minutes per contest. He also appeared in all 18 of Boston's postseason games. The increased playing time corresponded with much better shooting percentages. The reserve guard shot 46.8 percent from the field and 82.1 percent from the foul line last season versus percentages of 41.2 and 75.0 in 2022-23. Pritchard also displayed a knack for draining buzzer-beating long threes, which everyone witnessed during the playoffs and NBA Finals. Pritchard's scoring flair has made him a fan favorite, but that won't change his role as a reserve. USA Olympians Jrue Holiday and Derrick White are locked in as the starting backcourt for many seasons to come. That leaves Pritchard fighting for minutes as the first guard off the bench. But much like last season, Pritchard has very little competition from Boston's other reserve guards. Jaden Springer is a defensive specialist and a work in progress. Rookie Baylor Scheierman, at 6-foot-6, is probably more of a small forward than a guard. And two-way contract guard JD Davison desperately needs to work on his outside shooting. Pritchard has three more seasons remaining on his current contract. Expect him to maintain his current role of "scoring off the bench" for the duration of that agreement.
Pritchard received a significant boost in playing time last season. During the 2022-23 season, Pritchard appeared in only 48 games and averaged a modest 13.4 minutes per game, a small decrease compared to the prior season. Last year, Pritchard appeared in all 82 regular-season games at 22.3 minutes per contest. He also appeared in all 18 of Boston's postseason games. The increased playing time corresponded with much better shooting percentages. The reserve guard shot 46.8 percent from the field and 82.1 percent from the foul line last season versus percentages of 41.2 and 75.0 in 2022-23. Pritchard also displayed a knack for draining buzzer-beating long threes, which everyone witnessed during the playoffs and NBA Finals. Pritchard's scoring flair has made him a fan favorite, but that won't change his role as a reserve. USA Olympians Jrue Holiday and Derrick White are locked in as the starting backcourt for many seasons to come. That leaves Pritchard fighting for minutes as the first guard off the bench. But much like last season, Pritchard has very little competition from Boston's other reserve guards. Jaden Springer is a defensive specialist and a work in progress. Rookie Baylor Scheierman, at 6-foot-6, is probably more of a small forward than a guard. And two-way contract guard JD Davison desperately needs to work on his outside shooting. Pritchard has three more seasons remaining on his current contract. Expect him to maintain his current role of "scoring off the bench" for the duration of that agreement.
Martin was a core member of the Heat's rotation the past three seasons, averaging 9.6 points, 4.4 rebounds, 1.7 assists, 0.9 steals, 0.5 blocks and 1.2 triples across 26.7 minutes per game. He's coming off a solid season on the offensive end of the court, as his 10.0 points and 2.2 assists per game represent career-high marks for him, but it's hard to see those numbers improving -- or even staying steady -- now that he'll play for the 76ers. First, his shooting percentages were already trending in the wrong direction. His 34.9 percent accuracy from three-point range doesn't cut it, especially if most of his offense will likely come off spot-up shooting opportunities in an offensive scheme filled with high-usage players such as Joel Embiid, Tyrese Maxey and Paul George. Martin could earn a starting role in the frontcourt alongside George and Embiid. Still, given he's going to have a secondary role on offense and doesn't do much in other categories, he's expected to experience some kind of regression in most significant categories, making him worth a late flier in most drafts as a best-case scenario based on the fact he's expected to start in a contending team.
Martin was a core member of the Heat's rotation the past three seasons, averaging 9.6 points, 4.4 rebounds, 1.7 assists, 0.9 steals, 0.5 blocks and 1.2 triples across 26.7 minutes per game. He's coming off a solid season on the offensive end of the court, as his 10.0 points and 2.2 assists per game represent career-high marks for him, but it's hard to see those numbers improving -- or even staying steady -- now that he'll play for the 76ers. First, his shooting percentages were already trending in the wrong direction. His 34.9 percent accuracy from three-point range doesn't cut it, especially if most of his offense will likely come off spot-up shooting opportunities in an offensive scheme filled with high-usage players such as Joel Embiid, Tyrese Maxey and Paul George. Martin could earn a starting role in the frontcourt alongside George and Embiid. Still, given he's going to have a secondary role on offense and doesn't do much in other categories, he's expected to experience some kind of regression in most significant categories, making him worth a late flier in most drafts as a best-case scenario based on the fact he's expected to start in a contending team.
As has been the trend throughout most of his career, Dort was a regular starter for the Thunder in 2023-24, starting 79 regular-season appearances while being a consistent presence in the first unit during Oklahoma City's playoff run. However, the starting role didn't prevent Dort from experiencing a regression in most categories for the second consecutive year. Dort's career has been trending in the wrong direction since he averaged 17.2 points per game in the 2021-22 season, and the 10.9 points per game he averaged in 2023-24 was his lowest mark since his rookie year. Dort also regressed in other categories compared to the 2022-23, such as rebounds, assists and steals per game, though at least he drained a career-high 39.4 percent from beyond the arc on 5.0 attempts per game. Things are not looking promising for Dort in 2024-25, as the emergence of Jalen Williams as a reliable scorer, plus the additions of Isaiah Hartenstein and Alex Caruso will translate into Dort moving to a bench role. All signs point to Dort being able to make an impact as a second-unit playmaker and scorer, but the reduced role means he won't be as relevant in fantasy as he's been in previous years. Fantasy managers would be wise to leave Dort on waivers solely based on his projected role and the regression he's experienced over the last 24 months, as the only value he might have would be in deep formats. Even in that scenario, he'd be nothing more than an option for the latter rounds.
As has been the trend throughout most of his career, Dort was a regular starter for the Thunder in 2023-24, starting 79 regular-season appearances while being a consistent presence in the first unit during Oklahoma City's playoff run. However, the starting role didn't prevent Dort from experiencing a regression in most categories for the second consecutive year. Dort's career has been trending in the wrong direction since he averaged 17.2 points per game in the 2021-22 season, and the 10.9 points per game he averaged in 2023-24 was his lowest mark since his rookie year. Dort also regressed in other categories compared to the 2022-23, such as rebounds, assists and steals per game, though at least he drained a career-high 39.4 percent from beyond the arc on 5.0 attempts per game. Things are not looking promising for Dort in 2024-25, as the emergence of Jalen Williams as a reliable scorer, plus the additions of Isaiah Hartenstein and Alex Caruso will translate into Dort moving to a bench role. All signs point to Dort being able to make an impact as a second-unit playmaker and scorer, but the reduced role means he won't be as relevant in fantasy as he's been in previous years. Fantasy managers would be wise to leave Dort on waivers solely based on his projected role and the regression he's experienced over the last 24 months, as the only value he might have would be in deep formats. Even in that scenario, he'd be nothing more than an option for the latter rounds.
Westbrook looks ahead to the next chapter in his career after signing a two-year deal with the Nuggets, which will be his sixth team in seven seasons. He is coming off a full season with the Clippers, where he moved to a bench role to help the on-court chemistry of the star-studded lineup. Although he averaged the fewest minutes per game of his career and 6.6 minutes per game fewer than the previous season, Westbrook maintained his high-energy style of play and put up comparatively solid numbers, including an average of at least 5.0 rebounds per game for the 12th time in his 16-year career. He hit the 20-point mark on five occasions and scored in double digits in 40 of his 74 appearances between regular season and playoff action. He also tallied at least five assists in 29 regular-season games, including three with double-digit assists and a season-high of 15, which belonged to a triple-double performance with 16 points and 15 rebounds in a road win versus the Suns during early April. In addition to the triple-double, Westbrook had five double-doubles with points and rebounds, and two double-doubles with points and assists. The coming season offers new potential for the dynamic, veteran guard, as he has the chance to join a top-tier squad and play alongside fellow MVP, Nikola Jokic.
Westbrook looks ahead to the next chapter in his career after signing a two-year deal with the Nuggets, which will be his sixth team in seven seasons. He is coming off a full season with the Clippers, where he moved to a bench role to help the on-court chemistry of the star-studded lineup. Although he averaged the fewest minutes per game of his career and 6.6 minutes per game fewer than the previous season, Westbrook maintained his high-energy style of play and put up comparatively solid numbers, including an average of at least 5.0 rebounds per game for the 12th time in his 16-year career. He hit the 20-point mark on five occasions and scored in double digits in 40 of his 74 appearances between regular season and playoff action. He also tallied at least five assists in 29 regular-season games, including three with double-digit assists and a season-high of 15, which belonged to a triple-double performance with 16 points and 15 rebounds in a road win versus the Suns during early April. In addition to the triple-double, Westbrook had five double-doubles with points and rebounds, and two double-doubles with points and assists. The coming season offers new potential for the dynamic, veteran guard, as he has the chance to join a top-tier squad and play alongside fellow MVP, Nikola Jokic.
Having bounced around the league, Plumlee will open the 2024-25 season as a member of the Suns, likely operating as the primary backup center behind Jusuf Nurkic. Despite having pockets of fantasy value throughout his career, Plumlee has never been considered a priority, something that is unlikely to change. He averaged 18.0 minutes per game during the 2023-24 season, compiling 6.8 points, 6.1 rebounds and 0.8 combined steals and blocks. He should play a very similar role in Phoenix, providing energy off the bench on both ends of the floor. If Nurkic is forced to the sideline at any point, Plumlee could become a sneaky short-term pickup, especially for anyone who can overlook his offensive shortcomings. Beyond that, he is better suited for deeper formats, serving as a team's fourth or fifth center option.
Having bounced around the league, Plumlee will open the 2024-25 season as a member of the Suns, likely operating as the primary backup center behind Jusuf Nurkic. Despite having pockets of fantasy value throughout his career, Plumlee has never been considered a priority, something that is unlikely to change. He averaged 18.0 minutes per game during the 2023-24 season, compiling 6.8 points, 6.1 rebounds and 0.8 combined steals and blocks. He should play a very similar role in Phoenix, providing energy off the bench on both ends of the floor. If Nurkic is forced to the sideline at any point, Plumlee could become a sneaky short-term pickup, especially for anyone who can overlook his offensive shortcomings. Beyond that, he is better suited for deeper formats, serving as a team's fourth or fifth center option.
O'Neale signed a four-year, $44 million deal to return to the Suns in the offseason, and while he's expected to be a valuable on-court contributor for Phoenix, his role off the bench will limit his fantasy upside considerably. The Suns already feature three high-usage players in Kevin Durant, Devin Booker and Bradley, meaning whoever starts in the other forward spot -- as Jusuf Nurkic is entrenched at center -- will probably be relegated to a spot-up shooting role on offense. The Suns already have one of the best long-range shooters in the league in Grayson Allen, so O'Neale, who is an above-average three-and-D player in his own range, seems set to play off the bench. Given he's never averaged more than 9.0 points per game nor made more than 39 percent of his threes in any of his previous seven seasons in the NBA, O'Neale seems to be the typical example of a player whose on-court value surpasses his fantasy upside by a sizable margin. O'Neale could still have value in deep formats, and he might be a valuable streaming alternative in case Allen or Durant are forced to miss time, but at full strength, he shouldn't carry a lot of fantasy value in most formats.
O'Neale signed a four-year, $44 million deal to return to the Suns in the offseason, and while he's expected to be a valuable on-court contributor for Phoenix, his role off the bench will limit his fantasy upside considerably. The Suns already feature three high-usage players in Kevin Durant, Devin Booker and Bradley, meaning whoever starts in the other forward spot -- as Jusuf Nurkic is entrenched at center -- will probably be relegated to a spot-up shooting role on offense. The Suns already have one of the best long-range shooters in the league in Grayson Allen, so O'Neale, who is an above-average three-and-D player in his own range, seems set to play off the bench. Given he's never averaged more than 9.0 points per game nor made more than 39 percent of his threes in any of his previous seven seasons in the NBA, O'Neale seems to be the typical example of a player whose on-court value surpasses his fantasy upside by a sizable margin. O'Neale could still have value in deep formats, and he might be a valuable streaming alternative in case Allen or Durant are forced to miss time, but at full strength, he shouldn't carry a lot of fantasy value in most formats.
How long can Horford keep this up? The 2024-25 season will be Big Al's 18th year in the Association. And yet he's a vital cog for a championship team. Yes, the days of double-doubles are over, and the Celtics will rest the 38-year-old on the second night of back-to-backs. But with Kristaps Porzingis out until early December, Horford tops Boston's depth chart at center. Last year, Horford averaged 10.3 points, 6.7 rebounds, 3.2 assists, 0.9 blocks and 2.1 triples per game as a starter, with excellent shooting percentages. For leagues with daily transactions, that is valuable production from the center spot. That said, it is very unlikely Horford's game count will exceed the mid-60s. Big Al's counting stats have been on a gradual decline during his last three years in Boston. And Boston will rest Horford during blowouts, allowing reserves Luke Kornet and Xavier Tillman to soak up minutes (Boston led the NBA by a wide margin in point differential last season). Even with Porzingis out, the Celtics will look to the rest of their loaded roster to pick up the scoring slack. Regarding Horford's usage, Boston's priority will be keeping the veteran healthy for the playoffs. Horford's savvy defensive play will keep him on the floor as Boston aims for banner 19 -- just don't expect him to light up the box score.
How long can Horford keep this up? The 2024-25 season will be Big Al's 18th year in the Association. And yet he's a vital cog for a championship team. Yes, the days of double-doubles are over, and the Celtics will rest the 38-year-old on the second night of back-to-backs. But with Kristaps Porzingis out until early December, Horford tops Boston's depth chart at center. Last year, Horford averaged 10.3 points, 6.7 rebounds, 3.2 assists, 0.9 blocks and 2.1 triples per game as a starter, with excellent shooting percentages. For leagues with daily transactions, that is valuable production from the center spot. That said, it is very unlikely Horford's game count will exceed the mid-60s. Big Al's counting stats have been on a gradual decline during his last three years in Boston. And Boston will rest Horford during blowouts, allowing reserves Luke Kornet and Xavier Tillman to soak up minutes (Boston led the NBA by a wide margin in point differential last season). Even with Porzingis out, the Celtics will look to the rest of their loaded roster to pick up the scoring slack. Regarding Horford's usage, Boston's priority will be keeping the veteran healthy for the playoffs. Horford's savvy defensive play will keep him on the floor as Boston aims for banner 19 -- just don't expect him to light up the box score.
Following two years of disappointment, Robinson was somewhat able to resurrect his career during the 2023-24 campaign, averaging 12.9 points and 2.8 three-pointers in 28.0 minutes per game. Despite finishing outside the top 150 in nine-category leagues, there were periods throughout the season when managers were well within their rights to have him on their roster. He shifted between starting and coming off the bench, with his role typically dictated by the health of others. Assuming the Heat are healthy coming into the 2024-25 season, Robinson is likely to open as a sparkplug scoring option off the bench. To this point in his career, he has been unable to significantly improve his overall game, resulting in his fantasy value being tied to just one category, perimeter scoring. This should remain a constant, but given the talent around him, it won't be enough to warrant a permanent roster spot in standard leagues. He should be viewed as an elite streaming option, who can have some short-term value if and when the Heat's roster is banged up.
Following two years of disappointment, Robinson was somewhat able to resurrect his career during the 2023-24 campaign, averaging 12.9 points and 2.8 three-pointers in 28.0 minutes per game. Despite finishing outside the top 150 in nine-category leagues, there were periods throughout the season when managers were well within their rights to have him on their roster. He shifted between starting and coming off the bench, with his role typically dictated by the health of others. Assuming the Heat are healthy coming into the 2024-25 season, Robinson is likely to open as a sparkplug scoring option off the bench. To this point in his career, he has been unable to significantly improve his overall game, resulting in his fantasy value being tied to just one category, perimeter scoring. This should remain a constant, but given the talent around him, it won't be enough to warrant a permanent roster spot in standard leagues. He should be viewed as an elite streaming option, who can have some short-term value if and when the Heat's roster is banged up.
Following decent showings in Phoenix and Indiana, Smith signed with the Bulls during the offseason where he will likely assume the role of backup center behind Nikola Vucevic. Smith played 61 games for the Pacers during the 2023-24 season, averaging 9.9 points, 5.5 rebounds, 0.6 blocks and 1.0 three-pointers in 17.2 minutes per game. Smith supposedly chose Chicago due to the fact he thought he could push for a starting position. While this would take either a Vucevic trade or demotion, it is a situation that could prove fruitful. Having traded away DeMar DeRozan and Alex Caruso, it appears the Bulls are finally ready to tear things down. If that is indeed the case, Vucevic could be on the move at some point, allowing Smith to step into a larger role. For now, Smith should be viewed as a possible last-round target, at best. Should circumstances change at any point, he could become a sneaky pickup, even in standard formats.
Following decent showings in Phoenix and Indiana, Smith signed with the Bulls during the offseason where he will likely assume the role of backup center behind Nikola Vucevic. Smith played 61 games for the Pacers during the 2023-24 season, averaging 9.9 points, 5.5 rebounds, 0.6 blocks and 1.0 three-pointers in 17.2 minutes per game. Smith supposedly chose Chicago due to the fact he thought he could push for a starting position. While this would take either a Vucevic trade or demotion, it is a situation that could prove fruitful. Having traded away DeMar DeRozan and Alex Caruso, it appears the Bulls are finally ready to tear things down. If that is indeed the case, Vucevic could be on the move at some point, allowing Smith to step into a larger role. For now, Smith should be viewed as a possible last-round target, at best. Should circumstances change at any point, he could become a sneaky pickup, even in standard formats.
Many mock drafts had Clingan as a top-three pick, so Portland getting him at No. 7 represents a slide down the board. The UConn product, with his 7-foot-2 frame, is a traditional big. He blocks shots at an elite level, rebounds, and works in the paint on offense. How much he gets used in the post instead of simply as a pick-and-roll threat remains to be seen, but it will be an option for him. Clingan's experience with an excellent college program and his baseline of skill make him one of the more ready-made prospects in the draft. In Summer League, Clingan averaged 9.0 points and 0.8 threes on 36/23/50 shooting, 12.3 rebounds, 4.3 blocks, 0.8 steals and 2.0 assists with 2.8 turnovers in 25.4 minutes. Clingan explored shooting threes in Summer League, which hurt his offensive performance. But he was a monster on defense, showing fans why he was in the discussion to be selected sooner in the draft. That said, he will have to compete with Deandre Ayton and Robert Williams for minutes as a rookie, which is a far from ideal situation since nobody in the trio can effectively play power forward. With the blocks upside alone, it's defensible to take a chance on Clingan in fantasy, but it will probably take a major injury or trade for the full potential to be realized.
Many mock drafts had Clingan as a top-three pick, so Portland getting him at No. 7 represents a slide down the board. The UConn product, with his 7-foot-2 frame, is a traditional big. He blocks shots at an elite level, rebounds, and works in the paint on offense. How much he gets used in the post instead of simply as a pick-and-roll threat remains to be seen, but it will be an option for him. Clingan's experience with an excellent college program and his baseline of skill make him one of the more ready-made prospects in the draft. In Summer League, Clingan averaged 9.0 points and 0.8 threes on 36/23/50 shooting, 12.3 rebounds, 4.3 blocks, 0.8 steals and 2.0 assists with 2.8 turnovers in 25.4 minutes. Clingan explored shooting threes in Summer League, which hurt his offensive performance. But he was a monster on defense, showing fans why he was in the discussion to be selected sooner in the draft. That said, he will have to compete with Deandre Ayton and Robert Williams for minutes as a rookie, which is a far from ideal situation since nobody in the trio can effectively play power forward. With the blocks upside alone, it's defensible to take a chance on Clingan in fantasy, but it will probably take a major injury or trade for the full potential to be realized.
Beasley signed a one-year deal with the Pistons in the offseason, which means he will play for his sixth team in six seasons. He is coming off a solid campaign in Milwaukee, where he started 77 of 79 regular-season appearances and averaged a career-best 41.3 percent shooting from long range while hitting more than 2.5 threes per game for a fourth consecutive season. He had a minimum of four threes in 31 outings last season, including a season-high eight threes in a season-high 30-point scoring outburst in a road win against the Raptors. He reached the 20-point mark in 10 games and shot a blistering 60.0 percent from the field over those outings. He also hauled in double-digit rebounds on two occasions, including one double-double. Looking ahead, Beasley joins a young core with solid potential, but they owned the worst record in the NBA last season. He will likely play out of a bench role, but his veteran skillset should lead to him getting plenty of playing time and even closing out games with three-point shooting. The Pistons owned the league's fifth-worst three-point percentage, but the additions of Beasley and Tobias Harris in the offseason aim to improve that area.
Beasley signed a one-year deal with the Pistons in the offseason, which means he will play for his sixth team in six seasons. He is coming off a solid campaign in Milwaukee, where he started 77 of 79 regular-season appearances and averaged a career-best 41.3 percent shooting from long range while hitting more than 2.5 threes per game for a fourth consecutive season. He had a minimum of four threes in 31 outings last season, including a season-high eight threes in a season-high 30-point scoring outburst in a road win against the Raptors. He reached the 20-point mark in 10 games and shot a blistering 60.0 percent from the field over those outings. He also hauled in double-digit rebounds on two occasions, including one double-double. Looking ahead, Beasley joins a young core with solid potential, but they owned the worst record in the NBA last season. He will likely play out of a bench role, but his veteran skillset should lead to him getting plenty of playing time and even closing out games with three-point shooting. The Pistons owned the league's fifth-worst three-point percentage, but the additions of Beasley and Tobias Harris in the offseason aim to improve that area.
A veteran who's carved out a decent career in the NBA as a backup point guard, Wright is expected to have the same role in 2024-25 after signing a one-year, $3.3 million contract with the Bucks in free agency. Wright spent time with Washington and Miami during the 2023-24 season, appearing in 47 contests and averaging 4.5 points, 2.5 assists, 1.8 rebounds and 1.1 steals in 15.8 minutes per game. Those numbers aren't expected to change in 2024-25 since he'll operate as Damian Lillard's backup. Given Lillard has one of the highest usage rates in the league while averaging at least 35.0 minutes per game in each of his 12 years in the league, Wright is not expected to see enough minutes to contribute in fantasy on a steady basis. In short, Wright won't carry a lot of fantasy upside, and fantasy managers should leave him on waivers outside of the very deep formats.
A veteran who's carved out a decent career in the NBA as a backup point guard, Wright is expected to have the same role in 2024-25 after signing a one-year, $3.3 million contract with the Bucks in free agency. Wright spent time with Washington and Miami during the 2023-24 season, appearing in 47 contests and averaging 4.5 points, 2.5 assists, 1.8 rebounds and 1.1 steals in 15.8 minutes per game. Those numbers aren't expected to change in 2024-25 since he'll operate as Damian Lillard's backup. Given Lillard has one of the highest usage rates in the league while averaging at least 35.0 minutes per game in each of his 12 years in the league, Wright is not expected to see enough minutes to contribute in fantasy on a steady basis. In short, Wright won't carry a lot of fantasy upside, and fantasy managers should leave him on waivers outside of the very deep formats.
The Jazz traded Fontecchio to the Pistons during the 2023-24 season. That move turned out to be great for the Italian wing, who enjoyed a more significant role with Detroit until he suffered a toe injury that kept him away from the hardwood from March 17 until the end of the season. The small sample size was enough to create excitement in fantasy managers, however, as Fontecchio went from averaging 8.9 points and 3.5 rebounds across 23.2 minutes per game in Utah to delivering 15.4 points and 4.4 boards across 30.3 minutes per contest in Motor City. Fontecchio is rehabbing from the same toe injury that sidelined him at the end of the season, but he's expected to be fully healthy and available by the time the 2024-25 season starts. While he might open the season as Tobias Harris' backup, there's a strong chance Fontecchio's role will grow as the season progresses. Even if he stays in a bench role, Fontecchio's scoring figures and efficient shooting -- he made 40.1 percent of his threes in 2023-24 -- should be enough to make him a viable target, even as a waiver pickup, in category-based leagues and deeper formats. Ultimately, Fontecchio's role will determine just how much upside he will have.
The Jazz traded Fontecchio to the Pistons during the 2023-24 season. That move turned out to be great for the Italian wing, who enjoyed a more significant role with Detroit until he suffered a toe injury that kept him away from the hardwood from March 17 until the end of the season. The small sample size was enough to create excitement in fantasy managers, however, as Fontecchio went from averaging 8.9 points and 3.5 rebounds across 23.2 minutes per game in Utah to delivering 15.4 points and 4.4 boards across 30.3 minutes per contest in Motor City. Fontecchio is rehabbing from the same toe injury that sidelined him at the end of the season, but he's expected to be fully healthy and available by the time the 2024-25 season starts. While he might open the season as Tobias Harris' backup, there's a strong chance Fontecchio's role will grow as the season progresses. Even if he stays in a bench role, Fontecchio's scoring figures and efficient shooting -- he made 40.1 percent of his threes in 2023-24 -- should be enough to make him a viable target, even as a waiver pickup, in category-based leagues and deeper formats. Ultimately, Fontecchio's role will determine just how much upside he will have.
Huerter's campaign in the 2023-24 season was cut short by a shoulder procedure in late March, but the sharpshooter is expected to be fully healthy for 2024-25. Even though Huerter will remain in a starting role for the Kings this upcoming season, his fantasy upside took a sizable hit following Sacramento's offseason moves, as the addition of DeMar DeRozan will move him to an even more secondary role in the offensive scheme, and the return of Malik Monk will probably subtract minutes from Huerter as well. Huerter's numbers were already trending in the wrong direction in 2023-24, as he averaged a career-worst 24.4 minutes per game, and his average of 10.2 points per contest was his lowest since his rookie year when he played for the Hawks in 2018-19. Huerter should have value in deep formats and category-based leagues, but even his efficiency seems to be trending in the wrong direction, as his 36.1 percent from three-point range last season was also a career-low figure. Under these conditions, fantasy managers should look at other alternatives in their drafts, with Huerter being nothing more than a streaming alternative in most formats.
Huerter's campaign in the 2023-24 season was cut short by a shoulder procedure in late March, but the sharpshooter is expected to be fully healthy for 2024-25. Even though Huerter will remain in a starting role for the Kings this upcoming season, his fantasy upside took a sizable hit following Sacramento's offseason moves, as the addition of DeMar DeRozan will move him to an even more secondary role in the offensive scheme, and the return of Malik Monk will probably subtract minutes from Huerter as well. Huerter's numbers were already trending in the wrong direction in 2023-24, as he averaged a career-worst 24.4 minutes per game, and his average of 10.2 points per contest was his lowest since his rookie year when he played for the Hawks in 2018-19. Huerter should have value in deep formats and category-based leagues, but even his efficiency seems to be trending in the wrong direction, as his 36.1 percent from three-point range last season was also a career-low figure. Under these conditions, fantasy managers should look at other alternatives in their drafts, with Huerter being nothing more than a streaming alternative in most formats.
Stewart was a regular starter for the Pistons for a third straight season, and even though his numbers took a hit compared to the 2022-23 campaign, he still posted a decent line of 10.9 points, 6.6 rebounds, 1.6 assists and 0.8 blocks across 30.9 minutes per game in 46 appearances (45 starts). However, Stewart is in line for another regression in 2024-25, at least from a role perspective. The presence of Jalen Duren as the starting center and the addition of Tobias Harris in free agency means Stewart will likely play off the bench, though he should still see decent minutes with the second unit. Don't expect Stewart to be a major factor in most formats, and he could be left on waivers outside of the deepest leagues, as he shouldn't carry a lot of upside by being a bench alternative in a rebuilding squad that projects to be one of the worst teams in the Eastern Conference in 2024-25.
Stewart was a regular starter for the Pistons for a third straight season, and even though his numbers took a hit compared to the 2022-23 campaign, he still posted a decent line of 10.9 points, 6.6 rebounds, 1.6 assists and 0.8 blocks across 30.9 minutes per game in 46 appearances (45 starts). However, Stewart is in line for another regression in 2024-25, at least from a role perspective. The presence of Jalen Duren as the starting center and the addition of Tobias Harris in free agency means Stewart will likely play off the bench, though he should still see decent minutes with the second unit. Don't expect Stewart to be a major factor in most formats, and he could be left on waivers outside of the deepest leagues, as he shouldn't carry a lot of upside by being a bench alternative in a rebuilding squad that projects to be one of the worst teams in the Eastern Conference in 2024-25.
Despite continuing to play a significant role for the Nets, Finney-Smith's numbers tell a different story. He played 68 games during the 2023-24 season, averaging 8.5 points, 4.7 rebounds, 1.6 assists, 1.7 three-pointers and 1.4 combined steals and blocks in 28.4 minutes per game. Although his contributions are consistent, they make for unexciting reading. Heading into the 2024-25 season, Finney-Smith is penciled into a starting role on a team that could very well end up at the bottom of the standings. While he could play meaningful minutes right out of the gate, there is a chance his role is scaled back as the season progresses. Brooklyn would ideally love to get a look at some of its fringe talent such as Noah Clowney, Day'Ron Sharpe and Jalen Wilson. Finney-Smith could have some early-season streaming value for anyone seeking an injection of three-pointers. However, that seems like a best-case scenario, and managers are likely to be able to find someone with at least a small amount of upside on most waiver wires.
Despite continuing to play a significant role for the Nets, Finney-Smith's numbers tell a different story. He played 68 games during the 2023-24 season, averaging 8.5 points, 4.7 rebounds, 1.6 assists, 1.7 three-pointers and 1.4 combined steals and blocks in 28.4 minutes per game. Although his contributions are consistent, they make for unexciting reading. Heading into the 2024-25 season, Finney-Smith is penciled into a starting role on a team that could very well end up at the bottom of the standings. While he could play meaningful minutes right out of the gate, there is a chance his role is scaled back as the season progresses. Brooklyn would ideally love to get a look at some of its fringe talent such as Noah Clowney, Day'Ron Sharpe and Jalen Wilson. Finney-Smith could have some early-season streaming value for anyone seeking an injection of three-pointers. However, that seems like a best-case scenario, and managers are likely to be able to find someone with at least a small amount of upside on most waiver wires.
Following four seasons in Toronto, Trent was signed by the Bucks during the offseason. In Milwaukee, the veteran guard will likely slot in as the starting two-guard alongside Damian Lillard. After back-to-back top-70 seasons in 2021-22 and 2022-23, Trent struggled to find any rhythm last year, finishing just inside the top 150 in nine-category leagues. His numbers dropped across the board, averaging 13.7 points, 2.6 rebounds, 1.7 assists, 1.1 steals and 2.5 three-pointers in 28.1 minutes per game. However, he was the 47th-ranked player over the final month of the season and looked more like the player we saw in the two years prior. Milwaukee will be hoping Trent can carry that momentum into the 2024-25 season, providing the Bucks with a reliable floor-spacer and opening up the court for Giannis Antetokounmpo to go to work. Although it is unlikely Trent will get back to being a top-70 player, there is a chance he could flirt with top-100 value. As this would be considered his ceiling, managers would be wise to try and wait before drafting Trent, aiming for the last or second-to-last round.
Following four seasons in Toronto, Trent was signed by the Bucks during the offseason. In Milwaukee, the veteran guard will likely slot in as the starting two-guard alongside Damian Lillard. After back-to-back top-70 seasons in 2021-22 and 2022-23, Trent struggled to find any rhythm last year, finishing just inside the top 150 in nine-category leagues. His numbers dropped across the board, averaging 13.7 points, 2.6 rebounds, 1.7 assists, 1.1 steals and 2.5 three-pointers in 28.1 minutes per game. However, he was the 47th-ranked player over the final month of the season and looked more like the player we saw in the two years prior. Milwaukee will be hoping Trent can carry that momentum into the 2024-25 season, providing the Bucks with a reliable floor-spacer and opening up the court for Giannis Antetokounmpo to go to work. Although it is unlikely Trent will get back to being a top-70 player, there is a chance he could flirt with top-100 value. As this would be considered his ceiling, managers would be wise to try and wait before drafting Trent, aiming for the last or second-to-last round.
A right mid-foot sprain limited Vanderbilt to only 29 regular-season appearances (six starts) during the 2023-24 campaign. The defensive-minded forward was an integral part of the Lakers' postseason rotation the previous year when Los Angeles advanced to the Western Conference Finals before ultimately losing to Denver. The Lakers lost to the Nuggets in last season's playoffs again, but this time it was a rare first-round exit for a LeBron James-led squad. The Lakers felt Vanderbilt's absence all season, as they constantly changed and shifted lineups looking for a spark. Now healthy, Vanderbilt is set to play an integral, cohesive role for the star-studded Lakers. He may not start in the frontcourt, but Vanderbilt should see consistent minutes regardless of his role. However, for fantasy purposes, there's not much to see. He's a solid rebounder and defender, but his outside shooting is a major concern. Vanderbilt is better utilized in non-category settings, but even then, he's not going to deliver enough production to be a must-roster player in standard leagues.
A right mid-foot sprain limited Vanderbilt to only 29 regular-season appearances (six starts) during the 2023-24 campaign. The defensive-minded forward was an integral part of the Lakers' postseason rotation the previous year when Los Angeles advanced to the Western Conference Finals before ultimately losing to Denver. The Lakers lost to the Nuggets in last season's playoffs again, but this time it was a rare first-round exit for a LeBron James-led squad. The Lakers felt Vanderbilt's absence all season, as they constantly changed and shifted lineups looking for a spark. Now healthy, Vanderbilt is set to play an integral, cohesive role for the star-studded Lakers. He may not start in the frontcourt, but Vanderbilt should see consistent minutes regardless of his role. However, for fantasy purposes, there's not much to see. He's a solid rebounder and defender, but his outside shooting is a major concern. Vanderbilt is better utilized in non-category settings, but even then, he's not going to deliver enough production to be a must-roster player in standard leagues.
Dick logged 60 regular-season appearances as a rookie, including 17 starts, and while he entered the league as the best shooter in the 2023 draft class, the jury is still torn on whether he can translate his college success to the next level. Limited minutes and the lack of an established role as a rookie until the final weeks of the campaign conspired against his upside, but Dick is primed for a more significant role in 2024-25, at least from a playing time perspective. He's expected to open the campaign as a starter for a rebuilding team. Dick made 36.5 percent of his threes as a rookie while averaging 4.0 attempts per contest. His overall stats should also increase, as he posted 8.5 points, 2.2 rebounds and 1.1 assists across 21.1 minutes per game in his first year in the league. However, as a three-point specialist who doesn't bring much else to the table, his fantasy upside isn't high, even if he experiences a sizable uptick in his three-point shooting and overall scoring volume. Dick could be worth a flier with a late-round pick, but if not, fantasy managers would be wise to monitor his progress and check if he's producing enough to be a streaming option.
Dick logged 60 regular-season appearances as a rookie, including 17 starts, and while he entered the league as the best shooter in the 2023 draft class, the jury is still torn on whether he can translate his college success to the next level. Limited minutes and the lack of an established role as a rookie until the final weeks of the campaign conspired against his upside, but Dick is primed for a more significant role in 2024-25, at least from a playing time perspective. He's expected to open the campaign as a starter for a rebuilding team. Dick made 36.5 percent of his threes as a rookie while averaging 4.0 attempts per contest. His overall stats should also increase, as he posted 8.5 points, 2.2 rebounds and 1.1 assists across 21.1 minutes per game in his first year in the league. However, as a three-point specialist who doesn't bring much else to the table, his fantasy upside isn't high, even if he experiences a sizable uptick in his three-point shooting and overall scoring volume. Dick could be worth a flier with a late-round pick, but if not, fantasy managers would be wise to monitor his progress and check if he's producing enough to be a streaming option.
With the Bulls finally embracing what seems to be a rebuild, Craig's spot in the rotation is unclear. He played just 47 games during the 2023-24 season, averaging 4.1 points, 3.2 rebounds and 0.8 three-pointers in 15.0 minutes per game. Having never finished inside the top 250 in standard formats, it's hard to see Craig being anything more than a depth piece with almost no upside. The Bulls also re-signed Patrick Williams and drafted Matas Buzelis, both of whom should be ahead of Craig in the rotation. Although he can be a valuable piece off the bench when it comes to impacting the game, his skillset is not built for fantasy. At this stage, the only way Craig would have a chance at consistent value is if he was afforded upwards of 26 minutes per game, something that has yet to occur across his seven-year career.
With the Bulls finally embracing what seems to be a rebuild, Craig's spot in the rotation is unclear. He played just 47 games during the 2023-24 season, averaging 4.1 points, 3.2 rebounds and 0.8 three-pointers in 15.0 minutes per game. Having never finished inside the top 250 in standard formats, it's hard to see Craig being anything more than a depth piece with almost no upside. The Bulls also re-signed Patrick Williams and drafted Matas Buzelis, both of whom should be ahead of Craig in the rotation. Although he can be a valuable piece off the bench when it comes to impacting the game, his skillset is not built for fantasy. At this stage, the only way Craig would have a chance at consistent value is if he was afforded upwards of 26 minutes per game, something that has yet to occur across his seven-year career.
Wallace cobbled together a nice rookie season, finishing just outside the top 200 in nine-category formats, averaging 6.8 points, 2.3 rebounds, 0.9 steals and 1.2 three-pointers in 20.6 minutes per game. Although he was able to carve out a consistent role, the offseason addition of Alex Caruso could limit Wallace's upside, at least for another year. With Caruso assuming the fifth starting position, Luguentz Dort will likely shift to the bench where he will be the primary sixth man. This will likely result in players like Wallace and Isaiah Joe playing no more than 20 minutes per game. As we saw last season, this won't be enough for Wallace to be considered a viable asset outside of slightly deeper formats. His upside remains relatively high but as a member of a team with title aspirations, 2024-25 may not be Wallace's breakout year.
Wallace cobbled together a nice rookie season, finishing just outside the top 200 in nine-category formats, averaging 6.8 points, 2.3 rebounds, 0.9 steals and 1.2 three-pointers in 20.6 minutes per game. Although he was able to carve out a consistent role, the offseason addition of Alex Caruso could limit Wallace's upside, at least for another year. With Caruso assuming the fifth starting position, Luguentz Dort will likely shift to the bench where he will be the primary sixth man. This will likely result in players like Wallace and Isaiah Joe playing no more than 20 minutes per game. As we saw last season, this won't be enough for Wallace to be considered a viable asset outside of slightly deeper formats. His upside remains relatively high but as a member of a team with title aspirations, 2024-25 may not be Wallace's breakout year.
Ware was selected by the Heat with the No. 15 overall pick in the 2024 NBA Draft. As a sophomore last year in Indiana, Ware earned spots on the All-Big Ten Second Team (media) and the All-Big Ten Defensive Team. The 7-footer showed upside as a rim-protecting stretch five, blocking 1.9 shots and making 0.6 threes at 42.5 percent in 32.2 minutes per game. He's also a phenomenal athlete capable of highlight-reel dunks, giving him intriguing offensive upside in a league so reliant on pick-and-roll and pick-and-pop offense. The reason Ware was drafted in the middle of the first round rather than higher is largely due to mixed effort and decision-making, not to mention a lack of desire to play with physicality. In terms of his immediate role, Ware could slot in as Bam Adebayo's backup, though there's potential for the two to share the floor. Ware put up some impressive Summer League performances, averaging 18.3 points and 0.4 threes on 58/20/68 shooting, 8.4 rebounds, 1.9 blocks and 1.1 assists in 26.7 minutes.
Ware was selected by the Heat with the No. 15 overall pick in the 2024 NBA Draft. As a sophomore last year in Indiana, Ware earned spots on the All-Big Ten Second Team (media) and the All-Big Ten Defensive Team. The 7-footer showed upside as a rim-protecting stretch five, blocking 1.9 shots and making 0.6 threes at 42.5 percent in 32.2 minutes per game. He's also a phenomenal athlete capable of highlight-reel dunks, giving him intriguing offensive upside in a league so reliant on pick-and-roll and pick-and-pop offense. The reason Ware was drafted in the middle of the first round rather than higher is largely due to mixed effort and decision-making, not to mention a lack of desire to play with physicality. In terms of his immediate role, Ware could slot in as Bam Adebayo's backup, though there's potential for the two to share the floor. Ware put up some impressive Summer League performances, averaging 18.3 points and 0.4 threes on 58/20/68 shooting, 8.4 rebounds, 1.9 blocks and 1.1 assists in 26.7 minutes.
Dillingham was selected by the Timberwolves with the No. 8 overall pick in the 2024 NBA Draft. One of the most exciting offensive players in college basketball last season, Dillingham averaged 15.2 points, 3.9 assists and 2.9 rebounds in just 23.3 minutes per game. He also knocked down 44.4 percent of his 4.4 three-point attempts per game. At 6-foot-1 and 165 pounds, Dillingham is a bit undersized, but the Wolves are betting that he'll be able to add weight to his slight frame in order to handle the rigors of the NBA game. With Mike Conley and Anthony Edwards already in place in Minnesota, Dillingham will likely be deployed as a spark plug off the bench in Year 1, competing for minutes with Donte DiVincenzo and Nickeil Alexander-Walker. In Summer League, he averaged 13.6 points and 1.6 threes on 36/31/55 shooting, 7.6 assists, 4.2 rebounds, 1.0 steals, 0.4 blocks and 3.4 turnovers in 29.8 minutes. Dillingham's efficiency was poor in Summer League, but he showed off the speed, tough-shot-making ability and passing that should have Wolves fans and fantasy managers intrigued.
Dillingham was selected by the Timberwolves with the No. 8 overall pick in the 2024 NBA Draft. One of the most exciting offensive players in college basketball last season, Dillingham averaged 15.2 points, 3.9 assists and 2.9 rebounds in just 23.3 minutes per game. He also knocked down 44.4 percent of his 4.4 three-point attempts per game. At 6-foot-1 and 165 pounds, Dillingham is a bit undersized, but the Wolves are betting that he'll be able to add weight to his slight frame in order to handle the rigors of the NBA game. With Mike Conley and Anthony Edwards already in place in Minnesota, Dillingham will likely be deployed as a spark plug off the bench in Year 1, competing for minutes with Donte DiVincenzo and Nickeil Alexander-Walker. In Summer League, he averaged 13.6 points and 1.6 threes on 36/31/55 shooting, 7.6 assists, 4.2 rebounds, 1.0 steals, 0.4 blocks and 3.4 turnovers in 29.8 minutes. Dillingham's efficiency was poor in Summer League, but he showed off the speed, tough-shot-making ability and passing that should have Wolves fans and fantasy managers intrigued.
Drummond will return to Philadelphia after a two-year stint with the Bulls. He ended the most recent season just outside the top 200 in standard formats, averaging 8.4 points, 9.0 rebounds and 1.5 combined steals and blocks in 17.1 minutes per game. Although he will be a backup center again, there is a decent chance his playing time will increase. Given Joel Embiid's injury history, we have a situation where Drummond's role could improve, and he may actually start a meaningful portion of the season. While this is all speculation, Drummond has proven he can put up standard league value whenever he is given the opportunity. In the final rounds of drafts, Drummond makes sense, assuming you can absorb his fantasy flaws and don't need to start him consistently.
Drummond will return to Philadelphia after a two-year stint with the Bulls. He ended the most recent season just outside the top 200 in standard formats, averaging 8.4 points, 9.0 rebounds and 1.5 combined steals and blocks in 17.1 minutes per game. Although he will be a backup center again, there is a decent chance his playing time will increase. Given Joel Embiid's injury history, we have a situation where Drummond's role could improve, and he may actually start a meaningful portion of the season. While this is all speculation, Drummond has proven he can put up standard league value whenever he is given the opportunity. In the final rounds of drafts, Drummond makes sense, assuming you can absorb his fantasy flaws and don't need to start him consistently.
Bogdanovic was traded from the Knicks to the Nets this offseason as a part of a package for Mikal Bridges. At the beginning of the 2023-24 season, Bogdanovic was a typical starter for the Pistons but was dealt to the Knicks and became one of their primary options off the bench. Across the veteran forward's 57 regular-season appearances, including 27 starts, for Detroit and New York combined last year, he averaged 15.2 points, 2.7 rebounds and 1.7 assists in 25.9 minutes. The 35-year-old also displayed impressive efficiency, shooting 45.4 percent from the field and converting 39.8 percent of his 5.9 three-point attempts per contest. Bogdanovic's season-long numbers are likely a good indicator of what to expect from him next year. In Brooklyn, Bogdanovic will likely compete with Cameron Johnson, Jalen Wilson, Dorian Finney-Smith and Noah Clowney for playing time at forward. Bogdanovic also has some availability concerns as he continues to age. He has played fewer than 60 regular-season games in each of the past two seasons. Overall, Bogdanovic should receive a substantial role for a rebuilding Nets squad, and his elite efficiency from three-point range makes him an intriguing option at the end of fantasy drafts.
Bogdanovic was traded from the Knicks to the Nets this offseason as a part of a package for Mikal Bridges. At the beginning of the 2023-24 season, Bogdanovic was a typical starter for the Pistons but was dealt to the Knicks and became one of their primary options off the bench. Across the veteran forward's 57 regular-season appearances, including 27 starts, for Detroit and New York combined last year, he averaged 15.2 points, 2.7 rebounds and 1.7 assists in 25.9 minutes. The 35-year-old also displayed impressive efficiency, shooting 45.4 percent from the field and converting 39.8 percent of his 5.9 three-point attempts per contest. Bogdanovic's season-long numbers are likely a good indicator of what to expect from him next year. In Brooklyn, Bogdanovic will likely compete with Cameron Johnson, Jalen Wilson, Dorian Finney-Smith and Noah Clowney for playing time at forward. Bogdanovic also has some availability concerns as he continues to age. He has played fewer than 60 regular-season games in each of the past two seasons. Overall, Bogdanovic should receive a substantial role for a rebuilding Nets squad, and his elite efficiency from three-point range makes him an intriguing option at the end of fantasy drafts.
Jackson-Davis had an inconsistent role with the Warriors during his rookie year but showed flashes of his potential across 68 regular-season appearances, including 16 starts. The Warriors often changed their starting unit, impacting Jackson-Davis' upside. However, he was a decent fantasy option when starting, averaging 10.7 points, 7.2 rebounds, 1.6 blocks and 1.6 assists across 24.6 minutes per game, including the Play-In Tournament. It seems the Warriors may unleash Jackson-Davis into a consistent starting role in his sophomore year, though there's a scenario in which he'll still come off the bench, with Jonathan Kuminga and Draymond Green in the frontcourt. Jackson-Davis doesn't have an established role and is a bit rough around the edges offensively, so his fantasy upside is limited again. He might be a solid waiver pick-up -- depending on the matchup and the league format -- as the season progresses, but he should be left on waivers in most standard drafts unless he secures a starting spot during the preseason.
Jackson-Davis had an inconsistent role with the Warriors during his rookie year but showed flashes of his potential across 68 regular-season appearances, including 16 starts. The Warriors often changed their starting unit, impacting Jackson-Davis' upside. However, he was a decent fantasy option when starting, averaging 10.7 points, 7.2 rebounds, 1.6 blocks and 1.6 assists across 24.6 minutes per game, including the Play-In Tournament. It seems the Warriors may unleash Jackson-Davis into a consistent starting role in his sophomore year, though there's a scenario in which he'll still come off the bench, with Jonathan Kuminga and Draymond Green in the frontcourt. Jackson-Davis doesn't have an established role and is a bit rough around the edges offensively, so his fantasy upside is limited again. He might be a solid waiver pick-up -- depending on the matchup and the league format -- as the season progresses, but he should be left on waivers in most standard drafts unless he secures a starting spot during the preseason.
Wagner is coming off a strong season where he helped power the Magic to a fifth-place finish in the East for their first playoff appearance since 2019-20. He thrived as the first big man off the bench and averaged a career-best 10.9 points on 60.1 percent shooting from the field in 17.7 minutes per game, which is only the third-highest mark in his six-year career. Wagner had more than a few standout performances on the offensive end during the regular season, including 18 games with more than 15 points and four games with more than 20. He turned in a season-high 27 points on 9-for-13 shooting, including 1-for-3 from deep and 8-for-9 from the foul line in a home win over the Celtics in November. Additionally, he racked up at least 10 rebounds on four occasions, including three double-doubles, and he also recorded three games with at least three assists and no turnovers. Wagner was relatively limited in the postseason, where he averaged 6.3 points, 4.4 rebounds, 0.9 blocks and 1.1 turnovers in 15.1 minutes through seven games against the Cavaliers. After locking in a two-year, $22 million deal in the offseason, he is set to remain a key part of the up-and-coming Magic core and has room to grow in his role. Wagner also averaged 9.8 rebounds, 3.7 rebounds and 2.0 assists in 17.0 minutes per game over six appearances for Germany during the 2024 Paris Olympics.
Wagner is coming off a strong season where he helped power the Magic to a fifth-place finish in the East for their first playoff appearance since 2019-20. He thrived as the first big man off the bench and averaged a career-best 10.9 points on 60.1 percent shooting from the field in 17.7 minutes per game, which is only the third-highest mark in his six-year career. Wagner had more than a few standout performances on the offensive end during the regular season, including 18 games with more than 15 points and four games with more than 20. He turned in a season-high 27 points on 9-for-13 shooting, including 1-for-3 from deep and 8-for-9 from the foul line in a home win over the Celtics in November. Additionally, he racked up at least 10 rebounds on four occasions, including three double-doubles, and he also recorded three games with at least three assists and no turnovers. Wagner was relatively limited in the postseason, where he averaged 6.3 points, 4.4 rebounds, 0.9 blocks and 1.1 turnovers in 15.1 minutes through seven games against the Cavaliers. After locking in a two-year, $22 million deal in the offseason, he is set to remain a key part of the up-and-coming Magic core and has room to grow in his role. Wagner also averaged 9.8 rebounds, 3.7 rebounds and 2.0 assists in 17.0 minutes per game over six appearances for Germany during the 2024 Paris Olympics.
After playing in Dallas for the first four years of his career, Green was traded to Charlotte during the offseason as part of the Klay Thompson deal. Despite a lack of offensive versatility, Green has been able to carve out a meaningful role for himself over the past two years. He finished with averages of 8.2 points, 3.2 rebounds, 2.3 assists, 0.8 steals and 1.3 three-pointers in 26.4 minutes per game during the 2023-24 campaign. Now with the Hornets, Green could be in the discussion for a starting spot, potentially allowing him to play close to 30 minutes per game. However, playing alongside LaMelo Ball, Miles Bridges and Brandon Miller will do Green no favors in terms of offensive opportunities. While he will serve as a key defensive piece for a team desperately seeking an identity, that is unlikely to translate to consistent fantasy value. Based on what we have seen from him to this point in his career, Green is not worth drafting outside of deeper leagues.
After playing in Dallas for the first four years of his career, Green was traded to Charlotte during the offseason as part of the Klay Thompson deal. Despite a lack of offensive versatility, Green has been able to carve out a meaningful role for himself over the past two years. He finished with averages of 8.2 points, 3.2 rebounds, 2.3 assists, 0.8 steals and 1.3 three-pointers in 26.4 minutes per game during the 2023-24 campaign. Now with the Hornets, Green could be in the discussion for a starting spot, potentially allowing him to play close to 30 minutes per game. However, playing alongside LaMelo Ball, Miles Bridges and Brandon Miller will do Green no favors in terms of offensive opportunities. While he will serve as a key defensive piece for a team desperately seeking an identity, that is unlikely to translate to consistent fantasy value. Based on what we have seen from him to this point in his career, Green is not worth drafting outside of deeper leagues.
Richardson was a rotational player for the Heat before suffering a season-ending shoulder injury in February. He averaged 9.9 points, 2.8 rebounds, 2.4 rebounds, 2.4 assists, 1.5 triples and 0.6 steals across 25.7 minutes in 43 regular-season games. The veteran wing will look to earn a similar role for the Heat in the upcoming season, but a role off the bench might not be enough to give him valuable fantasy upside. Richardson can be a decent source of assists, triples and even perhaps steals, but the nature of his bench role will limit his upside. He might be worth looking at as a potential streaming option in standard formats and could even be worth a late-round flier depending on how your roster is constructed. However, his fantasy upside will be limited even in deep formats unless he can carve a bigger-than-expected role off the bench. That seems unlikely, though, as the Heat have Tyler Herro and Jimmy Butler entrenched as the starters at shooting guard and small forward, and Jaime Jaquez can also be an option off the bench in both roles.
Richardson was a rotational player for the Heat before suffering a season-ending shoulder injury in February. He averaged 9.9 points, 2.8 rebounds, 2.4 rebounds, 2.4 assists, 1.5 triples and 0.6 steals across 25.7 minutes in 43 regular-season games. The veteran wing will look to earn a similar role for the Heat in the upcoming season, but a role off the bench might not be enough to give him valuable fantasy upside. Richardson can be a decent source of assists, triples and even perhaps steals, but the nature of his bench role will limit his upside. He might be worth looking at as a potential streaming option in standard formats and could even be worth a late-round flier depending on how your roster is constructed. However, his fantasy upside will be limited even in deep formats unless he can carve a bigger-than-expected role off the bench. That seems unlikely, though, as the Heat have Tyler Herro and Jimmy Butler entrenched as the starters at shooting guard and small forward, and Jaime Jaquez can also be an option off the bench in both roles.
After barely seeing the court to begin the 2023-24 season, Mann was traded from Oklahoma City to Charlotte before the trade deadline, affording him with a nice opportunity to prove his worth. In fact, following the trade, Mann started 28 consecutive games to close the season, averaging 11.9 points, 4.5 rebounds, 5.2 assists, 1.7 steals and 1.4 three-pointers in 31.0 minutes per game. During that span, Mann put up top-130 numbers, proving to be a sneaky late-season addition for anyone who snapped him up. However, coming into the 2024-25 season, the Hornets expect to have LaMelo Ball fully healthy, shifting Mann back to the bench. He may have done enough to establish himself as the primary backup ahead of Vasilije Micic, but unfortunately, that role likely won't produce sustainable value. While he isn't worth drafting in standard leagues, Ball's ongoing health concerns could open up another opportunity for Mann at some point. Managers would be wise to keep an eye on things in Charlotte, just in case Ball is forced to the sideline, even for a limited period.
After barely seeing the court to begin the 2023-24 season, Mann was traded from Oklahoma City to Charlotte before the trade deadline, affording him with a nice opportunity to prove his worth. In fact, following the trade, Mann started 28 consecutive games to close the season, averaging 11.9 points, 4.5 rebounds, 5.2 assists, 1.7 steals and 1.4 three-pointers in 31.0 minutes per game. During that span, Mann put up top-130 numbers, proving to be a sneaky late-season addition for anyone who snapped him up. However, coming into the 2024-25 season, the Hornets expect to have LaMelo Ball fully healthy, shifting Mann back to the bench. He may have done enough to establish himself as the primary backup ahead of Vasilije Micic, but unfortunately, that role likely won't produce sustainable value. While he isn't worth drafting in standard leagues, Ball's ongoing health concerns could open up another opportunity for Mann at some point. Managers would be wise to keep an eye on things in Charlotte, just in case Ball is forced to the sideline, even for a limited period.
Alexander-Walker averaged a career-high 23.4 minutes per game during the 2023-24 season, playing in all 82 regular-season games. Despite finishing outside the top 200 in standard leagues with averages of just 8.0 points, 2.0 rebounds, 2.5 assists, 0.8 steals and 1.6 three-pointers, Alexander-Walker's impact was clear for all to see. He shot a career-best 39.1 percent from the perimeter, something he will need to continue to develop to ensure his role is safe, especially after the addition of Donte DiVincenzo. Now a legitimate title threat, the Timberwolves will need their second unit clicking on all cylinders. Alexander-Walker is slated to play a similar role again this upcoming season, limiting his value to slightly deeper formats. However, he is someone to keep an eye on in standard leagues, especially if Mike Conley or Anthony Edwards gets injured.
Alexander-Walker averaged a career-high 23.4 minutes per game during the 2023-24 season, playing in all 82 regular-season games. Despite finishing outside the top 200 in standard leagues with averages of just 8.0 points, 2.0 rebounds, 2.5 assists, 0.8 steals and 1.6 three-pointers, Alexander-Walker's impact was clear for all to see. He shot a career-best 39.1 percent from the perimeter, something he will need to continue to develop to ensure his role is safe, especially after the addition of Donte DiVincenzo. Now a legitimate title threat, the Timberwolves will need their second unit clicking on all cylinders. Alexander-Walker is slated to play a similar role again this upcoming season, limiting his value to slightly deeper formats. However, he is someone to keep an eye on in standard leagues, especially if Mike Conley or Anthony Edwards gets injured.
Despite starting 33 games during his inaugural season, Black's output left a lot to be desired, even for a rookie. He barely finished as a top-400 player, averaging 4.6 points, 2.0 rebounds and 1.3 assists in 16.9 minutes per game. Taken with the No. 6 pick in the 2023 draft, it remains unclear whether Black will turn into a consistent rotation player. Orlando opted to part ways with Markelle Fultz during the offseason, perhaps an indication that they have at least some faith in Black as a long-term piece. However, with the team primed to contend in the Eastern Conference, it is unlikely Black plays more than 20 minutes per game, barring injuries to other players. Although it should be an improved campaign, there is no reason to consider Black a viable fantasy asset, even in deeper formats. As for dynasty leagues, he is worth holding, especially if you are not in win-now mode.
Despite starting 33 games during his inaugural season, Black's output left a lot to be desired, even for a rookie. He barely finished as a top-400 player, averaging 4.6 points, 2.0 rebounds and 1.3 assists in 16.9 minutes per game. Taken with the No. 6 pick in the 2023 draft, it remains unclear whether Black will turn into a consistent rotation player. Orlando opted to part ways with Markelle Fultz during the offseason, perhaps an indication that they have at least some faith in Black as a long-term piece. However, with the team primed to contend in the Eastern Conference, it is unlikely Black plays more than 20 minutes per game, barring injuries to other players. Although it should be an improved campaign, there is no reason to consider Black a viable fantasy asset, even in deeper formats. As for dynasty leagues, he is worth holding, especially if you are not in win-now mode.
The Wizards selected Carrington with the No. 14 pick in the 2024 NBA Draft. In Summer League, he averaged 15.8 points and 2.8 threes on 33/36/86 shooting, 7.4 rebounds, 5.2 assists, 1.0 steals, 0.6 blocks and 2.4 turnovers in 32.6 minutes. The Pittsburgh product is 6-foot-4 but has a 6-foot-8 wingspan and gets excellent elevation on his jumper, allowing him to shoot over almost anyone. He shot well from three in Summer League but was more of a mid-range assassin in college. Carrington is a smooth but shifty athlete, and it seems to catch defenders off guard. At times, it looks like he's running a drill at 80 percent speed but still manages to shake a defender for a wide-open look. Like in college, Carrington also rebounded well and posted a nice assist-to-turnover ratio. Defense isn't a strength of his, but he made some nice plays on that side of the ball. There's some potential in fantasy this season, especially if Washington can find a way to trade (or even buy out) Malcolm Brogdon. Carrington probably won't start, but based on the depth chart, he could end up with almost free reign to run the second unit.
The Wizards selected Carrington with the No. 14 pick in the 2024 NBA Draft. In Summer League, he averaged 15.8 points and 2.8 threes on 33/36/86 shooting, 7.4 rebounds, 5.2 assists, 1.0 steals, 0.6 blocks and 2.4 turnovers in 32.6 minutes. The Pittsburgh product is 6-foot-4 but has a 6-foot-8 wingspan and gets excellent elevation on his jumper, allowing him to shoot over almost anyone. He shot well from three in Summer League but was more of a mid-range assassin in college. Carrington is a smooth but shifty athlete, and it seems to catch defenders off guard. At times, it looks like he's running a drill at 80 percent speed but still manages to shake a defender for a wide-open look. Like in college, Carrington also rebounded well and posted a nice assist-to-turnover ratio. Defense isn't a strength of his, but he made some nice plays on that side of the ball. There's some potential in fantasy this season, especially if Washington can find a way to trade (or even buy out) Malcolm Brogdon. Carrington probably won't start, but based on the depth chart, he could end up with almost free reign to run the second unit.
Coming off a strong freshman season at Duke, McCain was selected by the 76ers with the No. 16 overall pick in the 2024 NBA Draft. His three-point shot wasn't great during Summer League action, shooting 25.5 percent across eight appearances, but he shot 41.4 percent on 5.8 attempts per game in college. McCain's size raises concerns about his defensive upside at the NBA level, but the effort is constant, showing glimpses of being a lock-down perimeter defender a la Patrick Beverley. As a rookie, it'll be hard for McCain to find the court. The 76ers re-signed Kyle Lowry to serve as the primary backup to Tyrese Maxey, and they added Reggie Jackson and Eric Gordon to provide backcourt depth, not to mention the additions of Paul George, Caleb Martin, Andre Drummond and Guerschon Yabusele in the frontcourt. Philly is in a win-now mode, and it's unclear if McCain can contribute right away. With so many veterans ahead of him, McCain doesn't need to be drafted in standard leagues. However, given his all-around skill set, McCain is a name to watch if injuries pile up in Philadelphia.
Coming off a strong freshman season at Duke, McCain was selected by the 76ers with the No. 16 overall pick in the 2024 NBA Draft. His three-point shot wasn't great during Summer League action, shooting 25.5 percent across eight appearances, but he shot 41.4 percent on 5.8 attempts per game in college. McCain's size raises concerns about his defensive upside at the NBA level, but the effort is constant, showing glimpses of being a lock-down perimeter defender a la Patrick Beverley. As a rookie, it'll be hard for McCain to find the court. The 76ers re-signed Kyle Lowry to serve as the primary backup to Tyrese Maxey, and they added Reggie Jackson and Eric Gordon to provide backcourt depth, not to mention the additions of Paul George, Caleb Martin, Andre Drummond and Guerschon Yabusele in the frontcourt. Philly is in a win-now mode, and it's unclear if McCain can contribute right away. With so many veterans ahead of him, McCain doesn't need to be drafted in standard leagues. However, given his all-around skill set, McCain is a name to watch if injuries pile up in Philadelphia.
Jones logged career-high marks in almost every category during the 2023-24 season, as he played a prominent role for a Mavericks team that reached the NBA Finals. He appeared in a personal-best 76 regular-season games, including a career-high 66 starts, and averaged 8.6 points, 3.3 rebounds, 1.0 assists and a combined 1.4 steals-plus-blocks across 23.5 minutes per game. Jones is never going to operate as the leading scorer for a team, but his outstanding versatility and two-way contributions make him a valuable player in all fantasy formats, especially category-based leagues. He's expected to open the season as the Clippers' starting small forward, but considering he'll share the court with James Harden, Kawhi Leonard (when healthy) and Terance Mann, while also seeing Norman Powell and Nicolas Batum logging decent minutes off the bench, all signs point to Jones having the same secondary role on offense he had in Dallas. Jones might be a player worth targeting in late rounds, but it's possible that his real-life contributions won't translate into fantasy very well. Fantasy managers would be wise to keep close tabs on his production and role, as a bigger role or an uptick in minutes could boost his fantasy stock at certain points during the 2024-25 campaign.
Jones logged career-high marks in almost every category during the 2023-24 season, as he played a prominent role for a Mavericks team that reached the NBA Finals. He appeared in a personal-best 76 regular-season games, including a career-high 66 starts, and averaged 8.6 points, 3.3 rebounds, 1.0 assists and a combined 1.4 steals-plus-blocks across 23.5 minutes per game. Jones is never going to operate as the leading scorer for a team, but his outstanding versatility and two-way contributions make him a valuable player in all fantasy formats, especially category-based leagues. He's expected to open the season as the Clippers' starting small forward, but considering he'll share the court with James Harden, Kawhi Leonard (when healthy) and Terance Mann, while also seeing Norman Powell and Nicolas Batum logging decent minutes off the bench, all signs point to Jones having the same secondary role on offense he had in Dallas. Jones might be a player worth targeting in late rounds, but it's possible that his real-life contributions won't translate into fantasy very well. Fantasy managers would be wise to keep close tabs on his production and role, as a bigger role or an uptick in minutes could boost his fantasy stock at certain points during the 2024-25 campaign.
Batum opened the season with the Clippers but was quickly traded to the 76ers. Even though he alternated between the starting unit and bench during the regular season, it's worth noting the Frenchman saw a significant role in the playoffs, averaging 6.3 points, 5.8 rebounds and 1.3 assists in 28.3 minutes per game during Philadelphia's first-round matchup against the Knicks. Batum chose to return to Los Angeles for the 2024-25 campaign, but all signs point to him playing a bench role. Derrick Jones and Kawhi Leonard are penciled in to start at the forward spots. However, Batum should still see a decent amount of minutes and could be in line for more than a few starts given Leonard's injury history and recent rest-related patterns. That said, Batum has failed to average more than 8.5 points per game in each of his last five seasons he's held a bench role, and those numbers aren't expected to improve in 2024-25. Batum can be a solid option to round out your lineup on specific slates, and he could earn a more prominent role if Leonard is forced to miss time, but he won't provide much fantasy value as long as the Clippers remain at full strength.
Batum opened the season with the Clippers but was quickly traded to the 76ers. Even though he alternated between the starting unit and bench during the regular season, it's worth noting the Frenchman saw a significant role in the playoffs, averaging 6.3 points, 5.8 rebounds and 1.3 assists in 28.3 minutes per game during Philadelphia's first-round matchup against the Knicks. Batum chose to return to Los Angeles for the 2024-25 campaign, but all signs point to him playing a bench role. Derrick Jones and Kawhi Leonard are penciled in to start at the forward spots. However, Batum should still see a decent amount of minutes and could be in line for more than a few starts given Leonard's injury history and recent rest-related patterns. That said, Batum has failed to average more than 8.5 points per game in each of his last five seasons he's held a bench role, and those numbers aren't expected to improve in 2024-25. Batum can be a solid option to round out your lineup on specific slates, and he could earn a more prominent role if Leonard is forced to miss time, but he won't provide much fantasy value as long as the Clippers remain at full strength.
After being sidelined since late in the 2022-23 season due to an Achilles injury, Clarke returned to the court at the end of the 2023-24 season. He played a total of six games from late March to early April, before missing the final three games of the season with a hand injury. He should be expected to ease back into action heading into the new campaign, but even if he is ready at full strength, he will compete for minutes in a deep frontcourt. Clarke has averaged at least 10.0 points, 5.3 rebounds and 19.5 minutes per game in each of his five NBA seasons. He's shot 60.3 percent from the field in his career, including 65.6 percent over 56 games played in 2022-23. Clarke logged 14 points on 7-for-14 shooting, with a steal and a block in 27 minutes during his last game of 2023-24, but he had a few notable performances in the previous season, including two 20-point double-doubles and a season-best 10-for-10 display from the foul line. Clarke averaged 11.5 points, 7.3 rebounds, 2.3 assists, 1.1 steals and 0.9 blocks in 25.9 minutes of action over eight starts in the 2022-23 season.
After being sidelined since late in the 2022-23 season due to an Achilles injury, Clarke returned to the court at the end of the 2023-24 season. He played a total of six games from late March to early April, before missing the final three games of the season with a hand injury. He should be expected to ease back into action heading into the new campaign, but even if he is ready at full strength, he will compete for minutes in a deep frontcourt. Clarke has averaged at least 10.0 points, 5.3 rebounds and 19.5 minutes per game in each of his five NBA seasons. He's shot 60.3 percent from the field in his career, including 65.6 percent over 56 games played in 2022-23. Clarke logged 14 points on 7-for-14 shooting, with a steal and a block in 27 minutes during his last game of 2023-24, but he had a few notable performances in the previous season, including two 20-point double-doubles and a season-best 10-for-10 display from the foul line. Clarke averaged 11.5 points, 7.3 rebounds, 2.3 assists, 1.1 steals and 0.9 blocks in 25.9 minutes of action over eight starts in the 2022-23 season.
As one of the more unproductive role players in the NBA, Looney's role as the starting center in Golden State appears to be over. He began the 2023-24 campaign as their No. 1 option at center, however, he was soon relegated to the bench in favor of Trayce Jackson-Davis, Dario Saric and/or Draymond Green. Looney ended as the 292nd-ranked player in nine-category leagues, the fourth time in the past five years he has finished outside the top 200. With Jackson-Davis penciled in as the potential starter again, Looney could struggle to see more than 15 minutes per game. In fact, there is also a chance he won't be part of the rotation on a nightly basis, depending on the opponent. With a track record of limited fantasy value, there is no reason to consider drafting Looney, even in deeper formats.
As one of the more unproductive role players in the NBA, Looney's role as the starting center in Golden State appears to be over. He began the 2023-24 campaign as their No. 1 option at center, however, he was soon relegated to the bench in favor of Trayce Jackson-Davis, Dario Saric and/or Draymond Green. Looney ended as the 292nd-ranked player in nine-category leagues, the fourth time in the past five years he has finished outside the top 200. With Jackson-Davis penciled in as the potential starter again, Looney could struggle to see more than 15 minutes per game. In fact, there is also a chance he won't be part of the rotation on a nightly basis, depending on the opponent. With a track record of limited fantasy value, there is no reason to consider drafting Looney, even in deeper formats.
Holmes will miss his entire rookie campaign after tearing his right Achilles tendon during his first appearance for the Nuggets at the 2024 Las Vegas Summer League. Denver traded with Phoenix to move up in the 2024 NBA Draft and used the No. 22 overall pick to select Holmes, who was a skilled low-post scorer in three seasons at Dayton. The Nuggets had big hopes for Holmes' rookie season. He was expected to compete with Dario Saric, Peyton Watson, DeAndre Jordan and Zeke Nnaji for backup minutes behind Nikola Jokic, but Holmes will have to bounce back from a devastating injury to stick in the NBA long-term.
Holmes will miss his entire rookie campaign after tearing his right Achilles tendon during his first appearance for the Nuggets at the 2024 Las Vegas Summer League. Denver traded with Phoenix to move up in the 2024 NBA Draft and used the No. 22 overall pick to select Holmes, who was a skilled low-post scorer in three seasons at Dayton. The Nuggets had big hopes for Holmes' rookie season. He was expected to compete with Dario Saric, Peyton Watson, DeAndre Jordan and Zeke Nnaji for backup minutes behind Nikola Jokic, but Holmes will have to bounce back from a devastating injury to stick in the NBA long-term.
Morris signed a one-year, $2.8 million contract with the Suns this offseason coming off an injury-plagued 2023-24 campaign. Last season, a hamstring injury held the 29-year-old guard to 33 regular-season appearances between the Timberwolves and Pistons, in which he averaged 5.0 points, 2.1 assists and 1.7 rebounds in 14.4 minutes. Not only were these numbers his lowest since his rookie year, but his efficiency took a dip as well, shooting 40.5 percent from the field. However, Morris still managed to convert 38.6 percent of 38.6 percent of his 2.1 three-point attempts per contest. While the 6-foot-2 guard has shown to be one of the better backup point guards in the NBA, his role in Phoenix is uncertain. If the Suns continue to use Devin Booker as their starting point guard, the offseason addition of Tyus Jones will likely occupy the backup point guard job. Jones had a fantastic season last year for the Wizards and would be expected to receive minutes ahead of Morris. With Morris appearing to be a third-string option for Phoenix next year, he doesn't offer much fantasy upside, barring an injury above him on the depth chart.
Morris signed a one-year, $2.8 million contract with the Suns this offseason coming off an injury-plagued 2023-24 campaign. Last season, a hamstring injury held the 29-year-old guard to 33 regular-season appearances between the Timberwolves and Pistons, in which he averaged 5.0 points, 2.1 assists and 1.7 rebounds in 14.4 minutes. Not only were these numbers his lowest since his rookie year, but his efficiency took a dip as well, shooting 40.5 percent from the field. However, Morris still managed to convert 38.6 percent of 38.6 percent of his 2.1 three-point attempts per contest. While the 6-foot-2 guard has shown to be one of the better backup point guards in the NBA, his role in Phoenix is uncertain. If the Suns continue to use Devin Booker as their starting point guard, the offseason addition of Tyus Jones will likely occupy the backup point guard job. Jones had a fantastic season last year for the Wizards and would be expected to receive minutes ahead of Morris. With Morris appearing to be a third-string option for Phoenix next year, he doesn't offer much fantasy upside, barring an injury above him on the depth chart.
Despite a strong end to the 2023-24 season, McBride struggled to find a consistent role. However, that could change with Donte DiVincenzo no longer in the picture. The Knicks battled late-season injuries last year, forcing McBride to step up and start nine consecutive games in Jalen Brunson's absence. McBride tallied at least 20 points on four separate occasions over the final month, providing managers with a glimpse of what is possible. When considering the season as a whole, McBride's output was modest, at best, ending as the 242nd-ranked player in standard formats. Not only will the Knicks be healthy heading into the 2024-25 season, but they also added Mikal Bridges, re-signed OG Anunoby and acquired Karl-Anthony Towns in exchange for Julius Randle and DiVincenzo. McBride should be able to hold onto a spot in the rotation but could very well top out at about 18 minutes per game. He is someone to keep an eye on, just in case Tom Thibodeau's tendency to run his starters into the ground results in injuries once again. If and when that time comes, McBride could very well step into a larger role, much like he did down the stretch last year.
Despite a strong end to the 2023-24 season, McBride struggled to find a consistent role. However, that could change with Donte DiVincenzo no longer in the picture. The Knicks battled late-season injuries last year, forcing McBride to step up and start nine consecutive games in Jalen Brunson's absence. McBride tallied at least 20 points on four separate occasions over the final month, providing managers with a glimpse of what is possible. When considering the season as a whole, McBride's output was modest, at best, ending as the 242nd-ranked player in standard formats. Not only will the Knicks be healthy heading into the 2024-25 season, but they also added Mikal Bridges, re-signed OG Anunoby and acquired Karl-Anthony Towns in exchange for Julius Randle and DiVincenzo. McBride should be able to hold onto a spot in the rotation but could very well top out at about 18 minutes per game. He is someone to keep an eye on, just in case Tom Thibodeau's tendency to run his starters into the ground results in injuries once again. If and when that time comes, McBride could very well step into a larger role, much like he did down the stretch last year.
Williams experienced a considerable rise across all of the major categories in his sophomore year, as he went from playing 15 games as a rookie (one start) to featuring 52 times (33 starts) for an injury-riddled Grizzlies team in 2023-24. This translated to several career-best marks, as the VCU product averaged 10.0 points, 5.6 rebounds, 3.4 assists and a combined 1.6 steals-plus-blocks in 27.6 minutes per game. Williams also shot a promising 37.8 percent from three-point range. This marked improvement from a statistical perspective would translate into fantasy promise in most cases. Still, it's worth noting the Grizzlies' situation in 2023-24 was remarkable due to all the injuries the team suffered. Williams is expected to be a backup for the Grizzlies in 2024-25, though his ability to play multiple positions could lead to him seeing around 22 to 25 minutes per night. Marcus Smart (finger) and Desmond Bane (back) are expected to start the 2024-25 campaign healthy, meaning Williams, whose status for the start of the campaign is in question following a lower leg injury during the preseason, will have to settle for a reserve role when healthy. That will undoubtedly hurt his fantasy upside. Fantasy managers would be wise to look at other options on draft day, but Williams could eventually carve a decent role off the bench if he replicates his impact from 2023-24.
Williams experienced a considerable rise across all of the major categories in his sophomore year, as he went from playing 15 games as a rookie (one start) to featuring 52 times (33 starts) for an injury-riddled Grizzlies team in 2023-24. This translated to several career-best marks, as the VCU product averaged 10.0 points, 5.6 rebounds, 3.4 assists and a combined 1.6 steals-plus-blocks in 27.6 minutes per game. Williams also shot a promising 37.8 percent from three-point range. This marked improvement from a statistical perspective would translate into fantasy promise in most cases. Still, it's worth noting the Grizzlies' situation in 2023-24 was remarkable due to all the injuries the team suffered. Williams is expected to be a backup for the Grizzlies in 2024-25, though his ability to play multiple positions could lead to him seeing around 22 to 25 minutes per night. Marcus Smart (finger) and Desmond Bane (back) are expected to start the 2024-25 campaign healthy, meaning Williams, whose status for the start of the campaign is in question following a lower leg injury during the preseason, will have to settle for a reserve role when healthy. That will undoubtedly hurt his fantasy upside. Fantasy managers would be wise to look at other options on draft day, but Williams could eventually carve a decent role off the bench if he replicates his impact from 2023-24.
After back-to-back seasons in which he averaged at least 21 minutes per game, Branham's role could decline this season following the additions of Chris Paul and Stephon Castle. Branham finished well outside the top 300 during his sophomore campaign, averaging 9.2 points, 2.1 assists and 1.2 three-pointers in 21.3 minutes per game. With a view to him potentially seeing fewer than 15 minutes per game this season, there is no reason to consider drafting him, even in deeper formats. However, he is someone to monitor down the stretch should the Spurs begin to focus more on their depth pieces, if and when the playoffs become unattainable.
After back-to-back seasons in which he averaged at least 21 minutes per game, Branham's role could decline this season following the additions of Chris Paul and Stephon Castle. Branham finished well outside the top 300 during his sophomore campaign, averaging 9.2 points, 2.1 assists and 1.2 three-pointers in 21.3 minutes per game. With a view to him potentially seeing fewer than 15 minutes per game this season, there is no reason to consider drafting him, even in deeper formats. However, he is someone to monitor down the stretch should the Spurs begin to focus more on their depth pieces, if and when the playoffs become unattainable.
Following three seasons in New Orleans, Nance was traded to the Hawks during the offseason as part of the Dejounte Murray deal. Having carved out a role as a reliable backup center, Nance will now have to integrate himself once again, a task that could be difficult given both Clint Capela and Onyeka Okongwu remain on the roster. Nance played 61 games during the 2023-24 regular season, ending as the 172nd-ranked player in standard formats. His averages of 5.7 points, 5.0 rebounds and 1.0 steals are reflective of his career to this point. He is very limited on the offensive end, instead relying on his ability to crash the boards and play the passing lanes to buoy his fantasy value. Assuming both Capela and Okongwu are there on opening night, Nance will likely struggle to get more than 15 minutes per night. Outside of some potential streaming value, he isn't someone who should be drafted, even in slightly deeper formats.
Following three seasons in New Orleans, Nance was traded to the Hawks during the offseason as part of the Dejounte Murray deal. Having carved out a role as a reliable backup center, Nance will now have to integrate himself once again, a task that could be difficult given both Clint Capela and Onyeka Okongwu remain on the roster. Nance played 61 games during the 2023-24 regular season, ending as the 172nd-ranked player in standard formats. His averages of 5.7 points, 5.0 rebounds and 1.0 steals are reflective of his career to this point. He is very limited on the offensive end, instead relying on his ability to crash the boards and play the passing lanes to buoy his fantasy value. Assuming both Capela and Okongwu are there on opening night, Nance will likely struggle to get more than 15 minutes per night. Outside of some potential streaming value, he isn't someone who should be drafted, even in slightly deeper formats.
After an impressive stint with the Knicks following a midseason trade, Achiuwa will return to New York after being signed for another year. At one point during the 2023-24 season, Achiuwa started 18 consecutive games for the Knicks, averaging 12.5 points, 9.5 rebounds, 1.1 steals and 1.8 blocks in 36.5 minutes per game. That's especially relevant, given Mitchell Robinson will be sidelined through at least November. New York made a surprising move right before training camp, sending Julius Randle and Donte DiVincenzo to Minnesota in exchange for Karl-Anthony Towns, who'll be the Knicks' starting center. In theory, Achiuwa is the most qualified to begin the year as the primary backup center, though it's possible coach Tom Thibodeau will give Jericho Sims a chance since he's a more traditionally-sized center. Even if that's the case, Achiuwa should still have a consistent reserve role. Ultimately, Achiuwa could make for an interesting late-round dart throw, but not one projected to have season-long value.
After an impressive stint with the Knicks following a midseason trade, Achiuwa will return to New York after being signed for another year. At one point during the 2023-24 season, Achiuwa started 18 consecutive games for the Knicks, averaging 12.5 points, 9.5 rebounds, 1.1 steals and 1.8 blocks in 36.5 minutes per game. That's especially relevant, given Mitchell Robinson will be sidelined through at least November. New York made a surprising move right before training camp, sending Julius Randle and Donte DiVincenzo to Minnesota in exchange for Karl-Anthony Towns, who'll be the Knicks' starting center. In theory, Achiuwa is the most qualified to begin the year as the primary backup center, though it's possible coach Tom Thibodeau will give Jericho Sims a chance since he's a more traditionally-sized center. Even if that's the case, Achiuwa should still have a consistent reserve role. Ultimately, Achiuwa could make for an interesting late-round dart throw, but not one projected to have season-long value.
Known for his ability to score in bunches, Burks has yet to establish himself as a reliable fantasy asset. Spreading his time across New York and Detroit during the 2023-24 season, Burks closed as the 294th-ranked player in nine-category formats. With modest averages of 10.4 points and 1.9 three-pointers, it's fair to say Burks was nothing more than an occasional streaming consideration. Following a move to Miami during the offseason, Burks will once again come off the bench, serving as a sparkplug scorer when needed. At first glance, there is a chance Burks may even struggle to play consistent minutes, especially if the Heat opts to lean into their youth a little more. Even in deeper formats, Burks comes with risk given his one-dimensional skillset and lack of a clear rotation spot.
Known for his ability to score in bunches, Burks has yet to establish himself as a reliable fantasy asset. Spreading his time across New York and Detroit during the 2023-24 season, Burks closed as the 294th-ranked player in nine-category formats. With modest averages of 10.4 points and 1.9 three-pointers, it's fair to say Burks was nothing more than an occasional streaming consideration. Following a move to Miami during the offseason, Burks will once again come off the bench, serving as a sparkplug scorer when needed. At first glance, there is a chance Burks may even struggle to play consistent minutes, especially if the Heat opts to lean into their youth a little more. Even in deeper formats, Burks comes with risk given his one-dimensional skillset and lack of a clear rotation spot.
Hawkins came out of the gates firing during his rookie season. From Oct. 30 through Nov. 25, the sharpshooter started nine of 15 appearances and averaged 14.4 points, 4.3 rebounds and 2.2 assists while shooting 35.5 percent on 8.1 three-point attempts per game. However, the honeymoon was short-lived, as Hawkins quickly reverted to a minor reserve role when the Pelicans returned to full strength. While rumors swirled this offseason about Brandon Ingram's future in New Orleans, Hawkins would face an uphill battle for a leading role even if the veteran is dealt. The Pelicans traded for Dejounte Murray this offseason, so for now, it appears it'll be Murray, Ingram and CJ McCollum in the starting backcourt, with Hawkins, Trey Murphy and Herbert Jones competing for backup minutes. That's a deep and talented group, so Hawkins' fantasy value will be limited to begin Year 2. However, given what Hawkins showed in Year 1, he's certainly someone worth rostering if he's playing 30 minutes a night.
Hawkins came out of the gates firing during his rookie season. From Oct. 30 through Nov. 25, the sharpshooter started nine of 15 appearances and averaged 14.4 points, 4.3 rebounds and 2.2 assists while shooting 35.5 percent on 8.1 three-point attempts per game. However, the honeymoon was short-lived, as Hawkins quickly reverted to a minor reserve role when the Pelicans returned to full strength. While rumors swirled this offseason about Brandon Ingram's future in New Orleans, Hawkins would face an uphill battle for a leading role even if the veteran is dealt. The Pelicans traded for Dejounte Murray this offseason, so for now, it appears it'll be Murray, Ingram and CJ McCollum in the starting backcourt, with Hawkins, Trey Murphy and Herbert Jones competing for backup minutes. That's a deep and talented group, so Hawkins' fantasy value will be limited to begin Year 2. However, given what Hawkins showed in Year 1, he's certainly someone worth rostering if he's playing 30 minutes a night.
Lyles has been a backup frontcourt option in his last few seasons in the NBA, and that role won't change in 2024-25. He figures to back up Keegan Murray and Domantas Sabonis in the Kings' frontcourt. Lyles averaged 20.0 minutes per game in 2023-24, making it just the third time in nine seasons he's reached that mark, but his production was minimal with averages of 7.2 points, 4.4 rebounds and 1.2 assists per game, although he did convert 38.4 percent of his threes. Lyles can be a player worth stashing in deeper category-based leagues due to his three-point shooting and defined role as a backup, but he's not a player worth targeting in most standard leagues.
Lyles has been a backup frontcourt option in his last few seasons in the NBA, and that role won't change in 2024-25. He figures to back up Keegan Murray and Domantas Sabonis in the Kings' frontcourt. Lyles averaged 20.0 minutes per game in 2023-24, making it just the third time in nine seasons he's reached that mark, but his production was minimal with averages of 7.2 points, 4.4 rebounds and 1.2 assists per game, although he did convert 38.4 percent of his threes. Lyles can be a player worth stashing in deeper category-based leagues due to his three-point shooting and defined role as a backup, but he's not a player worth targeting in most standard leagues.
The Jazz selected Williams with the No. 10 pick in the 2024 NBA Draft. Williams flashed his upside as a playmaker and finisher during his one-and-done season at Colorado, registering per-40-minute averages of 16.8 points, 4.2 rebounds and 2.2 assists. He struggled down the stretch of his freshman season while dealing with injuries, so he'll need to work on being more consistent and expanding his shooting range at the NBA level. In Summer League, Williams averaged 10.7 points and 1.0 threes on 45/26/91 shooting, 3.0 rebounds, 1.7 assists, 0.7 blocks and 0.4 steals with 1.4 turnovers in 28.3 minutes. Williams got as much Summer League run as nearly anyone, playing in seven games, but he didn't do a lot with it. Utah's roster isn't particularly good, but it's relatively deep with young players. That means it's not a guarantee that Williams sees significant action right out of the gate despite being a relatively high pick.
The Jazz selected Williams with the No. 10 pick in the 2024 NBA Draft. Williams flashed his upside as a playmaker and finisher during his one-and-done season at Colorado, registering per-40-minute averages of 16.8 points, 4.2 rebounds and 2.2 assists. He struggled down the stretch of his freshman season while dealing with injuries, so he'll need to work on being more consistent and expanding his shooting range at the NBA level. In Summer League, Williams averaged 10.7 points and 1.0 threes on 45/26/91 shooting, 3.0 rebounds, 1.7 assists, 0.7 blocks and 0.4 steals with 1.4 turnovers in 28.3 minutes. Williams got as much Summer League run as nearly anyone, playing in seven games, but he didn't do a lot with it. Utah's roster isn't particularly good, but it's relatively deep with young players. That means it's not a guarantee that Williams sees significant action right out of the gate despite being a relatively high pick.
There's no question that Lowry is past his prime, and while he's still a capable NBA contributor who can make an impact as a backup point guard for a contending team, his days as a floor general who can be relevant in fantasy are long gone. The veteran point guard divided his 2023-24 campaign between the Heat and 76ers, and overall, he started 55 of 60 regular-season appearances, averaging 8.1 points, 4.2 assists and 3.2 rebounds per game. Those numbers deserve attention, as it was the first time Lowry averaged single-digit points since the 2009-10 season, and the other categories were also his lowest marks since that year. Lowry will play for the Sixers in 2024-25, but he's slated to be a backup behind Tyrese Maxey. Lowry could have value in deep formats, but he shouldn't be a factor in standard, 12-team or even 14-team leagues.
There's no question that Lowry is past his prime, and while he's still a capable NBA contributor who can make an impact as a backup point guard for a contending team, his days as a floor general who can be relevant in fantasy are long gone. The veteran point guard divided his 2023-24 campaign between the Heat and 76ers, and overall, he started 55 of 60 regular-season appearances, averaging 8.1 points, 4.2 assists and 3.2 rebounds per game. Those numbers deserve attention, as it was the first time Lowry averaged single-digit points since the 2009-10 season, and the other categories were also his lowest marks since that year. Lowry will play for the Sixers in 2024-25, but he's slated to be a backup behind Tyrese Maxey. Lowry could have value in deep formats, but he shouldn't be a factor in standard, 12-team or even 14-team leagues.
After three seasons at Texas Tech, Shannon transferred to Illinois and became a star. In 2023-24, the 6-foot-6 guard averaged 23.0 points (48/36/80 shooting splits), 4.0 rebounds, 2.3 assists, 1.0 steals and 0.9 blocks, landing First-Team All-Big Ten and Third-Team All-American honors. Shannon also led the Illini to a Big Ten Tournament championship, earning the Most Outstanding Player award. However, the season was clouded by legal trouble. In December of 2023, Shannon was charged with two felonies and suspended indefinitely by Illinois. Ultimately, he finished his final collegiate season after being granted a restraining order and was found not guilty of the charges just a few weeks before the 2024 NBA Draft. The legal trouble and being one of the oldest prospects in the 2024 class led to Shannon falling on draft day. He was selected by Minnesota with the 27th overall pick and joins a loaded backcourt. Mike Conley and Anthony Edwards will start, while Donte DiVincenzo and Nickeil Alexander-Walker will be the primary backups. Minnesota also signed Joe Ingles in free agency and drafted Rob Dillingham 19 picks ahead of Shannon. Shannon's path to NBA minutes is too crowded to make him worthy of a roster spot in standard leagues, but his offensive upside should have fantasy managers' interest if he's ever given a 20-minute role.
After three seasons at Texas Tech, Shannon transferred to Illinois and became a star. In 2023-24, the 6-foot-6 guard averaged 23.0 points (48/36/80 shooting splits), 4.0 rebounds, 2.3 assists, 1.0 steals and 0.9 blocks, landing First-Team All-Big Ten and Third-Team All-American honors. Shannon also led the Illini to a Big Ten Tournament championship, earning the Most Outstanding Player award. However, the season was clouded by legal trouble. In December of 2023, Shannon was charged with two felonies and suspended indefinitely by Illinois. Ultimately, he finished his final collegiate season after being granted a restraining order and was found not guilty of the charges just a few weeks before the 2024 NBA Draft. The legal trouble and being one of the oldest prospects in the 2024 class led to Shannon falling on draft day. He was selected by Minnesota with the 27th overall pick and joins a loaded backcourt. Mike Conley and Anthony Edwards will start, while Donte DiVincenzo and Nickeil Alexander-Walker will be the primary backups. Minnesota also signed Joe Ingles in free agency and drafted Rob Dillingham 19 picks ahead of Shannon. Shannon's path to NBA minutes is too crowded to make him worthy of a roster spot in standard leagues, but his offensive upside should have fantasy managers' interest if he's ever given a 20-minute role.
Dunn played 66 games for the Jazz during the 2023-24 season, averaging 5.4 points, 2.9 rebounds, 3.8 assists and 1.0 steals in 18.9 minutes per game, finishing just outside the top 200 in nine-category leagues. Despite his intriguing skillset, Dunn has not been able to carve out a consistent role throughout his career. The Clippers signed Dunn this offseason, but he's unlikely to have a substantial role at first, even with Paul George out of the picture. Behind James Harden, Dunn will be battling Kevin Porter and Bones Hyland for backup minutes, both of whom offer more upside on the offensive end of the floor. With that said, Dunn is by far the better defensive option, something that could at least keep him in the discussion for playing time. Considering his past struggles and the guard depth in Los Angeles, Dunn is not someone managers need to prioritize on draft day.
Dunn played 66 games for the Jazz during the 2023-24 season, averaging 5.4 points, 2.9 rebounds, 3.8 assists and 1.0 steals in 18.9 minutes per game, finishing just outside the top 200 in nine-category leagues. Despite his intriguing skillset, Dunn has not been able to carve out a consistent role throughout his career. The Clippers signed Dunn this offseason, but he's unlikely to have a substantial role at first, even with Paul George out of the picture. Behind James Harden, Dunn will be battling Kevin Porter and Bones Hyland for backup minutes, both of whom offer more upside on the offensive end of the floor. With that said, Dunn is by far the better defensive option, something that could at least keep him in the discussion for playing time. Considering his past struggles and the guard depth in Los Angeles, Dunn is not someone managers need to prioritize on draft day.
After four years with the Pelicans, Marshall signed a three-year deal with the Mavericks and will likely be a key bench piece. He ended the 2023-24 season as the 266th-ranked player, averaging 7.1 points, 3.6 rebounds, 0.7 steals and 0.9 three-pointers in 19.0 minutes per game. He should see a similar role in Dallas, albeit with the potential to play slightly more on a nightly basis. He is a great plug-and-play option for the Mavericks, with the ability to fill several roles on both ends of the floor. However, as we have seen throughout his career, that is unlikely to translate into sustainable fantasy value. With that said, an opportunity could present itself at some point during the season, if and when injuries befall those ahead of him in the rotation. Marshall is not worth drafting in standard formats but is worth adding to your potential streamers list.
After four years with the Pelicans, Marshall signed a three-year deal with the Mavericks and will likely be a key bench piece. He ended the 2023-24 season as the 266th-ranked player, averaging 7.1 points, 3.6 rebounds, 0.7 steals and 0.9 three-pointers in 19.0 minutes per game. He should see a similar role in Dallas, albeit with the potential to play slightly more on a nightly basis. He is a great plug-and-play option for the Mavericks, with the ability to fill several roles on both ends of the floor. However, as we have seen throughout his career, that is unlikely to translate into sustainable fantasy value. With that said, an opportunity could present itself at some point during the season, if and when injuries befall those ahead of him in the rotation. Marshall is not worth drafting in standard formats but is worth adding to your potential streamers list.
McDaniels was traded from the Raptors to the Kings in late June, but the change of teams shouldn't affect McDaniels in any way. He was a depth forward for Toronto in his lone year with the franchise, averaging 3.4 points and 1.6 rebounds in a mere 10.8 minutes across 50 regular-season appearances, including one start. Given that the Kings added DeMar DeRozan, one of the most durable players in the league, in the offseason, McDaniels will be left with minimal minutes to make an impact off the bench. Plus, he also struggled massively with his efficiency in 2023-24, shooting just 34.4 percent from the field and 16.9 percent from deep. There are better options for fantasy managers looking for an upside pick, meaning McDaniels won't carry a lot of fantasy upside even in the deepest formats.
McDaniels was traded from the Raptors to the Kings in late June, but the change of teams shouldn't affect McDaniels in any way. He was a depth forward for Toronto in his lone year with the franchise, averaging 3.4 points and 1.6 rebounds in a mere 10.8 minutes across 50 regular-season appearances, including one start. Given that the Kings added DeMar DeRozan, one of the most durable players in the league, in the offseason, McDaniels will be left with minimal minutes to make an impact off the bench. Plus, he also struggled massively with his efficiency in 2023-24, shooting just 34.4 percent from the field and 16.9 percent from deep. There are better options for fantasy managers looking for an upside pick, meaning McDaniels won't carry a lot of fantasy upside even in the deepest formats.
After a disappointing season in Dallas, Hardaway was traded to the Pistons during the offseason, adding some floor-spacing to a roster in need of reliable perimeter options. Hardaway's role reduced during the 2023-24 season, averaging 21.0 minutes per game, his fewest since the 2015-16 season in Atlanta. Unsurprisingly, his production also took a hit, managing just 9.9 points per game to go with 1.9 three-pointers. In fact, this was the second-worst scoring output of his career. Now with Detroit, it is unclear just how Hardaway will be utilized. While he does fill a need, he certainly doesn't fit the Pistons' timeline. He is a candidate to be moved before the trade deadline, meaning the coaching staff may lean into him a little more than expected in the hope another team sees something they like. No matter his eventual role, Hardaway is unlikely to be anything more than a streaming candidate, with injuries to other players seemingly his only path to sustainable fantasy value.
After a disappointing season in Dallas, Hardaway was traded to the Pistons during the offseason, adding some floor-spacing to a roster in need of reliable perimeter options. Hardaway's role reduced during the 2023-24 season, averaging 21.0 minutes per game, his fewest since the 2015-16 season in Atlanta. Unsurprisingly, his production also took a hit, managing just 9.9 points per game to go with 1.9 three-pointers. In fact, this was the second-worst scoring output of his career. Now with Detroit, it is unclear just how Hardaway will be utilized. While he does fill a need, he certainly doesn't fit the Pistons' timeline. He is a candidate to be moved before the trade deadline, meaning the coaching staff may lean into him a little more than expected in the hope another team sees something they like. No matter his eventual role, Hardaway is unlikely to be anything more than a streaming candidate, with injuries to other players seemingly his only path to sustainable fantasy value.
The 2023-24 season was basically a rinse-and-repeat version of his rookie season with Hardy playing a consistent yet modest role off the bench in Dallas. He ended the campaign with averages of 7.3 points, 1.5 assists and 1.1 three-pointers in 13.5 minutes per game, keeping him outside the top 400 in standard formats. Although he has flashed some upside on the offensive end, Hardy will once again be in an uphill battle for playing time, especially if both Luka Doncic and Kyrie Irving remain relatively healthy. The arrival of Quentin Grimes also complicates matters for Hardy, as does the return of Spencer Dinwiddie. Hardy still has value in dynasty formats, but as for redraft leagues, it's hard to see him being anything more than a periodical streaming consideration.
The 2023-24 season was basically a rinse-and-repeat version of his rookie season with Hardy playing a consistent yet modest role off the bench in Dallas. He ended the campaign with averages of 7.3 points, 1.5 assists and 1.1 three-pointers in 13.5 minutes per game, keeping him outside the top 400 in standard formats. Although he has flashed some upside on the offensive end, Hardy will once again be in an uphill battle for playing time, especially if both Luka Doncic and Kyrie Irving remain relatively healthy. The arrival of Quentin Grimes also complicates matters for Hardy, as does the return of Spencer Dinwiddie. Hardy still has value in dynasty formats, but as for redraft leagues, it's hard to see him being anything more than a periodical streaming consideration.
Alvarado was limited to just 56 appearances during the 2023-24 season, and while he posted decent numbers when factoring in that he averaged a mere 18.4 minutes per contest, his situation for 2024-25 is even more complicated. The Pelicans acquired Dejounte Murray in the offseason and still have CJ McCollum on the roster, meaning Alvarado's role will be limited to being a bench guard who's not expected to handle a ton of playmaking duties unless the two starting guards are sitting for prolonged stretches. Alvarado averaged 7.1 points, 2.3 rebounds, 2.1 assists, 1.1 steals and 1.4 three-pointers in 18.4 minutes per game in 2023-24, and given the recent roster moves, it's hard to imagine him seeing a more significant role off the bench. Thus, fantasy managers would be wise to leave Alvarado on waivers. However, he can be valuable as a streaming option in category-based leagues due to his steals and three-point shooting.
Alvarado was limited to just 56 appearances during the 2023-24 season, and while he posted decent numbers when factoring in that he averaged a mere 18.4 minutes per contest, his situation for 2024-25 is even more complicated. The Pelicans acquired Dejounte Murray in the offseason and still have CJ McCollum on the roster, meaning Alvarado's role will be limited to being a bench guard who's not expected to handle a ton of playmaking duties unless the two starting guards are sitting for prolonged stretches. Alvarado averaged 7.1 points, 2.3 rebounds, 2.1 assists, 1.1 steals and 1.4 three-pointers in 18.4 minutes per game in 2023-24, and given the recent roster moves, it's hard to imagine him seeing a more significant role off the bench. Thus, fantasy managers would be wise to leave Alvarado on waivers. However, he can be valuable as a streaming option in category-based leagues due to his steals and three-point shooting.
Tillman experienced an interesting season in 2023-24. The big man began the season in Memphis and started five games. He then missed most of November due to a knee issue. Tillman returned in December to a Grizzlies squad that would eventually become decimated by injuries. With Memphis facing an 18-33 record at the deadline, the Griz dealt Tillman to the Celtics for draft picks and Lamar Stevens. Tillman again experienced knee issues in February, which caused a slow start to his Celtics career. He didn't see real minutes as a Celtic until March. But then Tillman appeared in 16 of Boston's last 18 regular-season games and averaged 14.1 minutes per contest, with two starts. Boston then shrunk its rotation during its championship playoff run. Tillman appeared in only eight postseason games and averaged a modest 8.6 minutes of run over those contests. Still, the 25-year-old earned a championship ring, something that certainly wasn't going to happen in Memphis. The C's return essentially the same roster for 2024-25, leaving Tillman as a reserve. But Kristaps Porzingis will be out through November and possibly much of December due to offseason foot surgery. That means Al Horford, Luke Kornet and Tillman should all see more minutes at the five. At 38 years of age, Horford will still skip the second of back-to-backs. That leaves Kornet and Tillman with the occasional opportunity to see big minutes. Even when the injury-riddled Unicorn returns, he's no lock to play every night. Overall, Tillman's playing time will be erratic, with a mix of both starts and DNP's.
Tillman experienced an interesting season in 2023-24. The big man began the season in Memphis and started five games. He then missed most of November due to a knee issue. Tillman returned in December to a Grizzlies squad that would eventually become decimated by injuries. With Memphis facing an 18-33 record at the deadline, the Griz dealt Tillman to the Celtics for draft picks and Lamar Stevens. Tillman again experienced knee issues in February, which caused a slow start to his Celtics career. He didn't see real minutes as a Celtic until March. But then Tillman appeared in 16 of Boston's last 18 regular-season games and averaged 14.1 minutes per contest, with two starts. Boston then shrunk its rotation during its championship playoff run. Tillman appeared in only eight postseason games and averaged a modest 8.6 minutes of run over those contests. Still, the 25-year-old earned a championship ring, something that certainly wasn't going to happen in Memphis. The C's return essentially the same roster for 2024-25, leaving Tillman as a reserve. But Kristaps Porzingis will be out through November and possibly much of December due to offseason foot surgery. That means Al Horford, Luke Kornet and Tillman should all see more minutes at the five. At 38 years of age, Horford will still skip the second of back-to-backs. That leaves Kornet and Tillman with the occasional opportunity to see big minutes. Even when the injury-riddled Unicorn returns, he's no lock to play every night. Overall, Tillman's playing time will be erratic, with a mix of both starts and DNP's.
Coming off another season derailed by injury, Williams presents as one of the more unpredictable fantasy assets going around. To this point, he has played fewer than 60 games in all but one season, tallying 41 total appearances across the last two years. Knee surgery in November put an end to his 2023-24 campaign, and potentially his career in Portland. Already penciled in as the backup behind Deandre Ayton, Williams now has to battle Donovan Clingan for playing time. Of the three center options, none possess a reliable offensive game beyond the painted area, meaning sharing the court is going to be next to impossible. At this point, a trade might be the only way for Williams to move into a role in which he has a chance of putting up fantasy value. Both Sacramento and New Orleans are rumored to have interest in Williams, although that is just speculation at this point. Unless we get word he is on the move or some clarity regarding his role in Portland, there is no reason to consider him an asset outside of very deep leagues.
Coming off another season derailed by injury, Williams presents as one of the more unpredictable fantasy assets going around. To this point, he has played fewer than 60 games in all but one season, tallying 41 total appearances across the last two years. Knee surgery in November put an end to his 2023-24 campaign, and potentially his career in Portland. Already penciled in as the backup behind Deandre Ayton, Williams now has to battle Donovan Clingan for playing time. Of the three center options, none possess a reliable offensive game beyond the painted area, meaning sharing the court is going to be next to impossible. At this point, a trade might be the only way for Williams to move into a role in which he has a chance of putting up fantasy value. Both Sacramento and New Orleans are rumored to have interest in Williams, although that is just speculation at this point. Unless we get word he is on the move or some clarity regarding his role in Portland, there is no reason to consider him an asset outside of very deep leagues.
Coming off an underwhelming rookie campaign, Wesley played even fewer minutes last season. He averaged 4.4 points and 2.7 assists in 14.4 minutes per game. Looking ahead to the 2024-25 season, Wesley could be in for yet another regression, especially with Chris Paul landing in San Antonio. The Spurs now have Paul, Tre Jones and Stephon Castle as point guard options, meaning Wesley could struggle to crack the nightly rotation. With his arrow pointed firmly in the wrong direction, Wesley can be safely ignored in just about every fantasy format, barring a slew of injuries in San Antonio.
Coming off an underwhelming rookie campaign, Wesley played even fewer minutes last season. He averaged 4.4 points and 2.7 assists in 14.4 minutes per game. Looking ahead to the 2024-25 season, Wesley could be in for yet another regression, especially with Chris Paul landing in San Antonio. The Spurs now have Paul, Tre Jones and Stephon Castle as point guard options, meaning Wesley could struggle to crack the nightly rotation. With his arrow pointed firmly in the wrong direction, Wesley can be safely ignored in just about every fantasy format, barring a slew of injuries in San Antonio.
Despite a fantasy-friendly skill set, Jackson hasn't established himself as a consistent asset in fantasy or reality. After putting together two intriguing seasons, Jackson's role during the 2023-24 season was reduced, limiting him to just 13.3 minutes per game. He closed with per-game averages of 6.6 points, 4.1 rebounds and 1.1 blocks, resulting in him being a non-factor outside of deeper fantasy formats. On paper, there is a chance he could be the primary backup behind Myles Turner this upcoming season, potentially landing him a meaningful role for the first time in his career. However, he will likely be competing with James Wiseman and even Obi Toppin, both of whom will also be looking to prove themselves. Given the uncertainty, Jackson does not warrant a draft pick in a standard league. Managers should simply keep an eye on Jackson's playing time over the first week or two, just in case he carves out a regular backup role.
Despite a fantasy-friendly skill set, Jackson hasn't established himself as a consistent asset in fantasy or reality. After putting together two intriguing seasons, Jackson's role during the 2023-24 season was reduced, limiting him to just 13.3 minutes per game. He closed with per-game averages of 6.6 points, 4.1 rebounds and 1.1 blocks, resulting in him being a non-factor outside of deeper fantasy formats. On paper, there is a chance he could be the primary backup behind Myles Turner this upcoming season, potentially landing him a meaningful role for the first time in his career. However, he will likely be competing with James Wiseman and even Obi Toppin, both of whom will also be looking to prove themselves. Given the uncertainty, Jackson does not warrant a draft pick in a standard league. Managers should simply keep an eye on Jackson's playing time over the first week or two, just in case he carves out a regular backup role.
Despite playing a somewhat significant role for the Lakers during the 2023-24 season, Prince once again struggled to be a fantasy-relevant asset. He closed as the 210th-ranked player in standard leagues, delivering modest averages of 8.9 points, 2.9 rebounds, 1.5 assists, 0.7 steals and 1.8 three-pointers in 27.0 minutes per game. Following a top-100 season back in 2017-18, it's all been downhill for Prince in terms of overall value. He has now finished outside the top 200 in each of the past four years, a fact that is unlikely to change. Having moved to the Bucks during the offseason, Prince's path to playing time may have become even more complicated. He may be used as a starting option at times throughout the season, especially if Khris Middleton continues to struggle with injury. However, drafting based on that fact is not a wise move, especially as Prince has been unreliable as a starter in the past. While he does provide the Bucks with a decent veteran presence off the bench, Prince is not someone who should be drafted outside of very deep leagues.
Despite playing a somewhat significant role for the Lakers during the 2023-24 season, Prince once again struggled to be a fantasy-relevant asset. He closed as the 210th-ranked player in standard leagues, delivering modest averages of 8.9 points, 2.9 rebounds, 1.5 assists, 0.7 steals and 1.8 three-pointers in 27.0 minutes per game. Following a top-100 season back in 2017-18, it's all been downhill for Prince in terms of overall value. He has now finished outside the top 200 in each of the past four years, a fact that is unlikely to change. Having moved to the Bucks during the offseason, Prince's path to playing time may have become even more complicated. He may be used as a starting option at times throughout the season, especially if Khris Middleton continues to struggle with injury. However, drafting based on that fact is not a wise move, especially as Prince has been unreliable as a starter in the past. While he does provide the Bucks with a decent veteran presence off the bench, Prince is not someone who should be drafted outside of very deep leagues.
Following a deep postseason run with the Heat, Vincent arrived in Los Angeles full of optimism heading into the 2023-24 season. Sadly, a knee injury early in the campaign cost him a significant amount of time, limiting him to just 11 regular-season games. Despite playing a consistent role for Miami earlier in his career, Vincent has never been able to crack the top 200 in nine-category leagues. All reports have him healthy coming into the 2024-25 season, a welcome sight for a Lakers team needing depth in the backcourt. Although he could play a key role off the bench, his playing time is unlikely to exceed 20 minutes per game. During his final season with the Heat, Vincent ended as the 246th-ranked player in 25.9 minutes per game. Doing some simple math, it appears Vincent will once again be a non-factor in standard fantasy leagues, barring injuries to other players potentially opening up a larger role.
Following a deep postseason run with the Heat, Vincent arrived in Los Angeles full of optimism heading into the 2023-24 season. Sadly, a knee injury early in the campaign cost him a significant amount of time, limiting him to just 11 regular-season games. Despite playing a consistent role for Miami earlier in his career, Vincent has never been able to crack the top 200 in nine-category leagues. All reports have him healthy coming into the 2024-25 season, a welcome sight for a Lakers team needing depth in the backcourt. Although he could play a key role off the bench, his playing time is unlikely to exceed 20 minutes per game. During his final season with the Heat, Vincent ended as the 246th-ranked player in 25.9 minutes per game. Doing some simple math, it appears Vincent will once again be a non-factor in standard fantasy leagues, barring injuries to other players potentially opening up a larger role.
Exum returned to the NBA for the 2023-24 season following two years playing in Europe. Initially taken with the fifth pick in the 2014 NBA Draft, Exum battled numerous injuries, eventually forcing him to put his NBA dream on hold. Following a successful stint in Europe, Exum was able to get his body in shape, allowing him to transition back into the NBA. The Mavericks took a chance on him and he repaid them handsomely, putting together arguably the best season of his career. He finished with averages of 7.8 points, 2.7 rebounds, 2.9 assists and 1.0 three-pointers in 19.8 minutes per game, shooting 53.3 percent from the floor and 77.9 percent from the line. Coming into the 2024-25 season, Exum should be able to hold onto a spot in the rotation. However, the addition of Klay Thompson and Quentin Grimes and the continued rise of Jaden Hardy could prove to be stumbling blocks. Exum is unlikely to be productive enough to have value in standard leagues but could have some limited value in deeper formats when healthy. He's expected to miss the first few months of the season after undergoing wrist surgery during training camp.
Exum returned to the NBA for the 2023-24 season following two years playing in Europe. Initially taken with the fifth pick in the 2014 NBA Draft, Exum battled numerous injuries, eventually forcing him to put his NBA dream on hold. Following a successful stint in Europe, Exum was able to get his body in shape, allowing him to transition back into the NBA. The Mavericks took a chance on him and he repaid them handsomely, putting together arguably the best season of his career. He finished with averages of 7.8 points, 2.7 rebounds, 2.9 assists and 1.0 three-pointers in 19.8 minutes per game, shooting 53.3 percent from the floor and 77.9 percent from the line. Coming into the 2024-25 season, Exum should be able to hold onto a spot in the rotation. However, the addition of Klay Thompson and Quentin Grimes and the continued rise of Jaden Hardy could prove to be stumbling blocks. Exum is unlikely to be productive enough to have value in standard leagues but could have some limited value in deeper formats when healthy. He's expected to miss the first few months of the season after undergoing wrist surgery during training camp.
At 35, it's fair to say Gordon's best years are behind him. Following a moderately successful year in Phoenix, Gordon was signed by the 76ers during the offseason. He'll presumably give them a scoring option off the bench. During the 2023-24 season, Gordon averaged 27.8 minutes per game, putting up 11.0 points, 1.0 steals and 2.2 three-pointers, good enough for top-165 value across standard formats. Although the 76ers aren't loaded with depth, the backcourt is arguably the strongest part of their roster. Gordon will battle Reggie Jackson and Kyle Lowry for backup minutes, likely limiting the veteran to no more than 24 minutes each night. Gordon should be a valid streaming option for anyone seeking a short-term bump in perimeter production. Beyond that, you'll likely find Gordon hanging out on a lot of waiver wires.
At 35, it's fair to say Gordon's best years are behind him. Following a moderately successful year in Phoenix, Gordon was signed by the 76ers during the offseason. He'll presumably give them a scoring option off the bench. During the 2023-24 season, Gordon averaged 27.8 minutes per game, putting up 11.0 points, 1.0 steals and 2.2 three-pointers, good enough for top-165 value across standard formats. Although the 76ers aren't loaded with depth, the backcourt is arguably the strongest part of their roster. Gordon will battle Reggie Jackson and Kyle Lowry for backup minutes, likely limiting the veteran to no more than 24 minutes each night. Gordon should be a valid streaming option for anyone seeking a short-term bump in perimeter production. Beyond that, you'll likely find Gordon hanging out on a lot of waiver wires.
After missing the previous two years due to ongoing knee injuries, Ball appears to be on the cusp of returning to the NBA. Having last played in January of 2022, Ball will attempt to get back on the court after missing almost three years of basketball. While this is great news for Ball, the Bulls are likely to take extra caution when allocating his minutes. There is almost no way he plays both halves of back-to-back sets, and his playing time could be in the low teens for the majority of the season. Before his injury, Ball was playing some of the best basketball of his career, providing Chicago with an elite on-ball defensive option while operating as the primary floor general. However, a lot has changed since he last played, with the Bulls now on a different trajectory. They acquired Josh Giddey during the offseason, while both Coby White and Ayo Dosunmu have developed to the point where they require meaningful minutes on a nightly basis. Taking into consideration the severity of the injury, there is almost no way Ball warrants any attention outside of very deep leagues.
After missing the previous two years due to ongoing knee injuries, Ball appears to be on the cusp of returning to the NBA. Having last played in January of 2022, Ball will attempt to get back on the court after missing almost three years of basketball. While this is great news for Ball, the Bulls are likely to take extra caution when allocating his minutes. There is almost no way he plays both halves of back-to-back sets, and his playing time could be in the low teens for the majority of the season. Before his injury, Ball was playing some of the best basketball of his career, providing Chicago with an elite on-ball defensive option while operating as the primary floor general. However, a lot has changed since he last played, with the Bulls now on a different trajectory. They acquired Josh Giddey during the offseason, while both Coby White and Ayo Dosunmu have developed to the point where they require meaningful minutes on a nightly basis. Taking into consideration the severity of the injury, there is almost no way Ball warrants any attention outside of very deep leagues.
Filipowski was drafted by the Jazz with the No. 32 overall pick in the second round of the 2024 NBA Draft. Filipowski spent two years at Duke before entering the NBA Draft. As a sophomore in 2023-24, he averaged 16.4 points, 8.3 rebounds, 2.8 assists, 1.5 blocks and 1.1 steals in 36 games. At 7-foot, Filipowski also has the ability to stretch the floor, as he converted 34.8 percent of his 3.1 three-point attempts per contest last year. In eight Summer League appearances, the rookie averaged 11.0 points and 1.0 threes on 41/27/70 shooting, 6.0 rebounds, 1.9 assists and 1.0 steals in 22.2 minutes. While the 20-year-old big man will have to earn his playing time early on, a future frontcourt with Lauri Markkanen, Taylor Hendricks and Filipowski could offer a stout interior defense while maintaining ideal spacing on the offensive end. Playing time may not be easy to come by right away, as Filipowksi will also have to fight for minutes with John Collins and Walker Kessler, not to mention Brice Sensabaugh and Drew Eubanks.
Filipowski was drafted by the Jazz with the No. 32 overall pick in the second round of the 2024 NBA Draft. Filipowski spent two years at Duke before entering the NBA Draft. As a sophomore in 2023-24, he averaged 16.4 points, 8.3 rebounds, 2.8 assists, 1.5 blocks and 1.1 steals in 36 games. At 7-foot, Filipowski also has the ability to stretch the floor, as he converted 34.8 percent of his 3.1 three-point attempts per contest last year. In eight Summer League appearances, the rookie averaged 11.0 points and 1.0 threes on 41/27/70 shooting, 6.0 rebounds, 1.9 assists and 1.0 steals in 22.2 minutes. While the 20-year-old big man will have to earn his playing time early on, a future frontcourt with Lauri Markkanen, Taylor Hendricks and Filipowski could offer a stout interior defense while maintaining ideal spacing on the offensive end. Playing time may not be easy to come by right away, as Filipowksi will also have to fight for minutes with John Collins and Walker Kessler, not to mention Brice Sensabaugh and Drew Eubanks.
The No. 8 overall pick in the 2023 NBA Draft, Walker made only 33 regular-season appearances as a rookie and averaged 10.3 minutes per game. The mid-season addition of Pascal Siakam made it difficult for Walker to crack the rotation, and that's not expected to change this season. The Pacers made a surprising run to the Eastern Conference Finals and are essentially running it back with the same frontcourt rotation - Pascal Siakam, Myles Turner and Aaron Nesmith as starters with Obi Toppin, Isaiah Jackson and Walker as backups. Plus, Bennedict Mathurin is expected to be healthy. There isn't much room for Walker, who'll have to show significant improvements to see more playing time. Given his expected role to open the campaign, there's no reason to draft Walker in standard leagues. However, he has a high enough upside to monitor in deeper leagues and should be targeted if he ever sees 25-plus minutes regularly.
The No. 8 overall pick in the 2023 NBA Draft, Walker made only 33 regular-season appearances as a rookie and averaged 10.3 minutes per game. The mid-season addition of Pascal Siakam made it difficult for Walker to crack the rotation, and that's not expected to change this season. The Pacers made a surprising run to the Eastern Conference Finals and are essentially running it back with the same frontcourt rotation - Pascal Siakam, Myles Turner and Aaron Nesmith as starters with Obi Toppin, Isaiah Jackson and Walker as backups. Plus, Bennedict Mathurin is expected to be healthy. There isn't much room for Walker, who'll have to show significant improvements to see more playing time. Given his expected role to open the campaign, there's no reason to draft Walker in standard leagues. However, he has a high enough upside to monitor in deeper leagues and should be targeted if he ever sees 25-plus minutes regularly.
During Boston's championship season, Kornet averaged 15.6 minutes per game, a six-year high for the reserve center. Similar playing time is expected for the Green Kornet during the 2024-25 season, with the occasional DNP-Coach's Decision. Kornet could see additional minutes early in the season while Kristaps Porzingis recovers from foot surgery. Al Horford will start while the Unicorn is out, but Big Al is 38 years old and no longer plays the second match of back-to-backs. That means Kornet could get the occasional start if he can beat out fellow backup big man Xavier Tillman. Memphis traded Tillman to Boston last season at the deadline. Kornet averaged 16 minutes per game after the Tillman trade, so Tillman's presence doesn't really threaten Kornet's standard backup minutes. You may recall that early in Kornet's career he would hit roughly 1.5 threes per game. Well, those days are long gone. In fact, Kornet has attempted only 19 three-pointers over the past three seasons. The 29-year-old does produce standard reserve center stats over his brief appearances, with averages of 5.4 points, 4.1 boards and 1.0 blocks per contest last season. Similar production should be expected from Kornet this year unless the ageless Horford suffers a long-term injury, which would create more opportunities for Kornet and Tillman to shine.
During Boston's championship season, Kornet averaged 15.6 minutes per game, a six-year high for the reserve center. Similar playing time is expected for the Green Kornet during the 2024-25 season, with the occasional DNP-Coach's Decision. Kornet could see additional minutes early in the season while Kristaps Porzingis recovers from foot surgery. Al Horford will start while the Unicorn is out, but Big Al is 38 years old and no longer plays the second match of back-to-backs. That means Kornet could get the occasional start if he can beat out fellow backup big man Xavier Tillman. Memphis traded Tillman to Boston last season at the deadline. Kornet averaged 16 minutes per game after the Tillman trade, so Tillman's presence doesn't really threaten Kornet's standard backup minutes. You may recall that early in Kornet's career he would hit roughly 1.5 threes per game. Well, those days are long gone. In fact, Kornet has attempted only 19 three-pointers over the past three seasons. The 29-year-old does produce standard reserve center stats over his brief appearances, with averages of 5.4 points, 4.1 boards and 1.0 blocks per contest last season. Similar production should be expected from Kornet this year unless the ageless Horford suffers a long-term injury, which would create more opportunities for Kornet and Tillman to shine.
Thybulle spent the first three seasons of his career in Philadelphia before being traded to Portland in 2022-23. During his first full year for the Trail Blazers in 2023-24, he averaged 5.4 points, 2.1 rebounds, 1.7 steals, 1.4 assists and 0.8 blocks in 22.9 minutes across 65 regular-season appearances, including 19 starts. However, Thybulle struggled with efficiency, posting 39.7/34.6/75.9 shooting splits. While the 26-year-old forward's outside shooting isn't terrible, it was on relatively low volume -- 3.6 three-point attempts per contest. It seems likely that Thybulle will receive a significantly decreased role next year with the addition of Deni Avdija. Thybulle still has to compete for minutes with Jerami Grant, Toumani Camara, Jabari Walker, Dalano Banton and Kris Murray. While Thybulle is one of the most productive defenders in the NBA, his lack of offense and likely reduced role in 2024-25 means his main fantasy value will come in roto leagues where managers are attempting to boost their steals and blocks.
Thybulle spent the first three seasons of his career in Philadelphia before being traded to Portland in 2022-23. During his first full year for the Trail Blazers in 2023-24, he averaged 5.4 points, 2.1 rebounds, 1.7 steals, 1.4 assists and 0.8 blocks in 22.9 minutes across 65 regular-season appearances, including 19 starts. However, Thybulle struggled with efficiency, posting 39.7/34.6/75.9 shooting splits. While the 26-year-old forward's outside shooting isn't terrible, it was on relatively low volume -- 3.6 three-point attempts per contest. It seems likely that Thybulle will receive a significantly decreased role next year with the addition of Deni Avdija. Thybulle still has to compete for minutes with Jerami Grant, Toumani Camara, Jabari Walker, Dalano Banton and Kris Murray. While Thybulle is one of the most productive defenders in the NBA, his lack of offense and likely reduced role in 2024-25 means his main fantasy value will come in roto leagues where managers are attempting to boost their steals and blocks.
Coffey failed to show out once again during the 2023-24 season despite playing 20.9 minutes per game across 70 regular-season games. He finished with averages of just 6.6 points, 2.1 rebounds and 1.0 three-pointers, leaving him well off the fantasy radar, even in deeper formats. Despite the loss of Paul George, the Clippers bolstered their roster in terms of depth, adding Derrick Jones, Kevin Porter, Mo Bamba and Kris Dunn. While Coffey should remain part of the rotation, it is unlikely he exceeds more than 20 minutes per game. Managers can once again overlook him outside of very deep leagues.
Coffey failed to show out once again during the 2023-24 season despite playing 20.9 minutes per game across 70 regular-season games. He finished with averages of just 6.6 points, 2.1 rebounds and 1.0 three-pointers, leaving him well off the fantasy radar, even in deeper formats. Despite the loss of Paul George, the Clippers bolstered their roster in terms of depth, adding Derrick Jones, Kevin Porter, Mo Bamba and Kris Dunn. While Coffey should remain part of the rotation, it is unlikely he exceeds more than 20 minutes per game. Managers can once again overlook him outside of very deep leagues.
After an injury-riddled start to his sophomore season, Jovic finished strongly, starting 26 of his final 27 games. Across the last two months of the season, he averaged 9.2 points, 4.2 rebounds, 2.0 assists, 0.8 steals and 1.7 three-pointers in 22.2 minutes per game. Heading into the 2024-25 campaign, Jovic may very well hold onto his starting position, putting him on the fantasy radar, even in some standard leagues. Should his playing time increase to 27 minutes per game, he has the upside to at least nudge the top 100. However, he remains largely unproven and although he could be a starter, there is no guarantee he will play typical starter's minutes. Factoring in the uncertainty, Jovic could be worth taking a flier on late in drafts. Should it not pan out as hoped, the limited upside should reassure managers he is safe to move on from.
After an injury-riddled start to his sophomore season, Jovic finished strongly, starting 26 of his final 27 games. Across the last two months of the season, he averaged 9.2 points, 4.2 rebounds, 2.0 assists, 0.8 steals and 1.7 three-pointers in 22.2 minutes per game. Heading into the 2024-25 campaign, Jovic may very well hold onto his starting position, putting him on the fantasy radar, even in some standard leagues. Should his playing time increase to 27 minutes per game, he has the upside to at least nudge the top 100. However, he remains largely unproven and although he could be a starter, there is no guarantee he will play typical starter's minutes. Factoring in the uncertainty, Jovic could be worth taking a flier on late in drafts. Should it not pan out as hoped, the limited upside should reassure managers he is safe to move on from.
Walter was the 19th overall pick in the 2024 NBA Draft and was chosen based on his excellent three-point shooting, though it remains to be seen if that will be enough to grant him a regular role in the rotation right away. He falls into a good situation, however, as the Raptors are embracing a rebuilding process and are relying on young players such as Gradey Dick and Immanuel Quickley. The path toward seeing regular minutes looks complicated early on, but Walter could see his minutes increase as long as he adjusts to the NBA. His three-point shooting should be valuable in category-based leagues, but given that he's expected to open the 2024-25 season as a rookie bench option on a rebuilding franchise, his fantasy upside will be close to minimal. Walter might have some upside in deeper and/or dynasty leagues, but he shouldn't be targeted in standard formats.
Walter was the 19th overall pick in the 2024 NBA Draft and was chosen based on his excellent three-point shooting, though it remains to be seen if that will be enough to grant him a regular role in the rotation right away. He falls into a good situation, however, as the Raptors are embracing a rebuilding process and are relying on young players such as Gradey Dick and Immanuel Quickley. The path toward seeing regular minutes looks complicated early on, but Walter could see his minutes increase as long as he adjusts to the NBA. His three-point shooting should be valuable in category-based leagues, but given that he's expected to open the 2024-25 season as a rookie bench option on a rebuilding franchise, his fantasy upside will be close to minimal. Walter might have some upside in deeper and/or dynasty leagues, but he shouldn't be targeted in standard formats.
Griffin was traded from Atlanta to Houston in exchange for a second-round pick in the 2024 NBA Draft this offseason. Last season for the Hawks, Griffin averaged 2.4 points, 0.9 rebounds and 0.3 assists in 8.6 minutes across 20 regular-season appearances. This was a massive step down from his 2022-23 production, when he averaged 8.9 points, 2.1 rebounds and 1.0 assists in 19.5 minutes across 72 regular-season appearances, including 12 starts. The 21-year-old forward also saw an alarming dip in his efficiency, going from posting 46.5/39.0/89.4 shooting splits as a rookie to 29.0/25.6/100.0 last year. Griffin seems unlikely to receive a significant role for the Rockets next year, as Dillon Brooks, Amen Thompson, Cam Whitmore, Tari Eason and Jae'Sean Tate all figure to feature above him in forward rotation. Unless there is a huge change in Griffin's expected role or a plethora of injuries ahead of his in the depth chart, he doesn't hold much fantasy value for 2024-25.
Griffin was traded from Atlanta to Houston in exchange for a second-round pick in the 2024 NBA Draft this offseason. Last season for the Hawks, Griffin averaged 2.4 points, 0.9 rebounds and 0.3 assists in 8.6 minutes across 20 regular-season appearances. This was a massive step down from his 2022-23 production, when he averaged 8.9 points, 2.1 rebounds and 1.0 assists in 19.5 minutes across 72 regular-season appearances, including 12 starts. The 21-year-old forward also saw an alarming dip in his efficiency, going from posting 46.5/39.0/89.4 shooting splits as a rookie to 29.0/25.6/100.0 last year. Griffin seems unlikely to receive a significant role for the Rockets next year, as Dillon Brooks, Amen Thompson, Cam Whitmore, Tari Eason and Jae'Sean Tate all figure to feature above him in forward rotation. Unless there is a huge change in Griffin's expected role or a plethora of injuries ahead of his in the depth chart, he doesn't hold much fantasy value for 2024-25.
Despite averaging a career-high 20.7 minutes per game during the 2023-24 season, Highsmith still finished well outside the top 200 in standard fantasy formats, highlighting his limited per-minute upside. He averaged 6.1 points, 3.2 rebounds, 0.8 steals and 1.1 three-pointers and shot only 63.9 percent from the line. The Heat re-signed Highsmith for two more years during the offseason, ensuring he will remain part of the rotation for the foreseeable future. The Heat have some intriguing depth pieces including Kel'el Ware, Josh Christopher and Pelle Larsson, all of whom will be staking their claim for playing time. This could result in Highsmith seeing fewer minutes this season, making him a non-factor once again. At best, Highsmith could be considered with a final-round pick in deeper formats.
Despite averaging a career-high 20.7 minutes per game during the 2023-24 season, Highsmith still finished well outside the top 200 in standard fantasy formats, highlighting his limited per-minute upside. He averaged 6.1 points, 3.2 rebounds, 0.8 steals and 1.1 three-pointers and shot only 63.9 percent from the line. The Heat re-signed Highsmith for two more years during the offseason, ensuring he will remain part of the rotation for the foreseeable future. The Heat have some intriguing depth pieces including Kel'el Ware, Josh Christopher and Pelle Larsson, all of whom will be staking their claim for playing time. This could result in Highsmith seeing fewer minutes this season, making him a non-factor once again. At best, Highsmith could be considered with a final-round pick in deeper formats.
Despite being one of the youngest players in the NBA last season, several injuries to the Grizzlies thrust Jackson into a larger role than expected. The 2023 second-round pick responded with a stellar rookie campaign, averaging 14.6 points, 4.1 rebounds and 1.2 assists in 25.7 minutes across 48 regular-season appearances, including 18 starts. While the 19-year-old forward shot just 42.8 percent from the field, his 35.7 percent shooting on 6.0 three-point attempts per contest was promising. While Jackson enjoyed a strong debut campaign, it's unclear what his role will be in 2024-25. Jackson underwent foot surgery in early September and is expected to miss at least the first month of the campaign. If Marcus Smart, Desmond Bane, Jaren Jackson, Vince Williams, John Konchar and Santi Aldama are all healthy when Jackson is cleared to return, he will likely be forced into a minor backup forward role. Regardless, Jackson's impressive rookie season for such a young player was promising enough to warrant a late-round draft pick in deeper fantasy leagues.
Despite being one of the youngest players in the NBA last season, several injuries to the Grizzlies thrust Jackson into a larger role than expected. The 2023 second-round pick responded with a stellar rookie campaign, averaging 14.6 points, 4.1 rebounds and 1.2 assists in 25.7 minutes across 48 regular-season appearances, including 18 starts. While the 19-year-old forward shot just 42.8 percent from the field, his 35.7 percent shooting on 6.0 three-point attempts per contest was promising. While Jackson enjoyed a strong debut campaign, it's unclear what his role will be in 2024-25. Jackson underwent foot surgery in early September and is expected to miss at least the first month of the campaign. If Marcus Smart, Desmond Bane, Jaren Jackson, Vince Williams, John Konchar and Santi Aldama are all healthy when Jackson is cleared to return, he will likely be forced into a minor backup forward role. Regardless, Jackson's impressive rookie season for such a young player was promising enough to warrant a late-round draft pick in deeper fantasy leagues.
The No. 21 pick out of Baylor, Missi has a chance to start right out of the gate as a rookie. Jonas Valanciunas left for Washington in free agency, opening up a huge hole in New Orleans' frontcourt. While Zion Williamson and Herbert Jones may play some small-ball five at times, the Pelicans will need one of their centers to step up if they hope to make a postseason run. Trey Jemison was claimed off waivers this offseason and provided a spark to the injury-riddled Grizzlies late last season. Daniel Theis is another new addition, but it's unclear how many minutes the veteran will be able to play on a nightly basis. Jeremiah Robinson-Earl returns for a second season in New Orleans but averaged only 8.6 minutes across 39 appearances last season. Karlo Matkovic, a draft-and-stash pick from the 2022 NBA Draft, is also in the picture after joining the Pelicans' G League affiliate late in the 2023-24 season and participating in the 2024 Vegas Summer League. That's the extent of Missi's competition for playing time. Obviously, New Orleans will be in the market for frontcourt options as the season moves along, but it appears like Missi has a great opportunity to earn a substantial role. Missi's rim-protecting ability was on display during Summer League, but he's a very raw offensive player.
The No. 21 pick out of Baylor, Missi has a chance to start right out of the gate as a rookie. Jonas Valanciunas left for Washington in free agency, opening up a huge hole in New Orleans' frontcourt. While Zion Williamson and Herbert Jones may play some small-ball five at times, the Pelicans will need one of their centers to step up if they hope to make a postseason run. Trey Jemison was claimed off waivers this offseason and provided a spark to the injury-riddled Grizzlies late last season. Daniel Theis is another new addition, but it's unclear how many minutes the veteran will be able to play on a nightly basis. Jeremiah Robinson-Earl returns for a second season in New Orleans but averaged only 8.6 minutes across 39 appearances last season. Karlo Matkovic, a draft-and-stash pick from the 2022 NBA Draft, is also in the picture after joining the Pelicans' G League affiliate late in the 2023-24 season and participating in the 2024 Vegas Summer League. That's the extent of Missi's competition for playing time. Obviously, New Orleans will be in the market for frontcourt options as the season moves along, but it appears like Missi has a great opportunity to earn a substantial role. Missi's rim-protecting ability was on display during Summer League, but he's a very raw offensive player.
Following a mid-season trade from Utah to Toronto, Agbaji struggled to produce anything of note, averaging just 7.0 points, 3.6 rebounds and 1.4 combined steals and blocks in 24.8 minutes per game over the final two months. Heading into the 2024-25 season, Agbaji's exact role remains somewhat unclear, although it will undoubtedly involve coming off the bench. At least to begin the season, Agbaji could play fewer minutes than he did to end the 2023-24 season, especially with Scottie Barnes back to full health. Agbaji will almost certainly get an opportunity to play an expanded role at some point, although predicting when that might happen is anyone's guess. Based on what we have seen to this point in his career, there is no reason to consider drafting Agbaji outside of deeper leagues.
Following a mid-season trade from Utah to Toronto, Agbaji struggled to produce anything of note, averaging just 7.0 points, 3.6 rebounds and 1.4 combined steals and blocks in 24.8 minutes per game over the final two months. Heading into the 2024-25 season, Agbaji's exact role remains somewhat unclear, although it will undoubtedly involve coming off the bench. At least to begin the season, Agbaji could play fewer minutes than he did to end the 2023-24 season, especially with Scottie Barnes back to full health. Agbaji will almost certainly get an opportunity to play an expanded role at some point, although predicting when that might happen is anyone's guess. Based on what we have seen to this point in his career, there is no reason to consider drafting Agbaji outside of deeper leagues.
Following one season in the league, Vezenkov signed a multi-year deal with Greek club Olympiacos. He was moved to the Raptors during the offseason before being waived, allowing him to sign overseas. Given he is now 29 years of age, it is unlikely any team will view him as a long-term piece, meaning he can be avoided in all formats for the time being.
Following one season in the league, Vezenkov signed a multi-year deal with Greek club Olympiacos. He was moved to the Raptors during the offseason before being waived, allowing him to sign overseas. Given he is now 29 years of age, it is unlikely any team will view him as a long-term piece, meaning he can be avoided in all formats for the time being.
Kennard was limited to just 39 games during the 2023-24 regular season due to a knee injury. When healthy, he averaged 11.0 points, 2.9 rebounds, 3.5 assists and 2.5 three-pointers in 25.6 minutes per game. Known as an elite perimeter scorer, Kennard connected on 45 percent of his three-point attempts, which should ensure a consistent role again this season. Although Kennard's playing time was encouraging, the Grizzlies were without Ja Morant, Desmond Bane and Marcus Smart for significant portions of the season. Assuming they are healthy during the 2024-25 campaign, Kennard will likely play no more than 20 minutes per game. During the 2020-21 season, Kennard averaged 19.6 minutes per game with the Clippers, ending as the 286th-ranked player. Using that as a jumping-off point, managers should view Kennard as nothing more than an elite three-point streaming option. However, if Memphis is shorthanded again, Kennard could step into a larger role, providing sustainable backend value.
Kennard was limited to just 39 games during the 2023-24 regular season due to a knee injury. When healthy, he averaged 11.0 points, 2.9 rebounds, 3.5 assists and 2.5 three-pointers in 25.6 minutes per game. Known as an elite perimeter scorer, Kennard connected on 45 percent of his three-point attempts, which should ensure a consistent role again this season. Although Kennard's playing time was encouraging, the Grizzlies were without Ja Morant, Desmond Bane and Marcus Smart for significant portions of the season. Assuming they are healthy during the 2024-25 campaign, Kennard will likely play no more than 20 minutes per game. During the 2020-21 season, Kennard averaged 19.6 minutes per game with the Clippers, ending as the 286th-ranked player. Using that as a jumping-off point, managers should view Kennard as nothing more than an elite three-point streaming option. However, if Memphis is shorthanded again, Kennard could step into a larger role, providing sustainable backend value.
Bagley began his career with high expectations after the Kings selected him with the No. 2 pick of the 2018 Draft. However, the 25-year-old has yet to surpass his rookie season, during which he averaged 14.9 points and 7.6 rebounds across 25.3 minutes per game in 62 regular-season outings. After a four-year stint with the Kings, Bagley was traded to Detroit, where he struggled to establish a prominent role due partly to a knee injury, a lingering back injury and a surgery to repair two fractured fingers on his non-shooting hand. The Pistons eventually traded the big man to the Wizards last season. In Washington, Bagley averaged 13.3 points, 8.1 rebounds and 1.4 combined steals and blocks in 24.0 minutes per game for a non-contending team. However, he may struggle to carve out a prominent role with the Wizards this season after the team signed Jonas Valanciunas and selected Alex Sarr with the No. 2 pick. Furthermore, Bagley will have to compete for minutes off the bench with Richaun Holmes and Tristan Vukcevic. Bagley's fantasy upside relies on his offensive production and rebounding, and if he's unable to exceed 20-plus minutes per game, he will likely be a non-factor in fantasy formats.
Bagley began his career with high expectations after the Kings selected him with the No. 2 pick of the 2018 Draft. However, the 25-year-old has yet to surpass his rookie season, during which he averaged 14.9 points and 7.6 rebounds across 25.3 minutes per game in 62 regular-season outings. After a four-year stint with the Kings, Bagley was traded to Detroit, where he struggled to establish a prominent role due partly to a knee injury, a lingering back injury and a surgery to repair two fractured fingers on his non-shooting hand. The Pistons eventually traded the big man to the Wizards last season. In Washington, Bagley averaged 13.3 points, 8.1 rebounds and 1.4 combined steals and blocks in 24.0 minutes per game for a non-contending team. However, he may struggle to carve out a prominent role with the Wizards this season after the team signed Jonas Valanciunas and selected Alex Sarr with the No. 2 pick. Furthermore, Bagley will have to compete for minutes off the bench with Richaun Holmes and Tristan Vukcevic. Bagley's fantasy upside relies on his offensive production and rebounding, and if he's unable to exceed 20-plus minutes per game, he will likely be a non-factor in fantasy formats.
Boucher suffered a partial MCL tear in his right knee in March that caused him to miss the final 18 games of the 2023-24 campaign. Even when the 31-year-old big man was on the floor, Boucher had his least productive season since 2018-19. In 50 regular-season appearances, Boucher averaged 6.4 points and 4.1 rebounds in 14.1 minutes. The 7-foot-4 center did display solid efficiency, posting 50.7/33.0/77.2 shooting splits. However, a reduction in playing time allowed Boucher to record just 0.5 blocks per contest, a sharp decline from previous seasons. With Jakob Poeltl, Kelly Olynyk, Scottie Barnes and Ochai Agbaji seemingly ahead of Boucher in the frontcourt depth chart for 2024-25, it seems unlikely Boucher will receive increased playing time. Unless there are injuries ahead of him in Toronto's pecking order, Boucher's limited role leaves him without much fantasy value for next season.
Boucher suffered a partial MCL tear in his right knee in March that caused him to miss the final 18 games of the 2023-24 campaign. Even when the 31-year-old big man was on the floor, Boucher had his least productive season since 2018-19. In 50 regular-season appearances, Boucher averaged 6.4 points and 4.1 rebounds in 14.1 minutes. The 7-foot-4 center did display solid efficiency, posting 50.7/33.0/77.2 shooting splits. However, a reduction in playing time allowed Boucher to record just 0.5 blocks per contest, a sharp decline from previous seasons. With Jakob Poeltl, Kelly Olynyk, Scottie Barnes and Ochai Agbaji seemingly ahead of Boucher in the frontcourt depth chart for 2024-25, it seems unlikely Boucher will receive increased playing time. Unless there are injuries ahead of him in Toronto's pecking order, Boucher's limited role leaves him without much fantasy value for next season.
Knecht's three-level scoring at Tennessee was on full display in 2023-24 and propelled him up draft boards. The Lakers used the No. 17 overall pick in the 2024 NBA Draft on Knecht, who's projected to compete for rotation minutes as a rookie. Los Angeles is essentially running it back with LeBron James and Anthony Davis at the helm. However, depth was a major concern last season, opening up an opportunity for Knecht. Austin Reaves, Rui Hachimura and D'Angelo Russell should round out the starting five on Opening Night, and Gabe Vincent and Jarred Vanderbilt should have reserve roles after missing most of last season. That leaves Knecht to compete with Cam Reddish, Max Christie and fellow rookie Bronny James for second-unit wing minutes.
Knecht's three-level scoring at Tennessee was on full display in 2023-24 and propelled him up draft boards. The Lakers used the No. 17 overall pick in the 2024 NBA Draft on Knecht, who's projected to compete for rotation minutes as a rookie. Los Angeles is essentially running it back with LeBron James and Anthony Davis at the helm. However, depth was a major concern last season, opening up an opportunity for Knecht. Austin Reaves, Rui Hachimura and D'Angelo Russell should round out the starting five on Opening Night, and Gabe Vincent and Jarred Vanderbilt should have reserve roles after missing most of last season. That leaves Knecht to compete with Cam Reddish, Max Christie and fellow rookie Bronny James for second-unit wing minutes.
