Possible breakouts who could help win your league
Every year, fantasy managers scour through different sites to find THE breakout player that is going to win them their league. That guy in Round 4 who will provide top-five value, or the one you can select in the second half of the draft who will be a second-round producer (Shai Gilgeous-Alexander and Lauri Markkanen last season).
I can’t promise all these players will be league winners, but I’m confident they’ll raise their dynasty value quickly. For some, this is the lowest they’ll ever be valued, so if you want in, do it now. For others, they’ll start the season very well but may not be able to sustain it. That makes this a great time to buy in, since you should be able to flip them for better value later.
The situation is perfect for a Maxey breakout. James Harden refuses to play for the 76ers, but a trade has yet to come. We’ve seen Daryl Morey be patient in the past with a disgruntled star (i.e., Ben Simmons), so it wouldn’t be shocking if he held onto Harden until another All-Star player demands a trade.
With no help on the way, Maxey will be the No. 2 scoring option in Philly. In 13 games without Harden last year, Maxey averaged 24.8 points, 5.4 assists, 3.8 rebounds, 1.1 steals and 3.2 triples. A mid-season trade could hurt his value, but if Philly falls short of their expectations again this season, Joel Embiid COULD ask out, which would leave this as Maxey’s team.
Vassell is a favorite of many fantasy analysts, but if you weren’t paying attention, you may have been confused by his four-year, $146 million extension. The former lottery pick has taken a large step forward in each of his first three seasons, and this next one should be no different. He’s healthy, he has more help, and he has another year of experience under his belt.
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While Victor Wembanyama is the future of the franchise, Vassell is the Spurs’ second-best player. He can contribute value across the board, but he still has room to improve. He’s nowhere near his ceiling, but his rise should start this season. Buy in before he blossoms.
Sure, there’s only one basketball in Portland, but Simons may be the best scorer on this team full of scorers. He turned 24 in June, but he’s one of the most lethal shooters in the league. In 11 games without Dame last season, Simons averaged 27.9 points, 5.7 assists and 4.6 triples per game.
Simons won’t reach that volume over the course of a full season, but he’ll still return solid value in those categories. He doesn’t offer much defensively, but that won’t keep him off the floor. This is Scoot Henderson’s team, but Simons will look like the star next season.
Collins just signed a two-year, $35 million extension Sunday, which means they want him to be the center next to Wemby until 2026. Collins has been solid in the preseason, but he was incredible to finish last season. Over the final two months, he averaged 16.5 points, 8.0 rebounds, 3.8 assists, 1.1 steals, 1.1 blocks and 1.6 triples. He may produce to that level during the season, but he’ll provide well-rounded value from the center spot for the next few years.
Okongwu is so close to taking over the starting center spot in Atlanta. It is surprising that Clint Capela has lasted this long, but when OO takes over, he’s going to boom in fantasy. He shot 5-for-13 from deep in four preseason games, and while he may not shoot quite that many during the regular season, he’ll provide way more spacing for Trae Young to operate than Capela ever has.
Plus, Okongwu was nearly a top-75 player in 9-cat leagues last season with averages of 9.9 points, 7.2 rebounds, 0.7 steals and 1.3 blocks while shooting 63.8% from the field in 23.1 minutes. He also shot 78.1% from the line, which is much better than Capela. Seriously, trade for this guy before he gets a permanent starting job.
“Detroit has too many centers! There aren’t enough minutes for Duren, Isaiah Stewart, James Wiseman AND Marvin Bagley! I’m just staying away from that poverty franchise.” Let’s make something clear: Duren is the center of the future in Detroit. He’s the best big they have, and he’s going to start this season.
He’s a walking double-double that will shoot a high field goal percentage and provide defensive stats. Traditional center stuff, but he hasn’t even turned 20 yet! Plus, he showcased some shooting range and ball handling during Summer League.
The sky's the limit for this kid, and he’s going to grow alongside their young core. Grab him now before your league mates figure out that he is far and away the best big in Detroit.
Much like with Okongwu, Johnson is close to a starting role. A changing of the guard is happening in Atlanta’s frontcourt, albeit very slowly. Since their Eastern Conference Finals run a few years ago, they’ve traded away Kevin Huerter and John Collins, and it wouldn’t be shocking if Clint Capela, Saddiq Bey and De’Andre Hunter were also moved within the next few seasons (some sooner than others).
As those trades happen (or even before if Johnson simply takes the starting role), minutes will open up. Johnson is the starting power forward of the future in Atlanta and has shown the upside to provide value across the board. He had an exciting preseason, and it’s only a matter of time before he soars to new heights.
Daniels isn’t on the cusp of a breakout, but he is still a player to buy now. Daniels should see a larger role to start the season with Jose Alvarado out, but it will still be limited. He played well in the preseason and showcased an ability to get both steals and assists while also displaying an improved 3-point shot.
As C.J. McCollum ages, Daniels will play a larger role, and there will come a time when Daniels is the starting point guard and providing top-50 value. Make sure he’s on your roster before that happens!
Sportstopia gets you read for your NBA drafts
The NBA season starts Oct. 24, but we've got you covered for your Fantasy drafts! NBA experts Corey Parson, Dr. A, and Jonas Nader rank every point guard and shooting guard! We'll discuss average draft position, tips for your draft, and more! Check in daily on the Fantasy Fire and Ice Podcast for injury updates, breaking NBA news, and player profiles.
Rookies and young players on verge of breakouts
When it comes to fantasy basketball, the preseason can be misleading. Some players benefit from expanded roles with the usual starters sitting, such as Tre Mann, who had 18 points, eight rebounds, five assists, one steal and one block after Cason Wallace exited early with a toe injury on Sunday.
Mann is a solid depth piece, but his performance isn’t going to translate into real production this season, even if it was encouraging. Mann may be a solid streaming option from time to time, but this game isn’t a sign of things to come.
Mainly, we’ll look at rookies and other young guys on the cusp of a breakout season. We’ll be keeping an eye on the dynasty value of players right here, every Monday. With the regular season coming up Oct. 24, let’s analyze how a handful of players have looked during the preseason and how their dynasty value could change.
Before he even played a game, I had Wemby ranked third in my dynasty rankings. Now that he’s suited up for the Spurs, I think having him third should be his floor. I still have Nikola Jokic and Luka Doncic ahead, but I think he could move higher quickly. Wemby has looked generational through two preseason games, and the only reason for him to not be higher than three is that Jokic and Luka are better right now.
However, if he continues his preseason production into the regular season, I won’t hesitate to move him ahead of both Jokic and Luka, especially for younger dynasty rosters. His preseason performance did nothing to slow the hype.
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Much like Wemby, the hype around Chet can’t grow much more. I had him ranked 14th in dynasty, but I’m tempted to move him into the top 10. He has a fantasy friendly game and has looked really good early, though the first preseason game was much better than his second. Against Detroit, he shot 4-for-11 from the field and only grabbed four rebounds in 14 minutes.
We saw a good game against the Spurs and a subpar game against the Pistons. For this season, he should be really good, but if his performance against San Antonio is a glimpse of what this kid could look like, his dynasty stock will never be lower than it is right now.
The numbers don’t show how good Scoot has been through three preseason games. He didn’t play much in their first game against the New Zealand Breakers, but he was incredible against the Suns. He struggled with his shot a bit against the Jazz, but still had eight assists. It’s his feel for the game that has stood out. He is a star in the making and the clear second-best player in this class (sorry, I still can’t get over Charlotte passing on him, even if Brandon Miller has looked good during the preseason).
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Scoot’s first year may be a struggle at times, like it is for most rookie point guards. However, you can already tell that this is his team. He’s going to be good for a long time, which is why I have him as a top-20 dynasty asset.
Many analysts have pegged JJ as a sleeper and late-round target. He started in Atlanta’s first two preseason games before coming off the bench in the third. He has 13 assists in 55 minutes and has showcased the ability to produce defensive stats and knock down shots from deep.
However, we can’t get too far ahead of ourselves. With the way the Hawks are currently constructed, it is unlikely Johnson starts, at least right off. The three frontcourt starters will likely be De’Andre Hunter, Saddiq Bey and Clint Capela.
Johnson has a lot of hype now, but that could die down quickly if his role is limited. That is the best time to buy in. He’s the starter of the future, but it is unlikely that he will be one to open the year.
Kuminga is in the same boat as Johnson -- a third-year player who had been underutilized in his first two seasons who was having a really good preseason. Through three preseason games, he is averaging 26 points, 5.7 rebounds, 2.7 assists, 1.0 steals and 2.7 triples per game. He hasn’t shot the ball incredibly well from deep through two seasons, but if that is a legit part of his game, he can be incredibly valuable in fantasy.
However, the situation in Golden State isn’t ideal. That’s why it’s important to look ahead. The Warriors extended Draymond for four more years, which means that Kuminga won’t be starting for them anytime soon. There’s a real chance they trade him to acquire more “win-now” talent at the deadline, which would be ideal for him. Kuminga has showcased his talent this preseason, but he won’t get the chance to pop until he is on a team that will give him an expanded role.
I didn’t have Coulibaly starting at small forward on my bingo card after the draft. Frankly, I was surprised Washington traded up for him. He just turned 19 in July, yet he has seven steals and two blocks through two preseason games. He also scored 12 points and hit two triples against the Hornets on Thursday.
Defense is going to get him on the floor, but if he can provide value offensively as well, he’s going to be incredibly dangerous, especially in fantasy. We just saw Jalen Williams have a really good rookie season and finish among the league leaders in steals.
Coulibaly may not produce to the same level, but he should be able to provide swipes from day 1. He should get a chance to work through his mistakes in Washington, so this situation is ideal for him. I’m all in on Coulibaly.
I still like Amen more than Ausar long-term, which is why I have him ranked a few spots higher. However, Ausar being a starter from day 1 will help his progression a lot. Amen might be stuck behind Fred VanVleet for a few seasons, but Ausar will be a producer from day 1. He hasn’t shot the ball well, but he’s averaging 10.0 points, 9.0 rebounds, 4.0 assists, 1.5 blocks and 1.0 triple per game.
While he’ll have to share the ball with Cade Cunningham, Ausar has shown that he can make an impact on both ends of the floor without needing the ball. Any questions about the Thompson twins need to be laid to rest. The twins are future stars. It’s all about opportunity for them, and Ausar’s appears to be coming much, much earlier.
These last two are for the dynasty sickos. Sure, stars matter, but these are for the managers that do it for the love of the game. The ones that get frustrated because someone won’t accept their trade offer of two second-round rookie picks to move up a few spots in the second round of their draft to get the 18-year-old that might be able to crack an NBA rotation someday. But that’s their guy, and they want them bad. If that sounds like you, then strap in.
After a really solid Summer League performance, Strawther has averaged 20.3 points and four triples through three preseason games. He could end up as part of Denver’s rotation, since they lost multiple role players in free agency. This is why they drafted him with the 29th pick. That may not lead to much fantasy value, but being in the rotation for the NBA champs is a good start.
I was a tad surprised Camara was included in the Deandre Ayton trade. Apparently, Phoenix liked him, but not enough to keep him out of talks to end Ayton’s tenure with the Suns. After averaging 16.3 points and seven rebounds in Summer League, Camara had a really solid game on Saturday with 13 points, five rebounds, two assists, one steal, two blocks and three 3-pointers.
He may not have a huge role to start the year with Portland, but if they end up tanking hard (as they did the last two seasons), he could see an expanded role late in the year. He’s a guy that plays hard and should be a rotational NBA player within a few seasons. He’s worth stashing.
Video: Check out who our folks are picking
The NBA season begins next week on Tuesday, Oct. 24, and it's a busy time for NBA Fantasy players to prepare for and conduct their league drafts, in whatever format they might be.
Sportstopia isn't sitting on the sidelines, we've got our own league going! We gathered our best DFS minds -- many of whom you see regularly on our Fire & Ice shows -- to go through our 9-category league draft. Check out their picks and their insights about all the players, it could help you out as you get ready for your drafts!
Our predictions for NBA Finals, conferences, divisions
The 2023 NBA season is almost here. The offseason never fails to disappoint, as I call it the best drama in the world. Last season we saw Nikola Jokic and the Denver Nuggets stake their claim at the top, but will they follow that up with the same success?
The Milwaukee Bucks made the surprise move of the summer when they acquired Damian Lillard, thereby becoming the odds-on-favorite to win the NBA championship. The Bucks swept the rug right out from under the Miami Heat, who had been rumored to be the top potential landing spot for Lillard. Still, the Heat won’t go down without a fight if Jimmy Butler and Bam Adebayo are playing in South Beach.
Quietly, the Boston Celtics have had an extremely strong offseason, getting the ‘Unicorn’ Kristaps Porzingis to play alongside Jayson Tatum and Jaylen Brown.
Perhaps the most surprising move was the snowball effect of the Lillard trade. Jrue Holiday was sent to Portland in the package for Lillard, and the Blazers quickly flipped Holiday in another trade. The Celtics jumped at the opportunity and acquired Holiday, whom they believe will push them to the next level.
So which franchise will ascend to win the NBA championship?
Following the Lillard trade, the Milwaukee Bucks were immediately pegged as favorites. There is still a looming question of Giannis Antetokounmpo’s future with Milwaukee, but acquiring Lillard certainly puts fear into the Eastern Conference. Dare I say Giannis and Dame are the best inside-outside dual threat since Shaq and Kobe?
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The Bucks will be tough, but there’s another team in the Eastern Conference that can go toe to toe with them -- the Boston Celtics. They also have a new-look lineup with the additions of Porzingis and Holiday, and All-NBA guards Brown and Tatum were already a powerful tandem.
The Phoenix Suns are primed to make a run at the Nuggets out West after they upgraded their roster. Phoenix acquired Kevin Durant midseason a year ago, and to do so, they squandered any depth they had on its roster. The Suns have taken the offseason to build back its lineup and lengthen its bench. I’m not convinced they have enough on the defensive end to slow down the Nuggets or Warriors in a playoff matchup.
The Milwaukee Bucks are my pick to win the 2024 NBA Championship. Lillard has excellent playoff experience and is the right fit to play alongside two-time MVP Antetokounmpo. Khris Middleton is one of the most underrated players in recent memory and is healthy after dealing with injuries all last season. Milwaukee has unfinished business and a chip on their shoulder after getting bounced in the first round by the Miami Heat. Milwaukee has great depth with their bench, led by Bobby Portis, Malik Beasley, Jae Crowder, and Cam Payne. Many people love the Nuggets to repeat, but it’s a tall task to repeat as champions in any major sport.
Pick: Bucks +380
Spoiler alert --I clearly believe in the Bucks to be crowned Eastern Conference Champions. Lillard is a bona fide superstar pairing with Giannis. The story we’ll hear about all season long is that Giannis is playing without a long-term contract. There will be plenty of incentive for the Bucks to return to the NBA Finals.
The defending Eastern Conference champions aren’t going to sneak up on anyone this season. The Miami Heat sit fifth in Eastern Conference winner odds. They were the big losers of the summer, missing out on the big names. The Knicks are a fun team to watch after a run to the Eastern Conference semifinals last season. Led By Jalen Brunson, it will be interesting to see if the Knicks will be able to duplicate the success. My guess is no.
Surprisingly, the Cavaliers fall next in line behind the Bucks and Celtics. Cleveland has an excellent core of Donovan Mitchell, Darius Garland, Evan Mobley, and Jarrett Allen. The Cavs were bounced out of the playoffs by the Knicks, and they will likely be one of the hungriest teams in the East.
The Eastern Conference will eventually come down to the two juggernauts. Hopefully, we get to see the Bucks and Celtics square off in a 7-game series. During the last playoff run, there were multiple instances that left us questioning the coaching decisions of Joe Mazzulla and the Celtics staff. Mazzulla will be in his second year as Head Coach, but we can’t ignore the poor decision-making we saw last postseason. The Celtics bench depth can’t compare to the Bucks, so ultimately, Milwaukee will represent the Eastern Conference in the NBA Finals.
Prediction: Bucks +175
It’s no secret the Western Conference is deep. There happens to be decent value on a few teams out West. The Nuggets are the favorites alongside the Suns after their dominating postseason run on their way to an NBA Championship. Nikola Jokic is a special player, and the rest of the roster will be returning outside of Bruce Brown. Jamal Murray put together a great season, but the Nuggets will likely require a third superstar to step up if they want to make another deep run.
The Phoenix Suns, led by Devin Booker and Kevin Durant, are breathing down the necks of the Nuggets. The Suns somehow acquired Bradley Beal in a trade that involved Chris Paul and now have arguably a more dynamic Big 3 than we saw in Miami with LeBron, Dwayne Wade, and Chris Bosh. The Suns made another significant trade as they were the third team involved with the Bucks and Trail Blazers that sent Damian Lillard to Milwaukee. Phoenix moved on from Deandre Ayton and was able to add Jusuf Nurkic and Grayson Allen. I’m not convinced the Suns have enough depth still on its roster behind Durant, Booker, and Beal, who have all dealt with injuries in some capacity the last couple of seasons. If the Suns happen to come into the playoffs healthy, it will be difficult for any team to take down the powerhouse trio in the desert.
When I look at the West, I can’t help but look further down the board. Do the Warriors have another championship run in the tank after adding Chris Paul? Golden State isn’t far removed from being the latest greatest NBA dynasty. The Lakers, led by LeBron James, are also set up to truly contend for the first time in a season that wasn’t in the bubble.
The Lakers had a terrific run in the second half of last season that saw them reach the Western Conference Finals. As always, the question is, can LJ and AD remain healthy? The Lakers have one of the most balanced rosters, with an excellent core that includes D’Angelo Russell, Austin Reaves, and Rui Hachimura. LA also added key pieces such as Gabe Vincent, Christian Wood, and Taurean Prince.
Unless Michael Porter Jr. or Aaron Gordon steps up and becomes the third superstar for Denver, I think we’ll see a new team representing the West in the Finals. A Bucks-Lakers Finals would be entertaining and might be our last chance at watching LeBron in the Finals. I believe Rob Pelinka and the Lakers understand the clock is ticking and will do everything they can to make sure LeBron is surrounded by the right pieces to reach the Finals one more time.
Prediction: Lakers +750
Atlantic Division Odds (Via FanDuel)
The Atlantic division is probably the murkiest of them all in the Eastern Conference. Yet, the Boston Celtics will likely be too much for any team to keep up with during the regular season. Boston will look a bit differently from recent years with the additions of Jrue Holiday and Kristaps Porzingis. The reigning league MVP Joel Embiid won’t go down without a fight though, as he in the 76ers are a true contender in the East.
Pick: Celtics -240
Central Division Odds (Via FanDuel)
If I weren’t so high on the Bucks, this would be a division with value. The Cavaliers should be even more improved with their excellent young core. The Pacers are one of my favorite teams to surprise season. It’s been three years since Indiana made the playoffs, but I think that ends in 2023. They have a solid group led by Tyrese Haliburton, Myles Turner, and Bruce Brown. The Pacers will be among the play-in teams this season. Ultimately the Bucks will run away with the Central Division crown.
Pick: Bucks -360
Southeast Division Odds (Via FanDuel)
There isn’t much competition for the Miami Heat in the Southeast division, but the Atlanta Hawks will be coached by Quin Snyder for the first full season. Trae Young and Dejounte Murray can be a dynamic guard pairing, but the Heat are still the team to beat in the Southeast. The Magic are an exciting team to keep an eye on, but they have plenty of work to do.
Pick: Heat -190
Northwest Division Odds (Via FanDuel)
The Denver Nuggets should run away with the Northwest Division.
Pick: Nuggets -390
Pacific Division Odds (Via FanDuel)
The Pacific is far and away the deepest division. Every team is a contender in the West. Last season, Sacramento surprised most when they won the division. According to the sportsbooks, the new-look Phoenix Suns, led by the NBA’s newest Big 3, are the favorites to usurp Denver out West. The Suns will require to stay healthy though, as their bench is very thin compared to some of the other teams in the Pacific.
We can never rule out the Dubs. They have one of the deepest rosters in the NBA and will be refueled for another championship run. The biggest maybe in the NBA is the question of health for the Clippers. With a core of Kawhi Leonard, Paul George, and Russell Westbrook, they can compete with any team in the NBA IF they are healthy. That’s not something I’m willing to trust. The Lakers barely made the postseason a year ago, but they got to the Western Conference Finals. They have its best roster entering a season since LeBron joined LA. It will be difficult for the Kings to repeat, and the Suns are an injury away from disaster.
Pick: Warriors +390
Southwest Division Odds (Via FanDuel)
The Southwest is the most intriguing out West. Will Victor Wembanyama make an immediate impact for the Spurs? Will the Rockets make the next step after bringing in free agents Fred VanVleet and Dillon Brooks to play alongside emerging stars Jabari Smith Jr. and Jalen Green? The Mavs' Luka Doncic and Kyrie Irving might be the most polarizing backcourt in NBA history. The Memphis Grizzlies are the favorites, but they may stumble early with Ja Morant suspended for the first 25 games and I’m not convinced the addition of Marcus Smart will be enough to make up for it. There are no excuses for Zion Williamson. The Pelicans ranked 8th overall in offense, and they were 10 games over .500 before Zion was injured in the middle of last season.
Pick: Pelicans +210
Dr. A gets you ready for your NBA fantasy leagues
Tiers can help fantasy managers determine exactly when it’s time to take the player they’re looking at. If you’re torn between a shooting guard and a center and the center you’re looking at is a Tier 2 player, while the SG is a Tier 1 player, we’d recommend taking the SG. Players with similar values are grouped in tiers together, so getting the higher-tiered player is the way to go in most cases. Here are our Small Forward Tiers.
The best small forward in the game.
Can Durant stay healthy and lead the Suns to a championship?
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He owns Father Time, for now.
The Godfather of load management says that the new rules won’t make him play any more games than he normally would.
Solid tier with Johnson plotting a full breakout season.
Beware of Murphy’s injury.
You may not need any of these guys on your team but someone from this tier will emerge.
Dr. A goes through his NBA 'post-hype sleepers'
In case you’re wondering, a post-hype sleeper is a player who may have disappointed us in the past but we think is going to have a bounce-back season. I suppose this could be injury or performance related so you’ll see a mixture of both here. Let’s dive right in.
Injuries are a concern with Ball and limited him to just 36 games last season and 51 games as a rookie. He was on track for a monster season before an ankle injury that required surgery shut him down early, but he was averaging 23.3 points, 6.4 rebounds, 8.4 assists, 1.3 steals and 4.0 3-pointers per game before being shut down. His ability to stay healthy will always be the biggest concern with Melo but he’ll be a top-10 player if he can stay on the court.
Young had to adjust to playing alongside Dejounte Murray last season and also constantly heard his own name in trade rumors on Atlanta radio while playing with a mediocre supporting cast. He still produced solid numbers with 26.2 points, 3.0 rebounds, a career-high 10.2 assists, 1.1 steals and 2.1 3-pointers in 73 games. The scoring and triples were a bit of a letdown, but the assists and steals helped make up for it. Chances are he’s learned how to coexist with Murray heading into his sixth NBA season and he’ll be looking to build on his 2021-22 season after a bit of a down year last season.
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Cunningham only played in 12 games last season before succumbing to shin surgery but is healthy and the best player on a young team. He was cooking before being shut down, averaging 19.9 points, 6.2 rebound, 6.0 assists, 0.8 steals, 0.6 blocks and 1.4 3-pointers in 33 minutes per game. It’s possible the Pistons reel in his minutes a bit to keep him healthy, but he’s primed for a monster fantasy season if he can stay on the court for 70-plus games.
Holmgren missed the entire season with a foot injury but has looked fantastic in preseason. He’s skinny as a bean pole but can score, rebound, block shots and knock down 3-pointers at will and looks like a value pick in Round 4 of fantasy drafts. He could easily finish with second-round value if he stays healthy.
Vassell was cooking last season before missing a couple months with a knee injury and will be playing alongside Victor Wembanyama. While Wemby gets all the headlines in San Antonio, Vassell should not be forgotten after averaging 18.5 points, 3.9 rebounds, 3.6 assists, 1.1 steals and 2.7 3-pointers in 38 games. The Spurs will turn him loose, he’s fully healthy and should be an incredibly fun fantasy player to roster as he enters his fourth season.
Sengun took a nice step forward last season, averaging 14.8 points, 9.0 rebounds, 3.9 assists, 0.9 steals, 0.9 blocks and 0.3 3-pointers, shooting 55.3 percent from the floor and 71.5 percent from the line. He took a big leap from his rookie numbers and we’re expecting another step forward as he enters year three. A full breakout season should be coming for Sengun as long as he can stay healthy.
Ayton will be starting at center and won’t have to compete with guys like Devin Booker, Kevin Durant and Damian Lillard for shots. Ayton had five solid seasons in Phoenix but probably needed a change of scenery. He averaged 18 points, 10 rebounds and 0.8 blocks last season and should be more of a focal point offensively for his new team. He’s averaged a double-double in each of his five seasons and it wouldn’t be surprising to see him clock in with 21 points, 11.5 rebounds and 1.5 blocks this season. Phoenix fans may regret losing Ayton at some point and he should be ready to play well in Portland.
Damian Lillard is now in Milwaukee, clearing the way for Simons to either start at point guard (in front of Scoot Henderson) or shooting guard. He’s been a fun fantasy fill-in whenever Lillard has been out in the past and he no longer has to deal with having Lillard dominating the offense. Simons averaged 21.1 points, 2.6 rebounds, 4.1 assists, 0.7 steals and 3.4 3-pointers in 62 starts last season and could be the leading scorer for the Blazers. If he can get more steals, the sky’s the limit.
Johnson had a mini-breakout after being traded to the Nets from the Suns last season and averaged 16.6 points, 4.8 rebounds, 2.1 assists, 1.4 steals, 0.3 blocks and 2.3 3-pointers in 25 games for Brooklyn. The points, boards, dimes and steals were all career highs and he should be a focal point on offense for the Nets. After Mikal Bridges, Johnson looks like the Nets’ second best player and should be able to build on last season’s success.
Wiggins missed a ton of time last year with various injuries and an extended personal leave, averaging 17.1 points, 5.0 rebounds, 2.3 assists, 1.2 steals, 0.8 blocks and 2.4 3-pointers in just 37 games. He’s back and healthy and should return to the form that made him an All-Star starter a couple years ago. Averages of 19 points, 5.0 rebounds, 3.0 assists, a steal, a block and 2.5 3-pointers aren’t out of the question and he can be had in the middle to later rounds of most drafts.
Sharpe averaged just 9.9 points, 3.0 rebounds, 1.2 assists, 0.5 steals, 0.3 blocks and 1.3 3-pointers in 80 games for the Blazers last season. But those numbers jumped up to 18.5 points, 4.9 rebounds, 3.1 assists, 0.7 steals, 0.4 blocks and 2.3 3-pointers in his 15 starts and the Blazers will look to him for offense. He’s one of the most exciting dunkers in the game and a full breakout season could be coming for a team looking for a young player to help replace the scoring of Damian Lillard, who is now in Milwaukee.
Fred VanVleet is now in Houston and Schroder is the default starter at point guard for the Raptors. As long as they don’t turn to Scottie Barnes at the point, Schroder should be primed for a fun fantasy season. The journeyman averaged 12.6 points, 2.5 rebounds, 4.5 assists, 0.8 steals and 1.1 3-pointers for the Lakers last season but it wouldn’t be surprising to see him average closer to 15 points for his new team. He’ll be available late in drafts and should see 30 minutes per game, making him a nice sleeper candidate.
Bridges will miss the first 10 games after last year’s domestic violence issues, but once the suspension is over, he could go off. The last time we saw him play was in the 2021-22 season when he averaged 20.2 points, 7.0 rebounds, 3.8 assists, 0.9 steals, 0.8 blocks and 1.9 3-pointers. He’ll have to compete with P.J. Washington for minutes but if he’s in shape, Bridges should come in hungry, healthy and ready to get back to the business of basketball. There are worse ways to use a 10th-round fantasy pick.
Murray was underwhelming as a rookie, averaging just 12.2 points, 4.6 rebounds, 1.2 assists, 0.8 steals, 0.5 blocks and 2.6 3-pointers in 29.8 minutes over 78 games. If he can increase his scoring to 18 points, as well as build on his other stats, he could be a key asset to fantasy managers. He’s already a strong 3-point shooter and has looked more aggressive getting to the rack in the preseason. Murray appears to be poised to take a big step forward in Year 2 and shouldn’t be expensive.
Dr. A gets you ready for your NBA fantasy leagues
Tiers can help fantasy managers determine exactly when it’s time to take the player they’re looking at. If you’re torn between a shooting guard and a center and the center you’re looking at is a Tier 2 player, while the SG is a Tier 1 player, we’d recommend taking the SG. Players with similar values are grouped in tiers together, so getting the higher-tiered player is the way to go in most cases. Here are our center tiers.
The undisputed No. 1 pick in every format.
Will be the MVP if he can play in 68 games.
Unheralded studs.
Breakout candidates galore.
Tried and true with some Chet thrown in for good measure.
Who doesn’t love Mark Williams? Okongwu is a breakout candidate and Collins is wildly underappreciated.
A little older, but still productive.
Bol Bol and Wiseman are very intriguing.
NBA Experts Corey Parson and Steve "Dr. A" Alexander will recap Monday's games and preview the limited Tuesday Slate of NBA Games. We'll also break down the James Harden Trade to the Clippers. Check-in daily on the Fantasy Fire and Ice Podcast for injury updates, breaking NBA news, and player profiles.
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