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Prepare for your fantasy basketball drafts with Dan Titus’ divisional previews for the 2024-25 NBA season. On today’s board: the Atlantic.
boston celts
Taking advantage of the uncertainty surrounding Kristaps Porziņġis’ health, Fantasy officials are equally concerned. Porziņġis’ ADP fell to the ninth round over the past week – a drop of 10 spots to 98th overall. That being said, you should take him down if he slides past the middle or end of the ninth round. A true recruit and reserve, KP offers too many advantages even if he requires an acceleration program after his expected December return date.
Meanwhile, Jayson Tatum, Derrick White, Jalen Brown and Jrue Holiday will remain among the top 70 players for fantasy managers. Another player to watch is Payton Pritchard. Thanks to Brown’s honesty and trolling.we learned the Celtics might plan to get more opportunities for their key rotation players against lower-level opponents. As the alleged sixth man, Pritchard has proven to be a efficient and effective fantasy asset as long as you get at least 20 minutes of action.
New York Knicks
Jalen Brunson and Karl-Anthony Towns got a boost in my latest rankings after the blockbuster trade. Brunson moved up a few spots in the second round and Towns went from a third-round value to a second-round value.
KAT enjoyed some of its best seasons statistically under Thibs and fantasy managers must recognize the growth opportunities ahead. Towns could be looking at 12 rebounds per game and more shot-blocking potential with Robinson out, as KAT will be in the paint more than in his previous role in Minnesota. Adding more counting stats to his super-efficient offensive skill set will be great for his fantasy outlook.
If OG Anunoby can stay healthy, his actions and three-pointers will push him past his ADP at 96 overall. I’m a little worried about Mikal Bridges though. In theory, he should be more efficient than last year because he plays a supporting role instead of being the star. But I can’t help but notice its jersey look. strangely different this off season. Hopefully, he’ll regain that efficiency with higher stocks, like he did in Phoenix, but that new release Seems a little suspicious, just saying.
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Brooklyn Networks
A great season awaits Cam Thomas. The 23-year-old man who got the bucket was one of the four guards Players 23 years old and younger averaged at least 20 points per game last season, with a usage rate of 30%. Add to this his evolving way of playing and we will see that he is a positive pick in the sixth round.
Nic Claxton is a good source of blocks, rebounds and field goal percentage, while Cameron Johnson will look to build on a disappointing, injury-plagued season. Johnson finished 128th in value per game primarily because his efficiency fell across the board.
Noah Clowney is an intriguing late-round flyer, but he’ll become more valuable once the Nets fully commit to the Cooper Flagg sweepstakes. Dennis Schröder will also have his moments and I have more faith in him contributing this season than Ben Simmons.
Philadelphia 76ers
All hell is breaking loose in Philadelphia.
First, “Joel Embiid”new normal” is a big blow to fantasy. He won’t play in back-to-back games and has reportedly scheduled evaluations with periods of time off built into his health and wellness program during the season. Ouch! If he doesn’t play in back-to-back games – backs, that reduces his maximum games played from 82 to 67. Then, if you take into account the time off, who knows if he will get to 60, much less 50 games, I would stay away from Embiid in the first round and. Honestly, it’s probably not worth the headache to draft him at all. Andre Drummond is a worthy late-rounder as Embiid’s insurance.
Paul George is also slipping in my latest rankings as he suffered an injury on Monday night that is considered a hyperextended knee. There have been no imaging results or timeline, so Fantasy managers will have to see how long this could affect the Sixers’ new star forward. As part of Embiid’s health and wellness announcement, Paul George was also mentioned as a player who will not play in consecutive sets. So, taking into account his current injury and consecutive teamless tenure, PG is also at risk of missing 20+ games.
I had George as a final second, whereas now it’s more of a middle or final third.
Now to sum this all up, take advantage of Tyrese Maxey’s stock because with two stars trying to stay healthy for the postseason, Maxey will have a heavier workload than previously anticipated. Maxey will go to the middle of the third, but is now in the middle or early part of the second round.
Toronto Raptors
The Raptors have some emerging talents on the horizon who will make some noise in fantasy. Starting with stat guy Scottie Barnes, who is an easy second round pick if you’re looking for a player who can contribute in all categories. It is a very complete fantasy asset.
Then there’s Immanuel Quickley. Since joining the Raptors last season, Quickley has averaged 19 points with five rebounds and seven assists per game. He only saw a 2% drop (22% to 20%) in usage while sharing the floor with Scottie Barnes and RJ Barrett, which is encouraging how much the Raptors’ system relies on sharing the ball. A fifth-round pick may seem rich, but Quickley is worth buying as he is on the verge of a breakout season.
RJ Barrett is the league’s quintessential scoring player, although his efficiency has been day and night since playing for his hometown Raptors. It’s hard to say if Barrett was playing above expectations or figured out his game, but going from a 42% shooter to a 55% shooter says some regression is imminent. Your recent shoulder injury It won’t help either.