By Noah Rubin
The 2024-25 NBA season is just over a month away, making this prime time for fantasy managers to prepare for their drafts. Rotoworld will have articles dropping during this time, starting with fantasy-related thoughts on each team. Next up in our division previews is the Southeast Division. While Orlando retained its core, Atlanta traded Dejounte Murray, which should boost Trae Young’s value. Charlotte and Washington are rebuilding, while Miami is establishing itself as a significant player in the Eastern Conference.
Atlanta Hawks
2023-24 Record: 36-46
Speed: 100.84 (6th)
Offensive Rating: 116.4 (12th)
Defensive Rating: 118.4 (27th)
One Possible Sleeper: Dyson Daniels
The return of a former All-Star in Dejounte Murray may not have seemed important, but Daniels, a former top pick, is primed for a breakout year. His defensive impact makes him an elite counterpart to Trae Young in the backcourt, and an increased role will allow his numbers to increase across the board. His strongest category will be his ability to pull off steals, and he will need to make strides as a shooter to thrive, but the situation is ideal for Daniels to shine.
One Mighty Bust: Onyeka Okongwu
This is not to say that it will be another disappointing season, but the potential is certainly there. The Hawks have shown no willingness to trade or bench Clint Capela, so Okongwu could end up playing 23 minutes per game as a backup again. OO is a fun talent that will thrive in fantasy as a starter. However, there is a chance that next summer, we will again say, “This is the year when Okongwu starts and explodes.” This shouldn’t discourage administrators from drafting OO, but it’s worth a look.
A Remarkable Number: 37.7
That’s how many 3-pointers Atlanta shot per game last season, seventh most in the NBA. That was up from 30.5 the year before, which was 28th in the league. Quin Snyder emphasized shooting 3-pointers, and the pace they played allowed for that. They drafted Zaccharie Risacher with the first pick this summer, and his best skill is his depth shooting. After three straight seasons with a top-ten offensive rating, the Hawks were closer to a mid-level offense. That will get better with Trae Young healthy, so expect plenty of 3-pointers from Trae, Bogdan Bogdanovic, Risacher and the rest of the team.
Charlotte Hornets
2023-24 Record: 21-61
Speed: 97.82 (22nd)
Offensive Rating: 108.6 (28th)
Defensive Rating: 119.2 (29th)
One Possible Sleeper: Josh Green
Charlotte acquired Green this summer after he spent the first four seasons of his career with Dallas. He couldn’t develop into a star, but he was a solid role player for them. Now, he’ll look to bring his defensive intensity and energy to a rebuilding team that should help him get on the court. He doesn’t have a fantasy-friendly game, but the opportunity to play on a team not centered around stars like Luka Doncic and Kyrie Irving may result in a better fantasy season.
One Mighty Bust: Miles Bridges
After a year away from the team, Bridges finished just outside the top 50 last season. He played 37.4 minutes per game, which can go under new head coach Charles Lee. The team being healthier should factor into that as well, along with the additions of Green and Tidjane Salaun. Bridges should still be solid, but he may end up being a bust relative to his ADP. He ranked outside the top 100 for the final two months of last season, though it shouldn’t be so bad next year.
A Remarkable Number: 106
Here’s how many games LaMelo Ball has missed over the last two seasons. Hopefully, he will have a healthy season, but it’s a reality that has to be recognized. LaMelo is one of the best fantasy options in the league when he’s on the floor, but he hasn’t been available often, except for one season where he played 75 games. If LaMelo is healthy, Charlotte should compete for a Play-In spot. If not, it will likely be another disastrous season for the Hornets.
Miami Heat
2023-24 Record: 46-36
Speed: 96.88 (29th)
Offensive Rating: 113.3 (21st)
Defensive Rating: 111.5 (5th)
One Possible Sleeper: Nikola Jovic
He entered the starting unit at the end of December and became a permanent starter for Miami. However, this did not result in consistent minutes for him. He only played 22.0 minutes per game as a starter, though that number should increase in his third season. Assuming he remains a starter, Jovic should be in for a big year. Early ADP data has him undrafted, but he has the talent (and should have the opportunity) to be a top-100 finish in 9-cat leagues.
One Mighty Bust: Jaime Jaquez Jr.
After a solid rookie season, expectations for year two should be high for Jaquez. However, there are reasons not to be so optimistic. He has benefited from many injuries to the players ahead of him, which may not be the case this year. He is also a better player in real life than in fantasy. Many players make a leap in their second year, but with Jaquez already 23 years old, he may not be able to make the same improvements that a 19-year-old does. Jaquez should still be a solid player for Miami this season, but the fantasy production may not replicate that.
A Remarkable Number: 42.3
That’s how many rebounds Miami averaged per game last year, which was bottom five in the league. That can partly be attributed to their slow pace of play, but it’s still a low mark. They have Kel’el Ware in the draft, and he might be the backup center for Bam Adebayo they’ve been looking for. He’s not the best rebounder, but after a long time of rotating through backup centers, they hopefully have their fix. Additionally, they may be able to run lineups with Bam and Ware, as they are both dynamic athletes who can (somewhat) space the floor.
Orlando Magic
2023-24 Record: 47-35
Speed: 97.37 (27th)
Offensive Rating: 112.9 (22nd)
Defensive Rating: 110.8 (3rd)
One Possible Sleeper: Jonathan Isaac
After barely being available for several seasons, Isaac logged 58 games at 15.8 minutes per game last year. In limited action, he was one of the best defenders in the league and averaged 1.9 carries per game. He should thrive in league games if he can get up to 20-25 minutes. He’s always a bit of a risk because of his injury history, but he’s one of the best defenders in the league when he’s healthy. Even though it was five years ago, he has a second-round finish on his belt.
One Mighty Bust: Wendell Carter Jr.
His production and opportunity took a hit last season, resulting in WCJ finishing outside the top 150 in 9-cat leagues. With Moritz Wagner and Goga Bitadze still around, it’s not easy to imagine Carter Jr. returns up to 30 minutes per game. He stretches the floor well, but he’s not a great rebounder or shot blocker for a big. He’s still the best center option they have, but that didn’t help him succeed last season.
A Remarkable Number: 62
Here’s how many playoff games Kentavious Caldwell-Pope has played in, including two championships. After a long drought, Orlando returned to the playoffs last year, but this young, talented, deep team will be around for a long time. Adding a player like KCP to a team that is made up primarily of players who just got their first taste of playoff basketball should help their development and maturity. Don’t be shocked if the Magic have an even better season.
Washington Wizards
2023-24 Record: 15-67
Speed: 103.07 (first)
Offensive Rating: 110.2 (25th)
Defensive Rating: 118.9 (28th)
One Possible Sleeper: Bilal Coulibaly
After a decent rookie year, Coulibaly should take a more prominent role in year two. He may start the year as a backup, but he should play big minutes and eventually end up in the starting unit. He is only 20 years old and an incredibly talented defender. He’ll get to work through some offensive growing pains on a tanking team, giving him plenty of time to put up defensive numbers. Any steps on offense will only help his value.
One Mighty Bust: Malcolm Brogdon
He’s still talented, but Brogdon’s fit with this team isn’t ideal. Even if he opens the year as a starter, he is a shutdown candidate, and it would be surprising if he played 60 games. Plus, they still have Jordan Poole and just drafted Bub Carrington. Those two will be prioritized over Brogdon, especially if Washington can’t get many wins early in the season. He should be able to knock down some 3-pointers and dish out assists, but this situation is not optimal for a rebound season.
A Remarkable Number: 18.2
That’s how many paint touches Washington averaged per game last season, which was the worst mark in the league. They added Brogdon and Carrington this summer, but that won’t fix everything for this offense. However, it is definitely a step in the right direction. Washington will be bad again this year, but hopefully, they will at least be more fun than last season. They played at the fastest pace in the league last season, although that didn’t help them get into the lane as often as other teams. We’ll see if that changes.
