We’re less than two weeks away from the start of the regular season – wild, right? Between major trades and injuries piling up, the fantasy basketball ADP markets have been actively changing, and I’m here to discuss the most significant movers in the past seven days.
Fantasy basketball lifters
OG Anunoby – SF/PF, New York Knicks
Overall ADP: 88.1 vs. Last seven days: 81.3
Net change: +6.8
The results of an annual NBA GM survey appeared, and Anunoby was voted the second most versatile defenseman in the league. That had no bearing on his ADP climb, but it’s cool. The KAT/Randle swap didn’t change his role, so OG’s rise is probably just a market correction. OG will definitely miss games. However, Anunoby averaged 2.7 shares with some 3s and decent shooting in 23 games with the Knicks – pretty useful.
Bogdan Bogdanović – SG/SF, Atlanta Hawks
Total ADP: 92.8 vs. Last seven days: 86.1
Net change +6.7
The Serbian guard missed the Hawks’ preseason game on Tuesday to rest after a prolonged summer at the Paris Olympics. Bogdanović is healthy, and like Anunoby, I expect his ADP to continue to trend as a market calibration. Last season, Bogdanović provided sixth-round value (63rd overall) while primarily coming off the bench. Dejounte Murray is gone, so he’s in prime position to start at SG. Seizing that opportunity will positively affect Bogdanović’s fantasy stock.
It helps that Bogdanović played well as a starter in 33 games last year, averaging 17.0 points, 3.8 rebounds, 3.5 assists, 2.9 3s and 1.0 steals per game in 34 minutes. His ADP should be closer to the seventh round than the eighth.
Collin Sexton – PG/SG, Utah Jazz
Overall ADP: 105.4 vs. Last seven days: 93.6
Net change: +11.8
Sexton’s jump feels like a result of an x-rank update a few days ago. His play through two preseason games was good but nothing special. The good news is that he started in both exhibitions, and Sexton was much more productive when starting than playing in a backup role last year His ADP is a reasonable cost, but I’d be surprised if he creeps higher than the eighth round.
Amen Thompson – SG/SF, Houston Rockets
Overall ADP: 120.6 vs. Last seven days: 116.8
Net change: +3.8
Dillon Brooks’ starting gig has been officially announced after Amen Thompson’s preseason debut. It was clear from the start that Thompson looked every bit like a player who should be in the first unit. The Rockets played at a breakneck pace, and Thompson was one of the main reasons. He pushed the pace in transition, got to the basket at will and finished with 13 points (6-8 FG, 1-1 FT) with three boards, one assist and two steals.
I try not to overreact to preseason ball, but this is one of those moments where the eye test is too glaring. Thompson’s athleticism, defense and feel for the game look enhanced in his second season. It’s only a matter of time before he closes the gap on the SF minutes. Thompson’s current ADP is modest, so he could be one of the early steals of the draft season.
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Biggest fallers
Mark Williams – C, Charlotte Hornets
Total ADP: 88.9 vs. Last seven days: 97.5
Net change: -8.6
Williams strained a tendon in his left foot and will be out for at least two weeks. Given what happened with his back issues last season, it’s understandable that Williams’ ADP is slipping. Being injured before the season starts is not good. Hopefully, we’ll hear some positive developments as we get closer to the season, but the injury profile warrants the dip.
Kawhi Leonard – SG/SF/PF, Los Angeles Clippers
Overall ADP: 40.3 vs. Last seven days: 45.2
Net change: -4.9
We can’t be surprised that Kawhi’s ADP is moving south after hearing that he had offseason knee surgery. He takes it day by day, and as he says he feels good fantasy basketball managers are rightfully surprised about selecting him before the fourth round. I’d want to take him in the fifth round—earlier, and it’s getting too hard to justify picking Leonard with so many other healthy players on the board.
Devin Vassell – SG/SF, San Antonio Spurs
Overall ADP: 77.9 vs. Last seven days: 84.1
Net change: -6.2
The Spurs citing Vassell’s foot injury “rare” is interesting; that’s definitely a word that gives me pause. However, the third-year wing has practiced in limited fashion, which is encouraging for Vassell’s fantasy prospects. He will be re-evaluated in early November, so he is on track to miss at least five games to start the year. That’s not an overabundance of time left out, so if Vassell falls a notch or two lower than ADP, I’d draft him for the upside.
