Get ready for your fantasy basketball drafts with Dan Titus’ divisional previews for the 2024-25 NBA season. On today’s slate: the Northwest.
Oklahoma City Thunder
The Thunder’s big three of Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, Chet Holmgren and Jalen Williams will be gone after the fourth round in most fantasy basketball drafts.
I’ve outlined why Hartenstein is one of my breakout centers, but in short, his skill set fills a necessary void as a rebounder, extra rim protector and short-roll playmaker. Unfortunately, he will miss 5-6 weeks with a broken hand, so fantasy managers will have to wait for his impact. Treat him like Kristaps Porziņģis by draft and stash near the ninth or 10th round.
Conversely, Caruso is an elite 3-and-D stock specialist who will make defenses pay as a catch-and-shoot threat on the perimeter. Caruso and Holmgren both reach my last ranks after Hartenstein’s absence. Dort is also likely to see an increase in minutes as well.
Denver Nuggets
Rather than gushing over Nikola Jokić being one of the best fantasy assets in the game, let’s talk about Jamal Murray. The market doesn’t seem concerned about Murray’s health or lackluster performances in the 2024 finals and Paris Olympics. I wish I shared their optimism, but I’m missing Murray’s fifth-round ADP.
Aaron Gordon is a player I have targeted in point leagues. He thrived in the dunker spot for Denver, and it unlocked his ability to accumulate various fantasy statistics by scoring, rebounding and generating assists.
Minnesota Timberwolves
Are we ready for Anthony Edwards’ true breakout season? I ranked him late-first in category leagues because this is the year he makes another jump in scoring, improved efficiency and stock accumulation. For all the disrespect Rudy Gobert gets, he’s a double-double machine who should knock down a few shots a game. Gobert’s mid-fourth ADP is fair, but I’d rather get him towards the end of the fourth round.
Finch confirmed that Julius Randle is starting at PF, so expect Naz Reid to stick in a similar role as last year. Reid is coming off a career year where he took home Sixth Man of the Year honors and his ADP is underrated at 100. Conley is another player whose ADP is low. At 36, he’s still an effective passer who can help fantasy managers in steals and 3s past the 10th round.
[Fantasy Hoops Draft Kit: One-stop shop for rankings, strategy and more]
Portland Trail Blazers
Portland is one of the least interesting teams in fantasy basketball. I was happy to draft Anfernee Simons because his ADP is affordable in the seventh round, although you might be able to grab him in the eighth. When it comes to drafting Deandre Ayton, I prefer to wait a round or two to grab a big man that won’t cost a fifth-round pick.
Jerami Grant will likely find his way to another team at some point, but until then he’s only useful for points and 3s – an easy fade even at his ADP.
Deni Avdija is a player I expect to exceed his ADP. He is a sleeper going in the 11th round with a versatile skill set for fantasy. Scoot Henderson is better for scoring connections, but if you can stomach his ineffectiveness and turnovers, he could make a decent source of points and help in the back end of drafts.
Utah Jazz
Walker Kessler is one of the best values on the fantasy draft board. Whether he’s shown for a trade or not, Kessler tends to be a low-end double-double threat who will be among the league leaders in blocks per game.
I like Collin Sexton as an early ninth-rounder. When he joined the starting unit last year, Sexton provided seventh round value. All signs point to him resuming that role, so fantasy managers are getting him at a nice discount.
Keyonte George avoided a severe knee injury, and it looks like he will play in Utah’s final preseason game. George is a solid option for spot-ups and could exceed his ADP in category formats if he can improve his efficiency and reduce his turnover rate.
Taylor Hendricks is a late round flier who offers some defensive upside and 3s, but the volume is a question mark until the vets are traded.
