Get ready for your fantasy basketball drafts with Dan Titus’ split previews for the 2024-25 NBA season. On today’s agenda: the South-East.
Magic of Orlando
The market is too high on Paolo Banchero in category formats. He certainly deserves a second-round pick in point leagues, but Banchero’s high turnover rate, lack of 3s and blocks, and average free throw percentage hold him back considerably in point leagues.
Banchero was the lowest-ranked All-Star in bracket formats, finishing 159th last season. I’m not saying don’t draft him – I’m saying that a late third rounder is a significant departure from his true value. However, if we take Paolo out of the Playoffs, it could become very, very interesting.
Franz Wagner is one of my strong points and if he can improve on his 3s it will be yet another career year.
Make sure you have Jalen Suggs. He starts at point guard, which should increase his assist rate after already making strides as a 3-point threat and lockdown defender. Suggs will surpass his ninth-round ADP, which is currently sliding toward the 100 pick.
Atlanta Falcons
There is precedent that Trae Young deserves a first-round pick in fantasy. Young finished 12th in value per game and fourth in total value in the 2021-22 season before Dejounte Murray moved to A. Now that Murray is gone, expect Young to have a usage rate of more from 30 percent and averaging 25 points with 10 assists this season.
Jalen Johnson missed 26 games last season, but he has an elite fantasy profile. His services will cost a late third-round selection, while Bogdan Bogdanović’s ADP remains too low despite an upward trend over the past week toward a mid-eighth round selection. Bogi is a good source of points, 3s and steals. Keep an eye on Dyson Daniels as a late-round driver.
I still draft more shares of Onyeka Okongwu (ADP 117) than Capela (91.5), mainly because of ADP. Clint Capela is an automatic double-double. I’ve just been concerned about his diminishing minutes over the past four seasons and the Hawks’ long-term financial commitment to Okongwu. Okongwu was efficient at the minute while also helping fantasy managers in FG%, blocks and rebounds.
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Miami Heat
As one of the best defenders in the league, Bam Adebayo is a reliable source of points, rebounds and steals that will be off the draft boards in the fourth round. If he continues to throw 3s, it will be a compelling development for his fantasy profile.
Jimmy Butler’s ADP goes from a fourth-round pick to tight end or middle — despite his unclear contract situation. Still, health remains an issue, as Jimmy Buckets hasn’t played more than 65 games since the 2016-17 season. Tyler Herro also has his share of injury issues and has underperformed against his seventh-round ADP. Likewise, Terry Rozier is looking for a bounce-back campaign after his fantasy production deteriorated once he was traded to Miami last year.
Kel’el Ware is a sleeper I targeted late in drafts because he looked great in preseason and his game reminds me of a mix of LaMarcus Aldridge and Derek Lively II. The items are the innovation what Coach Spo is talking about.
Charlotte Frelons
LaMelo Ball has first-round potential if he can stay healthy. He now wears ankle braces to address the ankle problems that have plagued him over the past two seasons. Late in the second round, Ball’s ADP could still be valuable, especially considering how he looks in the pre-season. Miles Bridges will compete at the end of the fifth round, which corresponds to his 58th overall ranking in the nine category leagues.
Brandon Miller is the third star in the making. After a strong rookie campaign, he was drafted early in the sixth round. Miller has proven he can be a three-level scorer and a decent perimeter defender, so Fantasy managers can feel comfortable taking him on in the mid-round.
Mark Williams’ inability to stay healthy causes his fantasy stock to plummet midway through the ninth round. I can see the appeal from a positive perspective, but with an injury history like his, it’s a risky move. I prefer Zach Edey or even Draymond Green over ADP.
Wizards of Washington
It will be a bumpy ride recruiting any Wizard this season. Jordan Poole was terrible for long stretches last season, but he came alive once he took over the point guard duties. Malcolm Brogdon is injured, so Poole opens the season as the primary facilitator, which should improve his assist numbers.
Kyle Kuzma is shooting 30% from the floor in the preseason. He’s also been making shots left and right lately, so I’m on Kuzma unless you play in a points league.
Alex Sarr is an intriguing prospect known for his defense. However, his offensive sack isn’t ready, so Sarr will primarily be a rim protector, rebounder, and disruptor. I like Jonas Valančiūnas, but I worry about his long-term prospects. If he doesn’t leave DC via trade, there will be an easy double-double in the eighth round.
Bilal Coulibaly is not someone I am currently recruiting; rather, he’s someone I would expect to become fantasy relevant later in the season.
