The three-ball game has arguably become the basis of scoring in the NBA – so we figured we could take some shots from downtown as well. Here, Fantasy Basketball analyst Dan Titus will break down three things Fantasy managers need to know each week. Or, it will detail several tips, analyzes and more in three points – it just depends on how open it is to From Deep.
Today, I’m dividing the 2024 rookie class into three tiers based on their success to date and near-term outlook.
Level 1: best recruits
Yves Missi – C, New Orleans Pelicans
In my last column on recruit levels, Missi was at level 2; now he is in first place.
Missi leads all rookies in fantasy points, is second in fantasy points per game and fifth in 9-cat rating among first-year players. With Zach Edey and Donovan Clingan injured, Missi has the highest upside for a big who can get an effective double-double with stock. He has minimal competition for a few minutes and he gradually improves offensively. Missi is coming off her best game of the year, a 23-point, 12-rebound performance with two titles – and there will be plenty more on the way with the Pelicans in shambles. He’s still available in 67% of leagues, so come get him if he’s on your waiver wire.
Jared McCain – PG/SG, Philadelphia 76ers
From unlisted to top of the charts, Jared McCain was last month’s most impactful rookie. You may be wondering, “Titus, how come you haven’t been the current favorite for Rookie of the Year?” »
Well, my last rookie report was on Nov. 7, seven games into the season, when McCain was averaging 6.7 points, 2.0 rebounds, 1.3 assists and 0.4 3s with shooting times of shooting 46/25/100 in just 11 minutes a night. Then Nick Nurse woke up and started playing the old Dukie for 30 minutes a night.
The results speak for themselves.
Since November 8: 21.7 points, 3.0 rebounds, 3.2 assists and 3.3 3s with shooting times of 47/40/85 in 33.5 minutes per night.
McCain leads all rookies in scoring averaging over 30 fantasy points per game over the past 30 days. Although he ranks fourth among rookies in 9-cat, he plays a pivotal role for a struggling Sixers team whose stars can’t stay healthy.
Alex Sarr – PF/C, Washington Wizards
at Sarr shot profile continues to hamper his fantasy value, but as long as he rebounds and gets action, he’s worth holding on to. I view Sarr as a long-term play because I doubt we’ll see Jonas Valančiūnas or Kyle Kuzma on the roster after the trade deadline. This should give Sarr considerable time to work on better shot selection and efficiency. He still leads all rookies in fantasy points per game, has the second most fantasy points and is the third highest ranked rookie in 9-cat leagues this season.
Zach Edey – C, Memphis Grizzlies
Edey is injured but is gaining momentum with the Grizzlies G-League affiliate. He is expected to return to starting center when he returns to the lineup. Through 14 games, Edey ranks third among rookies in fantasy points per game and is the second-highest ranked rookie in 9-cat leagues behind Donovan Clingan (more on him shortly). We still have to Really see him be the shot blocker we know he can be too.
Level 2: Growing Opportunities
Carlton “Bub” Carrington – PG/SG, Washington Wizards
Bub moved down a rung as, while enjoying a strong start to the rookie campaign, the Wizards put him on the ice in favor of Malcolm Brogdon. The move makes sense if the Wizards intend to bolster Brogdon’s trade value, but Fantasy managers have been dealt a bad hand with Bub’s role reduced to a bench capacity. Injuries are common with Brogdon, so Carrington could reappear in the short term after Brogdon suffered another knee injury (although Brogdon is questionable for Thursday).
In 12 starts, Carrington averaged 10.2 points, 4.2 rebounds, 5.3 assists, 1.5 3s and 1.5 action shots in 31 minutes of action. He is currently sixth among rookies in the 9 cat rankings.
Zacharie Risacher – SF, Atlanta Hawks
Risacher is here to stay. De’Andre Hunter was injured, opening the door for Risacher to earn starting minutes. Even after Hunter returned, he played well enough to keep his job.
His actions were a surprise, as he racked up 1.8 actions per game to match his encouraging 21% usage rate. His points will likely stay in the 11-13 range with a handful of rebounds and a few assists. He was lights go out at corners and mid-spanso I expect further developments in terms of efficiency with more representatives and experience.
Stephon’s Castle – PG/SG, San Antonio Spurs
It’s been a big month for Castle, which has allowed him to move up a level. He started the previous 14 games for the Spurs and his production increased with the added minutes. During that span, he posted 14.3 points, 4.4 dimes and 2.5 boards per game as well as 1.6 3s and 1.3 action shots. Lack of efficiency has been his biggest flaw, but the scoring and 21% usage are encouraging for his prospects.
Devin Vassell will join the starting lineup at some point, but Castle’s size also allows him to play forward. The Spurs are 8-6 with him in the starting unit, and his physicality and defense are necessary components to their recent success.
Donovan Clingan – C, Portland Trail Blazers
Did you see his 19 rebound performance? How about the eight block game? Yes, he’s out for several weeks with a sprained MCL, but those peak performances were intriguing enough to stash Clingan (if you can afford it) while he’s on the shelf.
While Deandre Ayton and Robert Williams were in and out of the lineup during Clingan’s reign, the Blazers aren’t good, so it’s important to take the long view with Clingan. He can have a Walker Kessler-like impact later this season, simply through his blocking and rebounding.
Clingan leads all rookies in blocks and is the highest-ranked rookie in 9-cat leagues despite missing his last five games. It has moved up one level compared to my previous report.
Dalton Knecht – SG/SF, Los Angeles Lakers
He was considered one of the steals in the draft and has been a decent streamer since being inserted into the Lakers’ starting lineup. However, the Lakers’ offense has been terrible as of late, which has hampered Knecht’s production. He’s not someone you should keep in 10-12 team leagues, but keep him on your watch list. He proved to be one of the Lakers’ best shooters and floor spacers, even as a rookie.
Level 3: It’s hard to find talented but consistent minutes
Jaylen Wells – SF, Memphis Grizzlies
I’m iffy about Wells because he’s earned his minutes and is taking full advantage of them. He’s on a two-way deal, so unless the Grizzlies convert him to a full contract, his games will be limited to 50, and he’s already played 22.
That said, the man just won Western Conference Rookie of the Month.
He benefits from some injuries on the wing, but he has been an effective scorer near the rim, in the paint and punishing defenses on the perimeter. He’s close to a top 100 player over the past two weeks. However, Wells’ defense leaves a lot to be desired and I’m not sure he can maintain his role once important players are healthy again.
Kyshawn George – SG/SF, Washington Wizards
Kyle Kuzma is out with a rib injury and Corey Kispert left last game with a sprained ankle, so if George can overcome his ankle issues, he could see some streaming appeal again. He put up solid numbers as a starter this year, averaging 12.3 points, 5.3 rebounds, 2.7 assists and 1.0 steals in 31.7 minutes. In time, George will start at SG or SF for the rebuilding Wizards.
Matas Buzelis – SF, Chicago Bulls
Buzelis threw a little party in Monday’s win over the Nets, scoring 20 points (7-10 FG, 4-5 3PT, 2-2 FT) with five rebounds, an assist and two blocks. Fantasy managers would like to see more of him, but unfortunately he’s behind too many guys. Unless a trade or injury happens, he won’t see enough consistent minutes to be added to the revamped leagues.
Reed Sheppard – SG, Houston Rockets
We haven’t seen enough yet. Jalen Green hasn’t missed a game and Amen Thompson has gotten the lone start at point guard in Fred VanVleet’s absence this season. Like Buzelis, we’ll need a trade or injury to see Sheppard regularly enough to be picked up in the revamped leagues.
