Fantasy Basketball: 2024-25 Southwest Division Staff Previews

By Raphielle Johnson

The 2024-25 NBA season is just a little over one month away, making this prime time for fantasy managers to arrange for his or her drafts. Rotoworld can have articles dropping all through this time, starting with fantasy-related ideas on each workforce. Subsequent up in our division-by-division previews is the Southwest Division.

After just a few seasons during which Denver’s Nikola Jokic was considered because the unquestioned 1.1, which will change this fall. Victor Wembanyama was elite throughout his rookie season, and if that represents his fantasy “ground,” look out. And he is not the one Southwest Division participant projected to be a first-round choose, with Dallas having Luka Doncic, and Kyrie Irving might sneak into that degree in bigger leagues.

Dallas Mavericks

2023-24 Document: 50-32

Tempo: 100.1 (sixth)

Offensive Score: 117.6 (Tenth)

Defensive Score: 115.4 (18th)

One Potential Sleeper: Dereck Vigorous II

Classifying Vigorous as a sleeper, given the flashes proven when out there final season, might be considered as a stretch of the phrase’s definition. Nonetheless, the rookie was ranked exterior the highest 150 in 9-cat, per-game worth after the February commerce deadline and completed the season as a Tenth-round participant, in keeping with Basketball Monster. Fantasy managers ought to focus extra on Vigorous’s manufacturing throughout the Mavericks’ run to the NBA Finals, as he averaged almost two minutes extra per recreation than beginning heart Daniel Gafford. In 21 playoff video games, the lottery pick of Duke averaged 7.9 factors, 7.4 rebounds, 1.3 assists, and 1.0 blocks in 22.0 minutes, taking pictures 67.4% from the sector. Vigorous could not have provided top-100 worth as a rookie, however he hasn’t even approached his ceiling. Even in a timeshare with Gafford, Vigorous can end safely throughout the prime 100 in 2024-25.

One Potential Bust: Daniel Gafford

Gafford had a wonderful 2023-24 season so far as fantasy worth is anxious, ending as a 4th-round participant in 9-cat codecs and Fifth-round in 8-cat. Showing in 74 video games between Washington and Dallas, he averaged 11.0 factors, 7.6 rebounds, 1.6 assists, 0.9 steals, and a couple of.1 blocks in 24.5 minutes, taking pictures 72.5% from the sector and 67.4% from the foul line. Nonetheless, Gafford’s post-trade manufacturing was boosted considerably as a result of Dereck Vigorous II being restricted to 19 video games as a result of harm. A wholesome Vigorous averaged extra minutes per recreation than Gafford throughout Dallas’ run to the NBA Finals, and he’s the workforce’s first-round choose. If the minutes break up shifts in Vigorous’s favor, Gafford’s fantasy worth would take a success.

Notable Quantity: 44.1

Final season, simply over 44 p.c of Dallas’ field-goal makes an attempt got here from past the arc, with the workforce rating second within the NBA in 3-point try price. 9 Mavericks who noticed motion averaged not less than one 3-pointer per recreation, with Luka Doncic and Kyrie Irving main the way in which as anticipated. Tim Hardaway Jr., the one different Dallas participant to common greater than two made triples per recreation final season, is now a Detroit Piston, which can open up alternatives for a few of the Mavericks’ remaining guards. Can Jaden Hardy of Dante Exum determine extra prominently throughout the rotation, particularly with Josh Inexperienced gone? Displaying the power to money in on perimeter taking pictures alternatives created by Doncic and Irving might make these gamers worthy of late-round fantasy consideration.

Houston Rockets

2023-24 Document: 41-41

Tempo: 99.0 (thirteenth)

Offensive Score: 114.5 (twentieth)

Defensive Score: 113.4 (ninth)

One Potential Sleeper: Amen Thompson

Thompson had a stable rookie marketing campaign because the fourth total choose in final summer season’s draft. In 62 video games, he accounted for 9.5 factors, 6.6 rebounds, 2.6 assists, 1.3 steals, and 0.6 blocks in 22.4 minutes, taking pictures 53.6% from the sector and 68.4% from the foul line. Fantasy managers didn’t obtain a lot 3-point manufacturing from Thompson, as he shot 8-of-58, however the versatility he brings to the desk makes the 6-foot-7 wing a invaluable fantasy choice. What excites fantasy managers most is how Thompson closed out his rookie season. Beginning his last 17 appearances, Amen averaged 13.9 factors, 9.2 rebounds, 3.6 assists, 1.4 steals, and 0.4 blocks in 29.6 minutes, taking pictures 58.6% from the sector and 74.2% from the foul line. Whereas the Rockets do not lack choices on the wings, Thompson’s ability set might make him a fantasy steal in his second season.

One Potential Bust: Jalen Inexperienced

As talked about above, anybody can guess what the Rockets will do with Inexperienced. Whereas he caught fireplace in March, consistency stays a problem for the previous lottery choose. For the season, Inexperienced shot 42.3% from the sector, which is manner too low of a quantity, particularly when factoring within the presence of Fred VanVleet (41.6% FG final season) at level guard. Add Reed Sheppard’s choice to this summer season’s draft and the event of wings similar to Tari Eason and Cam Whitmore. Inexperienced is a participant fantasy managers ought to look to keep away from within the center rounds of drafts.

Notable Quantity: 114.3

What a distinction a yr (and a brand new head coach) makes. Whereas a lot was product of the Rockets’ enhancements on the defensive finish of the ground below Ime Udoka, bettering from twenty ninth to ninth in defensive ranking in his first season, this was additionally an improved offensive workforce. Houston’s common of 114.3 factors per recreation improved by almost 4 factors in comparison with 2022-23. The effectivity didn’t enhance as a lot offensively because it did defensively, however the modifications made to the roster produced a noticeably higher workforce. If Houston can proceed to enhance offensively, that ought to bode properly for the fantasy values of the workforce’s key contributors, led by VanVleet and Alperen Sengun.

Memphis Grizzlies

2023-24 Document: 27-55

Tempo: 98.2 (sixteenth)

Offensive Score: 107.2 (thirtieth)

Defensive Score: 114.3 (twelfth)

One Potential Sleeper: Vince Williams Jr.

With the Grizzlies again to full well being, younger gamers who took benefit of prolonged minutes in 2022-23 are certain to take a success concerning enjoying time. Nonetheless, that will not imply they fall off the radar in fantasy basketball, particularly in deeper leagues. Whereas GG Jackson had his moments as a rookie, Williams’ all-around recreation (and Jackson’s damaged foot) make him a greater participant for fantasy managers as a possible sleeper. In 52 video games final season, he averaged 10.0 factors, 5.6 rebounds, 3.4 assists, 0.9 steals, 0.7 blocks, and 1.5 3-pointers in 27.6 minutes. Williams shot the ball fairly properly, ending with splits of 44.6% from the sector, 37.8% from three, and 80.0% from the foul line. Having a wholesome Desmond Bane within the combine does decrease Williams’ fantasy ceiling. Nonetheless, the flexibility he brings to the desk ought to hold the door open for him to earn alternatives.

One Potential Bust: Santi Aldama

Aldama is coming off the perfect season of his NBA profession, however the circumstances aren’t nice when contemplating his probabilities of taking the following step in 2024-25. In 61 video games, the 2021 first-round choose averaged 10.7 factors, 5.8 rebounds, 2.3 assists, 0.7 steals, 0.9 blocks, and 1.7 3-pointers, taking pictures 43.5% from the sector and 62.1% from the foul line. Whereas the field-goal proportion will be attributed, partly, to Memphis’ harm woes (particularly at level guard), Memphis has been at its greatest in seasons previous after they have a real heart within the beginning lineup. The draft addressed that subject, with the Grizzlies choosing Zach Edey. Between his arrival, Brandon Clarke being totally wholesome, and GG Jackson additionally within the fold after a better-than-expected rookie marketing campaign, Aldama is in a tough spot concerning fantasy potential.

Notable Quantity: 5

Solely 5 Grizzlies performed not less than 50 video games final season, with Jaren Jackson Jr. (66) and Aldama (61) logging 60 or extra. Ja Morant performed 9 video games, with new addition Marcus Good solely showing in 20 and Bane 42. Because of the many accidents, 33 gamers made not less than one look for Memphis final season. Availability points are horrible for fantasy basketball, resulting in some sudden gamers leaping onto the scene. If Memphis can keep wholesome, gamers anticipated to be key fantasy contributors ought to come by means of for managers.

New Orleans Pelicans

2023-24 Document: 49-33

Tempo: 97.9 (seventeenth)

Offensive Score: 117.4 (eleventh)

Defensive Score: 112.9 (seventh)

One Potential Sleeper: Karlo Matkovic

With Jonas Valanciunas leaving by way of free company, New Orleans had a noticeable gap in the course of its beginning lineup. And until David Griffin has a transfer to make earlier than the beginning of the season, the out there choices do not precisely soar off the display. The Pelicans signed veteran Daniel Theis in free company and used their first-round choose on Baylor expertise Yves Missi. The third transfer was to signal Matkovic to a three-year contract in mid-July after he impressed throughout the summer season league. Missi, who might be New Orleans’ heart of the longer term, will want time to develop, and Theis is a bit undersized at 6-foot-8. The circumstances make the 6-foot-11 Matkovic properly definitely worth the danger in fantasy drafts, even when the Pelicans often determine to make use of Zion Williamson at heart.

One Potential Bust: Brandon Ingram

With Griffin saying within the aftermath of the Pelicans being swept out of the playoffs that vital modifications had been coming, many anticipated Ingram to be moved. He stays on the roster and seems more likely to head into the 2024-25 season enjoying for a brand new contract. Whereas that would function stable motivation, his presence basically stunts the expansion of Trey Murphy, one of many NBA’s greatest younger shooters (and athletes). After offering top-50 fantasy worth in his first two seasons with the Pelicans, Ingram has not cracked that threshold within the final three. That streak extending to 4 in 2024-25 could be unsurprising, and there is additionally Ingram’s harm historical past for fantasy managers to contemplate.

Notable Quantity: 70

After showing in 29 video games throughout the 2022-23 season, Zion Williamson performed in a career-high 70 in 2023-24. He could not have come by means of with enormous numbers for fantasy managers, however Zion’s mere presence on the court docket meant that each one was not misplaced value-wise. There have been photographs of a noticeably svelte Williamson floating round social media this offseason; are the modifications legit and sustainable, or will he run into hassle because the season progresses? Even and not using a constant perimeter shot, Williamson has the instruments wanted to be a big asset to fantasy managers, however provided that he can stay wholesome.

San Antonio Spurs

2023-24 Document: 22-60

Tempo: 101.1 (third)

Offensive Score: 110.0 (twenty sixth)

Defensive Score: 116.4 (twenty second)

One Potential Sleeper: Chris Paul

To label a future first-ballot Corridor of Fame guard who’s been a fixture within the prime 25 of fantasy leagues a “sleeper” could also be a stretch, however Paul is a stable choose primarily based on his 2023-24 marketing campaign. In his lone season with the Warriors, the veteran level guard appeared in 58 video games and completed ranked simply inside the highest 100 in 9-cat codecs. This was the primary time CP3 failed to complete throughout the prime 35 in his NBA profession. Transferring to San Antonio, which made it clear final season that their belief in Tre Jones is restricted, ought to give Paul’s fantasy worth a great addition. Will he be a top-25 participant? In all probability not, and there isn’t any want to pick him that early in drafts. Nonetheless, getting him within the seventh or eighth spherical will characterize good worth, given his anticipated position with the Spurs.

One Potential Bust: Keldon Johnson

Exterior of the 2021-22 season, the place he completed simply exterior the highest 100 in 9-cat, per-game worth, Johnson has primarily been a late-round choice in fantasy basketball. Averaging 15.7 factors, 5.5 rebounds, 2.8 assists, 0.7 steals, and 1.8 3-pointers in 29.5 minutes, he completed the 2023-24 marketing campaign simply inside the highest 150. Johnson’s enjoying time decreased by almost three per recreation in comparison with the 2022-23 season, and this was on a roster missing trusted playmakers. Whereas the addition of Chris Paul ought to, in concept, deal with that subject, the Spurs including Harrison Barnes could minimize into Johnson’s fantasy worth. Whereas there have been managers who’ve held out hope for a top-100 season from Keldon in seasons previous, there can be higher choices out there on most (if not all) draft boards.

Notable Quantity: 101.1

The Spurs completed final season ranked third within the NBA in tempo, however this was not an environment friendly offensive workforce by any stretch of the creativeness. For that purpose, it might be in the perfect curiosity of this younger squad to sluggish issues down, and the addition of CP3 will undoubtedly assist with that. In his final 11 NBA seasons, solely 3 times has Paul been a part of a workforce that completed within the prime 10 in tempo: 2013-14 and 2014-15 with the Clippers, and in 2021-22 with the Suns. A downshift in tempo mustn’t negatively affect a Wembanyama or Devin Vassell, however a few of San Antonio’s different supplementary items may even see their fantasy values take a success.