Fantasy Basketball Preview: Atlantic Division

Prepare in your fantasy basketball drafts with Dan Titus’ division previews for the 2024-25 NBA season. On in the present day’s slate: the Atlantic.

Boston Celtics

Kristaps Porziņġis’ ADP continues to fall despite the fact that his late-December return date stays unchanged. Over the previous two weeks, Porziņġis’ ADP dipped 18 spots to 106th total. That mentioned, you could take him if he slips past the ninth spherical. A real draft-and-stash, KP affords an excessive amount of upside even when he requires a ramp-up program following his focused December return date.

Within the meantime, Jayson Tatum, Derrick White, Jalen Brown and Jrue Vacation will maintain it down for fantasy managers as top-70 gamers. One different participant to keep watch over is Payton Pritchard. Thanks to Brown’s honesty and trolling, we realized that the Celtics might scheme to get extra alternatives for his or her key rotational gamers in opposition to lower-tiered opponents. Because the presumed sixth man, Pritchard has confirmed to be an efficient and effective fantasy asset each time he receives not less than 20 minutes of motion.

New York Knicks

Jalen Brunson and Karl-Anthony Cities obtained a lift in my newest rankings after the blockbuster commerce. Brunson moved up a couple of spots within the second spherical, and Cities moved from a third-round worth to a second-round worth.

KAT loved a few of his greatest seasons statistically below Thibs and fantasy managers want to acknowledge the expansion alternatives forward. Cities may very well be taking a look at 12 rebounds per sport and extra shot-blocking potential with Robinson sidelined, as KAT will likely be within the paint greater than in his earlier position in Minnesota. Including extra counting stats to his uber-efficient offensive ability set will likely be nice for his fantasy outlook.

If OG Anunoby can keep wholesome, his shares and 3s will propel him to outperform his ADP at 96 total. I am barely involved about Mikal Bridges, although. In concept, he needs to be extra environment friendly than final yr as a result of he is in a supporting position versus being the star. However I am unable to assist however discover his jumper appears to be like oddly different this offseason. Hopefully, he’ll regain that effectivity with elevated shares, as he did in Phoenix, however that new release appears to be like a bit sus, simply saying.

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Brooklyn Nets

Cam Thomas is in for a breakout season. The 23-year-old bucket-getter was one of four guards aged 23 and below to common not less than 20 factors per sport final season, with a 30% utilization price. Add in his evolving playmaking, and he is an upside decide within the sixth spherical.

Nic Claxton is an effective supply of blocks, rebounds and FG%, whereas Cameron Johnson will look to construct off a disappointing and injury-riddled season. Johnson completed 128th in per-game worth primarily as a result of his effectivity dipped throughout the board.

Noah Clowney is an intriguing late-round flier, however he’ll turn out to be extra worthwhile as soon as the Nets absolutely decide to the Cooper Flagg sweepstakes. Dennis Schröder could have his moments too, and I’ve extra religion in him contributing this season than Ben Simmons.

Philadelphia 76ers

All hell is breaking unfastened in Philly.

First off, Joel Embiid’s “new normal” is a large blow for fantasy. He isn’t taking part in in back-to-backs and reportedly has scheduled evaluations with intervals of day off baked into his in-season well being and wellness program. Yikes. If he does not play in back-to-backs, that brings his most video games performed down from 82 to 67. Then, in case you issue within the day off, who is aware of if he’ll make it to 60, not to mention 50 video games. I would keep away from Embiid within the first spherical and truthfully, it is in all probability not definitely worth the headache to draft him in any respect. Andre Drummond is a worthy late-round flier as Embiid insurance coverage.

Paul George can also be sliding in my newest rankings as he sustained an harm on Monday evening that is been thought of a hyperextended knee. There’s been no imaging outcomes or timeline so fantasy managers should see how lengthy this might affect the Sixers’ new star ahead. As a part of the Embiid well being and wellness announcement, Paul George was additionally talked about as a participant who will not play in back-to-back units. So, when factoring his present harm and the no back-to-back workforce mandate, PG can also be vulnerable to lacking upwards of 20+ video games.

I had George as a late-second, whereas now he is extra of a mid-to-late third.

Now, to sum this all up, load up on Tyrese Maxey shares as a result of with two stars trying to stay wholesome for the postseason, Maxey could have a heavier workload than beforehand anticipated. Maxey’s going within the mid-third however he is a mid-to-early second-rounder now.

Toronto Raptors

The Raptors have some rising expertise on the horizon that may make some noise in fantasy. Beginning with stat stuffer Scottie Barnes, who’s a simple decide within the second spherical in case you’re on the lookout for a participant who can contribute to each class. He is a really well-rounded fantasy asset.

Then there’s Immanuel Quickley. Since coming to the Raptors final season, Quickley averaged 19 factors with 5 rebounds and 7 assists per sport. He solely noticed a 2% drop (22% to twenty%) in utilization whereas sharing the court docket with Scottie Barnes and RJ Barrett, which is encouraging how a lot the Raptors system is based on sharing the ball. A fifth-round draft decide would possibly really feel wealthy, however it’s price shopping for into Quickley as he is on the verge of a breakout marketing campaign.

Barrett is the quintessential factors league participant, though his effectivity has been evening and day since taking part in for his hometown Raptors. It is arduous to inform if it was Barrett was taking part in over expectations or if he found out his sport, however going from a 42% shooter to a 55% shooter says some regression is imminent. His current shoulder injury will not assist, both.