Fantasy basketball: Brandon Miller amongst second-year gamers able to make a leap

Whereas 12 months three appears to be when a variety of NBA gamers get credit score for taking a giant leap, fantasy managers should not sleep on second-year phenoms.

Making an attempt to determine which guys are prepared to interrupt out in 12 months two generally is a little dangerous, as it’s extremely simple to get enthusiastic about younger expertise a 12 months too early, however these are those I feel have the perfect likelihood of constructing that leap this season.

Brandon Miller, SG/SF, Charlotte Hornets

LaMelo Ball checked in with 23.9 factors in his 22 video games final 12 months, Miles Bridges averaged 21.0 factors in 69 video games and Miller scored 17.3 factors in 74 video games as a rookie. I count on that order to stay the identical this 12 months, however Miller is poised to get extra pictures and is a key piece to the Hornets’ future. It should not be troublesome for Miller to construct on these numbers and I might see him averaging 20.0 factors, 5.5 rebounds, 3.0 assists, 1.3 steals, 0.8 blocks and three.0 triples if the celebs align. And if he takes the leap we’re anticipating him to, he will be a enjoyable fantasy asset to have in your workforce. With an ADP at present round 65 and LaMelo throwing him passes, Miller must be in line for a giant 12 months and he must be seen as a possible worth decide in spherical 5 or 6 of your draft.

Keyonte George, PG/SG, Utah Jazz

George’s rookie numbers weren’t precisely eye-popping however talking of imaginative and prescient, he actually handed the “eye take a look at” for individuals who watched him play. His ADP is at present lingering round 135, which suggests you’ll be able to most likely get him late in commonplace leagues. My largest concern is his taking pictures, as he checked in at simply 39.1% to associate with 13 factors, 2.8 rebounds, 4.4 assists, 0.5 steals and a pair of.0 3-pointers his rookie 12 months. However in 25 February and March video games he seemed higher, averaging 15.7 factors, 3.0 rebounds, 5.1 assists, 0.7 steals and a pair of.5 triples. He additionally shot 43.2% from the ground in 11 February video games, which is encouraging. I am typically not drafting Jazz gamers, however I will fortunately take a flyer on George late, particularly if I am in want of a place to begin guard. The sky is the restrict for the child out of Baylor and he must be unchallenged at his place.

Brandin Podziemski, SG, Golden State Warriors

Studies are that the Warriors need Podz to shoot 8-10 3-pointers a sport this season, which is sensible given the lack of Klay Thompson. However additionally they have Stephen Curry and Buddy Hield and no participant within the NBA has made extra 3-pointers because the 2019-20 season than Hield has, together with Curry and Luka Doncic. That leads me to imagine that 5 makes an attempt from past the arc for Podziemski makes extra sense, however we’ll should see what occurs. His rookie numbers weren’t thoughts blowing, however he performed in 74 video games and averaged 9.2 factors, 5.8 rebounds, 3.7 assists, 0.8 steals and 1.2 3-pointers. A heavier workload must be coming his means and, like George, he passes the “eye take a look at” and hustles and leaves all of it on the ground when he performs. With a present ADP round 130, the danger will likely be low whereas the potential reward could possibly be excessive. The Warriors want offense and the very fact they need him to fireplace at will is encouraging. Take a late-round flyer and see what occurs. If he fails to get it executed, drop him for a scorching free agent.

Ausar Thompson, SF/PF, Detroit Pistons

The Detroit Thompson Twin bought off to a pleasant begin final season however former coach Monty Williams crushed the desires of fantasy managers and Thompson averaged fewer than 20 minutes in 15 January video games. However Williams is gone, changed by J.B. Bickerstaff, and we will solely hope that he is been instructed to provide Thompson all of the minutes he can deal with. He is a terrific athlete who might simply double up on final season’s stats. It is not exhausting to think about him averaging 18 factors, 9.0 rebounds, 2.5 assists, 1.5 steals and 1.0 blocks this 12 months, however he is not a lot of a 3-point menace (0.3 per sport final season). The arrival of Tobias Harris can also be barely regarding, however the hype practice ought to begin rolling on Thompson if he will get off to a powerful begin. It is a matter of when, not if, he breaks out. Thompson’s present ADP is hovering round 150, whereas his brother, Amen, is being taken a lot earlier at 102. Taking Amen within the Spherical 10 and Ausar along with your final decide might pay good dividends this season.

Scoot Henderson, PG, Portland Trail Blazers

Henderson was invisible for a lot of the primary half of the season however he is poised to be locked into the beginning point-guard function this 12 months and he completed sturdy in his rookie marketing campaign. Have in mind he will not flip 21 till simply earlier than the All-Star break, that means he must be comparatively secure from a benching because the Blazers will probably have a watch on a high draft spot for Cooper Flagg. Henderson averaged 14 factors, 3.1 rebounds, 5.4 assists, 0.8 steals and 1.4 3-pointers whereas taking pictures simply 38.5% from the sphere final 12 months. However he was a lot better after the break and peaked by averaging 19.4 factors, 3.4 rebounds, 9.7 assists, 1.1 steals and a pair of.9 triples in seven April video games. These numbers are fairly attractive and whereas that April run made him a little bit of a “foolish season hero,” he has nowhere to go however up. With an ADP of 130, he seems like one other potential steal close to the tip of normal drafts.