Fantasy Basketball: Is Anthony Edwards price a first-round choose in 2024 drafts?

Anthony Edwards is pacing to be the brand new face of the NBA. Is he able to take the mantle? That is up for debate — particularly with LeBron James and Stephen Curry having such a stronghold over the league. Nonetheless, Edwards is simply 23 years previous and destined for superstardom.

Is that aura sufficient to take him within the first spherical of fantasy basketball drafts? Let’s talk about.

The case for Edwards as a first-round choose

Why not spend money on one of many league’s most fun and entertaining gamers? Between the epic spotlight reels, comedic outtakes and by no means shying away from the smoke, Ant-man is an ascending star whose breakout has but to achieve its peak.

The 2-time All-Star led the Timberwolves to the Western Convention Finals in his fourth season at simply 22 years previous. Edwards joined Kobe Bryant and Tracy McGrady because the only shooting guards in NBA history to common at the least 25-5-5 earlier than turning 23. That is some esteemed firm. Along with posting career-bests in factors per recreation, Edwards shot 46% from the sphere and 83% from the road with 1.8 shares.

Seeing his participant effectivity ranking (PER) rising yearly with a top 10 usage rate can also be encouraging. Is his PER elite? No. However once more, betting on Edwards this season is betting on him taking one other step ahead. Averaging 28-6-5 with a rise in shares is each cheap and attainable. That is primarily the leap Donovan Mitchell made to get into the primary spherical final season (with a ridiculous soar in steals per recreation).

For all of the dialogue round aura this offseason, Jayson Tatum is perennially a top-12 choose in fantasy regardless of ending within the prime 12 as soon as in his seven-year profession. That is not meant to be a dig in opposition to Tatum, however fantasy managers regularly take him within the first spherical when, statistically, he is a greater rebounding model of Ant. A lot of the arguments round Tatum going that top is due to his excessive ground and sturdiness. Ant’s performed 70-plus video games since his rookie marketing campaign. The hole is not that broad, so it isn’t wild to contemplate Edwards a first-round worth.

The case in opposition to Edwards as a first-round choose

Shopping for into the Edwards hype practice is not a sound enterprise determination. On the court docket, he has an identical vibe as Ja Morant — must-see TV each time the ball touches his arms. It is why the Timberwolves have the largest increase in nationally televised video games this season. Nevertheless, none of that awe and attract will get you fantasy factors.

Edwards’ finest end in class leagues is thirty seventh, so he clearly has some work to do to achieve first-round standing. Whereas he grades out as above common in at the least 5 classes, he is elite in only one space — scoring. If Edwards can improve his effectivity and inventory manufacturing, that is the quickest path to being a top-12 participant. Whereas I will not rule it out, there is no such thing as a scarcity of gamers from picks 13-25 in my latest ranks who may match or outperform Edwards’ manufacturing.

A greater case will be made for Edwards being a first-rounder in factors leagues as a result of, for those who’re like me and anticipate a bump in just a few areas, you do not have to fret concerning the inefficiencies that would include it. When you’re contemplating drafting Edwards within the first spherical of class codecs, it isn’t with out threat. However the upside is that you just’d be calling your shot on a possible MVP candidate who’s coming into the age the place superstars are made.

Ultimate Verdict

I’ve Edwards listed as a mid-second-round choose in each class and factors leagues so I will not be reaching within the first spherical to get him. However do not be shocked if he creeps nearer to an early second-rounder in my ranks by draft season.