Get ready for your fantasy basketball drafts with Dan Titus’ division previews for the 2024-2025 NBA season. On today’s list: the southeast.
Orlando magic
The market is too high for Paolo Banchero in category formats. He’s certainly worth a second-round pick in points leagues, but Banchero’s high turnover rate, lack of threes and blocks, and mediocre free throw percentage put him down significantly in category leagues.
Banchero was the lowest-ranked All-Star in category formats, finishing 159th last season. I’m not saying we shouldn’t draft him; I’m saying a late third round is a significant gap from where his true value lies. However, if we get Playoff Paolo off the ground, things could get very, very interesting.
Franz Wagner is one of my breakouts and if he can improve on his 3s it will be another career year.
Make sure you get Jalen Suggs. He starts at point guard, which should increase his assist percentage after already making strides as a 3-point threat and lockdown defender. Suggs will outperform his ninth-round ADP, which is currently sliding toward pick 100.
Atlanta Hawks
There is precedent for Trae Young earning a first-round pick in fantasy. Young finished 12th in value per game and fourth in overall value in the 2021-2022 season before Dejounte Murray went to the A. With Murray gone, expect Young to have a usage rate above 30 percent and average 25 points with 10 assists this season.
Jalen Johnson missed 26 games last season, but he has an elite fantasy profile. His services will come at a late third-round pick, while Bogdan Bogdanović’s ADP remains too low despite rising to a mid-eighth round selection in the past week. Bogi is a good source of points, 3s and steals. Keep an eye on Dyson Daniels as a late-round flier.
I’m still drafting more shares of Onyeka Okongwu (ADP 117) than Capela (91.5), mainly because of ADP. Clint Capela is an automatic double-double. I just became concerned that his minutes have decreased over the last four seasons and that the Hawks have made a long-term financial commitment to Okongwu. Okongwu was efficient per minute and also helped fantasy managers with FG%, blocks and rebounds.
[Fantasy Hoops Draft Kit: One-stop shop for rankings, strategy and more]
Miami heat
As one of the best defensemen in the league, Bam Adebayo is a reliable source of points, boards and steals that will be off the draft board in the fourth round. If he continues to launch 3s, it will be a compelling development for his fantasy profile.
Jimmy Butler’s ADP increases from late to mid-fourth round despite his sketchy contract situation. Still, health has been an issue as Jimmy Buckets hasn’t played more than 65 games since the 2016-17 season. Tyler Herro is also dealing with injuries and has underperformed against his seventh-round ADP. Likewise, Terry Rozier is looking for a rebound campaign after his fantasy production soured when he was dealt to Miami last year.
Kel’el Ware is a sleeper I targeted late in the drafts because he looked great in the preseason and his play reminds me of a mix of LaMarcus Aldridge and Dereck Lively II. Ware is the innovation that Coach Spo talks about.
Charlotte Hornets
LaMelo Ball has first-round potential if he can stay healthy. He now wears ankle braces to correct the ankle problems that have plagued him the past two seasons. In the late second round, Ball’s ADP could still be valuable, especially considering how he looked in the preseason. Miles Bridges advances to the late fifth round, consistent with his 58th overall finish in nine-category competitions.
Brandon Miller is the third star in the making. After a strong rookie campaign, he is drafted in the early sixth round. Miller proved he could be a three-level scorer and a good perimeter defender, so fantasy managers can feel comfortable taking him mid-round.
Mark Williams’ inability to stay healthy drops his fantasy stock to the mid-ninth round. I can look at the appeal from a positive standpoint, but with an injury history like his, it’s a risky choice. I prefer Zach Edey or even Draymond Green over ADP.
Washington Wizards
It will be a bumpy ride selecting a Wizard this season. Jordan Poole was terrible for a long stretch of last season, but he came to life when he took over point guard duties. Malcolm Brogdon is injured, so Poole opens the season as lead facilitator, which should help his assist numbers.
Kyle Kuzma is shooting 30% from the floor in the preseason. He’s also been airballing left and right lately, so I’m out for Kuzma unless you’re in a points league.
Alex Sarr is an intriguing prospect known for his defense. His offensive bag isn’t done yet, though, so Sarr will primarily be a rim protector, rebounder and disruptor. I like Jonas Valančiūnas, but I worry about his long-term vision. If he doesn’t plan to leave DC via trade, an easy double-double awaits him in the eighth round.
Bilal Coulibaly is not someone I’m drafting right now; Rather, he’s someone I expect to become fantasy relevant later in the season.
