Fantasy Basketball Preview: Atlantic Division

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

Boston Celtics

Piggybacking off of the uncertainty surrounding Kristaps Porziņġis’ well being, fantasy managers have gotten equally involved. Porziņġis’ ADP fell to the ninth spherical over the previous week — a drop-off of 10 spots to 98th total. That stated, you should take him if he slips past the mid-to-late ninth spherical. A real draft-and-stash, KP provides 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 control is Payton Pritchard. Because of Brown’s honesty and trolling, we discovered that the Celtics may scheme to get extra alternatives for his or her key rotational gamers towards lower-tiered opponents. Because the presumed sixth man, Pritchard has confirmed to be an environment friendly and efficient fantasy asseteach time he receives a minimum of 20 minutes of motion.

New York Knicks

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

KAT loved a few of his finest seasons statistically underneath Thibs and fantasy managers want to acknowledge the expansion alternatives forward. Cities could possibly be taking a look at 12 rebounds per recreation and extra shot-blocking potential with Robinson sidelined, as KAT might be within the paint greater than in his earlier function in Minnesota. Including extra counting stats to his uber-efficient offensive ability set might 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 ought to be extra environment friendly than final 12 months as a result of he is in a supporting function versus being the star. However I am unable to assist however discover his jumper appears oddly completely different this offseason. Hopefully, he’ll regain that effectivity with elevated shares, as he did in Phoenix, however that new launch appears 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 among 4 guardsaged 23 and underneath to common a minimum of 20 factors per recreation final season, with a 30% utilization price. Add in his evolving playmaking, and he is an upside choose 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 grow to be extra useful as soon as the Nets absolutely decide to the Cooper Flagg sweepstakes. Dennis Schröder may have his moments too, and I’ve extra religion in him contributing this season than Ben Simmons.

Philadelphia 76ers

All hell is breaking free in Philly.

First off, Joel Embiid’s “new regular” is a big blow for fantasy. He isn’t taking part in in back-to-backs and reportedly has scheduled evaluations with durations 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, when 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 most likely 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 be sliding in my newest rankings as he sustained an damage on Monday evening that is been thought-about a hyperextended knee. There’s been no imaging outcomes or timeline so fantasy managers must see how lengthy this might impression 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 damage and the no back-to-back crew mandate, PG can be liable 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 may 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 can make some noise in fantasy. Beginning with stat stuffer Scottie Barnes, who’s a simple choose within the second spherical when you’re searching 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 recreation. He solely noticed a 2% drop (22% to twenty%) in utilization whereas sharing the courtroom with Scottie Barnes and RJ Barrett, which is encouraging how a lot the Raptors system relies on sharing the ball. A fifth-round draft choose may really feel wealthy, however it’s price shopping for into Quickley as he is on the verge of a breakout marketing campaign.

RJ 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 exhausting to inform if it was Barrett was taking part in over expectations or if he discovered his recreation, however going from a 42% shooter to a 55% shooter says some regression is imminent. His current shoulder damage will not assist, both.