Fantasy Basketball Preview: Pacific 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 Pacific.

Los Angeles Lakers

Has JJ Redick already remodeled the Lakers right into a fantasy-friendly workforce? It appears that means, as their beginning unit appears rejuvenated and motivated below Redick’s offensive schemes this preseason. Redick additionally admitted he desires to run a nine-man rotation, but it surely might get right down to eight typically.

Anthony Davis’ companies will price a mid-first-round decide this season, whereas LeBron James, the oldest participant within the league, is holding it down as a late-second/early-third-round decide. I would anticipate each to go earlier than the mid-second spherical in factors leagues.

D’Angelo Russell’s ADP is trending to a decent draft value within the seventh spherical. Austin Reaves, nevertheless, is trending down regardless of coming off a profession yr. His ADP could also be mispriced at 86th total. Rui Hachimura is just not a must-roster participant, and it will take an harm for Max Christie to get off waivers.

Golden State Warriors

The Warriors have a couple of late-rounders with breakout potential: Jonathan Kuminga (ADP 92.8), Brandin Podziemski (ADP 117.0) and Trayce Jackson-Davis (ADP 126.5). Kuminga ought to see an uptick in factors, 3s and rebounds in a beginning and starring position with the Dubs.

In class leagues, I want Podz over Kuminga relative to ADP. Podziemski is a plus-rebounder for his place, hits extra 3s and can generate extra dimes and steals than Kuminga. Whether or not Podz begins or not, he has a large position with the Warriors.

Jackson-Davis shall be nice for FG% and blocks, however his minutes might fluctuate as Steve Kerr settles in on a nine-man rotation. Search for a Draymond Inexperienced bounce-back marketing campaign (ADP 102) with De’Anthony Melton on sleeper watch.

Do not trouble drafting Andrew Wiggins in fantasy.

Los Angeles Clippers

Ivica Zubac is the sleeper I really like on this squad. He is an underrated huge man who’s constructed a robust rapport with James Harden. Zubac had the third-most assists from Harden final yr regardless of his scoring numbers dwindling to his lowest numbers since 2011-12. A majority of these dimes got here from passes close to the rim and from 4-to-14 toes, which speaks to Zu’s effectivity. The Clippers’ frontcourt depth is proscribed, so he could possibly be one of many higher facilities obtainable after the ninth spherical.

Kawhi Leonard’s knee is already a priority that have to be managed. Leonard has first-round upside when wholesome(ish), however the harm issues made me drop him to the fourth spherical in my rankings.

[Fantasy Hoops Draft Kit: One-stop shop for rankings, strategy and more]

Phoenix Suns

Shifting from Frank Vogel to Mike Budenholzer is an improve for fantasy. Coach Bud’s offense prioritizes taking extra 3s and getting environment friendly appears close to the rim. He sometimes would not play his starters over 34 minutes a recreation, however given the well being issues across the Suns’ huge three, that is a great factor in the long term.

I’ve docked Kevin Durant to a mid-second-round decide as a result of a lot of his stats final yr got here with out Bradley Beal on the court docket. Beal has did not play greater than 60 video games in three straight seasons, so Durant’s ADP could possibly be a steal if historical past repeats. Jusuf Nurkić’s fantasy worth is rising since he presumably takes on the Brook Lopez position as a stretch-five on offense and the drop protection rim protector on protection. Hopefully, he receives optimistic information on a finger harm that is stored him out of the preseason.

Bringing Tyus Jones in on a one-year deal was a great transfer to assist the Suns on each ends. Jones is frequently an affordable supply of assists and steals from the guard spot who goes late in drafts. And be careful for the swole sniper, Grayson Allen. Assuming all that muscle did not have an effect on his jumper, he ought to be a great supply of 3s, even when he is coming off the bench.

Sacramento Kings

The Kings have 4 gamers able to ending within the high 75 in fantasy. Nevertheless, I believe DeMar DeRozan’s arrival caps Keegan Murray’s upside and breakout potential. Murray is coming off a profitable sophomore marketing campaign the place he improved in almost each class and noticed a 3% bump in utilization to 18%. Murray mentioned his position will not change from final yr, however going from the third to fourth choice has to affect his touches and alternatives.

Whereas he stays a 3-point specialist, Murray could be extra impactful on protection. He’s Sacramento’s greatest wing defender, so accumulating extra shares might counter the potential dip in offensive output. Murray’s seventh-round ADP is wealthy, however I am inclined to make the transfer if he falls to the eighth.