Fantasy basketball sleeper watch: Walker Kessler, Naz Reid, and extra late-round targets

Rankings present a reference level for fantasy nerds, however we nerds typically view rankings’ consultants as god-like. We ought to be the one gods of our NBA squads — till the season is underway, after we should supply sacrifices to the harm deities.

There is no such thing as a final reality. Processes, threat tolerance, knowledge reliance, and knowledge hierarchy differ amongst platforms and consultants, and subjectivity is concerned. Have a imaginative and prescient for your group and execute that imaginative and prescient with roster development in thoughts.

Don’t be afraid to pick a participant increased than his Common Draft Place (ADP). If he’s the most effective match in your group’s wants, don’t get cute. Yahoo doesn’t ship cookies to those that solely draft high-value gamers.

Alongside these traces, watch out deciding on a participant solely as a result of he “fell” within the draft. Do not forget that rankings are based mostly on a participant’s total worth. If a participant who falls doesn’t suit your roster, it may do extra hurt than good, particularly in class leagues. Punting (ignoring) a class is an integral technique in fantasy basketball head-to-head class leagues (shoutout to Basketball Monster for the power to filter rankings by particular stats). The aim is to finish the puzzle, not accumulate as many masterpieces as doable.

Thanks for indulging my rankings rant; let’s get to it. Listed below are the gamers ranked exterior the High 100 (in keeping with Yahoo as of Oct. 7) who I predict could have a rise in worth throughout the 2024-25 season.

Walker Kessler (C) — UTAH (107)

Kessler had a profitable rookie season, beginning 40 of 74 video games and averaging 9.2 factors, 8.4 rebounds and a couple of.3 blocks whereas capturing 72 % from the sector in 23 minutes per sport. Extra enjoying time and a linear improve in his stats have been on the horizon — till they weren’t. In drafts earlier than the 2023-24 season, Kessler’s ADP was 50, however he solely began 22 of 64 video games final yr, averaging 8.1 factors, 7.5 rebounds and a couple of.4 blocks. The pendulum has swung the opposite means this season, as he’s being drafted simply exterior the High 100. With Utah voicing its dedication to growing younger gamers, there’s a very good probability his enjoying time will improve this season.

Naz Reid (PF/C) — MIN (110)

Naz Reid was “Illmatic” final season, profitable the NBA Sixth Man of the 12 months Award and averaging profession highs of 24.2 minutes, 13.5 factors, 2.1 treys, 5.2 rebounds, 1.3 assists, 0.8 steals and 0.9 blocks. As a result of Karl-Anthony Cities was swapped for Julius Randle, I predict Reid will play near half-hour a sport this season. He’ll again up Rudy Gobert and Randle, presumably taking some minutes from the latter resulting from Reid’s capacity to house the ground.

Brandin Podziemski (SG) — GSW (114)

Podziemski began 28 of 74 video games as a rookie, averaging 26.6 minutes, 9.2 factors, 5.8 rebounds, 3.7 assists and 1.2 treys. His free-throw share was dangerous at 63 %, however he shot 38 % from downtown. His IQ and imaginative and prescient garnered Steve Kerr’s belief. Golden State’s coach needs Podziemski to shoot extra from downtown. I believe the Warriors’ second-year guard begins alongside Stephen Curry and performs over half-hour per sport. Even when he doesn’t begin and comes off the bench, I nonetheless see his minutes reaching the higher 20s.

GO DEEPER

Who will begin subsequent to Steph Curry because the Warriors’ latest capturing guard?

Zach Edey (C) — MEM (118)

I’m a believer in Edey. He can get buckets and is an enormous human who isn’t a lumbering big. You possibly can’t train a few of the abilities that he possesses. Most significantly, he’ll probably begin and play a ton of minutes — and minutes are half the battle. Memphis can intensify Edey’s strengths due to the group’s familiarity with any such participant. The Grizzlies supply Edey the right touchdown spot.

Josh Hart (SF/PF) — NYK (126)

With Julius Randle now in Minnesota and Karl-Anthony Cities manning the Knicks’ heart place, Hart can fill an open spot within the beginning lineup. The Knicks would not have a deep frontcourt, and Hart is a wonderful rebounder, so he’ll probably see minutes within the low 30s.

Deni Avdija (SF/PF) — POR (134)

Avdija broke out final season, averaging 14.7 factors, 7.2 rebounds, 3.8 assists and 1.2 treys whereas capturing 50 % from the sector in 30.1 minutes per contest. He was traded to Portland and will have loads of alternatives to provide fantasy goodies on a younger Path Blazers group with out Shaedon Sharpe for greater than a minute.

Donte DiVincenzo (SG/SF) — MIN (138)

DiVincenzo was chef’s kiss final season in New York, averaging 15.5 factors, 3.7 rebounds, 2.7 assists, 1.3 steals and three.5 treys whereas capturing 40 % from downtown. I had some issues coming into this season about DiVincenzo’s enjoying time after the Knicks acquired Mikal Bridges, however these issues have dissipated now that he’s in Minnesota. Whereas DiVincenzo probably gained’t begin, he may get near half-hour enjoying at level guard, capturing guard, and small ahead, offering much-needed spacing on the perimeter.

Alex Sarr (PF) —WAS (163)

Possibly Sarr’s horrible 2024 Summer time League performances affected his rating, however the rookie will probably begin at energy ahead for the Wizards and see a number of minutes. He’ll have loads of alternatives to rack up stats as a result of the Wizards will play quick and don’t care about profitable proper now. Within the first preseason sport, Sarr appeared good, guarding on the perimeter, scoring within the paint, and comfortably making it rain from downtown.

Alex Sarr now has 15 factors on 6-8 FG and 3-4 3PT in his NBA preseason debut 🔥 pic.twitter.com/oJ5MO46cLb

— Chase Hughes (@chasedcsports) October 7, 2024

Patrick Williams (PF) — CHI (171)

Williams was chosen with the fourth total choose within the 2020 NBA Draft and has since garnered comparisons to Kawhi Leonard. The 2 have related bodily measurements, and the way Williams pulls up and shoots is eerily just like Leonard. However the Chicago ahead hasn’t had practically as a lot early profession success because the 12-year veteran. Williams averaged 9.2 factors his rookie season and put up 9, 10.2 and 10, respectively, within the subsequent three seasons. Is Williams the primary participant to plateau instantly upon arrival to the NBA? Possibly, however I like the chance/reward coming into this season. The fee is reasonable, and there’s an opportunity he breaks out. He’s nonetheless solely 22 years outdated, DeMar DeRozan is now not on the town, and Zach LaVine could possibly be gone too if Chicago finds a suitor. Josh Giddey is now a member of the Bulls, and he’s intimated that Chicago will play quick this season. The group was twenty eighth in offensive tempo final season. Giddey isn’t a high-usage participant however extra of a facilitator, which may benefit Williams.

Obi Toppin (PF) — IND (187)

Toppin gained’t begin and can probably solely see minutes within the low 20s, however the Pacers’ setting is sweet for fantasy. Indiana was second in offensive tempo final season and ought to be among the many leaders as soon as once more. Toppin shot 40 % from downtown final season and will present some factors, treys, rebounds and steals.

Bilal Coulibaly (SG/SF) — WAS (190)

Coulibaly performed solely 63 video games final season resulting from a wrist fracture. When on the court docket, he displayed his defensive chops and talent to hit the open J. He averaged 8.4 factors, 1 trey, 4.1 rebounds, 1.7 assists, 0.9 steals and 0.8 blocks. He shot 34 % from downtown however solely 70 % from the road. His utilization price was a paltry 13.7 %, however there’s been discuss of giving Coulibaly extra on-ball duties, and he showcased some good strikes within the Wizards’ preseason opener.

Bilal Coulibaly centered closely on his ball-handling this offseason. These two pull-up jumpers early on tonight have been clean. Good delicate transfer to create separation on the second. pic.twitter.com/ug7i97UB5z

— Chase Hughes (@chasedcsports) October 7, 2024

Coulibaly was chosen with the seventh total choose within the 2023 NBA Draft. He’s 6-foot-8 and 195 kilos with a 7-foot-2 wingspan. He’s a important part of the longer term and will proceed to develop. Additional, the Wizards haven’t any stress to win and can play at a excessive tempo.

Stephon Citadel (PG) — SAS (197)

Citadel has already acquired rave critiques from his teammates and head coach Gregg Popovich. The rookie sees the ground exceptionally effectively and isn’t liable to dashing. Most rookies want time to regulate to the velocity of the NBA, however that doesn’t appear to be the case with Citadel. His capturing is a priority, however his measurement and defensive acumen may get him on the court docket instantly, particularly since Devin Vassell will likely be out resulting from harm.

Josh Inexperienced (SG/SF) — CHA (205)

Inexperienced was traded from the Dallas Mavericks to the Charlotte Hornets. He’s 6-foot-5, 200 kilos and really athletic. Whereas he was primarily a spot-up shooter in Dallas, head coach Charles Inexperienced stated Inexperienced has playmaking and ball-handling skills. Inexperienced will probably begin and get vital minutes. He is probably not a high-usage participant, however there’s an opportunity he’ll do greater than shoot. Regardless, enjoying alongside LaMelo Ball ought to present loads of alternatives to rack up fantasy goodies.

Derrick Jones Jr. (SF/PF) — LAC (207)

Nicknamed “Airplane Mode,” Derrick Jones Jr. was as soon as seen as a mere novelty — a flea in a human’s physique slamming orange balls into wooden. As soon as a sub-30 % shooter from downtown, Jones Jr. transformed 34 % of his makes an attempt from downtown final season and makes use of his size and athleticism to lock down opposing ball handlers. Jones Jr. has by no means averaged greater than 23 minutes a sport, however he may get near half-hour now that he’s with the Clippers, particularly after signing a three-year, $30 million contract.

Miles McBride (PG/SG) — NYK (261)

With Donte DiVincenzo now in Minnesota, McBride is the microwave off the bench in Madison Sq. Backyard. To start his profession, McBride was a sub-30 % shooter from downtown. Final season, he drilled 41 % of his makes an attempt from past the arc. He ought to see a major improve from the 19.5 minutes per sport he averaged final season.

Taylor Hendricks (SF/PF) — UTAH (305)

Hendricks began 23 of 40 video games final season for Utah, averaging 7.3 factors, 4.6 rebounds, 0.8 assists, 0.7 steals, 0.8 blocks and 1.3 treys in solely 21.4 minutes. He began the primary preseason sport, supposedly gained 20 kilos within the offseason, and Utah’s prioritizing youth this season. A possible starter who can stuff the stat sheet with the final choose of a draft? Please and thanks.

Noah Clowney (SF/PF/C) — BKN (385)

Eric Wong and I’ve written about Clowney prior to now, and we’ve been drafting him within the late rounds.

Donovan Clingan (C) — POR (520)

Portland nonetheless has Deandre Ayton on the roster, so Clingan probably gained’t begin. There’s an opportunity Ayton is traded in some unspecified time in the future, however even when he isn’t, Clingan will probably mess around 20 minutes a sport. His capacity to dam pictures robotically places him on the fantasy radar. He’s additionally a wonderful passer and may house the ground. How effectively? That continues to be to be seen.

Yves Missi (C) — NOP (583)

Missi is an athletic freak who’s 7-foot-2 with a 7-foot-2 wingspan and a 37-inch vertical soar. He’s already rocking rims in offseason practices and making an impression. Missi and Daniel Theis are the one facilities on the New Orleans depth chart in the intervening time. Whereas there’s a number of uncertainty with Missi’s scenario, he makes for an fascinating dart throw if you happen to want a middle in later rounds. If he doesn’t pan out, he’s a straightforward drop.

(High photograph of Naz Reid: Jesse Johnson-USA TODAY Sports activities)