Final fantasy basketball tiers: A draft information for navigating the Prime 100 picks of 2024-2025
A brand new NBA season is upon us, which implies it’s time for an additional version of my final fantasy basketball tiers. These tiers are designed to assist in giving you a correct vantage level and understanding of the fantasy hoops panorama.
To do that, I’ve damaged down my present Prime 100 general fantasy gamers into 5 tiers and 28 sub-groups. The sub-groups often comprise gamers on the identical positions or with comparable strengths, so that you’ll wish to do some apples-to-apples comparisons that will help you hone in in your favourite gamers inside every grouping.
To construct a robust fantasy group you should have a rock strong basis first, so I counsel analyzing these Prime 100 gamers as a lot as doable, and we’ll get to the late-round sleepers and prime worth picks in a while.
Tier 1A gamers: No. 1 – No. 14
The last word constructing blocks
We’ll kick off this 12 months’s final tiers with the last word constructing blocks. For these fortunate sufficient to land Wembanyama, you’re principally getting prime Hakeem Olajuwon stats, with 80% free throw taking pictures and a few 3-pointers per recreation sprinkled in. For these fortunate sufficient to land Jokic, you’re getting a participant on the top of his profession (he’s received three of the previous 4 MVP trophies), who could also be enjoying with much more of an edge this season after failing to succeed in final 12 months’s Western Convention finals.
Your subsequent greatest bets for MVP
SGA and Luka completed second and third, respectively, in final season’s MVP voting, and barring accidents, they’ll proceed to be legit MVP candidates for the subsequent half dozen years or extra. I take into account SGA to be the superior roto participant because of his wonderful taking pictures percentages, whereas Doncic is a strolling triple-double, making him the superior participant in points-based leagues.
Locking in your huge man stats
Davis is coming off his healthiest and best season with the Lakers, and LeBron James had no points with taking pictures just a little bit much less and helping Davis just a little bit extra final 12 months. Count on that pattern to proceed in 2024-25.
It’s straightforward to overlook simply how dominant Embiid was as a result of he solely performed half the season, however do not forget that on the time of his harm, a excessive share of Embiid’s fantasy managers had been successful their leagues.
Giannis has nearly turn out to be the forgotten celebrity, regardless of ending within the prime 4 in MVP voting in every of the previous six seasons. I assume consistency is boring? In the meantime, all that Sabonis did was turn out to be the primary participant since Wilt Chamberlain in 1967-68 to common 13+ rebounds and eight+ assists per recreation in the identical season, and he didn’t miss a single recreation.
The elite fantasy wings
I had Tatum, Edwards and Durant listed as tier 1A gamers a 12 months in the past, but it surely’s a well-earned promotion for Barnes. His stat line final season was harking back to prime Scottie Pippen numbers: 19.9 factors, 8.2 rebounds, 6.1 assists, 1.3 steals, 1.5 blocks and 1.7 threes per recreation.
I’m nonetheless ready for Tatum and Edwards to turn out to be extra environment friendly scorers. That would be the best path for them to enhance their general fantasy values. A rise in utilization charge ought to be coming for each gamers, since Kristaps Porzingis is a secure guess to overlook round 40 video games for the Celtics and Karl-Anthony Cities is now not round in Minnesota. As for Durant, he simply turned 36 years outdated, however he solely missed seven video games final 12 months, and he’s exhibiting no indicators of slowing down.
Getting a head begin in assists
Final season, Haliburton led the league in assists with 10.9 dimes per recreation, whereas Younger was proper behind at 10.8 apg. Nobody else averaged double-digits in assists, and Luka and Jokic had been the one different gamers to common even 9+ apg. For 2024-25, there’s a great probability that each gamers will surpass the 11 help per recreation mark, because the Pacers will proceed to play at a breakneck tempo, and Dejounte Murray is now not on the Hawks to vulture some assists away from Younger.
Tier 1B gamers: No. 15 – No. 28
New York’s new 1-2 punch
It’s been a very long time because the Knicks had a dynamic duo nearly as good as Brunson and Cities, particularly from a fantasy perspective. Cities ought to transfer up the rankings because of this commerce, with the Tom Thibodeau all-you-can-eat minutes bump being a giant motive why. New York positively gave up some depth on this commerce, which implies Brunson and Cities are fairly secure bets to play 36 minutes per recreation, or nearer to 40 minutes per recreation if/when accidents strike. If I had been a Knicks fan, I’d be crossing my fingers in hopes of touchdown this dynamic duo in my fantasy draft(s).
Choose your poison: Mitchell or Booker?
Born simply 53 days other than one another, each chosen thirteenth general in back-to-back drafts, and each with profession averages between 24-25 factors, 4-5 rebounds and 4-5 assists per recreation, it’s unimaginable to not hyperlink these two gamers to one another. They typically get chosen back-to-back in drafts, and I’m continuously altering my thoughts about which participant I choose.
Future Corridor of Famers working the present
These elite guards are all of their mid-30’s, and there’s plenty of strain for them to carry out as much as their talents this season for his or her groups to have success. I’ve listed Harden first as a result of he has the very best fantasy ceiling because of Paul George bolting for Philadelphia and Kawhi Leonard nonetheless recovering from offseason knee surgical procedure. His utilization charge might be sky-high this season.
Lillard might be seeking to have a redemption season after final 12 months’s disappointment, whereas Curry can’t be completely happy about his group lacking out on final 12 months’s playoffs. I take into account Curry to be probably the most reliable of this group, however he additionally may need the bottom fantasy ceiling as a result of Warriors bettering their general depth.
Potential superstars, with apparent flaws
Listed below are 4 up-and-coming level guards with the power to outperform a number of of the guards listed above, however they haven’t proven as a lot consistency, and so they include barely extra baggage. For Ja, he’s had plenty of bother staying on the courtroom in latest seasons, and he’s a really poor outdoors shooter — 30% 3P over his previous two years. Fox improved his 3-point taking pictures by fairly a bit final season, however his free throw taking pictures nosedived to lower than 74% FT.
Because of his questionable shot choice, LaMelo has been a really inefficient scorer within the league, with an efficient FG% underneath 52% in all 4 of his NBA seasons (final 12 months, the league common was 54.7%). The identical may be stated for Cunningham, as his efficient FG% was simply 50% final season. Each Ball and Cunningham have additionally had plenty of bother staying wholesome early of their careers.
Worthy No. 1 fantasy facilities
If you happen to missed out on the tier 1A facilities, simply seize one in every of these rock strong facilities as an alternative. Holmgren shined in his first NBA season, and even when his rebounds don’t enhance by a lot as a result of Isaiah Hartenstein addition, his 29.4 minutes and 16.5 factors per recreation are positive to enhance. I’ve given up hope on Bam ever changing into an important shot-blocker, however his stats are fairly reliable in any other case. And Sengun’s free throw taking pictures hovering across the 70% mark is the one factor holding him again from changing into a Prime 20 fantasy participant.
Tier 2 gamers: No. 29 – No. 50
In points-based leagues, they’re tier 1B
Banchero, James and Williamson had been three of solely 4 gamers final season (Giannis was the opposite) who averaged 22+ factors, 5+ rebounds and 5+ assists per recreation, whereas sadly taking pictures 75% or much less from the charity stripe. Banchero doubled down on his poor free throw taking pictures by additionally taking pictures beneath 46% from the sector, but it surely’s necessary to do not forget that he was solely 21 years outdated final season. In roto leagues, this represents a slight problem in the event you plan on drafting one in every of these guys, however in points-based leagues, they’re prime tier stat stuffers.
Younger gamers on the rise
At 22 years younger for Johnson, and 23 years younger for Maxey, J-Dub and Mobley, this group represents the long run. Maxey was an All-Star for the primary time final season, and it wouldn’t be shocking to see Williams and/or Mobley be part of him this 12 months (sorry Johnson, however I don’t foresee the Hawks successful sufficient video games). At 25 years outdated, Quickley is the “outdated man” on this group, however he’s nonetheless studying on the job when you think about that he solely has 65 profession begins underneath his belt.
How will Ja’s return have an effect on them?
Bane and JJJ had been pressured to hold the Grizzlies final season because of Morant enjoying in simply 9 video games, and it resulted in each gamers averaging profession highs in scoring and assists. However Jackson’s taking pictures accuracy fell off the map, and his blocks per recreation had been practically reduce in half. Will each gamers return to being environment friendly scorers now that Ja is again, and can JJJ return to being one of the vital feared rim protectors within the league?
A change of surroundings, however they’re nonetheless elite gamers
It’s honest to say that George and Murray had been tier 1B gamers final season. I’ve moved them all the way down to tier 2 for the season forward, however they need to nonetheless don’t have any drawback posting Prime 50 numbers. George will get extra broad open 3-point seems to be than ever earlier than because of Embiid drawing a number of defenders, and he’ll nonetheless get an opportunity to go off each time Embiid sits.
Murray will welcome having the ball in his arms a bit extra in New Orleans, which means he’s primed for an help enhance. And the ultra-durable DeRozan ought to thrive as an off-ball cutter for dimes from Sabonis.
Firmly of their primes
The entire gamers on this group are between 26 and 30 years outdated, which means they’re presently within the candy spot of their careers. Whereas they’re gifted athletically, they’re additionally very cerebral gamers, and so they received’t be making psychological errors fairly often. Whereas others are swinging for the fences on potential breakout gamers, don’t overlook in regards to the guys on this group.
What number of video games are they going to overlook?
On a per recreation foundation, Irving and Leonard had been Prime 15 fantasy gamers final season, whereas Murray was within the Prime 35. However this trio hasn’t given us a lot hope by way of their sturdiness. Over the previous 5 NBA seasons, they’ve missed a mean of 33.8 video games (Irving), 32.2 video games (Leonard), and 32.0 video games (Murray), respectively. I don’t blame you if you wish to drop them all the way down to tier 3.
GO DEEPER
2024 NBA group place rankings: Projecting all 30 groups’ depth charts
Tier 3 gamers: No. 51 – No. 74
Guards with tier 2 potential
One of many gamers who was on this grouping final 12 months was Jalen Williams, and he’s positively earned his promotion to tier 2. For Garland, he can’t play any worse than he did final season, as not having the ability to eat strong meals for over a month because of his fractured jaw sounded completely brutal.
Giddey lands on this group for the second 12 months in a row, however one ought to like his probabilities of succeeding just a little bit extra now that he’s on a brand new group, with extra freedom to run the present. And Thomas goes to have the inexperienced mild to do no matter he desires on offense for Brooklyn. The Nets merely don’t have many different choices to attain and create.
Dependable mid-round facilities
Right here we have now a reasonably giant group of dependable facilities to think about drafting within the center rounds. Gobert most likely has the very best upside now that Cities is out of city. Turner was once a tier 2, and even tier 1B, participant in nine-category leagues, however his blocks have declined for 4 straight seasons.
If you happen to like double-double machines, look no additional than Ayton, Vucevic and Duren. All three are strong free throw shooters as properly, which makes up for his or her lack of shot-blocking. Claxton is the alternative, in that he’ll offer you robust blocks and has led the league in FG% earlier than, however his foul taking pictures is atrocious. And Hartenstein is the shiny new huge man for the Thunder, whose versatile expertise ought to match proper in.
Wings and forwards galore
In tier 3, you have got fewer level guards and extra wings and forwards. The Magic are hoping that Wagner can rediscover his lacking 3-point shot (he was a dreadful 28% 3P final 12 months), whereas Mikal Bridges is a strong guess to get his effectivity again up thanks to raised teammates.
In Charlotte, Miller and Miles Bridges kind a enjoyable 1-2 punch to run the ground with LaMelo, however it will likely be fascinating to see how their pictures are divided up. The Nuggets would love for MPJ to take his recreation to a different stage this season, however he’ll must increase his recreation past scoring. And the latest Knicks commerce ought to transfer Anunoby into this tier, as he’ll doubtless play an even bigger position now that they’ve misplaced some depth.
Polarizing gamers, half 1
Butler hasn’t performed 65+ video games in a season since 2018-19, and even the legendary Pat Riley has gotten pissed off with him. Poole was ice chilly earlier than the All-Star break, however he completed the season wanting extra like his outdated self, making him robust to evaluate for the season forward. And each Russell and White had been wonderful final 12 months, however the majority of fantasy managers nonetheless don’t appear to belief them.
Extra facilities on your consideration
I take into account these three giants to be a notch beneath the earlier group of facilities, however they’ve some intrigue. Zubac ought to be in line for extra shot makes an attempt than ever earlier than, because of George’s departure and Leonard’s harm points. Nurkic quietly had a rock strong season for Phoenix final 12 months, and Edey seems poised to play main minutes instantly for Memphis
GO DEEPER
Fantasy basketball 2024-25 draft cheat sheet: Prime 150 gamers for roto, head-to-head and factors leagues
Tier 4 gamers: No. 75 – No. 100
Gamers with tier 3 potential
When Herro is wholesome and on a scorching streak, he’s simply a tier 3 participant, however he by no means stays wholesome, and his lack of ability to generate shares (steals/blocks) is nearly comical.
Reaves can sneak into tier 3 by merely hoisting up a pair extra pictures per recreation, however he’s an unselfish participant by nature. I used to be planning for Beal to be a tier 3 participant for the upcoming season, however Phoenix’s signing of Tyus Jones undercut Beal’s fantasy worth barely.
Kuminga took a pleasant step ahead final season, however his 1.2 shares per recreation mark was disappointing given his bodily instruments. Murray was poised to have a breakout marketing campaign in 2024-25 earlier than Sacramento added DeRozan in free company. And I’d be extra enthused by a Smith Jr. breakout if Tari Eason and Cam Whitmore weren’t lurking within the shadows. Man, the Rockets are deep!
Polarizing gamers, half 2
Some respectable fantasy managers who I do know have been going after Harris fairly aggressively in roto drafts, even concentrating on him contained in the Prime 60. I don’t take into account Harris to be a tier 3 participant, however maybe he’ll show me mistaken. My preliminary response to Randle touchdown in Minnesota shouldn’t be a constructive one for his fantasy worth. His utilization charge will doubtless shrink, and Gobert will definitely restrict his rebounding potential.
As for Inexperienced and Barrett, they each closed out final season with a bang, however they did most of their injury with high-usage teammates — Sengun and Barnes, respectively — out of the lineup. Additionally they don’t have well-rounded fantasy video games, which tends to rub some fantasy managers the mistaken manner. Talking of rubbing individuals the mistaken manner, LaVine’s picture has actually taken a success in recent times, and his 2024-25 season may go in a large number of the way.
Will somebody please commerce for Brandon Ingram?
Realistically, with Zion and Murray already stuffing the stat sheet for New Orleans, there might not be sufficient pictures, rebounds and assists to go round for Ingram, Murphy and McCollum to all put up Prime 100 numbers this season. However I’m banking on Ingram to be moved earlier than the NBA’s February commerce deadline, and try to be hoping for that too in the event you plan on drafting one in every of them.
Will somebody please commerce for Jerami Grant ?
One other group that would actually use a commerce to clear up their roster is the Blazers, with Grant being their prime commerce candidate. The Lakers have lengthy been rumored to have curiosity in Grant, and I believe there’s a great probability that he will get traded this 12 months. As soon as that occurs, not solely will Simons and Henderson profit, however Deni Avjia and Shaedon Sharpe as properly.
Boring vets who can nonetheless get the job finished
In three seasons with the Pelicans, Valanciunas averaged 14.6 factors and 10.1 boards per recreation, with taking pictures clips of 55% FG and 81% FT, whereas lacking simply 11 complete video games. He’ll have loads of rebound probabilities on the Wizards too, as rookie Alex Sarr isn’t fairly prepared for critical physicality. If you happen to occur to be punting FT%, Poeltl is a good backup middle to focus on within the later rounds.
The 34-year-old Vacation is the proper instance of a participant who received’t harm you in any explicit class, however his upside can also be fairly restricted since he’ll be pacing himself for an additional prolonged postseason run. And Rozier’s play declined after becoming a member of Miami in the course of season, however I anticipate him to be extra environment friendly now that he’s totally acclimated to his new group.
Jazz gamers not named Markkanen
We all know that Markkanen is a good participant, however the Jazz struggled to provide a lot fantasy worth from the remainder of their group final season. Kessler didn’t construct on his promising rookie season, and now his identify is consistently in commerce rumors. Sexton had a wonderful second half to his season, however his defensive numbers are very poor, and he’s nonetheless a bit onerous to belief.
Collins additionally had reasonable fantasy worth, however he hasn’t proven a lot development in recent times. And George doubtless has the very best ceiling out of this group, however he’ll must shoot an entire lot higher than 39% from the sector, whereas attempting to not replicate Sexton’s anemic defensive stats.
Middle battles in Dallas and Atlanta
The Mavericks and Hawks have maybe probably the most intriguing middle place battles. In Dallas, I’m giving the sting to Vigorous over Daniel Gafford as a result of huge affect that Vigorous made throughout Dallas’ prolonged postseason run. And I initially gave Onyeka Okongwu the sting over Capela, however phrase out of Atlanta is that Okongwu’s toe harm from final season nonetheless isn’t totally healed. Because of this, Capela sneaks into my Prime 100 rankings, however do not forget that his horrible free throw taking pictures makes him much less useful in roto leagues.
To see which gamers simply missed out on my Prime 100 tiers, head over to my fantasy basketball 2024-25 rankings cheat sheet.
(Prime picture of Victor Wembanyama, Nikola Jokic: Isaiah J. Downing-USA TODAY)
