With the 2024/25 NBA season approaching, fantasy basketball managers are turning their attention to the Atlantic Division, home to several key players with varying degrees of risk and reward. In this analysis, we break down three important categories: players to watch, breakout candidates, and players to avoid. These insights will help guide your draft strategy and maximize your chances of success.
Players to watch
Karl-Anthony Towns (NYK, PF/C)
What to Watch For: Towns is one of the most versatile big men in the league, able to score from inside and stretch the floor with his three-point shooting. After a tough season in Minny (fantasy-wise), he’s primed for a resurgence with the Knicks. His potential to contribute across points, rebounds, assists, and blocks makes him a high-upside pick, but fantasy managers should keep an eye on his role in the Thibs system. If Towns stays healthy, he’s a top-tier fantasy player capable of anchoring any team, primed for one of the best fantasy seasons in his career.
Mikal Bridges (NYK, SG/SF)
What to Watch For: Bridges is one of the most intriguing players this season following his blockbuster trade to the New York Knicks. It’s tough to predict his value—while he thrived as Brooklyn’s primary scoring option last season, his role in the Knicks’ offense could diminish due to the presence of multiple scoring threats. This could limit his fantasy ceiling on offense. However, if his defensive stats (steals and blocks) and shooting efficiency revert to what we saw during his time in Phoenix, Bridges could be a precious asset. He has the potential to finish as a top-30 player, but if his offensive role shrinks and defensive stats stay on the Brooklyn levels, he could end up closer to the 80th spot in the rankings.
Andre Drummond (PHI, C)
What to Watch For: Drummond is one of the most exciting sleeper candidates, if Joel Embiid faces any injury issues (which is highly probable). Drummond can dominate the glass and block shots, and our projections show that if he averages around 32 minutes per game, he could be a top-40 fantasy player. For managers using a punt-FT strategy, Drummond’s rebounding, FG%, and shot-blocking would make him a top-10 player. Keep an eye on his role and Embiid’s health, as Drummond could offer massive upside at a lower draft position.
Breakout Candidates
Immanuel Quickley (TOR, PG/SG)
Why He Could Break Out: Quickley is a dynamic guard who has already shown the ability to score in bunches in Toronto. If he can secure a more consistent role this season, his scoring and assist numbers could see a significant boost. His three-point shooting and ability to create his own shot make him a potential breakout player, particularly in the Raptors system. If his minutes increase, Quickley could become a key fantasy asset. Any efficiency progress would be an additional bonus.
Cam Thomas (BKN, SG)
Why He Could Break Out: Thomas has flashed his elite scoring potential but hasn’t been consistent in his every-game production. This season could be different, as the Nets are rebuilding, and Thomas has the chance to secure a leading role in their offense. If given an even larger role, his scoring could skyrocket, making him a great value pick for fantasy managers. His ability to fill it up in points makes him a deep sleeper to watch. He should easily outperform his ADP of 72.
Noah Clowney (BKN, PF/C)
Why He Could Break Out: Clowney has an ideal fantasy profile for 9-category roto leagues. He combines a good outside shot with significant potential as a rebounder and shot-blocker, two key stats in fantasy basketball. If Clowney can carve out 25 minutes per game, he has a realistic chance of breaking into the top 100 in fantasy. If his playing time increases to over 30 minutes per game, he could be one of the biggest sleeper picks in fantasy this season. His combination of three-point shooting and defensive stats makes him a unique, high-upside prospect.
Players to Avoid
OG Anunoby (NYK, SF/PF)
Why to Avoid: Anunoby is an excellent defender, but his health and offensive game has been inconsistent, which limits his fantasy upside, especially while playing for a packed Knicks team. While he excels in steals and contributes occasionally in rebounds and threes, his scoring isn’t reliable enough to justify his current ADP. Additionally, Anunoby’s injury history raises HUGE concerns about his durability. Drafting him too early could leave fantasy managers disappointed if his offensive role remains limited or if he misses significant time due to injuries.
Jrue Holiday (BOS, PG/SG)
Why to Avoid: Holiday’s move to Boston negatively impacted his fantasy value. His usage was reduced, leading to fewer points and assists compared to previous seasons. While Holiday’s defensive stats are still valuable, his overall fantasy production does not justify his ADP of 77.5. Also, this ADP does not consider his age and the depth of the Celtics roster. Drafting him too early based on the good memories could leave managers with an excellent real-life player who in fantasy heavily underperforms relative to his draft position.
Jalen Brunson (NYK, PG)
Why to Avoid: Brunson had a fantastic season last year, but his ADP of 19.7 makes him a risky pick. While he’s a great real-life player and leader for the Knicks, his fantasy ceiling may be limited. Brunson doesn’t provide elite production in key fantasy categories like steals, blocks or efficiency, which makes it hard for him to live up to such a high draft cost. Managers drafting him in the second round may find themselves with a solid but not game-changing player, which offers little value at such a high ADP.
In summary, the Atlantic Division is packed with both high-upside breakout candidates and potential fantasy landmines. Players like Thomas and Quickley could surprise this season, while managers need to be cautious about overvaluing great real-life players like Holiday and Brunson. Understanding these nuances can help you navigate your fantasy draft and position your team for success in 2024/25.
Posted in featured, Strategy, Teams preview