Fantasy Basketball Preview: Pacific Division
Get ready for your fantasy basketball drafts with Dan Titus' division previews for the 2024-25 NBA season. On today's slate: the Pacific.
Los Angeles Lakers
Has JJ Redick already transformed the Lakers into a fantasy-friendly team? It looks that way, as their starting unit looks rejuvenated and motivated under Redick's offensive schemes this preseason. Redick also admitted he wants to run a nine-man rotation, but it could get down to eight sometimes.
Anthony Davis' services will cost a mid-first-round pick this season, while LeBron James, the oldest player in the league, is holding it down as a late-second/early-third-round pick. I'd expect both to go before the mid-second round in points leagues.
D'Angelo Russell's ADP is trending to a respectable draft price in the seventh round. Austin Reaves, however, is trending down despite coming off a career year. His ADP may be mispriced at 86th overall. Rui Hachimura is not a must-roster player, and it'll take an injury for Max Christie to get off waivers.
Golden State Warriors
The Warriors have a few late-rounders with breakout potential: Jonathan Kuminga (ADP 92.8), Brandin Podziemski (ADP 117.0) and Trayce Jackson-Davis (ADP 126.5). Kuminga should see an uptick in points, 3s and rebounds in a starting and starring role with the Dubs.
In category leagues, I prefer Podz over Kuminga relative to ADP. Podziemski is a plus-rebounder for his position, hits more 3s and will generate more dimes and steals than Kuminga. Whether Podz starts or not, he has a sizable role with the Warriors.
Jackson-Davis will be great for FG% and blocks, but his minutes could fluctuate as Steve Kerr settles in on a nine-man rotation. Look for a Draymond Green bounce-back campaign (ADP 102) with De'Anthony Melton on sleeper watch.
Don't bother drafting Andrew Wiggins in fantasy.
Los Angeles Clippers
Ivica Zubac is the sleeper I love on this squad. He's an underrated big man who's built a strong rapport with James Harden. Zubac had the third-most assists from Harden last year despite his scoring numbers dwindling to his lowest numbers since 2011-12. A majority of those dimes came from passes near the rim and from 4-to-14 feet, which speaks to Zu's efficiency. The Clippers' frontcourt depth is limited, so he could be one of the better centers available after the ninth round.
Kawhi Leonard's knee is already a concern that must be managed. Leonard has first-round upside when healthy(ish), but the injury concerns made me drop him to the fourth round in my rankings.
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Phoenix Suns
Moving from Frank Vogel to Mike Budenholzer is an upgrade for fantasy. Coach Bud's offense prioritizes taking more 3s and getting efficient looks near the rim. He typically doesn't play his starters over 34 minutes a game, but given the health concerns around the Suns' big three, that's a good thing in the long run.
I've docked Kevin Durant to a mid-second-round pick because much of his stats last year came without Bradley Beal on the court. Beal has failed to play more than 60 games in three straight seasons, so Durant's ADP could be a steal if history repeats. Jusuf Nurkić's fantasy value is growing since he presumably takes on the Brook Lopez role as a stretch-five on offense and the drop coverage rim protector on defense. Hopefully, he receives positive news on a finger injury that's kept him out of the preseason.
Bringing Tyus Jones in on a one-year deal was a good move to help the Suns on both ends. Jones is continually a cheap source of assists and steals from the guard spot who goes late in drafts. And watch out for the swole sniper, Grayson Allen. Assuming all that muscle didn't affect his jumper, he should be a good source of 3s, even if he's coming off the bench.
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Sacramento Kings
The Kings have four players capable of finishing in the top 75 in fantasy. However, I think DeMar DeRozan's arrival caps Keegan Murray's upside and breakout potential. Murray is coming off a successful sophomore campaign where he improved in nearly every category and saw a 3% bump in usage to 18%. Murray said his role won't change from last year, but going from the third to fourth option has to impact his touches and opportunities.
While he remains a 3-point specialist, Murray can be more impactful on defense. He is Sacramento's best wing defender, so accumulating more stocks could counter the potential dip in offensive output. Murray's seventh-round ADP is rich, but I'm inclined to make the move if he falls to the eighth.