With the offseason shaking things up in the NBA and players ready to take a leap, here are potential fantasy basketball risers in 2024-25.
Potential Fantasy Basketball Risers In 2024-25
Trae Young
2023-24 categories ranking: 22 | points ranking: 17
Trae Young is already a high draft pick but can move up some spots in the rankings. The 26-year-old is now the sole star of the Atlanta Hawks, thanks to the hole in the backcourt made by trading Dejounte Murray to the New Orleans Pelicans. Dyson Daniels and Larry Nance Jr. are new additions from the trade, but they won’t steal the spotlight. As a result, Young’s 30.5% usage rate and some of his other numbers from last season are projected to increase. While his efficiency from the field and high turnovers are his biggest weaknesses, he’s poised to have a heavier workload offensively. Young will lead the Hawks as the primary ball handler and top offensive option. The point guard is also an elite fantasy option for points, assists and threes and is set up for a career year.
James Harden
2023-24 categories ranking: 24 | points ranking: 31
For the first time since the 2010-11 season, James Harden ranked outside the top 20 in category leagues. In 2023-24, some of the 10-time All-Star’s numbers regressed, particularly in the main categories. However, Paul George signed with the Philadelphia 76ers this offseason, leaving Harden and Kawhi Leonard to spearhead the Los Angeles Clippers. Both will take on more responsibilities, but managers are familiar with Leonard’s injury history and load management. The forward underwent a knee procedure over the offseason, and there is currently no timeline for his return. Filling in the gap offensively, the most significant increase should be Harden’s points. Smaller rises to his threes and assists are also expected. While age is a concern, the 35-year-old will be relied on more offensively and is a second-round pick with a late first-round upside.
Jalen Johnson
2023-24 categories ranking: 52 | points ranking: 56
Despite already having a breakout last season, Jalen Johnson is due for another one. His leap in 2024-25 would be to a lesser extent, but the absence of Murray opens a new role for the forward. The 22-year-old can fill in as the second offensive option to complement Young as his co-star. He can also provide more on the defensive end. While the forward lacked efficient free throw shooting and threes, Murray’s 7.1 three-point attempts per game are up for grabs. This indicates a potential increase in Johnson’s 3.6 attempts and the scoring column. Injuries are another concern, as ankle and hand issues kept him sidelined for stretches and limited him to 56 games. Setting aside his health, he replaced John Collins in the starting lineup after he was traded to the Utah Jazz. Johnson stepped up in that role and can do the same again.
Bogdan Bogdanovic
2023-24 categories ranking: 79 | points ranking: 97
Like Young and Johnson, Bogdan Bogdanovic is another Hawk who will benefit from Murray’s absence. Even though he is projected to be the sixth man, the 32-year-old will still have a significant role. Ultimately, he will receive big minutes whether he is a starter or reserve. Bogdanovic is coming off a season where he appeared in a career-most 79 games and set personal bests in points, steals, and free throw percentage. He is also an excellent three-point shooter who can provide some rebounds and assists. The shooting guard can take on more scoring and playmaking responsibilities, which would bump his overall fantasy value. Finishing fifth in the Sixth Man of the Year voting in 2023-24, Bogdanovic can be a top pick to win the award this season if the team chooses to utilize him in the second unit.
Immanuel Quickley
2023-24 categories ranking: 105 | points ranking: 89
After being traded from the New York Knicks to the Toronto Raptors in December, Immanuel Quickley looked like a different player. He went from having a bench role and 24 minutes per game in New York to starting all 38 games for Toronto and playing 33.3 minutes. With his new team, the guard improved his numbers in every main category except for field goal and free throw percentage. Most notable was his uptick in assists from 2.5 to 6.8, a career-best. Quickley did partly see a heavier workload last year due to injuries, but he appears to be a cornerstone piece for Toronto as they rebuild around Scottie Barnes. The 25-year-old will be their starting point guard and has had the offseason to get accustomed to the team. He is expected to step up as the team pumps him with minutes to help his development.
Ivica Zubac
2023-24 categories ranking: 100 | points ranking: 109
The Clippers’ rotation at center will look different in 2024-25 as free agents Mason Plumlee and Daniel Theis found new homes over the offseason. But that leaves Ivica Zubac in a better position. His minutes dropped by four from the 2022-23 season to 26.4 per game. The big man still managed to set a new personal best in points and posted solid numbers in other columns. Still, the absence of Plumlee and Theis, who combined for 31.8 minutes per game, leaves Zubac with an opportunity to increase his numbers. Acquisition Mo Bamba doesn’t pose a major threat to eat into the 27-year-old’s minutes. He projects to play about 30 per night and is a candidate to crack the top 100 in fantasy rankings. Moreover, losing George and the uncertainty around Leonard also opens offensive opportunities for Zubac.
Cam Thomas
2023-24 categories ranking: 113 | points ranking: 95
Cam Thomas was a surprising breakout player last season and is poised to have more offensive duties this year. After not seeing much action in his first two seasons with the Brooklyn Nets, he played big minutes right out of the gate in his third year. The 22-year-old quickly showed to be a top-scoring option for the team. Thomas even led the Nets in points, averaging 22.5 per game. The shooting guard is most known for his explosive scoring, making him a more attractive option in points leagues. His lack of contributions in other stats limits his overall fantasy value in category formats. However, with Mikal Bridges now on the New York Knicks, Thomas will likely be tasked with leading Brooklyn’s offence. If he can also improve his output in other categories, the former first-round pick can take an even greater leap.
Jordan Poole
2023-24 categories ranking: 116 | points ranking: 107
Many had pegged Jordan Poole as a huge breakout candidate last season. Instead, he turned out to be one of the most disappointing fantasy players. However, managers glimpsed his potential in the season’s last two months when his production increased and his fantasy value ranked inside the top 100. After all the drama from his time with the Warriors and a rough season with the Wizards, Poole should be motivated by the criticism to prove himself in 2024-25. Especially because he seemed to figure things out near the end of 2023-24. During that time, he spent some games as a reserve, which seemed to suit him better. While the guard’s role is still unclear, he can move up the rankings if he can carry that momentum into the upcoming year. Ultimately, it’s hard to see the 25-year-old doing worse than last season.
Josh Giddey
2023-24 categories ranking: 118 | points ranking: 113
In June, the Oklahoma City Thunder traded Josh Giddey to the Chicago Bulls to kick off the offseason. His position with the Bulls seems better than his situation with the Thunder last year. The guard/forward should have a starting role, especially after his discontent with coming off the bench for some time in Oklahoma. Most depth charts have him projected to join the first unit at the point guard spot. After a down season where Giddey averaged career lows in several categories and saw his role diminish, a change of scenery can help get him back on track. Yet the state of Chicago’s roster is murky, especially with Zach LaVine still on the team. However, trading DeMar DeRozan to the Sacramento Kings opened up more minutes. Moving LaVine would further help Giddey and the team’s value. Regardless, the 21-year-old has a chance to make a bigger impact.
Jonathan Kuminga
2023-24 categories ranking: 149 | points ranking: 126
Last season saw some tension between Jonathan Kuminga and the Golden State Warriors. Still, his third year was filled with achievements, from cracking the top 150 in fantasy value for the first time to setting new career highs in multiple stats. A fluctuating place in the lineup restricted his fantasy potential, notably in his first two seasons. But last year, the forward started 62% of his games and played over 25 minutes per contest. While it’s unclear if he’ll get the starting nod and a consistent role in 2024-25, he is expected to start at the four. The Warriors made some changes over the offseason that could open the door for a bigger role for Kuminga. The former seventh overall pick can take another step in 2024-25, especially being contract extension eligible as he enters the final year of his rookie deal.
Category rankings from Hashtag Basketball
Points rankings based on ESPN’s default system
