Several players have already emerged as fantasy basketball must-adds by the third week of the 2024-25 season. These backend draft picks/undrafted guys aren’t as rostered as they should be and have proven to have immense rest-of-season value.
Early Must-Add Fantasy Basketball Players
Gradey Dick
20.0 PPG, 2.8 REB, 2.2 AST, 1.2 SPG, 0.6 BPG, 2.6 3s, 46/35/90, 1.6 TOV
The injury bug hit the Toronto Raptors early, with Immanuel Quickley sidelined and Scottie Barnes out for a few weeks. Gradey Dick stepped up to carry the offence in their absence, averaging the team’s second-most points. The former lottery pick increased his scoring from 8.5 points in his rookie year to 20 and improved his numbers in every main category (also averaging more turnovers). Nine games is a small sample size, but the growth and confidence Dick is displaying is promising. His best contributions come from his efficient free-throw percentage, points, threes and steals. His field goal shooting, assists and blocks are also solid. The sophomore was already poised to have a heavier workload as the team’s starting shooting guard and should continue to play a prominent role even after the Raptors are back at full strength.
Dyson Daniels
11.6 PPG, 4.1 REB, 2.4 AST, 2.4 SPG, 0.7 BPG, 1.1 3s, 46/30/38, 1.1 TOV
A trade to the Atlanta Hawks is exactly what Dyson Daniels needed to break out. The absence of Dejounte Murray created a hole in the backcourt that provided the 21-year-old with a big opportunity. He didn’t see enough action with his former team to be fantasy relevant, but now he has a starting shooting guard job. While Daniels has only appeared in seven games due to a hip strain, he’s looked very promising. The guard is known for his defensive capabilities but is levelling up his offensive game. Daniels is averaging just over three stocks and providing good points and threes on solid shooting from the field. He’s also contributing rebounds and assists with few turnovers. His poor free throw percentage is the most glaring stat, but he’s converted about 65% of his foul shots in his previous two years. Expect great two-way numbers with the opportunity Daniels has.
Bilal Coulibaly
17.7 PPG, 5.8 REB, 2.5 AST, 1.0 SPG, 0.2 BPG, 1.8 3s, 55/44/81, 2.2 TOV
Bilal Coulibaly largely came off the bench last season but has started every game for the Washington Wizards this year. As a result of that and playing nearly 35 minutes per contest, the sophomore is enjoying a breakout after finishing outside the top 200 in category league value in 2023-24, per Hashtag Basketball. Coulibaly is known for being a defensive stud, though his improvements on the other end have stood out the most. He’s more than doubled his points average from last season while drastically increasing his shooting splits and three-point scoring. Conversely, the small forward’s steals have remained similar, although his blocks have drastically declined (likely due to the team’s frontcourt additions). While his efficiency will likely decrease, he has a well-rounded skill set. The Wizards also don’t have championship aspirations, so they can afford to give Coulibaly lots of run time.
Alex Sarr
9.8 PPG, 7.0 REB, 1.7 AST, 0.5 SPG, 2.8 BPG, 1.0 3s, 36/21/79, 0.7 TOV
2024 second-overall pick Alex Sarr is shaping up to be one of his class’s most valuable rookies for fantasy. He joined the starting lineup, pushing Jonas Valanciunas to the bench in all but one game, and sees minutes in the mid-20s. Most impressive is the seven-footer’s shot-blocking ability. Sarr’s swatted at least two shots every game and ranks fourth in the league in blocks. In his last outing, he achieved his first double-double by getting to the line and using his length to his advantage on the glass. Conversely, the 19-year-old struggles with converting shots, a common growing pain with rookies. However, he’s flashed his scoring potential by reaching double-digit points in four of his six contests. For now, his best output lies in blocks and rebounds, but Sarr’s opportunities will only grow down the stretch.
Christian Braun
16.0 PPG, 5.3 REB, 1.5 AST, 1.1 SPG, 1.0 BPG, 1.6 3s, 54/46/85, 1.3 TOV
In just eight matches, Christian Braun has already surpassed his most starts in a season for his career. The loss of Kentavious Caldwell-Pope over the offseason allowed the 23-year-old to slide into the first unit. He appears to be a permanent fixture in that spot, thanks to his outstanding level of play and versatility. Braun placed outside the top 300 in category league rankings in his first two seasons but is currently ranked 50th in his third year pro. That will likely fall as the season progresses, but Braun’s production is here to stay. The shooting guard’s best contributions come on both ends from his scoring, efficiency, three-point shooting, (mostly) low turnovers, rebounds and two stocks per game. So far the only area he’s lacked is assists, which is not expected to change. Given how well Braun has played, managers won’t complain much about that.
Payton Pritchard
16.0 PPG, 3.0 REB, 2.8 AST, 1.1 SPG, 0.0 BPG, 3.9 3s, 46/41/94, 1.2 TOV
Surprisingly, Payton Pritchard has gotten off to a hot start. The Boston Celtics’ starting lineup is one of the best in the NBA, making it challenging for their bench to provide fantasy value. While Kristaps Porzingis’ extended absence opened more playing time, Pritchard’s value has still been unexpected. The 26-year-old is yet to start a match, but his minutes surged to a career-high 28.1 per game. His offensive production has been remarkable, ranking 10th in the NBA in threes and scoring at least 15 points in all but two games so far. His high free throw percentage, solid field goal shooting, steals, and flashes of playmaking on low turnovers are also beneficial. While Porzingis’ return will undoubtedly chip at Pritchard’s usage, the fifth-year guard has given the team several reasons why he should get as many opportunities as possible.
Scotty Pippen Jr.
11.7 PPG, 3.6 REB, 6.4 AST, 1.1 SPG, 0.4 BPG, 1.3 3s, 50/44/79, 2.6 TOV
Despite going undrafted, Scotty Pippen Jr. earned a multi-year deal with the Memphis Grizzlies in October. He proved his value last season despite being on a two-way contract and only appearing in 21 games. The point guard was heavily relied on as injuries ravaged the team, and he provided. Pippen Jr. has carried over his strong play into 2024-25, even in his reserve role. But with Desmond Bane and Marcus Smart sentenced to the sidelines for multiple weeks, the 24-year-old’s usage should increase. He’s already recorded point-assists double-doubles in a third of his games, emerging as a playmaking gold mine. Additionally, the Vanderbilt alum is converting shots at a solid clip and making an impact defensively. Pippen Jr. is seeing nearly identical minutes to last year and should see at least the low-20s when the Grizzlies’ backcourt is fully healthy.
