With the end of the 2024-25 regular NBA season, it’s time to hand out fantasy basketball awards.
2024-25 Fantasy Basketball Awards
Most Valuable Player: Nikola Jokić
The best fantasy basketball player award goes to the three-time real-life MVP Nikola Jokić. The big man finished first in category and points league rankings thanks to his elite versatility and consistency (81.4%). The Nuggets superstar’s trademark is his ability to compile triple-doubles, and he averaged one for the first time in his career (29.6 PPG, 12.7 RPG, 10.2 APG). Jokić led the NBA with 34 and was the only player in league history to finish inside the top three in averaged points, rebounds and assists. He even set new career highs in points, assists, steals (1.8) and threes (2.0). Aside from his uncharacteristic decreased availability (70 games), Jokić’s only downfall was turnovers. However, the 30-year-old had a career-best statistical year and shattered records, making him the fantasy basketball MVP.
Most Improved Player: Josh Hart
Few could have predicted that Josh Hart, with an ADP in the 10-11 rounds, would be a top-40 fantasy player. Despite a star-studded Knicks starting lineup, he improved his ranking by almost 100 spots after placing 136th in 2023-24. The forward/guard’s numbers in six of the eight main categories (excluding turnovers) were career highs or second-best marks. Some credit for this drastic increase can be attributed to Tom Thibodeou’s heavy starter workload feeding him 37.6 minutes per game (second-most in the league). While Hart’s numbers may not jump off the page, the 30-year-old is one of the best Swiss Army knives in the NBA.
Rookie of the Year: Kel’el Ware
No one from the 2024 NBA draft class finished inside the top 120, but there were some promising players. Among them was Kel’el Ware, who barely cracked the rotation at the beginning of the season and then exploded in January. In 2025, the 15th overall pick averaged the most rebounds amongst rookies and placed inside the top 10 in points and blocks. The 20-year-old also led all first-years in double-doubles (15) and was named January’s Eastern Conference Rookie of the Month. Ware’s best assets were his rebounding, shot-blocking, efficient shooting, low turnovers and scoring potential.
Waiver Wire Hero: Christian Braun
It only took a few weeks for Christian Braun’s roster percentage to catapult after getting drafted in just 37% of Fantrax leagues and 8% on Yahoo. Ranking outside the top 300 in the first two years of his career justified skipping over him in drafts, but he’s blossomed into a top 70 player. Braun finally got his opportunity by moving into the starting lineup for Denver and seeing his minutes rise from 20.2 to 33.9. As a result, the shooting guard set new personal bests in all the main categories. From 2023-24, Braun’s points increased by 8.1, field goal percentage by 12%, free throw percentage by 13.4%, rebounds by 1.5 and stocks by 0.7.
Biggest Breakout: Dyson Daniels
Dyson Daniels is by far the biggest breakout player this season and a new fan-favourite. Being traded to the Hawks gave the Australian a starting role and the perfect opportunity to showcase his elite defence while improving his offensive game. The Great Barrier Thief led the NBA in steals (3.0) and had the second-most stocks (3.74), earning him a Defensive Player of the Year candidacy. On the other end, Daniels more than doubled his average points from last year (14.1), took on more playmaking duties (4.4) and hit more threes (1.1). The guard was also an exceptional rebounder (5.9) with great hustle. Aside from free-throw percentage, he averaged new career-highs in all the primary stats. Daniels was one of the best draft steals, as he finished as a top-40 player with an ADP in the 140s (even going undrafted in some leagues).
Biggest Resurgence: Karl-Anthony Towns
Karl-Anthony Towns was a top-10 fantasy player until the Timberwolves brought in another center in 2022. Since then, his fantasy impact declined as he finished outside the top 25 for the following two years. It took a trade to the Knicks over the offseason to return the 29-year-old to his fantasy glory days, earning his highest ranking yet of sixth in category leagues. Towns averaged a double-double of 24.4 PPG and 12.8 RPG, and his efficiency from the floor improved to 52.6%. While some managers initially had concerns about his production dipping on a talented New York squad, being the only true big man available silenced those worries.
Biggest Surprise: Austin Reaves
Since entering the NBA in 2021, Austin Reaves has continuously improved. His big break came in 2023-24, but seeing him further elevating his value as the third star was difficult. He had a solid first half of 2024-25, but managers expected his impact to plummet after the Lakers made a blockbuster trade deadline move. Acquiring a superstar and one of the most ball-dominant players in the league spelled trouble for Reaves. Instead, the undrafted 26-year-old took his game to another level. He provided third-round value and recorded some of his best numbers yet in several categories.
Biggest Disappointment: Kyle Kuzma
Several players let down fantasy managers this season, but Kyle Kuzma stood out the most. While he didn’t have high expectations, the significant discrepancy between his ADP in the 70s/80s and final ranking made him a waste of a draft pick. Kuzma’s 311th placement was extremely disappointing and the lowest of his eight-year career. Plagued by injuries and inconsistencies, the forward compiled some of his worst numbers, and his shooting splits plummeted. Being traded to Milwaukee at the deadline only hurt his fantasy value more, and he was a drop for most of the year.
Biggest Bust: Joel Embiid
It was a hard fall from grace for the 2023-24 number-one overall fantasy player Joel Embiid. Many managers selected the 31-year-old in the late first/second round despite his health and availability risks. Considering that he played in a career-low 19 games and looked like a shell of his former MVP self, Embiid earned the biggest-bust fantasy basketball award. His points, rebounds, steals, blocks and field goal percentage were among his lowest marks. Ultimately, injuries limited his ability to play, and he was eventually ruled out for the remainder of the season in late February to undergo knee surgery. Managers who used a high pick on Embiid were met with a season of frustration and setbacks.
Most Frustrating Player: Immanuel Quickley
Plenty of players got on fantasy managers’ nerves this year, but Immanuel Quickley wins this hardware. After being traded to Toronto in December of 2023, the point guard upped his game and draft stock. His breakout potential even convinced many to draft him in the fifth round. However, several injuries and rest (aka tanking) prevented him from showcasing his talent, appearing in his fewest games (33). Many hoped the 25-year-old would finally be unleashed after years of riding the bench in New York. While he did make improvements, the lack of consistency and availability caused managers more pain than happiness.
*Category rankings are from Hashtag Basketball and points rankings are based on ESPN’s scoring system.
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