The 2024-25 NBA season featured fantasy basketball booms and risers, but it also spotlighted the fallers. The following players slipped down the rankings compared to their placement last year, but didn’t disappoint as much as the busts.
Biggest Fantasy Basketball Fallers From 2024-25
Kristaps Porzingis
Fantasy managers knew that Kristaps Porzingis would miss the start of the season while recovering from ankle surgery. However, the injuries didn’t end there, and he missed an additional 23 games after making his debut on November 25. The seven-foot-two center/forward slid down the rankings, finishing outside the top 30 for the first time since 2020-21. Porzingis’ production in points (19.5 PPG), rebounds (6.8 RPG) and blocks (1.5 BPG) was among the lowest of his career.
Jalen Brunson
As expected with a stacked starting lineup, Jalen Brunson’s fantasy value dipped. The guard still spearheaded the team, but the talent surrounding him meant he had more help offensively. His points (26.0 PPG) and threes (2.3 3PM) slightly declined, though he did have more playmaking opportunities. Along with some other minor decreases, Brunson finished a little over 10 spots lower than 2023-24 (27th). His ranking was nearly double his ADP (19.0 on Yahoo), just eclipsing the top 40 (39th).
Donovan Mitchell
Some Cleveland Cavaliers took leaps in their production, while others, such as Donovan Mitchell, trended in the opposite direction. He finished with one of his worst rankings (46th), a stark difference from where he was drafted (16.6 ADP). There was a notable decline in the six-time All-Star’s offensive contributions. Mitchell averaged his fewest points (24.0 PPG) since 2018-19 and was slightly less involved as a playmaker (5.0 APG). Some fingers can be pointed at his health, as he had a rough slump in March after sustaining a groin injury.
Giannis Antetokounmpo
The only reason Giannis Antetokounmpo made this list was because of his abysmal free-throw percentage. The Greek Freak ranked 51st in standard nine-cat rankings. However, in minus one rankings, he leaps 47 spots to place as the fourth-best fantasy player. Regardless, his 61.7% success rate at the charity stripe on a league-most 10.6 attempts was a career-worst, and it was enough for him to finish just over double his 2023-24 ranking (25th). The forward’s lack of threes and high turnovers also contributed to his slide.
Jarrett Allen
Like Mitchell, Jarrett Allen’s fantasy impact fell, going from a 41st ranking in 2023-24 to 67th. He had some rough slumps where he was a buy-low and struggled with consistency. This was also the first time in his eight-year career that the big man averaged under one block (0.9 BPG). Part of the reason for his defensive dip was sharing the frontcourt with the 2024-25 DPOY. Likewise, Allen’s offensive contributions in points (13.5 PPG), assists (1.9 APG) and free throw percentage (71.8%) were lower than the previous season.
DeMar DeRozan
Most of DeMar DeRozan’s stats don’t look that different from recent years, but the minor dips in multiple areas were enough to drop him 36 spots (71st in 2024-25 from 35th in 2023-24). There were slight decreases in his points (22.2 PPG), rebounds (3.9 RPG), assists (4.4 APG) and stocks (1.2). This was the 35-year-old’s first season with the Sacramento Kings, playing alongside two co-stars instead of one, as he had with his former team.
Rudy Gobert
After losing his co-big man in the 2024 offseason, you’d think Rudy Gobert’s fantasy impact would increase. Instead, his defensive production took a hard hit. The biggest dropoff was his blocks (1.4 BPG). The big man averaged at least two swats all but three times in his 12-year career. His rebounds also declined, being his fourth-lowest average (10.9 RPG). Gobert’s poor free-throw percentage (67.5%) and lack of a three-point shot (0.0 3PM) also didn’t help.
Jalen Duren
Jalen Duren couldn’t build upon his 2023-24 breakout, instead taking a step backward. He placed 16 spots lower (76th) due to his points (11.8 PPG), rebounds (10.3 RPG) and free throw percentage (66.9%) dipping. The 21-year-old also couldn’t reach his 53.9 ADP as his playing time declined (26.1 MPG). Duren had a slow start to the year with few notable performances until he found his footing in January.
Deandre Ayton
Deandre Ayton made his final appearance right before the All-Star break after going down with a calf strain, a rough end to a disappointing year. The 26-year-old’s fantasy ranking was nearly twice as low from 2023-24, falling from 43rd to 80th. It didn’t help that the Portland Trail Blazers had a three-headed monster at the center spot. Ayton’s conversion rate at the charity stripe (66.7%) was the worst of his career and uncharacteristically below his 75.5% career average.
Jaylen Brown
Since 2022-23, Jaylen Brown’s fantasy ranking has steadily declined. He finished 18 spots lower (85th) than the previous season and about twice as low as his ADP (40.4). The small forward’s scoring output declined (22.2 PPG) as he became more active as a playmaker. He averaged under two three-pointers for the first time since 2017-18 (1.8 3PM) and converted shots at his second-lowest rate (46.3 FG%).
Alperen Sengun
Being called a mini-Jokic means that you have lofty expectations to live up to. Unfortunately, Alperen Sengun couldn’t meet them in 2024-25, as there was a significant discrepancy between his 27.1 ADP and 86th-place finish. The big man’s fall resulted from his decreased shooting splits (49.6 FG% and 69.2 FT%) and lack of a three-point shot (0.3 3PM on 1.2 3PA). The 22-year-old has excellent potential, but had his second-worst fantasy season.
Bradley Beal
Fantasy managers know that Bradley Beal isn’t the same All-Star player he was years ago. Still, his drop of 31 spots from 2023-24 to finish 87th was disappointing. The former third overall pick averaged his fewest points since 2014-15 and dished out less assists (3.7 APG). He was also an inconsistent producer and struggled to stay on the court, suiting up for 53 contests. Beal’s 71.8 ADP will surely further decline next season.
Julius Randle
New York parted ways with Julius Randle over the 2024 offseason, but the grass wasn’t greener in Minnesota. His 18.7 PPG was lower than his five seasons with the Knicks, and he averaged two fewer boards (7.2 RPG) playing alongside Gobert in the frontcourt. The decline in these areas knocked Randle’s ranking down 20 spots to 88th. The 30-year-old was up and down and missed all of February with a groin issue.
Daniel Gafford
After seeing Daniel Gafford’s production take a hit following his trade to the Dallas Mavericks in 2023-24, managers knew what to expect. His 104.9 ADP closely reflected his actual value (91st), but the big man still makes this list for finishing over twice as low as he did last season. While most of his numbers only slightly dropped, a sprained knee was the main culprit for his low finish (57 GP). Dallas adding another prominent big at the trade deadline only put another nail in Gafford’s coffin.
Tobias Harris
Tobias Harris is often dubbed an underrated fantasy player, constantly sliding in drafts only to finish much higher. However, the opposite happened this season. The veteran had a 64.7 ADP but ranked 93rd in his first season with the Detroit Pistons after spending several years with the Philadelphia 76ers. On a team filled with plenty of young talent, there was less for the 32-year-old to do. Offensively, he averaged the third-fewest points in his 14-year career (13.7 PPG) and had minor dips in other categories.
Draymond Green
Although Draymond Green slightly outperformed his 100.6 ADP, he still fell 14 spots from 2023-24, posting his worst ranking in several years (96th). The 35-year-old’s production in the primary categories remained his mainstay, although his rebounds (6.1 RPG) and assists (5.6 APG) decreased. However, his horrid efficiency (42.4 FG% and 68.7 FT%) was primarily responsible for his decline.
Anfernee Simons
While his availability trended in the right direction, Anfernee Simons’ fantasy ranking didn’t. Clocking in at 99th was his lowest placement since 2021-22. Inefficient shooting (42.6 FG%), lower points (19.3 PPG), and other small dips contributed to his slide. The Trail Blazers also made additions over the offseason, meaning less work for Simons offensively.
Devin Vassell
After missing the first nine games of the season due to a foot injury, Devin Vassell struggled to find his stride. It took a long time for him to make a meaningful impact, leading many frustrated managers to drop him. The 24-year-old had some rough stretches throughout the season, especially when the San Antonio Spurs brought a new star into the fold. Vassell couldn’t follow up his 2023-24 breakout as his offensive role declined, instead finishing nearly 30 spots lower (102nd).
Keegan Murray
Keegan Murray’s sophomore season gave managers a glimpse into the former fourth-overall pick’s potential. However, adding another star to the mix to create a new Big Three didn’t bode well for the 24-year-old. There was less for the forward to do offensively, resulting in his points (12.4 PPG) and threes (2.0 3PM) decreasing. Murray struggled the most in the first half of the season and finished with a 109 ranking, down from 86th in 2023-24.
Donte DiVincenzo
Over the offseason, Donte DiVincenzo was shipped to the Minnesota Timberwolves following a successful stint in New York. He struggled to find his footing with his new squad, recording just a few solid performances. Although the shooting guard looked like he figured things out after returning from a toe sprain in late February. Still, he only started 10 games and was less impactful offensively.
Jonas Valanciunas
As he’s aged, Jonas Valanciunas’ role has diminished. The big man’s numbers in points (10.4 PPG), rebounds (7.7 RPG) and blocks (0.6 BPG) were among the lowest marks of his career. His production only worsened when he was traded to the Kings, where he served as a backup center. The veteran’s playing time plummeted just as his fantasy ranking decreased, receiving less than 20 minutes for the first time (18.8 MPG).
Tyus Jones
After enjoying a breakout with the Washington Wizards as their lead point guard, Tyus Jones was shipped to the Phoenix Suns. He was a starter but eventually got demoted to the bench in February. On a team with an abundance of star power, it was difficult for Jones to have the same impact as he did in Washington. The 29-year-old had fewer playmaking opportunities (5.3 APG) and a smaller role as he dropped 53 spots (144th).
Mike Conley
Mike Conley would have made the biggest bust lists if it weren’t for his 134.5 ADP not being extremely far off from where he finished. His 158th placement was a far fall from his 90th ranking in 2023-24. Given that he’s 37 and nearing the end of his career, this was bound to happen sooner or later. The 18-year-veteran averaged single-digit points for the second time in his career (8.2 PPG). His defensive output remained the same, but his assists (4.5 APG), threes (1.8 3PM) and efficiency dropped (40.0 FG%).
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