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Identifying value is essential to fantasy basketball drafts, but it’s an inexact science. With that in mind, the Rotoworld staff has identified a few of its “studs” and “duds” ahead of the 2024-25 season, predicting high- and low-value options projected to go in the early, middle, and late rounds of drafts. Next up is Noah Rubin, who has some concerns about the Knicks’ starting point guard.
Stud: James Harden
Over the last few seasons, Harden has been part of a few different “big threes.” Kevin Durant and Kyrie Irving. Joel Embiid and Tyrese Maxey. Kawhi Leonard and Paul George. Now? PG and Russell Westbrook are gone, which means a lot of usage just opened up. Tyronn Lue will have to turn to other players to help, but both Harden and Kawhi will have the ball in their hands.
Harden finished just outside the top 25 last season but struggled with his shot down the stretch. He shot 38.5% from the floor over the final two months, which resulted in him barely providing top-75 value in 9-cat leagues during that stretch. Those struggles are worth acknowledging because they show that this isn’t the same Harden, who was a perennial top-10 fantasy player like he was in Houston. However, the opportunity is too good to pass up. He’ll have a chance to be a first-rounder after seeing one of the lowest usage rates of his career last season. Don’t expect the field goal percentage and turnovers to be great, but he’ll have a chance to shine everywhere else.
Dud: Jalen Brunson
Brunson elevated to superstar status late last season, but the roster looks quite different this year. Over the final two months of last season, Brunson averaged 31.1 points, 3.2 rebounds, 7.3 assists, and 2.9 threes while shooting 47.4% from the floor. That allowed him to produce second-round value during that stretch. His usage and production took a giant leap forward with Julius Randle and OG Anunoby sidelined.
While Brunson should still be considered among the elite point guards in the NBA after his performance during the playoffs, fantasy managers should be less optimistic. Randle and Anunoby are healthy, and the Knicks added Mikal Bridges to…
Source link : https://sports.yahoo.com/fantasy-basketball-noah-rubin-studs-180000877.html
Author : NBC Sports
Publish date : 2024-09-23 18:00:00
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