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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. First up is Raphielle Johnson, who believes a young Raptors star is in for a big 2024-25.
STUD: Scottie Barnes
Before a broken left middle finger ended Barnes’ season in early March, the Raptors forward was an incredible asset to fantasy managers. In 60 games, he accounted for 19.9 points, 8.2 rebounds, 6.1 assists, 1.3 steals, 1.5 blocks, and 1.7 3-pointers in 34.9 minutes, shooting 47.5% from the field and 78.1% from the foul line. Barnes established career-highs in points, rebounds, assists, steals, blocks, 3-pointers, and free-throw percentage, stepping up to show he’s capable of being Toronto’s franchise cornerstone.
The pieces have changed around him, with Toronto trading OG Anunoby and Pascal Siakam during the 2023-24 season, which resulted in Barnes’ increased fantasy value. He was a top 25 player in 8- and 9-cat formats (per game) while providing top 50 value in totals despite the season-ending injury. Add in the security of a max extension, and there’s a lot to like about Barnes in fantasy basketball this season.
DUD: Trae Young
With Dejounte Murray being traded to the Pelicans this summer, Young has moved into the first round in many fantasy drafts. On the surface level, I certainly get it. After two seasons in which his usage dipped into the low 30s, that number will increase, possibly on par with the 2021-22 (34.4) and 2019-20 (34.9) campaigns. However, this is very much an 8- vs. 9-cat situation for me. In formats where turnovers aren’t counted, or a manager is willing to punt that category, Young stands to be very good.
But he averaged 4.4 turnovers per game last season, Young’s highest number since 2019-20 (4.8), and the Hawks point guard has been responsible for at least four in each of the last five years. Will the scoring increase to a level where the turnovers don’t matter to managers in…
Source link : https://sports.yahoo.com/fantasy-basketball-raphielle-johnsons-studs-130000370.html
Author : NBC Sports
Publish date : 2024-09-23 13:00:00
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