The 2023-24 NBA season continues to be a rollercoaster of ups and downs even in the playoffs, bringing with it a series of hits, misses and unexpected stars at every position. From the point guards (PG) who defied expectations to the centers (C) who dominated the paint like never before, we learned a lot to take into next year.
In this five-part From Deep series, we’ll dissect each position – PG, SG, SF, PF, and C – sharing insights into the players who made it big, those who fell short, and the newcomers who emerged onto the scene.
First, the shipowners.
The successes
Tyrese Maxey, Philadelphia 76ers
The NBA’s Most Improved Player was one of the best values of the fantasy basketball season. While fantasy managers have glimpsed Maxey’s potential over the past few seasons, he took it to another level when James Harden fell out of the way.
From a fantasy perspective, Maxey’s growth in goals and assists made the difference. His scoring average jumped from 20.3 to 25.9 points per game, with assists rising from 3.5 to 6.2 from last season. Maxey finished in the top 24 in point and format categories after posting a 57 ADP in the preseason. He will certainly be a second-round pick next year as he is developing into one of the best young guards in the league.
Jalen Brunson, New York Knicks
The modern Frank White has carried the Knicks and fantasy coaches all season. Brunson had his best season as a professional, achieving career highs in points, assists, free throw percentage and 3-point shooting. In the midst of his dominant game, he became the first player in NBA history to score 50 points in a game with at least five rebounds, five assists, five steals and five 3-pointers.
Brunson finished 18th in points and 30th in category leagues, surpassing his preseason ADP of 38. While it wasn’t by a considerable margin, surpassing ADP is always a positive, especially in the early rounds of drafts. He’s on his way to All-NBA honors, and there’s a reasonable argument for drafting him as a mid-second-round pick next season.
CJ McCollum, New Orleans Pelicans
I pegged McCollum as a hot seller for most of the year, but the man was consistent. His numbers weren’t absurd, but he ended the season 60th in points and 38th in category leagues. His 38th finish was his best in three seasons and much of his Fantasy success came from hitting 3.6 3s per game at a career-best 42%.
Fantasy managers who drafted McCollum in the seventh round saw huge returns on their investment. With Brandon Ingram rumored to be on the trading block, McCollum could see an increase in assists but not an overdraft based on his performance at 23-24.
The misses
LaMelo Ball, Charlotte Hornets
Luck was not on the side of whoever drafted LaMelo. Ball did his job per game – but that doesn’t really matter when he only played in 22 games this season (and 36 the year before). LaMelo’s ankles continue to hamper his fantasy production, and it’s starting to affect his draft capital.
He has been a secondary first-round pick the past two seasons but has fallen to the mid-third round in some recent analyst drafts. It’s too early to judge, but if that draft position holds next season, LaMelo has the upside to return first-round value like Kawhi Leonard did this year (if he can stay healthy, of course).
Jrue Holiday, Boston Celtics
Jrue Holiday’s first stint with the Celtics was confusing. Despite being a solid player, his fantasy impact was hampered due to Boston’s star-studded lineup. Averaging 12.5 points, 5.4 rebounds and 4.8 assists in 69 games, the decrease in scoring and assists diminished his value from the previous season.
While Holiday’s move helped Boston achieve the best record in the NBA, fantasy managers passing on a fourth-round pick didn’t get their money’s worth. He finished 78th in the category leagues, but dropped to 95th in the points format. It’s a classic case of too many chefs in the kitchen, making it a challenge for Holiday to shine as a top-40 player like he did in Milwaukee.
Darius Garland, Cleveland Cavaliers
The partnership with Donovan Mitchell was promising, but resulted in both stars fighting for the lead. Mitchell took over as the primary scorer and facilitator, which led to less volume and playing opportunities for Garland. His preseason ADP was 42, but he finished 112th in category leagues and 74th in points leagues.
Garland’s performance fell far below expectations, but his injury laundry list It didn’t help either. These injuries cost him 25 games in the regular season, and each return to the court required some adjustments and acceleration.
It wasn’t all doom and gloom, but it definitely wasn’t the dream season that Garland or fantasy managers were hoping for after selecting him in the fourth round of this season’s draft.
The escapes
Coby White, Chicago Bulls
Amid a wave of injuries hitting the team, Coby White didn’t just perform; he showed. Averaging an impressive 19.3 points, dishing out 5.2 dimes and grabbing 4.7 rebounds per night, he played a critical role in the Bulls’ run for a playoff spot. White got my vote for Most Improved Player, and when you look at his draft capital, he was one of the biggest risers in all of fantasy basketball.
He was a 12th-round pick with sixth-round value in point leagues and eighth-round value in category leagues. The Bulls will have to move one of DeMar DeRozan and Zach LaVine this offseason, and if it ends up being LaVine (it should be), White will be a mid-round selection next season.
Immanuel Quickley, Toronto Raptors
Quickley’s escape was a result of his trade to the Toronto Raptors. Quickley’s ability to contribute in multiple categories and his growing role as a starting point guard substantially increased his value midway through the season.
IQ had a 130 ADP in the preseason, and while he finished with value in the ninth round in point and category leagues, his time as a Raptor showed he could be a top-70 prospect in fantasy. From January 1 through April, Quickley provided sixth-round value. He is an up-and-coming player who will be in the running for Most Improved Player next season.
Tyus Jones, Washington Wizards
Tyus Jones lived up to my enthusiasm as a preseason prospect with the Washington Wizards, even amid their struggles as one of the worst teams in the Association. Exceeding expectations, Jones posted career highs across the board – points, assists, rebounds and field goal percentage.
His game is more suited to category leagues, where his 64th position was almost 30 places better than in points formats. He surpassed his ADP in the category’s leagues by two rounds considering the format, highlighting his potential as a starting point guard. Let’s see if he stays with the Wizards or if a candidate comes along to trade for the coveted PG.
