The NBA Finals start on Thursday, so with a few days in between, let’s discuss some players who caught my eye in the postseason. Instead of pulling from the teams competing for the championship, I will revisit the players from the 14 teams that were eliminated and assess which stocks are rising or falling after this postseason run.
Starting with the rising stars, here are three players who have increased their draft stock ahead of next season.
While we were at a disadvantage by seeing Paolo in just seven postseason games, I’ve seen enough to know he’ll be an early to mid-third round pick next year.
Banchero did it all for the Magic; he led them in points and rebounds and, similar to the regular season, served as their primary playmaker. The Magic were so dependent on him that their usage rate soared to 34% against the Cavs, the third-most of any player in the postseason.
Increased demand has also resulted in a higher turnover rate, but there is no reason to worry. Orlando will prioritize signing some shooters in free agency, which should only benefit Paolo potential assists. And imagine if your three ball magically reappeared. Even if he’s not on a 40% pace, hitting the league average of 36% with that kind of postseason volume (5.7 attempts per game) would increase his price.
He is entering his third season in the NBA, having already secured Rookie of the Year honors and an All-Star berth. Any improvement in his efficiency with this type of production will make him a top-30 player in points leagues and categories.
J-Dub was the player I chose break out in the 2024 Playoffs. He struggled offensively in the Conference Semifinals, shooting 42% from the field in that series. Still, I was encouraged by what he accomplished on his first postseason tour.
In the first-round sweep of the Pelicans, Williams showcased his two-way skill set, averaging 21 points with seven rebounds, five assists and two shares in four games — all better grades than his regular-season numbers. And although his scoring was down against the Mavericks, he had the second-most usage and racked up over 12 rebounds + assists per game, compared to eight in the regular season.
At just 23 years old, he is entering his third season and finishing fourth in Most Improved Player voting. In his end of season exit interview, Williams reflected on his playoff performance, noting that he tries to identify a specific area of improvement each offseason. Williams has already determined what he will do next year, although he declined to comment on what he will add to his repertoire. I expect adjustments, like running down hills more often and drawing more fouls to get to the line. And if he hits the glass like he did in the Playoffs, his value will take a nice leap into the top 40.
I expect Williams to walk in the same box as Banchero in the third round, as he is also primed to improve his numbers in year two.
The Gonzaga alum completes the trio of young risers this postseason. Yes, his numbers increased considerably with Tyrese Haliburton off the floor. However, Nembhard was consistent throughout each round, facilitating the attack, blocking defensively and scoring efficiently.
What we witnessed in the Eastern Conference Finals, however, was different. It was similar to Jalen Brunson’s coming out party against the Jazz in 2022. When Luka Dončić went down, Brunson showed the world much of what we see today.
I’m not saying this is Nembhard’s trajectory, but he was beyond impressive filling in for an injured Haliburton.
Despite Indy being swept in the Eastern Conference Finals, Nembhard finished as the Pacers’ second-leading scorer (21.0 per game) and top assister (7.8 per game) in that series, dropping a few percentage points short of hitting 50 /40/ 90 against the top-ranked Boston Celtics.
He continually made the right pass and clutched middies with tough finishes around the rim. Whether Haliburton’s injury paved the way for more opportunities, Nembhard didn’t shy away from the moment, even as a second-year player with no prior playoff experience. The talent is there, and this playoff run has proven that he can be a solid fantasy player when given the opportunity.
Nembhard went undrafted in most leagues and was released at various points during the season. However, everything changed after a deep and successful postseason. The pendulum has swung from an additional waiver wire asset to a late draft pick next year.
