Fantasy basketball is again and, as soon as once more, I’m right here that can assist you sharpen your abilities.
An idea that’s straightforward to grasp for all fantasy sports activities gamers, from novice to elite, is that gamers should get sufficient taking part in time to ensure that them to supply in a significant method.
And when you’ve develop into a seasoned and savvy participant, it turns into simpler and simpler to establish which gamers are due for main taking part in time jumps. Normally it’s younger gamers who’ve proven they’re prepared for extra duties, or confirmed gamers who’ve just lately modified groups. However don’t fear for those who’re not fairly there but, as I’ve determined to take among the guesswork out of it.
Listed here are 17 gamers who I feel are poised for among the most significant minutes per sport jumps for the 2024-25 NBA season, ranked by my present anticipated fantasy values for them (your rankings could differ).
Let’s begin with “The Extraterrestrial” within the room…
1. Victor Wembanyama, SA
2023-24 season: 29.7 minutes per sport (mpg)
2024-25 projection: 33-35 mpg
Should you’re a kind of individuals who doesn’t fairly perceive why so many individuals are drafting Wemby first general, forward of Nikola Jokic, Luka Doncic and Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, then you definitely may be anticipating the second-year stud to solely see a slight improve in minutes performed when in comparison with his rookie 12 months. If that’s the case, I recommend you look at his ultimate 19 video games of final season, when Wemby performed 32.9 mpg (this features a 21 minute sport towards the Suns, wherein he tweaked his left ankle and sat out the next sport). As such, I feel it’s affordable to venture round 33-to-34 minutes per sport for 2024-25, with a best-case situation round 35 mpg.
Everyone knows that Wemby goes to be a beast in the case of his scoring, rebounding and shot-blocking numbers, with wonderful assists and 3-pointers from the middle place as properly. However don’t underestimate how a lot his FG% can also be doubtless to enhance in 12 months 2, particularly with future Corridor of Famer Chris Paul now setting him up for straightforward buckets. Whereas there aren’t any ensures that Wembanyama would be the fantasy MVP for 2024-25, are you actually prepared to cross on him when you’ve got the highest general decide?!?
2. Immanuel Quickley, TOR
2023-24 season: 29.2 mpg
2024-25 projection: 34-36 mpg
Don’t make the error of judging Quickley by his general season stats from 2023-24, as these had been deflated as a result of him taking part in simply 24.0 minutes per sport over his 30-game stint with the Knicks. As soon as he was traded to Toronto, Quickley was thrust into the Raptors beginning lineup, the place he averaged 33.3 mpg to shut out the season.
After showcasing a pleasant mix of scoring and play-making skill for the Raptors, mixed together with his skill to play at a quick tempo and develop alongside franchise cornerstone Scottie Barnes, Toronto determined to signal Quickley to a five-year contract extension value over $162 million over the summer time. In consequence, you may count on his minutes to rise even additional in 2024-25.
3. Cam Thomas, BKN
2023-24 season: 31.4 mpg
2024-25 projection: 34-36 mpg
You may assume 34-to-36 mpg is an aggressive projection for a participant who solely began in 20 of Brooklyn’s first 44 video games final season. However Thomas closed out final 12 months by taking part in 34.9 mpg over his ultimate 31 video games for the Nets, and together with the rise in minutes got here a formidable improve in manufacturing. Over these 31 contests, Thomas poured in 24.6 factors, 4.0 rebounds, 3.5 assists and a pair of.5 triples per sport, with 44-38-89 p.c capturing splits (FG%-3P%-FT%).
For 2024-25, the runway has been cleared for Thomas to take off, as former teammate Mikal Bridges — who performed in all 82 video games and performed a team-high 34.8 mpg for the Nets final season — is now on the Knicks. Brooklyn has no alternative however to lean on Thomas much more for the season forward, and there’s likelihood it can lead to him being a High 10 scorer within the league.
4. Josh Giddey, CHI
2023-24 season: 25.1 mpg
2024-25 projection: 32-34 mpg
After taking part in over 31 mpg in every of his first two NBA seasons, Giddey fell out of favor with the Thunder final season, falling to simply 25.1 mpg within the common season, after which a measly 18.1 mpg within the playoffs. A change of surroundings was wanted, and the Bulls are in dire want of an inflow of younger expertise (Giddey will flip 22 years previous in October). This might be a win-win for each events, and it could be good to see Giddey return to fantasy stardom.
As a reminder, Giddey averaged 16.6 factors, 7.9 boards and 6.2 assists in 31.1 minutes per sport in the course of the 2022-23 season, which is a good projection for the season forward. His fantasy ceiling will climb even greater than that if Chicago can determine a option to jettison established veterans Zach LaVine and/or Nikola Vucevic. Both method, you have to be banking on a bounce again.
5. Jonathan Kuminga, GS
2023-24 season: 26.3 mpg
2024-25 projection: 31-33 mpg
For the primary 20 or so video games of final season, Steve Kerr gave Kuminga the Jayson Tatum on Staff USA therapy, which left Kuminga feeling misplaced and annoyed. Fortunately, he was capable of flip issues round. Over his ultimate 34 video games of 2023-24, Kuminga averaged precisely 30.0 minutes per sport, whereas producing 18.6 factors on 53% FG capturing. The remainder of his numbers don’t actually leap off the web page, however like Giddey, he’ll flip 22 years previous in October, and is a participant on the rise.
It will be enjoyable to venture Kuminga for 34 minutes per sport in 2024-25, however alas, Andrew Wiggins continues to be round, and the versatile Kyle Anderson has additionally been added to Golden State’s frontcourt rotation. However 31-to-33 mpg looks like a good projection, and he ought to see a stable improve in shot makes an attempt now that Klay Thompson has jumped ship.
6. Keyonte George, UTAH
2023-24 season: 27.0 mpg
2024-25 projection: 31-33 mpg
As to be anticipated from a rookie combo guard, George’s first few months of the 2023-24 season had been fairly up-and-down. However Utah let George unfold his wings over the ultimate two months of the season, and over his final 28 video games, he responded with 15.8 factors, 4.8 assists and a pair of.4 threes — albeit simply 0.7 shares (steals plus blocks) — in 31.4 minutes per sport.
George ought to hit the bottom operating in his second NBA season, taking part in 30+ minutes per sport on most nights. It’s robust to pinpoint what precisely that’s going to translate to when it comes to fantasy manufacturing — his subject objective capturing might nonetheless be actually tough — however he ought to at the very least develop into a dependable fantasy possibility in deeper leagues. The potential is there for him to stand up to 34 mpg in a while within the season too, if Utah can discover a commerce associate for the veteran Jordan Clarkson.
7. Trayce Jackson-Davis, GS
2023-24 season: 16.6 mpg
2024-25 projection: 24-26 mpg
Over the primary two months of his rookie season, Jackson-Davis performed 20+ minutes in a sport solely 3 times. However he proved to be impactful each time he was on the ground, and as soon as Draymond Inexperienced returned from his suspension, the 2 large males began to develop some good chemistry collectively. This resulted in TJD ultimately transferring into the beginning lineup, whereas averaging an intriguing 10.9 factors, 7.5 boards and 1.7 blocked photographs in 25.3 mpg over his ultimate 19 video games of the season.
As for the negatives, Jackson-Davis shot simply 56% from the foul line as a rookie, and he gained’t develop into a go-to scorer for the Warriors in a single day. However with regular minutes anticipated from opening evening, TJD will probably be a worthy late-round fantasy goal for 2024-25.
8. Patrick Williams, CHI
2023-24 season: 27.3 mpg
2024-25 projection: 31-33 mpg
Williams entered the league in 2020-21 and had a rock stable rookie season, showcasing promising upside and, dare I say, star potential. 4 years later, he hasn’t proven a lot progress since then. However pivot again to what I mentioned about Chicago being determined for younger expertise, and it made sense for the Bulls to not quit on Williams too quickly. In consequence, they signed him to a five-year, $90 million contract extension over the summer time.
With a brand new contract underneath his belt, and DeMar DeRozan now out of the image, search for Williams to tackle a a lot bigger function for the season forward. In spite of everything, not solely did DeRozan rating a team-high 24.0 factors per sport final 12 months, however he led the league in minutes performed, at a whopping 37.8 mpg. That being mentioned, I don’t blame you for those who don’t imagine in Williams’ skill to make a serious leap statistically. But when there was ever a 12 months for him to take his sport to the following stage, this is able to be it.
9. Noah Clowney, BKN
2023-24 season: 16.1 mpg
2024-25 projection: 26-28 mpg
In among the early drafts that I’ve participated in, Clowney has really been picked forward of Williams. That’s a bit aggressive for me, and I’m not prepared to maneuver Clowney forward of Pat-Will simply but, however I can see the road of pondering. In spite of everything, Clowney had some high quality fantasy video games over the ultimate month of final season and the Nets are clearly in rebuild mode, so they need to give attention to creating Clowney as certainly one of their prime younger prospects.
One concern for Clowney is that he might wrestle with foul hassle, as he racked up 3.9 fouls in 29.7 minutes per sport over 34 G-League video games final season. The Nets additionally want to determine what they’re doing with their veteran forwards, Bojan Bogdanovic and Dorian Finney-Smith. However Clowney must be in your fantasy radar, as there may be intriguing upside right here.
10. Andrew Nembhard, IND
2023-24 season: 25.0 mpg
2024-25 projection: 29-31 mpg
For the 2023-24 season, Nembhard went from taking part in 22.9 mpg earlier than the All-Star break, to twenty-eight.3 mpg after the break, to a candy 32.6 mpg over 17 playoff video games. Not so quick you may say, that’s all due to Tyrese Haliburton’s hamstring points. Nicely, Haliburton really performed in each single sport after the All-Star break, and he solely missed two video games within the postseason.
Whereas it’s true that Bennedict Mathurin missed a bunch of video games over that timespan, for my part, it’s fairly clear that Indiana’s administration staff favors Nembhard over Mathurin as a result of Nembhard’s superior protection and excessive basketball IQ. Now getting into his third NBA season, Nembhard has a robust likelihood of taking part in over 30 mpg.
11. Dyson Daniels, ATL
2023-24 season: 22.3 mpg
2024-25 projection: 27-29 mpg
Only a few individuals can be prepared to say that Daniels is a greater participant than Dejounte Murray at this stage of their careers, however he actually looks like a greater slot in Atlanta’s backcourt. As a protracted and powerful versatile defender who’s snug taking part in off the ball and doesn’t require a ton of shot makes an attempt to maintain him blissful, it makes excellent sense to play him alongside Trae Younger.
It additionally helps that Daniels is just 21 years previous, which can enable him to develop alongside current prime draft decide Zaccharie Risacher. Whereas Bogdan Bogdanovic is a really high quality participant, he’s finest utilized as an instant-offense guard off the bench. As such, I’m projecting each Daniels and Bogdanovic to mess around 27-to-29 minutes per sport, slightly than Bogie leaping as much as 32+ mpg now that Murray is gone.
12. Taylor Hendricks, UTAH
2023-24 season: 21.4 mpg
2024-25 projection: 26-28 mpg
I feel it’s protected to say that Utah’s roster will not be going to look the identical now because it does on the finish of the season. Along with the aforementioned Clarkson, John Collins can also be a prime commerce candidate, and the Jazz are nonetheless hoping to be wooed by any Walker Kessler commerce gives. With that in thoughts, Hendricks is a protected guess to not solely play stable rotation minutes this season, however to probably be taking part in 30+ mpg in the course of the second half of the season.
Over Utah’s ultimate 16 video games of final season, Hendricks contributed a modest 9.7 factors, 5.3 rebounds, 1.9 threes and 1.8 shares in 27.2 mpg, whereas capturing 48% FG and over 43% from 3-point vary. Whereas Lauri Markkanen solely performed in a handful of these video games, it was nonetheless a stable displaying from Hendricks, who gained’t flip 21 years previous till November.
13. Jonathan Isaac, ORL
2023-24 season: 15.8 mpg
2024-25 projection: 19-21 mpg
The Magic had been very cautious about managing Isaac’s minutes final season, and rightfully so, as he had performed a complete of simply 124 minutes over the prior three seasons mixed. In consequence, Isaac routinely sat out video games final 12 months, and he didn’t play 24+ minutes in a sport till proper earlier than the All-Star break.
However then a humorous factor occurred down the stretch, as Wendell Carter Jr. was hobbled by again points, and Orlando determined it was time to take Isaac’s bubble wrap off. Over Orlando’s ultimate two common season video games and their first postseason sport, Isaac performed his most minutes of the season, getting 26+ minutes of run in every sport. I’m not able to venture 24+ mpg for 2024-25, however Isaac is value mentioning due to his robust per-minute stat-stuffing skills. If Isaac can strategy 20 mpg this season, he’ll make loads of fantasy noise.
14. Keon Ellis, SAC
2023-24 season: 17.2 mpg
2024-25 projection: 25-27 mpg
Whereas stats from play-in event video games aren’t official, they need to nonetheless be remembered in the event that they inform an necessary story. Such is the case with Ellis, as he cemented his worth to the Kings throughout their first play-in event sport towards the Warriors.
With each Malik Monk and Kevin Huerter injured, Ellis was thrust into 39 minutes of motion that sport. Along with scoring 15 factors on 3-of-4 capturing from deep, to go together with 5 assists, Ellis additionally wreaked havoc on protection, with 3 steals and three blocks, whereas serving to to maintain Stephen Curry in examine and shut down Klay Thompson. Even with Monk and Huerter now totally wholesome, it’s clear that Ellis has earned stable rotation minutes for the season forward.
15. Gradey Dick, TOR
2023-24 season: 21.1 mpg
2024-25 projection: 28-30 mpg
After barely taking part in for the primary few months of his rookie marketing campaign, Toronto determined to throw Dick into the fireplace to shut out the 12 months. Over his ultimate 32 video games of the season, Dick responded by scoring 12.4 factors with 2.2 triples in 27.4 minutes per sport, whereas capturing 40% from 3-point vary. That capturing effectivity was fairly spectacular when you think about that Toronto’s prime participant, Scottie Barnes, was sidelined for many of these video games.
Dick could have much more alternatives to broaden his sport in 2024-25, due to Toronto permitting Gary Trent Jr. to signal with the Bucks in free company. Whereas he’s not nice at stuffing the stat sheet exterior of scoring, Dick will probably be a kind of gamers who might erupt for 75 factors and 15 triples in any given week when he will get scorching and the schedule is favorable.
16. Christian Braun, DEN
2023-24 season: 20.2 mpg
2024-25 projection: 28-30 mpg
After letting Kentavious Caldwell-Pope stroll in free company over the summer time, it’s no secret that Denver wants Braun to take his sport to a different stage this season. Over the previous two seasons, KCP performed 31.5 mpg for Denver, whereas beginning 152 of their 164 common season video games. Should you had been to ask Denver basic supervisor Calvin Sales space, he’ll inform you that Braun has been groomed to be the inheritor obvious to KCP.
One concern is that Braun performed 29+ minutes in a sport simply 5 occasions final season. The opposite concern is that he’s been a little bit too shy to let it fly from behind the arc — simply 3.6 makes an attempt per 36 minutes from 3-point vary final season. So I’m not able to declare that Braun goes to be a gradual fantasy contributor for 2024-25, however the 23-year previous could have loads of alternatives to show himself.
17. Jalen Wilson, BKN
2023-24 season: 15.4 mpg
2024-25 projection: 22-24 mpg
One difficulty with Clowney is that he isn’t fairly flying underneath the radar in some leagues, as too many individuals have already recognized him as a stable late-round sleeper goal. If that’s the case, you can go after his fellow second-year teammate as a substitute. Wilson really performed 664 whole NBA minutes final season, in comparison with Clowney’s 370, so it’s not just like the Nets weren’t thinking about creating their 2023 second-round draft decide.
Over the Las Vegas Summer time League, Wilson did the whole lot he probably might to indicate Brooklyn that he’s prepared for main rotation minutes this coming season. Over 5 video games performed, Wilson poured in 21.8 factors, 4.6 rebounds and 4.4 threes per sport with robust capturing effectivity, incomes him Summer time League MVP honors. The losses are going to pile up in Brooklyn this 12 months, however Wilson might develop into certainly one of their lone vivid spots.
So there you go, you now not have an excuse to be sleeping on these gamers. However who else do you assume is prepared for main jumps in taking part in time?
(High photograph of Victor Wembanyama, Christian Bruan: Isaiah J. Downing-USA TODAY Sports activities)
