Every week in the NBA is a story full of surprises, both positive and negative, and fantasy football managers must decide what to believe and what not to believe moving forward. Perhaps we can help. If any of these thoughts come true… don't be surprised!
I wouldn't be surprised if… four New York Knicks Top 25 fantasy options this season
The obvious choice is C/PF. Karl-Anthony Towns and PG Jalen Brunson. Fantasy managers invested early in the draft because the former averaged 46.6 fantasy points last season and the latter finished with 43.3 points. Nothing against SF/SG Mikal BridgesSan Francisco/St. Germany Josh Hart or SF/PF And Anunobybut they seemed a little overvalued in this season's drafts. Hey, it's the Knicks and everyone is paying attention to them. Are they overvalued today? Well, everything has changed.
For example, the best thing Bridges brought to a fantasy team last season was his durability. His production was down, in part because he was taking fewer shots per game, and while everyone acknowledged that he was a tremendous defensive player, fantasy managers lacked statistical evidence of that. Bridges averaged less than one interception per game last season. This season, Bridges is one of four players (and the most valuable) averaging at least 2.0 points per game. His rebounding, assists and three-point shooting have improved, even in fewer minutes. This version of Bridges is incredibly valuable.
Hart outpaced Bridges in ESPN ADP, but Hart soon became compulsive fodder as he struggled to produce relevant fantasy numbers as a backup. Hart averaged just 9.9 points per game, 6.6 rebounds and 4.5 assists per game in 14 games off the bench while shooting below 50% from the field and 34.8% from 3-point range. The Knicks looked outplayed with the C Mitchell Robinson starting.
However, with Hart starting the last nine games, the Knicks look dominant, in part because Hart has 16.4 ppg, 9.6 rpg, 5.7 apg and 2.0 apg with excellent shooting. He's never made 44% of his 3-pointers before, or even close to that. Hart is not only New York's MVP fantasy player since returning to the starting lineup, but he is also a top 15 player in the NBA!
Anunoby remains a valuable fantasy option, although his rebounding and assists have declined since Hart's minutes increased. He is not alone. Anunoby can maintain top-50 status by scoring 15 points per game without anything other than steals and solid shooting. Hart likely won't remain the team's top fantasy player for long, but he will definitely be reborn as a starter. There's nothing to worry about with Brunson other than Hart stealing his assists. He has five or fewer assists in six of Hart's nine games as a starter. This applies more to roto formats/categories than to points, but still, a meaning is a meaning.
The Knicks could be the best team in the Eastern Conference, and if members of the current starting lineup (including Hart) stay healthy, these four guys could possibly maintain the best top four/five team in sports and fantasy. And all this is happening despite a coaching change (from Tom Thibodeau to Mike Brown) and everyone's minutes being cut. It's interesting and unexpected.
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Josh Hart cheerfully gives his baby to Mitchell Robinson after being replaced
Josh Hart finds out he's being added to the game, so he hands his baby over to Mitchell Robinson, who then hands him over to Shannon Hart.
I wouldn't be surprised if… Memphis Grizzlies K/PF Jaren Jackson Jr.. no longer in the top 100 fantasy options
Let me take a break from copying PG Ja Morant (You can't help a fantasy club from the outside) and turn to his teammate Jackson, who was one of my underrated favorites until this season. Morant (calf) was injured again, and when he did get to play, he shot just 35% from the field and looked like he wanted to be somewhere other than the court. Morant's managers are ignoring the many missed games and his statistical decline in performance in recent seasons.
For Jackson, however, his first quarter of the season may be more disappointing. Although he is playing, few could have expected such extreme regression. He should thrive without Morant in the lineup. Instead, Jackson, the league's 2023 Defensive Player of the Year who averaged more than 22.0 points per game over the next two seasons, hasn't thrived. Jackson is averaging 17.0 points per game on the season, but has only scored 26 points over the last three games. He's usually the main source of blocked shots, but he recently went through a stretch where he didn't block a shot in six of seven contests. Ninety players boast a lot of fantasy points.
I've complained at times about Jackson—a big, wide player at 6-10, 245 pounds—who can't average seven rebounds a game in any season, but he might not average five rebounds this season. Despite only missing two games, Jackson has fewer points than Jackson. Mr. Okongwu And Jeremiah Fiersfewer rebounds than Brandin Pod Ziemiya, Jaras Walker And Vijay Edgecombeand only one more blocked shot than Tyrese Maxey. Jackson, who is averaging 17.0 ppg, 5.0 rpg and 1.0 bpg, is not much different from what Kelly Oubre Jr.. did before the injury (16.8 points, 5.1 rebounds, 0.8 blocked shots). This is not what anyone expected when we included Jackson in the top 50.
The Grizzlies should remain in contention all season no matter how this Morant circus ends (perhaps a trade), but I don't see Jackson suddenly turning things around even when Morant returns. Despite the obvious opportunity to score more, he takes fewer field goals, giving way to players like Cedric Coward And Cam Spencer. This guy blocked 3.0 shots per game in 2022-23 and 1.5 shots per game last season. We don't get that now. Jackson may also not be completely healthy after offseason turf surgery. Based on his previous numbers, Jackson would be someone we'd target in fantasy leagues, but I'm not sure I can move in that direction quickly.
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Jaren Jackson Jr. with huge things on the ring
Jaren Jackson Jr. with huge things on the ring
I wouldn't be surprised if… Chris Paul will soon become a worthy major league option
Paul, 40, may not have been right for the role. Los Angeles Clippersbut I find it hard to believe he's no longer a contributor, and fantasy managers should pay attention to where he ends up – possibly as early as next week, since Paul is eligible to be traded on Monday. Don't look at Paul's pitiful stats this season; The Clippers may be the league's biggest disappointment. Few people there seem to be happy, from the players to the coaches, and it's foolish to blame Paul.
Paul started all 82 games last season and is a promising prospect. San Antonio Spurs his numbers paled in comparison to those that would get him into the Hall of Fame on his first try, his averages being 7.4 assists and 1.3 assists. This might not mean much in a standard ESPN league where you want more scoring, 3-pointers and the like, but I play in deeper formats (and maybe you do too). Only five players had more assists last season, and only three made more assists. and steals.
Paul hit 28.0 mpg in the 2024-25 season, and it might be foolish to expect whichever team acquires him to be able to put him in the same situation for minutes and usage. Fantasy managers looking for help with roto/category formats or points formats in general should look to Ryan Nembhard, Colleen Gillespie and other young people first.
There are several helpers. Just don't forget about the older guy because he made a difference last season and there's a good chance he can do it again.
