The 2023 NBA Draft is in the books, and with a new wave of talented young hoopers entering the league, which players and situations will be most affected by their arrival, and how will that affect the basketball season- fantasy ball 2023-24?
With exciting trades, unexpected picks, last-minute slides, history-making twins and Gradey Dick swag all over the scene, there’s a lot to talk about. Here’s my take on the initial winners and losers from a fantasy perspective after draft night.
The winners
Victor Wembanyama, PF/C San Antonio Spurs
Wemby is a winner by default. He has the perfect combination of talent and opportunity and should be a third-round selection in the fantasy draft this season.
Jordan Poole, PG/SG, Washington Wizards
Being traded to a team where he will have the greenest lights is the best-case scenario for Poole’s fantastic value. In 115 games as a starter throughout his career, Poole averaged 21.2 points, 4.2 assists, 3.2 rebounds, 3.0 threes and 1.2 shares with 43/35/90 separate shots in 32.4 minutes per night. He’ll see well over 32 minutes for a rebuilding franchise in Washington and will easily be a fantastic mid-term selection heading into next season.
Desmond Bane, SG/SF, Memphis Grizzlies
Smart Marcus replaced Tyus Jones And Ja Morant is suspended for the first 25 games. Bane’s season is right around the corner and I’m picking him with the potential to become a top 25 player.
Brandon Miller, SF, Charlotte Hornets
Guess it didn’t matter that Miller spurned former Hornets owner Michael Jordan, saying Paul George is the goat. Nonetheless, Miller landed in a great spot given the void in the Hornets’ frontcourt. Miller should immediately break the rotation, with Gordon Hayward And Cody Martin as the only small forwards currently under contract. Hayward is a candidate to be moved with his contract expiring at the end of the 2023-24 season, so Miller has fantastic reshuffle potential at the gates.
Skill-wise, Miller’s game actually mirrors the aforementioned George, and he’s a player I’ll be watching closely in the Summer League. He has the potential to be the second-best fantasy player in this draft class for next season (behind Wemby, of course).
Scoot Henderson, PG/SG, Portland Trail Blazers
It might be a little presumptuous to call Henderson a winner with Damien Lillard And Anfernee Simons always on the Blazers. Still, it’s only a matter of time before Lillard or Henderson are traded. If Henderson stays in Portland, it will be in a rebuilding scenario where he will have the keys to the offense.
If the Blazers orchestrate a few deals that bring in the veteran, game-winning caliber players that Lillard has been asking for, Henderson could be on the move and then we’ll have to recalibrate that take. But I think Henderson will remain a Blazer, and if that’s true, he’ll be a fantastic asset in Year 1.
Taylor Hendricks, SF/PF, Utah Jazz
Utah’s small forward and offensive depth isn’t too impressive behind Lauri Markkanen And Ochai Agbaji. Kelly Olynikthe contract of is partially guaranteed before next season, and Rudy Gay can exercise his player option, but neither situation will prevent Hendricks from getting minutes right away. His defensive versatility, athleticism and ability to stretch the ground (he shot 40% from three-pointers last season) are why Utah coveted him. The combination before Walker Kesler, Markkanen and Hendricks will be a tough roster to match. While some doubted the competition he faced in the NCAA, Hendricks has the makings of an excellent fantasy player.
Dereck Lively, C, Dallas Mavericks
The acquisition of Richaun Holmes on draft night doesn’t concern me because the Mavs got their man. Lively is a better defender and much more athletic than his counterpart, so while he may take some time to integrate into the Mavs system, he will end up being the starting center at some point this coming season.
Bilal Coulibaly, SG/SF, Washington Wizards
The landing spot is great considering the Wizards are rebuilding around a plethora of young players. I’m a huge Coulibaly fan and highlighted his advantages before the draft. It may take a while to dislodge Cory Kispertbut initially there is a path to playing time as the sixth or seventh man on the bench.
The Wizards will no doubt continue to reshape their roster throughout the offseason, so keep an eye out for the 18-year-old as he develops his game going forward.
Losers
Bradley Beal, SG, Phoenix Suns
The good news is that the Suns won’t be able to afford much help outside of the new “Big 3” that has been assembled, so he will have plenty of minutes to produce. However, injury concerns will always hover around Beal. He finished 56th in value per game last year, but 21/4/5 is what I expect in 2023-24. I’ll probably avoid it in drafts.
Kevin Porter Jr., PG, Houston Rockets
Porter was the Rockets’ second best fantasy player last season (behind Alperen Sengün). However, new Rockets head coach Ime Udoka has hinted at changes – and said changes are already underway. The Rockets Selected Amen Thompson with the fourth pick overall, which puts Porter Jr. on trade watch. While Porter Jr. is a stat stuffer, his inefficiencies and inconsistency as a floor general could sideline him. A trade could restore his value, but for now he’s gone down on the fantasy draft boards for next season.
Chris Paul, PG, Golden State Warriors
Will he start or come off the bench? It’s an important question now that he’s joined the Warriors. Paul finished 33rd in value per game last year, but his production is declining as his age continues to increase. He’ll still be a viable asset in assists, steals, FG and FT percentage, but I’d drop Paul until we know more.
Anthony Black, PG, Orlando Magic
Black has a ton of fantasy appeal, but man, the magic has such many guards on their roster right now. I don’t see it being an asset to redraft yet.
Jalen Smith and Aaron Nesmith – Indiana Pacers
If Jalen Smith’s miss last season wasn’t the nail in the coffin, the Pacers trade a spot to select PF Jarace Walker was. Nesmith played out of position as he is only 6ft 5in, but he held his own. Now that the 6-8 Walker is in the building, the Pacers can deploy some size to strengthen their frontcourt defensively.