10 Fantasy Basketball Players Surging Up the Rankings You Won’t Believe Are Rising Fast
As the season progresses, several players are making unexpected leaps in their fantasy basketball rankings, showcasing their potential for long-term success.
Fantasy Basketball, Jalen Johnson, Jalen Williams, Tari Eason, Walker Kessler, Jalen Suggs, Cam Thomas, Dyson Daniels, Gradey Dick, Payton Pritchard, Norman Powell, USA
Atlanta: So, I’ve been diving deep into player stats lately, and this week, I want to take a broader look. Dynasty rankings are usually pretty stable since they’re based on long-term projections. A short hot streak shouldn’t shake things up too much, but sometimes it does. Now that we’re over a month into the season, it’s a perfect time to reassess those preseason dynasty rankings and explain why my views on certain players have shifted. While I’m not rolling out new rankings just yet, I’ve got a list of 10 players who are likely to see a bump in their rankings. These aren’t the only ones moving up, but they’re definitely the most notable. I’ve listed them by their previous ranks, but that doesn’t mean this is the order they’ll be in when I do rank them.
First up is Jalen Johnson, who started at 26. I was really optimistic about him after last season, thinking he’d break out, but wow, he’s taken it to another level! He’s averaging nearly 20 points, almost 10 rebounds, and over 5 assists per game, all career highs. Sure, his turnovers are up, but that’s expected with Dejounte Murray gone. He’s become a key playmaker, which is boosting his stats. It’s wild that he’s only getting about 3 free throws a game despite driving to the basket so much. There’s still so much room for him to grow, and that’s exciting!
Next is Jalen Williams, who was at 27. This guy has been a fantasy gem since his rookie year, but this season, he’s really shining. Older prospects usually don’t have the same upside, but Williams is breaking that mold. He’s putting up career-highs of 22 points, 6 rebounds, and 5 assists per game. His usage is up, partly because Chet Holmgren is out, but he’s still efficient. Williams is the real deal and is set to be a fantasy star for years.
Then we have Tari Eason, who was ranked 79. After a rough second year filled with injuries, he’s back and reminding everyone how good he is. In just under 23 minutes a game, he’s averaging over 11 points and 6 rebounds, plus he’s a defensive beast with 2 steals and a block per game. He and Amen Thompson are a dynamic duo off the bench, and it’s going to be tough to keep them from starting soon.
Walker Kessler, who was at 98, is finally getting the starting role he deserves. In his third year, he’s averaging a double-double with 3 blocks per game and shooting an impressive 73% from the field. Not many players can dominate like that, especially at just 23 years old.
Jalen Suggs, starting at 100, might be a bit controversial, but I think he’s improved this year. His shooting has been off, but with Paolo Banchero and Franz Wagner out, he’s getting a chance to show what he can do. He’s averaging 16 points and has a career-high free throw percentage, which gives me hope his shooting will bounce back.
Cam Thomas, who was at 113, is definitely moving up, but I’m not sure how high. He’s been great, averaging nearly 25 points, but he’s a bit streaky. Can he keep this up for a whole season? He’s been sidelined recently, but his scoring ability is hard to ignore.
Dyson Daniels, who was at 133, is another player I couldn’t leave off. He’s been a defensive standout and has had some impressive offensive games lately. If he keeps this up, he could make the All-Defensive Team this year, which is a big deal.
Gradey Dick, starting at 163, has cooled off a bit but is still doing well in his second year. He’s averaging almost 18 points and is solidifying his spot in the starting lineup. He’s got room to grow, especially if the team gets healthy.
Payton Pritchard, who was at 168, is a steal for Boston. He’s taken a big step forward this year, averaging over 16 points and shooting nearly 49% from the field. He’s providing great value, and even though the team looks set for now, things can change quickly in the NBA.
Lastly, Norman Powell, who was at 245, is having a career year. With injuries to Kawhi Leonard and Paul George, he’s stepped up big time, averaging over 23 points and shooting nearly 49% from three. He might not have a long dynasty future, but he’s proving to be super valuable right now.