Offseason Check-in: NBA Fantasy Free Agency and Trades

NBA Free Agency has been action packed, but quickly came to a screeching halt as Kevin Durant and Kyrie Irving rumors locked up player movement across the Association. Until another major move is made, let’s recap some of the bigger moves of the NBA Offseason and look at their fantasy implications.

Offseason NBA Updates

Kyrie Irving and Kevin Durant

• There are grumblings galore, but this is a waiting game. While reports of various trades are swirling, the Nets have a steep asking price for Kevin Durant and may hold optimism that he returns to fulfill the additional years left on his contract. As long as Durant is on the Nets, it is hard to see them making any move that sends Kyrie to the Lakers for Russell Westbrook unless a third team is involved. For now, fantasy implications are on hold, but will surely shake up if one, or both players are moved. Stay tuned.

Rudy Gobert MIN C (TRADE)

• Minnesota invested heavily in their “play-in” playoff team by adding Rudy Gobert at a huge expense (current players and future assets). The addition of Gobert alongside Karl-Anthony Towns is a questionable fit. However, Gobert’s skill set remains the same: elite rebounds, elite FG%, offensive rebounds, and lobs for points. Essentially slotting into Jared Vanderbilt’s starting position, Gobert will be asked to bring his elite defense and rebounds. Fantasy-wise, Rudy remains an elite fantasy center in a 30 minutes per game role, producing slightly less than what General Managers were used to in Utah. Expect 3^rd round production from elite FG%, rebounds, and blocks.

Jalen Brunson NYK PG (FREE AGENCY)

• Jalen Brunson stepped up to help Luka Doncic lead the Dallas Mavericks to the Western Conference Finals. A feel-good story, Jalen made a big splash just in time for unrestricted free agency. Brunson now finds himself playing for a Knicks team badly in need of a lead facilitator and shooter. Whether this helps the Knicks enough is one thing, but Brunson becomes quite the fantasy weapon. Look for statistical increases across the board, notably his usage, spurring increased projections in points (17-19), assists (5-7), steals (1), and threes (1.7) on efficient percentages from the floor. Brunson will mostly be targeted starting in the 5^th or 6^th
• Related, Brunson’s absence gives Mavericks guard Spencer Dinwiddie more opportunity, and perhaps Tim Hardaway Jr. as well. After another offseason of rehab, Dinwiddie will be asked to pick up where Brunson left off and be a secondary facilitator scorer off the bench.

Dejounte Murray ATL PG/SG (TRADE)

• After a top-10 fantasy season for lottery-bound San Antonio Spurs, Dejounte Murray finds himself a part of a talented backcourt in Atlanta. Both lead guards for their respective teams, Trae Young and Murray had large 2021-22 usage rates (34 and 28 respectively). Something will have to give. An elite shooting threat, Trae may trend off-ball slightly more than we have seen in previous years, allowing Murray to play like how he played in San Antonio. As good as Murray is, expect his production to fall. Atlanta boasts great players at all positions now. Expect Murray to produce at the 3^rd round level but maintain great all-around numbers and elite steals.

John Wall LAC PG (BUY OUT/FREE AGENCY)

• John Wall is free at last! Joining a relatively stacked roster featuring Kawhi Leonard and Paul George, Wall slides into the point guard slot and will look to provide elite playmaking, scoring, and acceptable defense. In 40 games for the Houston Rockets (in 2021), Wall averaged 20 points, 7 assists, and over 1 steal a game with a high 32 usage rate. A full year later, Wall will not mirror that usage, nor will he need to. Expect Wall to be around 14 points per game and be a great source of assists available in the mid to late rounds. As you prepare your draft lists, don’t reach for Wall. The Clippers are deep and still have an effective Reggie Jackson that can play point as well.