Wow. The first week of the 2023-2024 NBA season has been incredible. Parity in this league could not be any better, with a few bottom teams at the top. Rookies are getting a lot of run right now. There have been some relative disappointments, but overall some rising stock in having players on your fantasy team.
Ausar Thompson is averaging 2.5 blocks per game, which is the most of any rookie right now. Dereck Lively had a breakout game to start the season and could be the answer the Dallas Mavericks need at the center position.
Taking a step back one season can result in taking a step forward with proper scouting and utilization, and this rookie report is meant to oversee how the stats play out on a week-by-week basis for fantasy basketball. Some people will undervalue or overvalue prospects, so take this into note over the next few months prior to your individual trade deadlines. Keep in mind, this report is meant for both dynasty and standard, points and categories.
Fantasy Basketball Rookie Report
Before getting started, a couple of notes. It is really early in the season and a lot of this will change come January. Some players will get more opportunity, some will get less. Already, we are seeing some things change like Jaime Jaquez Jr. getting starts or Scoot Henderson shooting horribly.
Every single player is not going to be listed here that was drafted, especially given that the G League has not started yet and there have not been a lot of games played. I included the Denver Nuggets players in this because there are a few ways to get time as a rookie without an immediate role. First, players are on a team with a need at that position or based on their set of skills. Take Ausar vs. Amen Thompson. Ausar has started every game, which will help with getting experience in every single minute. Amen is not, and will have to fight for minutes at his position.
Second, teams giving players garbage time minutes is a way for lower picks to get minutes prior to injuries. The Denver Nuggets will have a lot of garbage time this season, and most likely struggle with injuries here and there. Having players like Julian Strawther or Hunter Tyson could turn into players like Bones Hyland. Guys that are not spectacular, but find a niche they can fill and stay in the league long enough while producing at a rate needed for a deep fantasy roster. One of those guys can pop, fantasy-wise, and makes a difference than having a good pick in a draft.
Finally, straight injury substitutes on middling teams. This is impossible to predict at the time of the draft, but having players like Jordan Hawkins is both educated and lucky. The Pelicans need shooting, and he provides that need very well. Similarly, when Trey Murphy III joined the team they also needed shooting and he began to blossom. Watch their stock, but it may be better to buy now than later.
Player Notes
| Name | Pos. | Team | Fantasy Notes | Stock! |
| Victor Wembanyama | F/C | San Antonio Spurs | Not an awe-inspiring start but a steady fantasy flow of points and rebounds. Not good on shot making currently. Free throws percentage. | —- |
| Chet Holmgren | F/C | Oklahoma City Thunder | Quality play thus far, good numbers on shooting percentages, blocks and rebounds | UP |
| Scoot Henderson | G | Portland Trailblazers | Bad marks in shooting and assist numbers with how many minutes. Will take a lot of time. | DOWN |
| Brandon Miller | G/F | Charlotte Hornets | high efficiency shooter with good rebound numbers. Bad defense counting statistics | UP |
| Ausar Thompson | G/F | Detroit Pistons | Bad offensive start, but averaging 10.7 rebounds and nearly 5 assists with 2.3 blocks. | UP |
| Amen Thompson | G | Houston Rockets | Good two points shooting, decent rebound and low assist numbers to start | Down |
| Taylor Hendricks | F | Utah Jazz | 1 point, 1 rebound, DNPs. | Down |
| Dereck Lively II | C | Dallas Mavericks | Soon to be starting center, .917 FG% with good rebounds in 24 min. | UP UP |
| Jordan Hawkins | G/F | New Orleans Pelicans | Good minutes, efficiency and extrapolating counting stats. | UP |
| Gradey Dick | G/F | Toronto Raptors | Good shooting start from distance! | UP |
| Anthony Black | G | Orlando Magic | DNPs, 5 points and an assist in one minute | – |
| Jaime Jaquez Jr. | F | Miami Heat | One start, good efficiency, all around numbers but no free throws. Positive player in 46 min. | UP |
| Bilal Coulibaly | F | Washington Wizards | Bad marks in 18.5 minutes per game | Down |
| Jett Howard | G/F | Orlando Magic | 1 game played, DNPs | – |
| Cam Whitmore | F | Houston Rockets | 1 game played, DNPs | Slightly Down |
| Keyonte George | G | Utah Jazz | good shooting, rebounding, assist numbers in 19.3 minutes played per game. 9.3/4.0/3.3 | UP |
| Jalen Hood-Schifino | G | Los Angeles Lakers | Injured. | – |
| Kris Murray | F | Portland Trailblazers | 11 total minutes played. | – |
| Kobe Bufkin | G | Atlanta Hawks | 1 game played | – |
| Cason Wallace | G | Oklahoma City Thunder | 2o minutes per game, huge efficiency numbers with good rebounds. 9.7/2.3/0.7 | UP UP |
| Brice Sensabaugh | F | Utah Jazz | 1 Game Played | – |
| Dariq Whitehead | F | Brooklyn Nets | Injured. | – |
| Brandin Podziemski | G | Golden State Warriors | DNPs | – |
| Julian Strawther | G/F | Denver Nuggets | Good shooting efficiency in 6.5 minutes played per game | Up |
| Kobe Brown | G/F | Los Angeles Clippers | 2 rebounds and and shots made in 10 total minutes | Up |
| Ben Sheppard | G | Indiana Pacer | 1 game played no shots | – |
| Noah Clowney | F/C | Brooklyn Nets | DNP | – |
| Marcus Sasser | G | Detroit Pistons | Good shooting numbers with rebounds as small guard. | UP |
| Olivier Maxence Prosper | F | Dallas Mavericks | DNP | – |
| Leonard Miller | F | Minnesota Timberwolves | A rebound in 2 minutes | – |
| Hunter Tyson | F | Denver Nuggets | 1 game played | – |
| Jalen Pickett | G | Denver Nuggets | 1 game played | – |
| Andre Jackson Jr. | G/F | Milwaukee Bucks | 4 rebounds, an assist and steal in only seven minutes | Up |