The three-ball has become arguably the staple of scoring in the NBA — so we figured we’d take some shots from way downtown, too. Here, fantasy basketball analyst Dan Titus will break down three things fantasy managers need to know each week. Or, he’ll break down multiple three-point pieces of advice, analysis and more — it just depends on how open he is From Deep.
With the season 30% complete, here are my early Fantasy Basketball Awards for the 2024-2025 season.
Fantasy MVP: Josh Hart, SF/PF, New York Knicks
Few could have predicted Josh Hart would emerge as one of the most valuable players in fantasy basketball this season, but here we are. The Knicks have leaned heavily on Hart’s versatility, and he’s answered with career numbers across multiple categories. Night after night, Hart is stuffing the stat sheet with exceptional efficiency and ripping close to 1.5 steals per night. He ranks 18th in 9-cat leagues and averages over 35 fantasy points per game. For fantasy managers, Hart appears on 22.8% of the top 500 Public League teams in Yahoo Fantasy (second-highest).
Hart’s ability to produce with a modest 14% usage rate is an underrated aspect of his value. His effort on both ends and refined shot selection have unlocked the best version of himself in real life and fantasy. The fact that he had a 10th-round ADP and is providing second-round production makes him an easy choice. While I see the argument for selling high, his role is solidified with plenty of minutes to sustain this unexpected leap into fantasy prominence.
Runner-Up: Dyson Daniels, PG/SG, Atlanta Hawks
Like Hart, Daniels was a late-round pick paying dividends for fantasy managers. The Hawks found their answer to complement Trae Young, adding one of the most disruptive wings in basketball. Daniels is menacing on defense, leading the NBA in deflections and steals per game. The defense was expected, but his growth in other areas is where he’s leveled up in his third season.
He’s delivering career-highs in points, rebounds, assists and 3s made, proving to be a versatile fantasy player despite his poor shooting efficiency. He’s not quite the MVP pick, but he’s knocking on the door of upper-echelon status, providing sixth-round value in points leagues and 27th in 9-cat leagues after going undrafted in 65% of Yahoo leagues in the preseason.
Honorable Mention: Nikola Vučević, C/PF, Chicago Bulls
There might not be a more underrated, underappreciated big man in fantasy than Nikola Vučević. For years, he’s been a staple of consistency as an early mid-round pick. The 2024-2025 season is no different. By delivering nightly double-doubles, 3-point contributions and impressive assist numbers for a center, Vučević is quietly anchoring fantasy teams everywhere. He’s above Josh Hart — the player who appears the most on Yahoo’s top 500 Public League teams; Vuc is on 28% of the top teams, 5% more than Hart.
Durability is one of Vučević’s most valuable traits; he’s yet to miss a game this season. That reliability allows managers to count on him as a steady producer across multiple categories with strong shooting splits. While he might not have the flash of Hart or Daniels, Vučević is putting up first-round numbers in 9-cat, with 40 fantasy points per game in points leagues.
Fantasy Rookie of the Year: Yves Missi, C, New Orleans Pelicans
Selected by the Pelicans, Missi was drafted into an optimal situation for him to get minutes out of the gate. Between injuries and uninspiring contributions from vets like Daniel Theis, Missi emerged as an ascending double-double aggregator in fantasy. He leads all rookies in double-doubles fantasy points, is second in fantasy points per game and fourth in 9-cat rankings among first-year players. He’s the Pelicans’ best rim protector and rebounder, ranking in the 90th percentile in each category at his position.
Beyond his elite defensive stats, Missi has been a force on the glass, pulling down 3.8 offensive rebounds per game, which is fifth-best in the NBA. I love bigs who generate second-chance opportunities (see Isaiah Hartenstein). Missi has quietly become the best offensive rebounding rookie in the past 20 years, and he’s on pace to have one of the best offensive rebounding seasons for a rookie ever.
Missi’s role and opportunity are secure even with the Pelicans in peril. He is building some good chemistry with Dejounte Murray, too. His scoring spiked from seven points per game to 13.5 in eight games with Murray. I can’t remember the last time we had a healthy rookie with a double-double and a blocks upside whot’s just 36% rostered.
Runner-Up: Jared McCain, PG/SG, Philadelphia 76ers
Jared McCain cemented himself as a vital piece of the Sixers’ future and a reliable bench option for fantasy purposes. There’s a good chance he returns to the starting lineup at some point with all of the injuries going down in Philly, but the former Dukie is the top-scoring rookie of the ’24-25 class at 15.8 ppg.
He’s a crafty guard who, when he saw starter’s minutes, averaged 23.4 points, 3.4 rebounds, 4.3 assists and 3.6 3s with a 60% true-shooting percentage. He must be rostered as insurance for Philly’s big three in most leagues.
Honorable Mention: Alex Sarr, PF/C, Washington Wizards
Although Sarr’s offensive game is still evolving, his defensive presence alone provides a useful floor. For a rookie, Sarr averages the most fantasy points and the second-most stocks per game, and he should become more productive as the season progresses.
Fantasy Breakout Player of the Year: Jalen Williams, SG/PF/SF/C, Oklahoma City Thunder
Jalen Williams broke out last season, but he’s putting it all together this year. With OKC thriving, Williams’ well-rounded game is great for fantasy. Averaging career-highs in points, rebounds, assists, 3s, steals and blocks, Williams is a first-round value in 9-cat leagues.
Steals, in particular, stand out as one of Williams’ most valuable contributions. He’s one of six players averaging at least two steals per contest. Combine that with an efficient scoring profile and increasing usage, and it’s no wonder he’s a breakout star this season. Managers who drafted him in the third or fourth round have seen a tremendous return on investment.
Runner-Up: Franz Wagner, SF/PF, Orlando Magic
The Magic have leaned on Wagner more heavily this year, and he’s responded by having an All-NBA caliber season. For fantasy, Wagner is delivering first-round value in 9-cat leagues and second-round value in points leagues. Unsurprisingly, he’s in the top 10 of appearances on the top 500 public leagues in Yahoo this season.
Unfortunately, Wagner will be sidelined until at least January after tearing his oblique. However, that doesn’t change his impact in fantasy, as he has nearly a third of the season left.
Honorable Mention: Payton Pritchard, PG, Boston Celtics
Pritchard has been on a tear through December, ranking third in points off the bench while also being top–10 in the NBA in 3s made per game and top-five in 3s made overall. He’s the leading candidate for sixth man of the year, and he’s been a steady source of fantasy production despite still being rostered in just 54% of leagues.
Pritchard hasn’t missed a game and sees a healthy dose of minutes at 28 per contest. His efficiency gains, combined with a career-high steal rate, have catapulted him into a top-60 player in 9-cat. Incredibly, he went undrafted in 89% of leagues.
