Fantasy Basketball: 2024-25 Northwest Division Team Previews

By Zak Hanshew

The 2024-25 NBA season is just over a month away, making this a prime time for fantasy managers to prepare for their drafts. Rotoworld will be publishing articles during this time, starting with fantasy-related thoughts on each team. Next up in our division-by-division previews is the Northwest Division.

Oklahoma City, Denver and Minnesota finished in the top three in the West last season, with the latter reaching the Conference Finals for the first time in 20 years. And there are multiple fantasy stars in the Northwest, led by Nikola Jokic and Shai Gilgeous-Alexander.

Denver Nuggets

2023-24 Record: 57-25

Pace: 97.4 (26th)

Offensive rating: 117.8 (5th)

Defensive Rating: 112.1 (8th)

One potential sleeper:Christian Braun

Braun is Denver’s potential sleeper pick for the second straight season. Admittedly, we here at Rotoworld were a season too early for Braun. Still, with Kentavious Caldwell-Pope now in Orlando and no significant additions to the roster, Braun is in line to open the season as the starter. He’s shown flashes of quality two-way play in his two seasons with the Nuggets, and as an NCAA and NBA champion, Braun has shown poise under the brightest lights. A breakout performance is undoubtedly in the cards.

One potential failure:Jamal Murray

Murray struggled with availability again last season, appearing in just 59 games. Following the regular season, he played in 12 playoff games and a run at the Paris Olympics for Team Canada. Murray tied his career-best performance by finishing 32nd in per-game fantasy hoops value, but fantasy managers should be wary of drafting him for the 2024-25 season after a turbulent offseason. His early ADP (per Hashtag Basketball) suggests he’ll cost a mid-fourth-round pick, which may be a bit high given his injury concerns.

Remarkable number: 29.4

Denver ranked sixth in bench points per game and eighth in bench minutes (81.4) last season. The Nuggets’ bench was one of the weakest in the Association, and the team relied heavily on its starters. After losing starter Kentavious Caldwell-Pope in the offseason, Christian Braun is expected to replace him in the starting five, which should mean the third-year wing gets plenty of playing time.

Denver’s returning starters — Nikola Jokic, Aaron Gordon, Michael Porter Jr., Jamal Murray — should once again see significant minutes. As Denver’s presumptive Sixth Man, Russell Westbrook should see more playing time off the bench, but don’t expect significant minutes from the rest of Denver’s secondary options.

Minnesota Timberwolves

2023-24 Record: 56-26

Pace: 97.8 (23rd)

Offensive rating: 114.6 (17th)

Defensive Rating: 108.4 (1st)

One potential sleeper:Robert Dillingham

Minnesota traded up to acquire Kentucky’s flashy one-and-done option, and he should be one of the first guys off Minnesota’s bench to open his rookie campaign. Father Time is undefeated, and Mike Conley turns 37 this season. Dillingham would presumably take over as the team’s starting point guard if he wears out or is forced to miss time. His electric offensive skills make him an intriguing stash in deeper leagues with the potential to be a viable option in 12-team leagues if he gets more minutes.

One potential failure: Rudy Gobert

At this point, you know what you’re getting with Gobert. He’ll average a double-double of 13 points and 11.5 rebounds, take 1.5-2.0 shots per game, and shoot efficiently from the court. Gobert is the guy for you if you like predictability, high floors, and low ceilings. According to Hashtag Basketball’s early ADP, Gobert is going for a 49.3 pick on Yahoo, which is currently his ceiling. Taking a player at his ceiling is never the best approach, so Gobert can be viewed as a potential bust due to the draft capital required to land him on your fantasy team. By drafting him at his current ADP, you’re spending a mid-round pick on a player who doesn’t have the upside for second- or third-round value.

Remarkable number: 108.4

Minnesota’s defensive rating is the most notable stat of the 2023-24 campaign. The Wolves finished with a below-average offensive rating. Still, an elite defense propelled Minnesota to the Western Conference Finals and the second-best record in a highly competitive Western Conference. Defensive stalwart Rudy Gobert brought home some new hardware with his fourth Defensive Player of the Year award, while Anthony Edwards continued to grow on the defensive end of the floor. Jaden McDaniels and Nickeil Alexander-Walker haunted opponents on defense and, despite lacking a strong fantasy skill set, were both essential to Minnesota’s success last season.

Oklahoma City Thunder

2023-24 Record: 57-25

Pace: 100.8 (5th)

Offensive rating: 118.3 (3rd)

Defensive Rating: 111.0 (4th)

One potential sleeper: Isaiah Hartenstein

Hartenstein should be on fantasy managers’ radars after a career-best year in New York and another chance to join the starting five in Oklahoma City. Hartenstein should see more minutes for his new team, which could result in additional rebounds and defensive metrics. He’s a prototypical big man who can rack up double-doubles, steals and blocks while shooting at a high clip and rarely losing the ball. If you load up early at other positions, Hartenstein is an excellent, late-round C pick who could be acquired in the eighth or ninth round of the 2024-25 fantasy drafts.

One potential failure: Jalen Williams

He improved his production in Year 2, finishing 41st in fantasy value per game. Another top-50 season is certainly possible, but how much higher can he climb? After being drafted as a value pick in back-to-back seasons, Williams’ ADP has finally caught up to his numbers, and you’re likely to draft him close to his ceiling if you spend a mid-fourth-round pick on him. Hashtag Basketball’s early ADP has Williams at 41.8 on Yahoo, which could make him miss based on draft capital alone.

Remarkable number: 53.1

Oklahoma City allowed the fifth-most rebounds to opponents last season, which was surprisingly an improvement after allowing the most rebounds per game the previous two seasons. The Thunder made a clear attempt to address this rebounding deficit by signing Isaiah Hartenstein to a lucrative three-year, $87 million deal. Hartenstein will presumably become the team’s starting center, which will have a domino effect on the roster. Chet Holmgren will move to PF, Jalen Williams will move to SF and Lu Dort will come off the bench behind newcomer Alex Caruso, who will likely be the two guards alongside Shail Gilgeous-Alexander in the backcourt.

Portland Trail Blazers

2023-24 Record: 21-61

Pace: 97.8 (21st)

Offensive rating: 107.6 (29th)

Defensive rating: 116.6 (23rd)

One potential sleeper: Donovan Clingan

Portland has a backcourt full of young talent that would likely be a good fit for the team’s rebuilding efforts. Deandre Ayton and Robert Williams are certainly not old men, but it’s unclear whether Portland’s front office sees them as cornerstones of the franchise. Williams is likely on his way or ready to spend significant time on the bench after the Blazers invested the 7th pick in this year’s draft in UConn standout big man Donovan Clingan.

Clingan is a two-time NCAA champion with the Huskies, has a winning pedigree, and the big man can be an elite rebounder, shot-blocker, and efficient shooter at the next level, making him a valuable late-round sleeper pick. At worst, he should see 20+ minutes behind Ayton, and at best, he could become the starting center if Ayton is moved or forced to miss time.

One potential failure: Jerami Grant

Grant could be in line for a bounce-back season after noticeable dips in rebounds and blocks and an increase in turnovers in 2023-24. Those dips could also be the new normal for a player who has relied heavily on scoring and 3-pointers to maintain top-100 fantasy value in recent seasons. The emergence of other reliable scoring options in Scoot Henderson and Deni Avdija, as well as a quality rebounder and shot blocker in Donovan Clingan, means Grant could go outside of the 10th round for the second straight season.

Remarkable number: 11.5

Portland has made the 28th-most 3-pointers per game in 2023-24. That’s surprising considering the team has 3-point specialists Anfernee Simons and Jerami Grant, but the rest of the roster has struggled to consistently make shots from beyond the arc. Scoot Henderson can clearly improve his efficiency on all fronts, and Shaedon Sharpe should see a positive regression there as well. With rookie Deni Avdija shooting a career-best 37.6 percent from downtown last season, Portland’s 3-pointers should trend upward in 2024-25.

Utah jazz

Results 2023-2024: 31-51

Pace: 100.2 (10th)

Offensive review: 114.5 (18th)

Defensive rating: 119.6 (30th)

A potential sleeper: Keyonte George

After a slow start to his rookie campaign, George went to work and lit up opposing defenses. He tied the rookie record with nine made three-pointers in a game and had three games with 30 points. George was an erratic and often inefficient shooter, but when he felt like it, he was an excellent option on offense. He showed his playmaking skills as the season progressed, and George is an intriguing prospect heading into his second year with a likely starting position in his hands.

One possible failure: Collin Sexton

It’s extremely difficult to predict who on this team will be a bust due to the ridiculous early ADPs (according to Hashtag Basketball) of guys like Sexton, Walker Kessler, and John Collins. Still, Sexton could burn fantasy managers after his disappointing first season with the Jazz. Was last season’s comeback a mirage, or can the good times continue? Did Sexton get extra playing time due to the roster’s many injuries, or was he truly on the upswing? There aren’t any huge risks of bust on this team, but Sexton could be the one to disappoint.

Remarkable number: 14.8

Utah has allowed the most three-pointers per game and has allowed opponents an astonishing 39.5 percent (highest in the Association) shooting from beyond the arc. Utah needs perimeter defense and the team should get a boost from No. 10 pick Cody Williams, who projects as a quality perimeter defender thanks to his size, speed and athleticism. At 6-foot-5, 210 pounds, Isaiah Collier has the size and strength to be a solid perimeter defender. Both rookie first-rounders could see meaningful minutes right from the start.