Latest news with #Wemby
Time of India
2 hours ago
- Sport
- Time of India
Victor Wembanyama goes bald for a Shaolin monk retreat in China, sending NBA fans into a frenzy with the surprising new look
Images via X and Getty Images Victor Wembanyama's offseason doesn't look anything like you'd expect from a rising NBA superstar. No flashy vacations or wild nightlife. Instead, the 7-foot-3 San Antonio Spurs phenom is finding peace and purpose in the ancient halls of a Shaolin Temple in China. Photos of a bald Wemby meditating with monks have gone viral, and the internet is loving his transformation. But beneath the buzzcut and monk robes is a young athlete on a personal mission—one that's about growth, healing, and getting back to the game stronger than ever. Victor Wembanyama's Zen journey: From NBA star to Shaolin monk-in-training After his sophomore NBA season was cut short in February 2025 due to a deep vein thrombosis (DVT) in his right shoulder, Victor Wembanyama made it clear he wasn't going to waste time dwelling. Instead, he embraced the break with full intention. In early June, he traveled to Zhengzhou, China, to undergo a 10-day spiritual retreat at the historic Shaolin Temple, known globally for its deep-rooted martial arts traditions and meditative discipline. 'I think I did and I'm still doing the best we can do, taking care of my body and trusting the incredible work of the medical staff,' Wembanyama said in April while discussing his recovery timeline. 'I'm sure it's something I'm going to use to grow and be better.' This wasn't just a photo op. Wemby went all in. He shaved his head, donned the robes, and lived alongside the monks, meditating, training, and fully immersing himself in their strict way of life. According to reports, he even restructured his travel itinerary just to make the experience possible. His Shaolin retreat was part of a larger cultural dive through China, which included stops at the Great Wall, enjoying local food markets, and even training with fellow French draft hopeful Maxime Raynaud. Still, it was the monk life that captured the most attention, especially from fans. Monk Victor Wembanyama sparks buzz among NBA fans with bold new look and Shaolin retreat When images of a bald, robed Wembanyama hit social media, fans on X (formerly Twitter) lit up with reactions that blended pop culture, humor, and pure NBA curiosity. One user imagined the peaceful vibes getting crushed as soon as the season starts: 'N**ga doing all this just to have Anthony Edwards and Draymond Green disturb his peace the whole season 😭' The sentiment echoed a broader feeling: no matter how calm Wemby is now, the NBA grind will come calling. Another user saw business potential, suggesting Wemby's Shaolin vibes could be a marketing goldmine: 'There is a huge opportunity right here with @ SHAQ and Wemby to build off the Shaq Fu franchise —> This could be huge on the Switch 2, the stars are aligning @garyvee where you at' The idea? Wemby as the next-gen martial arts video game icon, possibly reviving Shaq's 90s-era Shaq Fu legacy. Wild, but honestly… not impossible. And then came the inevitable 'Avatar: The Last Airbender' reference—because of course it had to: 'Wemby gonna block way more shots next season using his newly acquired airbender skillset 💀' With his clean-shaven head and monk-like training, comparisons to animated monk-warriors were bound to surface. Enlightenment with elite rim protection? Trouble for the league. Also Read: Gregg Popovich steps down as Spurs head coach after 29 seasons to take over front office role Victor Wembanyama isn't just preparing for another NBA season—he's entering it transformed. With his health trending upward and his mindset sharpened by Shaolin discipline, the 2023–24 Rookie of the Year is coming back to San Antonio more than just physically ready. He's mentally dialed in. Monk Wemby might be calm and centered, but that doesn't mean he won't dominate the paint. This fall, the league won't just be facing a 7'3" phenom—they'll be facing one with inner peace and kung fu focus.
Yahoo
20-05-2025
- Sport
- Yahoo
Victor Wembanyama's Height is Catching Attention After New Video With WNBA Players
San Antonio Spurs star Victor Wembanyama saw his 2024-25 NBA season end prematurely due to a blood clot in his right shoulder. He ended up playing just 46 games and averaging 24.3 points, 11.3 rebounds, 3.7 assists and 3.8 blocks per game. Wembanyama was on track to win Defensive Player of the Year but became ineligible due to his failure to meet the 65-game requirement. Advertisement Furthermore, the Spurs ended up missing the playoffs, with the Spurs struggling more in the second half of the season in the absence of Wemby. The team finished with a 34-48 record, 13th in the Western Conference. Now, as Wembanyama recovers from his injury, he's also making sure to enjoy his offseason. On Monday, the 21-year-old center was spotted attending the Dallas Wings' game against the Seattle Storm at the College Park Center in Texas. The game featured two prominent French players: Storm rookie Dominique Malonga and guard Gabby Williams. After the game, the NBA All-Star shared a moment with the two, greeting and chatting with them. When the WNBA shared a video of their interactions, though, fans couldn't help but notice Victor Wembanyama's height. Advertisement The 2024 Rookie of the Year is officially listed as 7-foot-3 on the NBA website. Dominique Malonga stands at 6-foot-6, while Gabby Williams is 5-foot-11. "Wemby is tall as [expletive]," a commenter wrote. Another one said, "Wemby is a [expletive] alien." A fan observed about Williams as she stood alongside Wembanyama, "lol, Gabby looks so small." "Wemby is just too tall, God," a social media user remarked. "Wemby is not a real human being," a follower shared. A sixth supporter noted on Instagram, "I thought Dom was tall bruh, Wemby made her look like a middle school." Dominique Malonga poses with WNBA commissioner Cathy EngelbertVincent Carchietta-Imagn Images Wembanyama has always drawn attention for his height, and it certainly won't be the last time fans talk about his physical gift, especially as he establishes his career in the NBA. Related: Fans in Awe After 6-Foot-6 WNBA Rookie Dunked Effortlessly
NBC Sports
01-05-2025
- Sport
- NBC Sports
San Antonio Spurs 2024-25 fantasy basketball season recap: Future is bright in Alamo City
While the NBA Playoffs are in full swing, now is a good time to recap the fantasy basketball season for all 30 teams. In the following weeks, we will provide a recap for each team, starting with the team with the worst record and concluding with the NBA champion in June. Next up in the series are the San Antonio Spurs. Key injuries have been a theme among the bottom teams, but the Spurs boast one of the most encouraging outlooks in the Association heading into next season. San Antonio Spurs 2024-2025 Season Recap Record: 34-48 (13th, West) Offensive Rating: 113.5 (19th) Defensive Rating: 116.3 (25th) Net Rating: -2.8 (22nd) Pace: 100.08 (13th) 2025 NBA Draft Picks: 6.6 percent chance of winning the lottery via their own pick and an unprotected pick owed to them from the Hawks via the Dejounte Murray trade; Pick No. 38 Don't let the 13th seed in the West trick you into thinking the Spurs weren't a wildly improved team in 2024-25. San Antonio's win total improved from 22 wins in each of the last two seasons to 34. The win total is tied for the best mark over the last six seasons, and the Spurs are on the rise. San Antonio went 21-25 with Victor Wembanyama available and just 13-23 without him. Losing Wemby after the break and losing De'Aaron Fox for the end of the campaign certainly hurt the team's record, and the Spurs could have easily been a .500 team with Wemby and Fox available. Number four pick Steph Castle won Rookie of the Year, joining Wemby as back-to-back winners on the same team. Castle came on strong to end the campaign, and the Spurs now sport a strong young core featuring Castle, Wemby and Fox, with an excellent fourth option in Devin Vassell. With plenty of cap space to address some needs (most glaringly in the front court), the Spurs are locked and loaded to take the next step in 2025-26 and compete as a legitimate playoff threat in the loaded Western Conference. Let's recap last season's fantasy performances and look ahead to 2025-26. Fantasy Standout: Victor Wembanyama Surprise, surprise. If anyone could dethrone Nikola Jokic and Shai Gilgeous-Alexander as fantasy's top player, it had to be Wemby. The second-year man has apparently never heard of a sophomore slump as he averaged 24.3 points, 11 rebounds, 3.7 assists, 1.1 steals, 3.1 triples and 3.8 swats. For the second straight season, he comfortably led the NBA in blocked shots, deriving significant fantasy value from his dominance in that category. He set new career-best marks in points, boards, triples and blocked shots and improved his shooting across the board. Wembanyama knocked down 47.6% of his attempts from the field, 83.6% from the charity stripe and 35.2% from beyond the arc. Most notably, his free throw attempts dropped from 5.2 to 4.1 while his three-point attempts ballooned from 5.5 to 8.8. Wemby finished with a number of new career highs, including a 50-point game against the Wizards on November 13 in which he nailed eight triples. He set a new career-best mark in assists when he handed out 11 in a 34/14/11 game against the Kings to record his second career triple-double. He also grabbed a career-high 23 rebounds against the Nuggets on January 4. Unfortunately for Wemby, he didn't return after the All-Star break due to deep vein thrombosis in his right shoulder. He appeared in 46 of the team's first 52 games before missing the remainder of the season. After undergoing surgery on March 27, he's expected to be ready for training camp, and fantasy managers can target him with the first overall pick in 2025-26 drafts. As crazy as it sounds, the best is still yet to come for the phenomenal Frenchman. Fantasy Revelation: Stephon Castle Castle finished the season ranked just inside the top 300 in per-game fantasy value, but he was absolutely a revelation in his inaugural campaign. Castle averaged 14.7 points, 3.7 rebounds and 4.1 assists across 26.7 minutes as a rookie, but his numbers were better as a starter, and he closed out the 2024-25 campaign with some monster counting stats. Across 47 starts, he averaged 16.6 points, 4.0 rebounds and 4.9 assists, including averages of 19.7 points, 5.4 rebounds and 6.2 assists over the final 18 games of the season. Castle took things to a new level over the final eight games of the season, and his 18.9 points, 6.9 rebounds and 7.5 assists vaulted him into the top 120 in per-game fantasy value during that span. The UConn product posted two 30-point games, including a career-high 33 points at Charlotte on February 7. He corralled 15 rebounds against Denver on April 2, and he dished 14 assists against the 76ers on March 21. Castle's versatility as a scorer, rebounder and facilitator were on full display over the final month of the season, and his outlook is bright. His poor shooting percentages from the field and the charity stripe dragged his overall fantasy value down, but rookies and efficiency don't always go hand-in-hand. The reigning Rookie of the Year can boost his fantasy stock considerably with improvements as a shooter and a small bump in defensive contributions. He's got a monster ceiling heading into 2025-26. De'Aaron Fox: Fox came over to San Antonio in early February by way of a three-team deal that sent Zach LaVine to Sacramento and multiple players to Chicago. In 17 games with the Spurs, Fox averaged 19.7 points, 4.3 rebounds, 6.8 dimes, 1.5 steals and 1.5 triples. His scoring dropped, but his assists increased after averaging 25 points and 6.1 dimes with Sacramento before the trade. Fox had a strong Spurs debut, going for 24/5/13 in a 126-125 win over the Hawks, and he nearly triple-doubled in his final game of the season, as he posted 32/9/11 against the Mavericks in a 126-116 victory. Fox should be healthy to start the 2025-26 campaign after undergoing season-ending surgery to repair tendon damage in his left pinky on March 13. Numbers similar to those he produced in his first 17 games with the Spurs wouldn't be surprising, and fantasy managers can confidently draft him as a mid-round PG. Devin Vassell: Vassell missed the first nine games of the season and 14 of the first 18 due to a foot injury, but he enjoyed a productive season once he returned. Vassell averaged 16.7 points, 4.6 rebounds, 2.7 dimes, 1.5 steals, 0.6 blocks and 2.7 triples. He shot 45.2% from the floor, 85.1% from the charity stripe and 38.5% from beyond the arc and committed just 1.2 turnovers. He finished as a top 80 per-game fantasy player for the third straight season, and he's been a top-100 guy in each of the last four. Vassell posted career highs in points and boards with a 37/11/5/4/1 performance against the Nets on March 4. As a key contributor for the up-and-coming Spurs, expect strong production moving forward and another top-100 finish in 2025-26. Chris Paul: The veteran shocked NBA fans and fantasy managers alike when he appeared in all 82 games for the first time since 2014-15 and just the second time in his career. Paul finished 83rd in per-game fantasy value behind averages of 8.8 points, 3.6 rebounds, 7.4 assists, 1.3 steals and 1.7 triples while committing just 1.6 turnovers. He shot just 42.7% from the floor but canned 37.7% of his tries from long distance and sank 92.4% of his attempts from the charity stripe. CP3 was a worthwhile fantasy option and strong veteran presence for an emerging Spurs squad. He's played for three teams in as many seasons, and he turned 40 in May. It's unclear if he'll return for another season, but if he does, he makes sense as a late-rounder in 2025-26 fantasy drafts. Harrison Barnes: A model of durability, Barnes appeared in all 82 games for the third straight season, averaging 12.3 points, 3.8 rebounds, 1.7 assists and 1.9 triples across 27.2 minutes. Barnes' minutes were his fewest since his rookie campaign in 2012-13, though he was highly efficient with his reduced playing time. The veteran shot 50.8% from the field, 80.9% from the charity stripe and a career-high 43.3% from beyond the arc. As usual, Barnes had some random big games, as he scored at least 20 points in five of the Spurs' final eight and sunk a game-winning three against his former team, the Golden State Warriors on April 9. Barnes will be available, so managers looking for stability can draft him late. On a per-game basis, he's not going to offer strong production. Jeremy Sochan: Injuries limited Sochan to just 54 games (23 starts), and he logged a career-low 25.3 minutes per game. He averaged 11.4 points, 6.5 rebounds, 2.4 assists and 1.3 'stocks' while shooting 53.5% from the floor. He knocked down only 69.6% of his free throws and 30.8% of his three-pointers. The 22-year-old provided numbers similar to Years 1 and 2, and his outlook for Year 4 looks to be about the same. The Spurs' top producers will be Wemby, Fox and Castle, with Vassell offering solid numbers as the No. 4. For everyone else, they'll fill the rotational minutes without a ton of upside. That's true of Sochan, who is a strong on-court defender but doesn't offer a ton to fantasy managers in the box score. Julian Champagnie: Champagnie enjoyed the most productive run of his young career, averaging 23.6 minute across 82 appearances and averaging 9.9 points, 3.9 rebounds, 1.4 assists, 0.7 steals and 2.2 triples. He shot 41.5% from the floor but knocked down 90.4% of his free throw attempts and 37.1% of his tries from long range. Champagnie started 29 games and saw modest improvements in his counting stats while running with the first unit. He's missed just eight games over the last two seasons and proven his reliability as a floor-spacer and offensive sparkplug. He'll likely earn rotational minutes next season, but there are a lot of mouths to feed in San Antonio, so Champagnie is not someone to draft in leagues of most sizes. Keldon Johnson: Johnson's role diminished significantly in Year 6, as he logged just 23.9 minutes per game, his fewest since his rookie campaign in 2019-20. He averaged 12.7 points, 4.8 boards, 1.6 dimes, 0.6 steals and 1.1 triples while shooting 48.2/77.3/31.8 splits. For the first season of his career, Johnson didn't start a single game, and he finished outside the top 200 in per-game fantasy value. With Steph Castle still ascending and De'Aaron Fox ready to play his first full season with San Antonio, don't expect more playing time or touches for Johnson in Year 7. He's not a draftable option in 2025-26 fantasy basketball. Restricted Free Agents: Harrison Ingram, David Duke Jr., Riley Minix Unrestricted Free Agents: Chris Paul, Jordan McLaughlin, Sandro Mamukelashvili, Charles Bassey, Bismack Biyombo Club Option: None Player Option: None
Yahoo
24-04-2025
- Sport
- Yahoo
Victor Wembanyama Looks Healthy While Playing Soccer In Viral Video
Victor Wembanyama has found a way to stay in the spotlight—even in the offseason. The San Antonio Spurs phenom has been vacationing in Costa Rica, and while most NBA players might kick back and relax, Wemby's out here putting on a show. Advertisement First, it was on the hardwood at the Los Angeles de La Fortuna Sports Center in San Carlos, where the 7-foot-4 Frenchman casually launched shots like he never left the NBA floor. Then came the soccer field. San Antonio Spurs center Victor Wembanyama.© Ed Szczepanski-Imagn Images Wemby surprised a group of young local athletes by hopping into their pickup soccer match. Not only did he play for more than an hour, but he also took photos, signed autographs, and—naturally—drew a crowd as word got out that a real-life NBA All-Star was in town. The most encouraging part? He looked completely healthy. Wembanyama missed the final stretch of the NBA season after undergoing a procedure to treat deep vein thrombosis in his right shoulder. Advertisement That scare sidelined what had been a Defensive Player of the Year-caliber campaign. But seeing him moving freely on the soccer field, without restriction or discomfort, is an early sign that he's on track for a full recovery. Spurs fans weren't just entertained—they were relieved. 'This is the funniest thing I've seen in my life,' one fan wrote. 'Dude is a giant,' another added. 'Wemby is like that one friend that isn't bad at anything… it's just annoying,' someone joked. 'Imagine getting crossed up and scored on by somebody that is 7'4…' a user posted. 'This is why his footwork and mobility are so good for a big man,' another pointed out. Looks like Costa Rica is doing wonders for Wemby's health and highlight reel. Advertisement Let's hope the progress continues for one of the NBA's biggest stars. Related: Patrick Mahomes Reveals His Mindset After Super Bowl Letdown Related: Kirby Smart, Georgia Trending For Nation's Top QB
Yahoo
15-04-2025
- Sport
- Yahoo
Way-too-early top 50 fantasy basketball rankings for the 2025-26 NBA season
The offseason is where the real madness begins. Coaching and front office shuffling are underway, while incoming prospects, trades and free agent signings can turn fantasy rankings upside down before you know it. These projections are an early look based on what we know now and the lessons we've picked up (sometimes the hard way) from last season. Things will evolve, so consider this your starting map for navigating the 10-team, 9-category league draft chaos. Some housekeeping before we start: I'm excluding anyone without a timetable for return (Kyrie Irving, Joel Embiid, Trey Murphy III and Dejounte Murray) until we have more information. Advertisement Let's get rolling on the initial top-50 heading into next fantasy hoops season. Tier 1 (Picks 1-10) 1. Nikola Jokić, Denver Nuggets Who cares who his coach is? Jokić is the fantasy basketball GOAT. The man averaged a 30-point triple-double this season and over a steal per game with an elite 58/42/80 shooting split. More importantly, you can count on him for 70+ games a year. Wemby's fun, but Jokić wins leagues. 2. Victor Wembanyama, San Antonio Spurs A blood clot in his shoulder cut short a top-3 fantasy season. However, Wemby is progressing and is pacing towards being ready for this third NBA campaign. The keys to overtaking Jokić are availability and increasing his efficiency, but it's more than possible as he's a true fantasy unicorn on both sides of the ball. 3. Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, Oklahoma City Thunder One could argue that SGA has a higher floor than Wemby, so taking SGA at two isn't out of the question. Still, I have him locked in at No. 3. SGA will be among the league leaders in points, FT% and steals, and his reliability is unquestioned. His all-around efficiency, plus stocks, make him an elite fantasy asset. 4. Luka Dončić, Los Angeles Lakers LeBron James will be another year older, plus Luka is pretty much a lock for 28/8/7 every year despite the debates over his fitness and diet. He's also unlikely to shoot a career-low 44% from the field since joining the Lakers. 5. Karl-Anthony Towns, New York Knicks There's a lot to like about KAT in NYC. He plays heavy minutes and is coming off a monster season, dropping 24-and-12 nightly with top-tier efficiency. He should be the third big man off the board. 6. Jayson Tatum, Boston Celtics Steady and unshakable, Tatum isn't flashy, but he's one of the most reliable fantasy players. Grab him here and bank on solid stats across the board. 7. Tyrese Maxey, Philadelphia 76ers I have minimal faith in Joel Embiid or Paul George next season and Maxey's was a top-12 option before getting hurt late in the season. With All-Star type volume and usage, he's cemented himself as a first-rounder in 9-cat leagues. Ride the Philly wave. 8. Tyrese Haliburton, Indiana Pacers Haliburton provides top-tier assists and delivers consistent value. The only slight knock on his game is durability concerns, but the upside here is well worth it. 9. Anthony Davis, Dallas Mavericks No player screams 'risk-reward' like AD. He's per-game elite when healthy. The problem? You'll spend more time checking injury updates than enjoying his dominant performances. 10. Giannis Antetokounmpo, Milwaukee Bucks The free throws are a tragedy, but if your build accommodates punting that category, Giannis is still one of the most dominant players in fantasy hoops. Only a couple of players are capable of averaging 30/10/5 consistently. Tier 2 (Picks 11-20) 11. Stephen Curry, Golden State Warriors Older? Yes. Slowing down? Not really. Curry remains a top-15 option for his top-end contributions in scoring, 3s and FT percentage. At age 37, he finished 9th in 9-cat leagues this season. 12. Cade Cunningham, Detroit Pistons The budding star of Detroit's offense finally delivered on his potential. Before the 2024-2025 season, Cunningham hadn't finished higher than 82nd in 9-cat leagues. He finished in the top 30 this season and if you ignore the high turnover rate, he's a first-round player. 13. Anthony Edwards, Minnesota Timberwolves I liken Edwards to Tatum in the sense that you know you'll get an ultra-competitor who'll play more than 70 games. He's still ascending, averaging a career-best 28 points per game so paying a second-rounder for a guy on the verge of superstardom is the right move. 14. James Harden, Los Angeles Clippers Harden turned back the clock, especially in the fantasy playoffs. Many wrote him off but he raised the floor for the Clippers all season. Punt FG% and you have a near top-10 player. 15. Kristaps Porziņģis, Boston Celtics I'm keeping my fingers crossed that his body cooperates because when healthy, Porziņģis is one of the best shooting big men available, able to block shots at a high rate. 16. Donovan Mitchell, Cleveland Cavaliers Spida is falling a smidge due to the growth of his burgeoning supporting cast. Still, Cleveland's offense runs through him, and he is a top-20 player averaging 24/5/5 with 3 3s and over a steal per game. 17. Jalen Williams, Oklahoma City Thunder Williams' strengths are efficiency and versatility. He had four position eligibility this season while putting up career-highs across several categories in his first All-Star campaign. He's got upside for more as a second-round pick. 18. Jalen Brunson, New York Knicks The Knicks' engine continues to churn out elite nightly production. And as long as he's running the show and soaking up 35 minutes a night, he'll be a strong PG option early on in drafts. 19. Domantas Sabonis, Sacramento Kings Sabonis is an elite rebounder and assist generator at the center spot. If you punt FT%, he's a top-15 option in 9-cat and a beast for points leagues. 20. Damian Lillard, Milwaukee Bucks Lillard will miss the start of the NBA Playoffs, but it sounds like his health is progressing in the right direction. Lillard is 1B to Giannis in Milwaukee, so his ADP should always be within the first two rounds. Tier 3 (Picks 21-30) 21. Devin Booker, Phoenix Suns Depending on Phoenix's roster moves, Booker's value could skyrocket as a score-first point guard or remain an elite scorer who settles in around an early third-round pick. 22. LaMelo Ball, Charlotte Hornets When healthy, his per-game impact is phenomenal for a punt FG% and turnovers build. Drafting LaMelo requires injury tolerance, but the upside is undeniable. 23. LeBron James, Los Angeles Lakers The ageless wonder remains elite. Draft him here and expect a few load management nights, but otherwise, getting Luka to LA extended Bron's shelf life. 24. Kevin Durant, Phoenix Suns It looks like KD will be playing for another team next season, so his value could rise or stay around this area, depending on the destination. When active, his a model of consistency and efficiency. 25. Scottie Barnes, Toronto Raptors The point forward's value is tethered to the Raptors using him as the primary facilitator. I'm concerned that he'll get fewer touches as Brandon Ingram enters the fold and Immanuel Quickley and others get healthy ahead of next season. He gets counting stats for days on offense and defense, though. 26. Evan Mobley, Cleveland Cavaliers 2024-2025 was the breakout we anticipated. I expect his ADP to rise and he'll be a solid pick in the third round. 27. Alperen Şengün, Houston Rockets A 90th finish in 9-cat leagues is not what fantasy managers expected from Şengün. However, I'm not concerned because he's a dynamic center who can do it all — except make free throws consistently. The Rockets are a serious threat in the West and he'll be a significant part of their success. 28. Trae Young, Atlanta Hawks Young will compete with Tyrese Haliburton and Nikola Jokić for leading the league in assists. He's also one of a few players capable of averaging 20-and-10. Just account for frequent FG% woes when constructing your roster. 29. Jaren Jackson Jr., Memphis Grizzlies I'm not a big JJJ guy in fantasy because he doesn't rebound like most bigs and blocks can be random. I'd rather take him in the fourth round but someone always reaches to chase his block potential. 30. Jalen Johnson, Atlanta Hawks His breakout before injury wasn't a fluke. Johnson fills numerous categories and plays a modern fantasy-friendly game. Tier 4 (Picks 31-40) 31. Dyson Daniels, Atlanta Hawks Efficiency, defense, and sneaky offensive contributions make Daniels one of the biggest draft risers. If he can improve the FT%, he could get to a first-round grade. 32. Chet Holmgren, Oklahoma City Thunder Chet is like Porziņģis in terms of his fantasy skill set. Much of his value will be predicated on his ability to stay healthy. 33. Amen Thompson, Houston Rockets Don't be surprised if you find him in the third round of my future rankings. He's a marvel with counting stats and some cheat code elements to his game. 34. Jimmy Butler, Golden State Warriors Although his scoring may dip from night to night as a member of the Warriors, he got paid and is a two-way player who has sustained top-25 value since being traded to Golden State. 35. Derrick White, Boston Celtics White hasn't missed a beat since being in Boston and continues to be an unheralded fantasy asset, especially on defense. 36. Tyler Herro, Miami Heat Coming off his best season as a pro, Herro's fantasy stock couldn't be higher, which scares me a bit from an ADP standpoint. 37. Ivica Zubac, Los Angeles Clippers Any center tied to James Harden is good in my book. Zu's breakout wasn't a fluke and he could be a top-5 big man next year. 38. Franz Wagner, Orlando Magic Wagner is far more efficient and offers more stocks with fewer turnovers than his teammate Paolo Banchero. Orlando's offense is terrible, so Wagner has a ton of upside for more. 39. Kawhi Leonard, Los Angeles Clippers Leonard was elite down the stretch, even playing on back-to-backs. I'm hyped to see if he can keep this up during the playoffs. Ensure you have an IL+ spot handy because he won't play over 50 games. 40. Austin Reaves, Los Angeles Lakers I thought his value would dip once Luka came through, but it only improved. I expect some regression and would ideally target Reaves in the fifth instead of the fourth round. He's still in a great situation on a contending team. Advertisement Tier 5 (Picks 41-50) 41. Desmond Bane, Memphis Grizzlies The Grizzlies take turns on the injured list, but I have faith in Bane. He showed more growth as a playmaker this season and with Ja Morant so unreliable, Bane gets a boost. 42. OG Anunoby, New York Knicks Watching OG become the third-best player on the Knicks has been a lot of fun. I'm banking on him taking this momentum into next season — assuming the Knicks don't make any high-profile moves in the offseason. 43. Bam Adebayo, Miami Heat 44. Jarrett Allen, Cleveland Cavaliers A big man who gets double-doubles with more than a block per game. Consistent but unspectacular. 45. Darius Garland, Cleveland Cavaliers 46. Myles Turner, Indiana Pacers 47. Nikola Vučević, Chicago Bulls Let's see what the offseason holds, but Vuc was one of the best values this season. 48. Paolo Banchero, Orlando Magic He finished 55th in 9-cat leagues this season. It's up from here. 49. Jamal Murray, Denver Nuggets 50. Jaylen Brown, Boston Celtics Brown was injured for much of the campaign, and with Boston playing for championships, I'd consider this a down season. I'll buy the dip heading into next season.
