NBA Season Heats Up: Snellings' Top Fantasy Pickups
With the NBA season just over a week old, storylines are already taking shape. Luka Doncic put on an impressive show in his first two games with the Lakers before sitting out the third game, allowing Austin Reaves to shine.
Victor Wembanyama is dominating the court, blocking shots and dropping over 30 points per game, while Nikola Jokic is seeing triple-doubles despite struggling with his shot. The Philadelphia 76ers, despite Paul George's absence, are surprisingly in first place in the Eastern Conference due to Joel Embiid playing on a strict minutes limit.
These early performances make for an exciting product on the court and open up opportunities for under-the-radar players to make a name for themselves. Here are some top fantasy basketball pickups to consider this week.
PG: Dylan Harper
The second overall pick in the 2025 NBA draft, Harper was one of the most talented rookies at the Las Vegas Summer League. He's getting more playing time with De'Aaron Fox sidelined and is likely to continue performing well as a result.
PG: Egor Demin
Demin was the most skilled rookie from the Brooklyn Nets' first-round pick. Although he was injured for much of the preseason, he played well in his last game and has gotten off to a strong start in the NBA. He's poised to be an impact producer moving forward, particularly as a rebounding guard who can shoot the 3.
PG: Ajay Mitchell
Mitchell went from a two-way deal to a standard contract after playing himself into more significant roles with Jalen Williams out. He's solidifying his role as someone the Thunder can rely on when needed, and his ability to create his own shot makes him valuable in fantasy leagues.
SG: Ben Sheppard
Sheppard was set for a larger role this season due to Tyrese Haliburton's absence, but Andrew Nembhard also injured his shoulder. As a result, Sheppard is getting major minutes now and can contribute across the board as long as the Pacers ask him to carry that larger role.
SG: Walter Clayton Jr.
Clayton made a name for himself in college with dominant performances in the NCAA tournament. At the pro level, he had a strong preseason that has carried over into the regular season. With Isaiah Collier battling an injury, Clayton is getting meaningful minutes early in his rookie season and establishing himself as a rotation player with upside on the rebuilding Jazz.
SF: Dillon Brooks
The Suns start Brooks as a 3-and-D power forward but are calling upon him to step up into the second scorer slot while Jalen Green is out. As such, he should continue to produce at this level for at least as long as Green remains sidelined.
SF: Herbert Jones
Jones is known for his 3-and-D skills, and although he's shown some flashes as a scorer and rebounder, he becomes more valuable when you add in assists and blocks per night. This makes him a solid contributor in category leagues.
PF: Jerami Grant
Grant has averaged 19.5 points and 2.1 three-pointers over the past five seasons, making him a reliable scorer for the Trail Blazers. He's already shown he can heat up whether he's starting or off the bench, so his role is secure this season.
C: Ryan Kalkbrenner
Kalkbrenner was drafted in the second round of this year's NBA draft but has already earned the starting center job for the Hornets. He dominated as a rebounder and defender at Creighton and notched a double-double in his first NBA game.
With the NBA season just over a week old, storylines are already taking shape. Luka Doncic put on an impressive show in his first two games with the Lakers before sitting out the third game, allowing Austin Reaves to shine.
Victor Wembanyama is dominating the court, blocking shots and dropping over 30 points per game, while Nikola Jokic is seeing triple-doubles despite struggling with his shot. The Philadelphia 76ers, despite Paul George's absence, are surprisingly in first place in the Eastern Conference due to Joel Embiid playing on a strict minutes limit.
These early performances make for an exciting product on the court and open up opportunities for under-the-radar players to make a name for themselves. Here are some top fantasy basketball pickups to consider this week.
PG: Dylan Harper
The second overall pick in the 2025 NBA draft, Harper was one of the most talented rookies at the Las Vegas Summer League. He's getting more playing time with De'Aaron Fox sidelined and is likely to continue performing well as a result.
PG: Egor Demin
Demin was the most skilled rookie from the Brooklyn Nets' first-round pick. Although he was injured for much of the preseason, he played well in his last game and has gotten off to a strong start in the NBA. He's poised to be an impact producer moving forward, particularly as a rebounding guard who can shoot the 3.
PG: Ajay Mitchell
Mitchell went from a two-way deal to a standard contract after playing himself into more significant roles with Jalen Williams out. He's solidifying his role as someone the Thunder can rely on when needed, and his ability to create his own shot makes him valuable in fantasy leagues.
SG: Ben Sheppard
Sheppard was set for a larger role this season due to Tyrese Haliburton's absence, but Andrew Nembhard also injured his shoulder. As a result, Sheppard is getting major minutes now and can contribute across the board as long as the Pacers ask him to carry that larger role.
SG: Walter Clayton Jr.
Clayton made a name for himself in college with dominant performances in the NCAA tournament. At the pro level, he had a strong preseason that has carried over into the regular season. With Isaiah Collier battling an injury, Clayton is getting meaningful minutes early in his rookie season and establishing himself as a rotation player with upside on the rebuilding Jazz.
SF: Dillon Brooks
The Suns start Brooks as a 3-and-D power forward but are calling upon him to step up into the second scorer slot while Jalen Green is out. As such, he should continue to produce at this level for at least as long as Green remains sidelined.
SF: Herbert Jones
Jones is known for his 3-and-D skills, and although he's shown some flashes as a scorer and rebounder, he becomes more valuable when you add in assists and blocks per night. This makes him a solid contributor in category leagues.
PF: Jerami Grant
Grant has averaged 19.5 points and 2.1 three-pointers over the past five seasons, making him a reliable scorer for the Trail Blazers. He's already shown he can heat up whether he's starting or off the bench, so his role is secure this season.
C: Ryan Kalkbrenner
Kalkbrenner was drafted in the second round of this year's NBA draft but has already earned the starting center job for the Hornets. He dominated as a rebounder and defender at Creighton and notched a double-double in his first NBA game.
These early performances from some under-the-radar players got me hyped! I think it's awesome how Victor Wembanyama is dominating the court, blocking shots and dropping 30+ points per game 
. And I'm loving Austin Reaves' shine when Luka Doncic sat out his third game 
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. Ajay Mitchell's ability to create his own shot is so valuable in fantasy leagues 
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. The 76ers' Joel Embiid playing on a strict minutes limit is having a huge impact, and the Pacers' Ben Sheppard is carrying a larger role due to Tyrese Haliburton's absence 
.
! Victor Wembanyama is absolutely on fire 
. The Pacers are also getting a big boost from Ben Sheppard, who's stepping up into that larger role 
️.
. And can we talk about Dillon Brooks, who's killing it as the Suns' second scorer? 
but honestly he's been doing this for years and its about time ppl recognize him for it 
plus 19.5 points is no joke, thats like a solid scorer in my book 
i'm loving these early performances from some under-the-radar players 
dylan harper is looking like a solid pickup 
he's only 20 yrs old but already showing skills that'll make him a top fantasy player 
if he can keep up his current form, it could be worth holding onto him 
also, ben sheppard is looking like a great sleeper pick 
getting major minutes now, he's gotta contribute in multiple categories 
. I mean, who would've thought that Dylan Harper was going to become a top pickup in just his second week with De'Aaron Fox sidelined? 
The thing is, these guys are giving us reasons to keep tuning in to the games every night and I am HERE. FOR. IT 
.
️. What's up with Luka Doncic, though? He sat out that third game and then Austin Reaves had to step in... didn't sit well with me 
. Anyway, I'm hyped for these under-the-radar players to shine 
but egor demin's emergence is just as exciting #UnderTheRadarPlayers. ajay mitchell is another solid pickup, getting more playing time with jalen williams out 
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