While we already took a stab at rookie rankings back in August, with the summer league and preseason now complete and roles now more clearly defined fantasy projections are easier to make. We our taking a long term look here as these are rankings for dynasty leagues and not redraft leagues where the order would be much different.
Jaren Jackson Jr has the makings of a first round fantasy talent. While he may not get the opportunity to fully display it this year there will be flashes of brilliance. Triple J is capable of exceeding Nikola Jokic in fantasy value and can be a rebound and blocked shots monster with two plus threes per game. The Grizzlies will also use him at the four which should greatly help him until he puts on some man muscle. Jackson is our top dynasty rookie.
DeAndre Ayton has looked better than advertised and should be an 18 and 10 threat from opening night. If he can continue to block shots and hit threes consistently he could find his way to second round fantasy value.There was some concern about his ability to do the former but he surprised everyone in the preseason and is showing a commitment to that end of the floor.
Luka Doncic has no holes in his NBA game and should have a large role for the Mavericks. We would have Doncic higher if he landed on a team that desired to utilize him as their starting point guard. As it stands Doncic still looks to have a path to top-50 fantasy value which the potential for much, much more depending how aggressive he proves to be on the offensive end.
Wendell Carter has the makings of a quiet fantasy star in the mold of an Al Horford with more consistent range from deep. He may max out as an 15 and 8 guy when the Bulls are at full strength but should chip in a healthy dose of threes, assists, blocks and steals buoying his fantasy value. Carter is of course ranked at a premium as he is center eligible but has every chance to solidify his case to be ranked ahead of the names below him on this list.
Mo Bamba has is still a little raw but much like Jaren Jackson possesses tantalizing fantasy upside. Bamba projects as a per 36 leader in rebounds and blocks and also possesses a developing three point shot. Our best comparison is to meld the Serge Ibaka of old with the Serge Ibaka of new, meaning the block shot prowess he used to display with the three point range he shows now. Bamba may never be a 18 ppg scorer but if he can indeed develop a consistent shot from deep could turn into a fantasy superstar.
Michael Porter Jr may very well redshirt the entire 2018-19 NBA season but easily projects as the best scorer in this class and is the player most likely, health permitting, to become a true go to NBA superstar. While more patience will need to be exercised with Porter than the other rookies on this list Porter has a good a chance as anyone on this list to become a legit top ten fantasy asset. Porter does come with some long term risk due to his concerning injury history which is why he is not higher on this list. We cannot overemphasize how special of a talent Porter is, he is a player to try to stash if a rival owner does not know what he is potentially sitting on.
Trae Young possesses mammoth upside as far as fantasy basketball is concerned. While the Stephen Curry comparisons are a little far fetched he does have a ceiling that could see him put up numbers like Lou Williams did for the Clippers last season with 22 pts, two plus 3ptm, with a handful of rebounds, 6 assists and a steal per game. If he can realize that potential we would have likely ranked him too low but his floor is the more concerning aspect especially when it comes to his percentage from deep. Young however should get every opportunity to develop in Atlanta after they jettisoned Dennis Schroeder and will find his way to fantasy relevance one way or another just based on the sheer volume of three pointers he is expected to take and make. The volume will certainly be there in year one but how he responds when more talent is injected into the roster in future years will determine his long term fantasy success.
Marvin Bagley is an instant double double threat and if he can shoot at a decent clip could threaten 20-10 in his rookie season. These numbers are likely to dip however as the talent around him matures and the Kings add new pieces in the coming seasons. From a fantasy perspective think a poor man’s Blake Griffin with less passing ability which still projects as a solid fantasy asset.
Collin Sexton should take over as the starting point guard for the Cleveland Cavaliers sooner rather than later. As an obvious talent upgrade from George Hill, only the desire to showcase him for a potential trade to a team like the Phoenix Suns will keep Hill in the starting lineup. Regardless Sexton will see the floor a lot as a rookie before becoming a top-20 fantasy point guard for the next decade.
Shai Gilgeous-Alexander is the starting point guard of the future for the Los Angeles Clippers and that opportunity could come as soon as this year. Long term SGA may possess the highest fantasy ceiling of all the point guards in this class but also has the lowest floor of the big four. SGA could have a star or two join him in Los Angeles which would provide a huge boost for his fantasy value in the assists department.
