Rizzla takes a look at his pre-free agency fantasy basketball rookie rankings.
With the NBA draft in the books and free agency barreling down on us, now is a good time to take an early look at what the rookie landscape may be like for the 2018-2019 season. We will avoid going to in depth in this edition as everything can change over the next two weeks as players are added to these teams.
1.01 – Zion Williamson (New Orleans)
Zion should be the first pick in mist rookie drafts. He very well may not turn out to be the best pro of this group, but he is almost assured to have a very fantasy friendly game. Think Giannis in Milwaukee where over half of his buckets come in the restricted area. Zion, like Giannis will be asked to lead transition breaks when he gets the defensive rebounds. He needs to develop a shot to become a true star in the league, but he can be a fantasy star right out of the gate due to immediately becoming the focal point of the Pelicans offense.
1.02 – RJ Barrett (Knicks)
With the way the Knicks free agency hopes are currently looking, RJ may be the number one option for the Knicks in 2019. If this is the case, Barrett can match Luka Doncic and become only the sixth rookie in the modern era to average 20 points, 5 rebounds, and 5 assists in their rookie season. Barrett is a special talent that was hidden by the Zion hype train. Don’t sleep.
1.03 – Ja Morant (Memphis)
Ja was handed the keys to the kingdom in Memphis and should have a whale of a time playing with emerging stud Jaren Jackson Jr. and rookie addition Brandon Clarke. Retaining Jonas Valanciunas would ensure Morant pushes to average over seven dimes per game.
1.04 – Coby White (Chicago)
He may not be the second most talented point guard in this class, but he is definitely the second most valuable one from a fantasy perspective. White should be given the starting role immediately in Chicago due to his vastly superior system fit vis a vis Kris Dunn. White is lightning quick and could see upwards of 30 minutes per game in the Windy City.
1.05 – Darius Garland (Cleveland)
While Garland is expected to be the one on the ball, landing in the same backcourt with Collin Sexton is a huge blow to Garland’s upside. Garland, one of the drafts biggest risers, Garland ended up in the lottery despite limited college action. He has the quicks and the handles to be a starter in this league but his shoot-first mentality is a questionable fit beside the aforementioned Sexton.
1.06 – Deandre Hunter (Atlanta)
Hunter seems primed for a major role in a wide open offense. He does not have the long term upside of some of the names behind him, but he does have a much higher floor. There is concern over what position he will actually be able to thrive in, but playing time and opportunity matter more for fantasy. The Hawks traded up for him with designs on making him a focal point of what they do on both ends of the floor.
1.07 – Cam Reddish (Atlanta)
Some, including those in the fantasy community, may be down on Cam Reddish. That is a mistake. He remains insanely talented and would likely be a top three pick if he did not choose to join Zion Williamson and RJ Barrett at Duke. He has handles, range and size and could very well end up as a better player than the Hawks pick at fourth overall in Deandre Hunter. Hopefully you draft early enough to steal Reddish before the hype train starts to pick up. Reddish could easily become one of the best young wings in the NBA.
1.08 – Jarrett Culver (Minnesota)
Culver projects as a possible three category contributor and that’s what has him ranked so highly. He was a ball handler at Texas Tech, and will be asked to play both on and off the ball in Minnesota. Depending on what the Timberwolves do in free agency he can may be tasked with being the primary ball handler beside a three point threat at the one.
1.09 – Bol Bol (Denver)
Bol Bol is an intriguing big man who can do it all. His tiny 209 pound listed weight on a 7’2 frame suggests he may be a year or two in the gym and with a nutritionist away from making a true impact in the NBA. Bol has a complete skill set and could turn into a marvelous stretch big if he can maintain his quicks through his weight gain.
1.10 – Rui Hachimura (Washington)
The first Japanese lottery pick has tantalizing upside. Rui is a bit of a do-it-all prospect who can shoot, defend and take his man off of the dribble. Washington is poor landing spot, but n dynasty we are betting on talent later in the first round. The Wizards are bound to make some moves to open up some playing time for Hachimura this offseason.
1.11 – Jaxson Hayes (New Orleans)
Hayes is a very intriguing prospect. At this point of the offseason, he is slated for an exciting role. He should see at least 28 minutes per game and could very well open the season as the starter at the five. He will start his career as a 12, 10, 1.5 type of center but could morph into a 16-12-2 type of player down the road. Make sure Hayes is on your radar late in the first round of early rookie drafts.
1.12 – Nickeil Alexander-Walker (New Orleans)
Shai Gilgeous-Alexander’s cousin is an exciting combo guard prospect that could pay serious dividends once a path to playing time opens up. NAW can play both on and off the ball, and can thrive as a spot up shooter in an offense that will be built around Zion Williamson. David Griffin did an exceptional job to grab a top prospect outside of the lottery.
