NBA Fantasy: How Many Days Until Next Season Starts?
Now that we’ve had some time to digest that the NBA Finals are over and the Oklahoma City Thunder are World Champions, it is time to ask the question on the minds of NBA fantasy aficionados everywhere…
Now what?
The new season does not start until October 21, 2025, and that’s…a long way off. With how hot it is outside these days, it would require too much effort to figure out how long the wait will be. Regardless, the question remains the same: now what?
Well, we’ve got options. Let’s talk about one of them:
Fantasy Impact of Some Recent Trades
You can’t be too prepared, right? Let’s do some early homework for next year. Now we’ve already seen a few big trades, and we are bound to see more during and after the NBA Draft. So, let’s take a look at a few that have already occurred:
Desmond Bane (from Memphis) to the Orlando Magic for Kentavious Caldwell-Pope, Cole Anthony, Draft Picks
According to FantasyData.com, Bane was a top ten shooting guard for fantasy purposes last year, averaging 35.2 fantasy points per game. That was third best behind Ja Morant (38.2) and Jaren Jackson Jr. (35.4).
Both of them will likely be more involved on the offensive end, boosting their fantasy value. Role players like Scotty Pippen Jr., Santi Aldama, and Luke Kennard could be asked to help fill the void on any given night, potentially making them worth drafting in deeper leagues or as a cheap roster spot filler with the potential to have a good night for DFS players.
As for Bane and his new team, Paolo Banchero will still be the lead, but Bane could eat into the overall value of Franz Wagner by taking away touches and/or playing time. There may be more of a chance he takes away from Jalen Suggs’ worth.
Bane will likely see stats and fantasy points similar to what he had last season.
Kevin Durant to the Houston Rockets
I have to admit, as a Rockets fan, when I heard about this trade, I cringed. I know all about the greatness that's KD, but he’s no spring chicken anymore; he’ll miss time due to injuries, and they've given up some good players.
But the worst part about it (besides KD being from TU) is that the squads that have had him since his brief tenure with Golden State have grossly underachieved.
As for his fantasy impact, Durant averaged 41.2 fantasy points per game last season for an underperforming Phoenix Suns team. Last season, he averaged 26.6 points, 6.0 rebounds, 4.2 assists, 0.8 steals, 1.2 blocks, and 2.6 three-pointers.
For a Houston team that was one of the most inefficient on offense last season, his impact will undoubtedly be significant and immediate. With Jalen Green and Dillon Brooks gone as part of the trade, it would not be shocking to see Amen Thompson (33 fantasy ppg) and Tari Eason (25.9 fantasy ppg) become more productive.
As for the Suns, Phoenix now has a bit of a logjam on the perimeter with Green, Brooks, Bradley Beal, and Devin Booker. Brooks will be more of a defensive presence for the Suns (who were terrible on D last season) and not much of an option for fantasy.
Green will end up joining a rotation that already includes Devin Booker and Bradley Beal. That will certainly not be good for his fantasy value, but there has been talk that the Suns may try to move on from Beal via buyout.
Jrue Holiday to Portland/Anfernee Simons to Boston
Simmons was one of the primary scoring options for the Trail Blazers last year and averaged 29.1 fantasy ppg. In Boston, he’ll certainly be further down the pecking order. His three-point shooting will fit right in with what the Celtics like to do, but his shortcomings on the defensive end will likely cost him time on the court.
With Jayson Tatum out, he could see a few more shots and be given a little more grace on the defensive end. But as the team is currently constituted, I’m not excited about Simmons’ fantasy value heading into next season.
As for Jrue Holiday, at one time, he was a solid addition to any fantasy roster. But those days are in the rearview mirror. He didn’t bring much to the table for fantasy players (23.1 fantasy ppg) in Boston, and it’s unclear if that will change in Portland.
His value for Portland may come as a veteran presence that can run the offense from the point, potentially making the offense a bit more stable. While that will hopefully result in a few more wins for the Trail Blazers, it will not do much for his fantasy value.
