Brooklyn

Nets

Simmons’ hype as a late-round sleeper in fantasy hoops has been building all summer, and it’s beginning to reach fever-pitch levels of excitement. This latest update means we can expect quality assists, rebounds, defensive stats and FG% at the very least. We won’t hold our breath for three-pointers or serviceable shooting from the charity stripe, but for what he does well, Simmons can be an excellent addition to your fantasy squad, especially given the discounted price tag.

Claxton’s fourth NBA season was the best of his career to date, as he appeared in 76 games and posted averages of 12.6 points, 9.2 rebounds, 1.9 assists, 0.9 steals, and 2.5 blocked shots in 29.9 minutes. Having established himself as the Nets’ top option in the middle, Claxton is well-positioned to build on his 2022-23 season, especially with this being a contract year. And that’s what Dinwiddie is expecting, based on his comments during an appearance on the “NetsPress Experience Podcast.” “I think Nic is going to make the biggest jump,” Dinwiddie said. “I think he’s going to be supremely motivated. I think we’re going to see a big-time year from him.” Claxton finished last season as a top-25 player in 9-cat formats, outperforming his Yahoo ADP by a considerable margin. While he may not be selected that high in drafts, Clax should be off the board by the end of the third round in most leagues.

USA demolished Italy 100-63, showing that Sunday’s loss to Lithuania was far in the rearview. Bridges finished last season hot as Brooklyn’s go-to option on offense, showcasing his versatility as one of the game’s best two-way players. He’s shooting up boards in early fantasy drafts, going inside the first two rounds in some cases. More strong FIBA World Cup play will likely push his ADP even higher.

Whitehead, the 22nd overall pick in June’s draft, underwent a second surgical procedure on his right foot on June 7. While there remains no timeline for a return to the court, the former Duke standout was seen at a recent event walking without either a limp or a protective boot on his foot. “Rehab is going great. Foot feeling good. Definitely not trying to give it a definite timetable right now, just trying to take it day by day,” Whitehead told the New York Post. “But everything’s feeling good, and just looking forward to approaching the season, getting back to 100 percent.” While it was said in early June that Whitehead will be ready for training camp, he clearly wasn’t interested in locking in a date for a return himself. And with the Nets’ perimeter rotation boasting multiple productive veterans, Whitehead is a rookie that managers in redraft leagues would be wise to avoid.

Simmons has struggled to stay on the court throughout his NBA career, but when available, he’s proven to be a quality fantasy option, despite glaring deficiencies in a number of categories. Simmons’ ADP is in the toilet based on early drafts, and he can likely be had for a major discount. His combination of light draft capital and relatively high ceiling make him an intriguing sleeper pick for fantasy hoops.

The forward averaged 7.4 points, 3.8 rebounds and 2.1 assists across 19.1 minutes for Portland last season, but he’ll likely see his role reduced in Brooklyn this season. Watford isn’t on the fantasy radar in most leagues.

After performing well for the Nets’ Summer League team in Las Vegas, Brooks has been rewarded with a two-way contract. While he has appeared in 74 NBA games, Brooks spent all of last season in the G League with the College Park Skyhawks. While he’s capable of providing 3-point shooting, the majority of Brooks’ minutes are likely to come with the Nets’ G League affiliate next season.

Wilson didn’t have the best day shooting the basketball, but he still managed to contribute on the boards while also getting to the foul line. During each of his final three seasons at Kansas, the second-round pick ranked in the top 20 in the Big 12 in free throw attempts, which can go a long way toward making up for off shooting nights. Given Brooklyn’s depth on the wings, becoming a factor in fantasy leagues as a rookie will be difficult for Wilson. Look for him to get more playing time with the Nets’ G League affiliate than the “big team.”

Another free agent is off the board, with Bazley moving to the Nets after finishing up last season with the Suns. The 2019 first-round pick spent his first three-plus season with the Thunder before being traded at the deadline in February. Bazley didn’t play much while in Phoenix, so the change in scenery could be a good thing for him. With Mikal Bridges, Cameron Johnson, and Dorian Finney-Smith all under contract for next season, Bazley faces a tough fight to get the minutes he would need for fantasy relevance.

Wilson may have been Brooklyn’s second-round pick after making two first-round picks, but he’s been their best rookie this summer. He spent four years at Kansas, so he has more experience than most other rookies. That has allowed him to thrive early on. He could end up spending more time in the NBA than in the G-League if he keeps playing this well.