Let’s discover the most popular NBA offseason storylines that may ripple by your fantasy basketball league. From LeBron James and Paul George’s futures to the Paris Olympics — prepare for a whirlwind summer season stuffed with motion and motion!
LeBron James: To remain or to not keep?
At 39, LeBron continues to be placing up spectacular numbers, however any speak of him leaving L.A. would ship shockwaves by the NBA and fantasy hoops. He has a participant possibility for $51M subsequent season — and he is 1000% opting out of it.
Whereas there’s an opportunity he joins one other crew to ring chase or (doubtlessly) comply with his son Bronny, I do not see him not being in purple and gold subsequent season. Particularly if his podcast associate JJ Redick turns into the subsequent coach of the Lakers.
Between his private ties and enterprise outdoors of basketball, James is rooted in L.A., and the Lakers will compensate him sufficient to in the end retire as a Laker.
Will Bronny James get drafted? And in that case, the place?
Given my ideas on LeBron staying in L.A., I am going to go chalk and predict the Lakers will draft Bronny within the second spherical.
He will not be related in fantasy, however his presence within the league will generate a ton of buzz regardless.
Is PG-13 prepared for his subsequent act?
George stays probably the greatest 3-and-D wings within the recreation and has been a top-30 fantasy participant in 11 of his 14 seasons. Like James, Paul George has a participant possibility and may discover a couple of choices — play out the remainder of his contract (not taking place), signal a contract extension to stick with the Clippers or decline the choice and turn out to be an unrestricted free agent.
Any transfer can be vital, however it will be enjoyable to see him swap it up and go to any of the rumored locations in Philly or Orlando — two playoff contenders with loads of cash to spend.
Might free company waves capsize the Splash brothers?
Klay Thompson’s departure from Golden State would put the ultimate nail within the Warriors dynasty’s coffin, however might we see a rejuvenated Klay if paired with the suitable group?
Thompson is an unrestricted free agent after extension talks with the Warriors fell by. Though he is previous his prime, Klay was nonetheless among the many high 5 in 3-pointers made this season and may also help any contenders with perimeter capturing. Thompson can nonetheless play, however seeing his minutes decline and shifting to a bench function mid-season solely to return to the beginning lineup in a while must be irritating.
At this level, the pay minimize, youth motion and function fluctuation supply little confidence in a reunion with the Dubs. Given what Thompson will command on the open market, he’ll be paid like a starter, and when he will get half-hour on a squad like OKC or Orlando, that might protect his fantasy worth as a late-round choose.
What are the Miami Warmth gonna do?
Whereas Jimmy Buckets spent his offseason as a Bad Boy, the Miami Warmth have a franchise-altering resolution to make on whether or not to increase Butler.
He is made it clear that he desires to stick with Miami long-term, but when Pat Riley and firm resolve to not lock him up on a brand new deal, a possible commerce would immediately shake up the fantasy panorama.
Zach LaVine coping with a bear market?
It is no secret the Bulls are buying Zach LaVine. The issue is that the Bulls misplaced appreciable leverage as soon as LaVine was identified with a season-ending foot harm in February. Plus, his lofty contract is probably going a sticking level for a lot of groups when factoring within the tax implications of the brand new CBA.
Hold tabs on the place LaVine lands — as a result of his fantasy worth might swing wildly relying on his new crew’s dynamics.
LaMelo’s drip: Ankle braces the most recent accent?
Ball was on tempo for one more sturdy season till dangerous harm luck struck once more. Ball performed in simply 22 video games and required ankle surgical procedure after averaging almost 24 factors with eight assists, 5 rebounds and two steals per recreation in his fourth NBA season.
I’ve participated in a couple of way-too-early mock drafts, and Ball’s falling into third-round territory — a steep decline from being a first-rounder final season. With an offseason to get wholesome and take a look at out some new ankle assist, he is shaping as much as be a price choose by subsequent yr’s draft.
How will the Paris Olympics affect the ’24-25 season?
I am unable to overlook concerning the Olympics!
Gamers taking part in worldwide play may have much less relaxation earlier than the NBA season begins — particularly those that made deep playoff runs like Jayson Tatum, Luka Dončić, Jrue Vacation, Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, Tyrese Haliburton and Anthony Edwards.
Within the instances of Dončić and Haliburton, they performed by accidents all through the NBA playoffs, so it is price monitoring how potential fatigue or earlier accidents have an effect on their readiness by the beginning of the 2024-2025 season. I am going to even be intrigued by how rising stars like Franz Wagner and Victor Wembanyama fare because the focal factors of their respective groups.