NBA Fantasy: Implications of Free Agency, Trade for 2023-24

The NBA offseason is an important period of roster adjustments where teams make strategic moves to prepare for the upcoming season. This summer, the league saw a flurry of player transfers and high-profile signings that caught the attention of fantasy managers.

We’ll examine key transactions that have the potential to reshape the NBA landscape and discuss their future impact on fantasy basketball.

---

Big changes

Phoenix Trading Bradley Beal

Seeing the possibility of opting out of Chris Paul’s contract and getting a top-tier player instead, the Suns traded CP3 to Washington — and then to Golden State — in exchange for Beal. Previously the No. 1 option in Washington, Beal now sits behind Kevin Durant and Devin Booker in the pecking order. While Beal won’t see the level he had in previous seasons, there will be plenty of nights where he leads the team in points or assists.

Surprise trade sends Kristaps Porzingis For the Celtics, Marcus Smart For the Grizzlies, Deuce Jones For magicians

Porzingis goes from the No. 2 option in Washington to the No. 3 option in a crowded Boston frontcourt. He shows upside in the second round, but his injury history and reduced role may not make it worth drafting him until the fourth or fifth.

Smart will fill the starting point guard spot for the first 25 games of the season while Za Morant serves the suspension. The Grizzlies are a bit thin on offensive weapons, so Morant could see more use until he returns.

Jones is hailed as one of the league’s best, if not the best, backup point guards. Washington has other backcourt options, and Jordan Poole and Kyle Kuzma still have plenty of uses to go, but Jones is worth a top-100 pick if he plays 30 minutes a night.

Chris Paul, Jordan Poole changed

The Warriors care less about fit and more about veteran experience. Adding Ball to an egalitarian offense led by Stephen Curry and Draymond Green is a test. CP3 is capable enough to make something work, even if his role is significantly reduced. If he plays minutes in the mid-to-high 20s, he’ll still be worthy in every league.

Poole is a microwave high-minute sixth man and leads an offense. Despite being surrounded by high-usage players in Golden State last season, he averaged 20.4 points and 4.5 assists. He is one of this season’s fantasy breakout candidates and will do his best to lead the league in scoring.

Fred VanVleet Heading south

Another Toronto point guard is fleeing for warmer climes. The Rockets are trying to speed up their post-Harton rebuild while signing players as their draft picks rise. While Jalen Green, Jabari Smith, Alberon Sengun and Dillon Brooks will love their touches, VanVliet will have to lead Houston’s offense. New coach Ime Udoka may not be playing the 37.1 minutes per game FVV has seen in the past three seasons. The point guard could see less usage overall, but he’s still an elite source of threes, assists and steals.

---

Imaginary building blocks

Kyrie Irving Joins Mavericks again

As expected, Dallas inked Irving to an extension after trading him last offseason. Injuries and absences have limited him and Luca Donzi to 16 appearances together, but they have not suffered significantly when they have shared the floor.

Chris Middleton Back-ups with Milwaukee

Injuries limited Middleton to 33 games last season, but he underwent offseason surgery and is expected to be on the mend. He’s getting older, but still plans to be a 20-5-5 guy.

Cameron Johnson Ink extension with Brooklyn

Johnson averaged 16.6 points in 30.8 minutes after being traded from Phoenix to Brooklyn at last year’s trade deadline. He could blossom into the team’s second-leading scorer behind Miguel Bridges.

Jeremy Grant Re-ups in Portland

Grant’s exact role depends on what happens with Damian Lillard, but he averaged 20.5 points on efficient shooting last season. A Lillard departure might not add even more utility to Grant’s plate than Scoot Henderson, Anfernie Simons and Shayden Sharp.

Golden State holds Draymond Green

The Warriors signed Green to a four-year, $100 million contract, securing the center. The addition of Chris Paul may take some utility away from Green, but the pair could create an intriguing pick-and-roll combination.

Wizards extend Kyle Kuzma At the beginning of the post-Beale era

With Bradley Beal and Kristaps Porzingis gone, Kuzma is coming off a career year and should have more chances to get touches. However, Jordan Poole is still the number 1 option.

Toronto caves and decided to play in a center

After years without a traditional center, the Raptors went back to the well Jacob PoeltlThey drew in 2016. Toronto has plenty of questions to answer about the team’s direction and offense this season, but Poeltl should continue to put up his usual numbers.

Lakers backcourt

This summer, the Lakers got inked Austin Reeves And D’Angelo Russell For extensions when adding Cape Vincent. In the playoffs, Reaves shined while Russell struggled. But Reaves can only take so much usage with LeBron James and Anthony Davis, and Russell can only sink so low considering his talent. Both are worth fantasy drafts in the 80-100 range, and picking both isn’t a bad idea for Handcuffs. Vincent is a better real-life player than a fantasy asset.

Bucks retain Brooke Lopez

Quietly one of the older teams in the NBA, the Bucks decided to hang on to the 35-year-old Lopez, who is coming off a renaissance season. However, as part of that, Chris Middleton missed time and the responsibilities were increased. What’s next with Middleton in the saddle, and a new head coach? In the mid 20’s it may be less usage and minutes.

---

Other notables

Spurs My Three Joneses For moderate stretching

One of the league’s more anonymous starting point guards, Jones is coming off a quality year where he averaged 12.9 points and 6.6 assists with just 1.6 turnovers. His role should not change much even with the entry of Victor Vembanyama.

Nix adds Donte DiVincenzo to the backcourt

New York further complicates its backcourt by signing DiVincenzoto to a four-year, $50 million contract. Jalen Brunson and R.J. Barrett will start, but Quentin Grimes, Emmanuel Quigley and Josh Hart have other mouths to feed. Dare I say I’m really worried about Barrett? Coach Tom Thibodeau stopped believing in him in the fourth quarter, and he again failed in the playoffs.

Herbert Jones Re-ups with the Pelicans

Jones is one of the NBA’s best defenders, but he’s a low-usage offensive option on a deep depth chart. He’s playable in fantasy leagues if you’re desperate for a steal.

Max Stress Sign and trade with the Cavaliers

Cleveland is trying to fix its terrible floor spacing by adding Strauss, who made 2.5 threes in 28.4 minutes per game for the Heat last season. It’s unlikely he’ll take a ton of usage, but his presence could negatively impact Carys LeVert and Isaac Okoro.

Dillon Brooks Sign and trade to Houston

Brooks received $80 million from the Rockets. The team is deep, but Brooks starts and sets the tone defensively. He’s still projected as a fringe fantasy option.

Cleveland hangs on Carys Levert

With Ricky Rubio sidelined indefinitely, LeVert could step into more playing responsibilities. He was a good streaming option, especially when the Cavs were dealing with an injury backcourt.

Grant Williams The Mavericks go through signings and trades

Williams is a perfect fit for a team that needs defensive size. But he’s simply a low-utility player with fantasy value.

BJ WashingtonThe Hornets end a months-long feud

Surprisingly, it took until Aug. 26 for the two sides to agree on a three-year, $48 million contract. Washington should continue to see playing time from sixth to starter, though his reserve at center could be reduced by Nick Richard’s backup minutes.

Rui Hachimura Stays with the Lakers

Hachimura got hot from three and saved the Lakers a few times in the playoffs. But he’s never been a top-100 fantasy player, and that’s not expected to change.

* * *

Alex is RotoWire’s Chief NBA Editor. He writes articles on daily fantasy, year-round fantasy and sports betting. You can hear him on the RotoWire NBA Podcast, Sirius XM, VSiN and other platforms. He firmly believes that Robert Covington is the most underrated fantasy player of the last decade.