RADIO
Aidin Ebrahimi looks at four risers and four fallers from the second month of the 2024-25 NBA season as we approach the start of trade season!
Welcome back, RotoBallers, to the second edition of my monthly fantasy basketball risers and fallers series for the 2024-2025 season!
We're now preparing for the start of the trade season, with players such as Jimmy Butler on the trade block. If things haven't gone your way yet in your fantasy leagues, don't lose hope! Every month, I'm here to help you assess the value of some players who are seeing major production swings during the year.
With that being said, let's look at the risers and fallers from the second month of the NBA season.
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Fantasy Basketball Risers: December
Brandon Miller - SG/SF, Charlotte Hornets
Many NBA fans were perplexed when the Hornets took Brandon Miller second overall in the 2023 NBA Draft, but Miller quickly proved to be one of the best young players in the league, finishing third in Rookie of the Year voting.
Yes, Brandon Miller is the next Paul George. This is why it's written in the stars!
A thread 🧵 @brandmillerr @Yg_Trece pic.twitter.com/YlTicoyMyZ— Aidin 🤠 (@NFLAidin) November 29, 2024
Now, Miller is taking the next step in his sophomore year. Due to many injuries on the Hornets roster, Miller is currently their No. 1 option and has put up 28.6 points a night in his last five outings.
But his good play isn't just limited to that span, as he averaged 28.0 PPG with a 64.7% true shooting percentage as the team's second option in LaMelo Ball's last five games pre-injury.
Miller's efficiency is higher when playing with Ball, so expect his fantasy numbers to get even better once Ball returns.
T.J. McConnell - PG, Indiana Pacers
Reliable veteran PG T.J. McConnell is playing his best basketball in his 10th NBA season. McConnell is averaging a career-high in points and FG% despite playing just 20.0 minutes a night, and his numbers have progressively gotten better throughout the year.
He recorded four consecutive games with double-digit points from November 18 to November 24 and is currently on a six-game streak starting from November 29.
In his most recent outing, McConnell dropped a career-high 30 points against the Hornets. He has also averaged 1.7 steals, 4.1 assists, and has shot 58.7% from the floor in his last 14 games.
Cameron Johnson - SF, Brooklyn Nets
Cameron Johnson was supposed to leap to stardom when he was traded to the Nets, but he struggled with injuries and inconsistent play in his first full season in Brooklyn.
“There is significant trade interest in Nets forward Cameron Johnson”
Let’s take a moment to appreciate Cam Johnson. His strong play will end up landing the Nets some valuable assets🙏 pic.twitter.com/DNJH4wuR2N
— NetsFrequent (@Nets_Frequent) December 11, 2024
Johnson was under much pressure this year to live up to his contract but has recently silenced his critics.
In his last 11 games, the 11th overall pick of the 2019 NBA Draft has put up 21.3 points a night while shooting 50.3% from the field, 50.0% from three, and 93.5% from the free-throw line.
Johnson is having a career year that has caught the attention of many teams around the league, so expect his numbers to improve as we approach the trade deadline.
John Collins - PF/C, Utah Jazz
John Collins has been a very productive player for quite a while now, so it's kind of hard to believe that he just turned 27 in September. Collins' stats went down every year in his last three seasons in Atlanta before experiencing a career revival in Utah.
Collins has been putting up the best numbers of his career since the 2019-20 season, averaging 19.5 points and 8.9 rebounds while shooting 55.7% from the floor and 48.8% from deep in his last 13 games.
Fantasy Basketball Fallers: December
Gradey Dick - G, Toronto Raptors
Mental toughness is a very underrated trait in the development of young players. If you remember my sleeper guards article before the season, I focused on Gradey Dick's mentality and how he was able to shake off a terrible start to his NBA career.
Barnes will likely miss extended time after this injury. Gradey Dick should be added again if he was dropped.
No immediate adds but it’s important to monitor the fallout for guys like Olynyk, Agbaji, Mitchell & Walter. #FantasyBasketball
pic.twitter.com/6KSOhELEAp— Fantasy 365 (@FantasyBall365) December 10, 2024
Dick started this season like an All-Star, averaging over 20 points a night in his first 12 games. But he has fallen back down to earth recently, averaging just 14.5 PPG on 35.2% shooting from the field in his last eight games.
I believe he can certainly bounce back, so I'd recommend getting him if a desperate fantasy manager is willing to trade him.
Bub Carrington - G, Washington Wizards
Carlton "Bub" Carrington was a four-star recruit coming out of high school and had a solid one-and-done year at Pitt before being drafted 14th overall in the 2024 NBA Draft.
He started his NBA career by scoring double-digit points in seven out of his first 10 games but has hit a rookie wall since then.
Carrington has hit double digits just six times in the 12 games since then, and his field-goal percentage has dropped, shooting just 36.0% from the field in that stretch. His assist-to-turnover ratio (3.3 assists to 1.9 turnovers) could be a lot better, too.
Jerami Grant - F, Portland Trail Blazers
In last month's article, I talked about how Anfernee Simons looked like he "didn't want to be here," and the same could be said of Jerami Grant. Grant hasn't shown much effort on the defensive end this season, and his shots haven't been falling on the offensive side of the floor.
The experienced veteran has put up just 11.7 points on 35.6% shooting from the field in his last 10 games, and it seems like several teams have shown interest in acquiring Grant, Simons, and Robert Williams III. Stay away from these players until they're traded.
Brandin Podziemski - G, Golden State Warriors
Brandin Podziemski had a great rookie season and managed to move future Hall of Famer Klay Thompson to the bench. Expectations were high heading into the 2024-25 season, but Podziemski is going through a painful sophomore slump right now.
“Brandin” can’t play defense
“Brandin” can’t shoot
“Brandin” can’t dribble
“Brandin” can’t lead a team
“Brandin” can’t play makeGet Brandin Podziemski off my team
— Smiley (@30GotNext) December 9, 2024
He has averaged just 7.4 points on putrid shooting splits (36.7% from the field and 28.6% from three) in his last 11 games and was benched following a big loss to Minnesota.
The Warriors' typically impatient fans have turned their backs on Podziemski, and his name is currently in multiple trade rumors.
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