🎃THE NBA DYNASTY REPORT - October 31, 2023🎃 (Patreon)

Cam Thomas

33 PTS | 1-4 3PT | 2 REB | 2 AST | 9-13 2PT | 12-14 FT | 38 MIN

🔸Jacque Vaughn praised Thomas’ commitment to playing on both ends before this game and rewarded Thomas with 38 minutes and a massive offensive role. The efficiency and volume are breathtaking - 89.5% at the rim, 56% from midrange, and 69.7% true shooting on 31.4% usage - AND he’s not turning the ball over. It’s time to reevaluate how high of a ceiling Cam Thomas has in this league.

Scottie Barnes

20 PTS | 1-4 3PT | 2 AST | 2 STL | 1 BLK | 4-7 2PT | 3-3 FT | 37 MIN

🔸I’ve seen enough - the blocks are real. Barnes has registered a block in seven straight contests averaging 2.4 blocks per game. His assist rate has skyrocketed to 25%, his usage is up to 24% and he’s playing more minutes (37.3) than he ever did under Nick Nurse. Add in a rise in unassisted rim attempts and Barnes is checking all of the boxes we hoped for.

Walker Kessler

22 PTS | 13 REB | 1 BLK | 10-11 2PT | 2-3 FT | 29 MIN

🔸That’s more like it! Interestingly, Kessler has only registered three blocks in four games and is contesting only 6.3 2PT attempts per game this season compared to 9.3 last year. I’d expect those numbers to bounce back quickly.

Jalen Williams

19 PTS | 1-3 3PT | 7 REB | 6 AST | 1 STL | 1 BLK | 7-11 2PT | 2-2 FT | 31 MIN

🔸Williams has yet to miss from the free throw line in the regular season (10-10) and his seen a noticeable jump in his assist rate (up 5% from last season). He’s also creating even more of his shot attempts than he did in his excellent rookie season (56.5% unassisted compared to 49.8% last year).

Cade Cunningham

17 PTS | 3-7 3PT | 2 REB | 5 AST | 2-8 2PT | 4-5 FT | 35 MIN

🔸Detroit’s spacing is exacerbating Cade’s weakness at the rim (8-21 - 38.1%) but everything else is falling into place - 46.4% from midrange on significant volume and 40% from three on 6.7 attempts per 75 possessions.

Josh Giddey

21 PTS | 0-2 3PT | 7 REB | 3 AST | 1 STL | 1 BLK | 9-16 2PT | 3-5 FT | 28 MIN

🔸After worrying about Giddey’s offense role on Sunday, his touches and drives surged against the Pistons en route to 14 attempts at the rim. This is the path to fantasy stardom for Giddey.

Franz Wagner

16 PTS | 2-7 3PT | 8 REB | 4 AST | 2 STL | 3-10 2PT | 4-4 FT | 37 MIN

🔸Franz has been significantly more aggressive from three this year - attempting 8.5 3PT per 75 possessions after shooting only 5.0 3PT last season. He’s also getting to the line more - jumping from 4.4 attempts per 75 possessions to 7.0 (91st percentile). This is the offensive profile of a star scoring wing - get ready for some big games in the next few weeks.

Jalen Johnson

12 PTS | 1-2 3PT | 5 REB | 3 AST | 1 STL | 1 BLK | 4-5 2PT | 1-1 FT | 33 MIN

🔸Johnson remains white-hot - shooting 76.2% at the rim, 71.4% from midrange, and 40% from three. All while posting strong rebound numbers and consistent steals and blocks. But guess what? There’s still room for him to grow in his usage (only 16.9%), 3PT volume. and continued development of his passing and playmaking (which we’re already seeing in flashes). Oh, and he’s only 21 years old.

Brandon Miller

22 PTS | 2-5 3PT | 9 REB | 2 AST | 1 BLK | 5-11 2PT | 6-6 FT | 36 MIN

🔸Miller is putting to rest all of the doubts from his Summer League performance - showing improved athleticism and strength at the rim (8-12) and hitting threes with volume (7-16 - 43.8%) across his first three games.

Jalen Duren

8 PTS | 7 REB | 1 AST | 1 STL | 4-11 2PT | 0-1 FT | 23 MIN

🔸Duren uncharacteristically struggled at the rim in this one (3-9) but should get on track against the Blazers on Wednesday.

Scoot Henderson

11 PTS | 0-6 3PT | 4 REB | 7 AST | 2 STL | 34 MIN

🔸Positive improvements for Scoot in this one. Once the shot falls - and it has NOT been falling so far (1-10 on catch-and-shoot threes, 0-8 on off-the-dribble) - I think a lot will open up for Scoot. Also suffering from a low conversion rate on his potential assists (averaging only 4.0 assists per game and 9.8 potential assists).

Ausar Thompson

15 PTS | 0-2 3PT | 10 REB | 3 AST | 1 STL | 3 BLK | 6-12 2PT | 3-4 FT | 31 MIN

🔸It’s only four games but Ausar has a 97th percentile block rate and a 96th percentile offensive rebound rate - virtually unheard of for a 6’7” rookie. If he can improve his horrendous rim finishing (42.9%) then we have a full-blown fantasy superstar on our hands.

Paolo Banchero

9 PTS | 1-5 3PT | 5 REB | 5 AST | 3-9 2PT | 0-2 FT | 30 MIN

🔸A brutal start for Paolo who has seen his offensive role diminish in these first three games. Banchero is fourth on the team in touches behind Fultz, Wagner, and Anthony and has gone from 10 drives per game last season to only 8.3 so far. The team is prioritizing Franz’s offense but I think we see a big bounceback from Paolo once he adapts to playing more as a playmaker and off-ball.

Shaedon Sharpe

14 PTS | 2-5 3PT | 5 REB | 3 AST | 1 STL | 2 BLK | 2-5 2PT | 4-4 FT

🔸Sharpe shot 71.4% from the free throw line last season - which looked like a potential hole in his long-term stat set. So far across seven preseason and regular season games, Sharpe is 13-15 (86.6%). Paired with his dramatic increase in unassisted shot creation, all the markers are there for Sharpe to be a 25+ point scorer in the near future.

Jaden Ivey

20 PTS | 4-6 3PT | 2 REB | 3 AST | 1 STL | 1 BLK | 3-7 2PT | 2-2 FT

🔸Ivey remains in a limited bench role but has maintained his 25% usage and 27% assist rate from last year and is showing early improvement at both the rim (64.3%) and from three (43.8%) on higher volume. I still think Ivey is a long-term starter for Detroit and should be valued highly in dynasty.

Onyeka Okongwu

10 PTS | 7 REB | 3 AST | 3-3 2PT | 4-4 FT | 24 MIN

🔸Played more Capela in this one and may be gaining traction. Seeing a noticeable uptick in assists across the preseason and regular season and we haven’t seen the blocks yet. The breakout is coming - hold on.

Mark Williams

18 PTS | 7 REB | 1 AST | 8-8 2PT | 2-2 FT | 23 MIN

🔸The Nets went small, which limited Williams’ minutes - but he feasted while on the court. Wiliams is 5-5 from the line so far this season and we haven’t even seen the big block numbers yet - a huge season is ahead.

Dereck Lively II

2 PTS | 6 REB | 1 BLK | 1-2 2PT | 14 MIN

🔸Limited by foul trouble but the per-minute production is exactly what we want to see. There will be growing pains like this but Lively’s future as Luka’s pick-and-roll partner and lob threat is incredibly bright.

Bennedict Mathurin

15 PTS | 1-4 3PT | 4 REB | 3-7 2PT | 6-6 FT | 28 MIN

🔸Mathurin continues to get to the line at a strong clip and is hitting 92.3% of his free throws. Watch to see if he can make gains in his 3PT%, assist rate and steal rate to add to his elite ability to drive to the rim and draw contact.

Keyonte George

3 PTS | 1-4 3PT | 1 REB | 2 AST | 1 STL | 0-2 2PT | 20 MIN

🔸A slow game from George but all the signs are there for a breakout as a starting PG later this season - a 77th percentile assist rate, 81st percentile 3PT volume, and he’s self-creating 55.5% of his shots, including half his threes.

Bilal Coulibaly

9 PTS | 1-6 3PT | 5 REB | 1 AST | 1 STL | 2 BLK | 3-6 2PT | 28 MIN

🔸Coulibaly started but barely played until garbage time - still, it’s nice to see him getting up six three pointers. We want to see offensive aggression and confidence from Coulibaly, even if the efficiency isn’t there.

Jalen Suggs

15 PTS | 3-7 3PT | 8 REB | 2 AST | 1 STL | 1-5 2PT | 4-4 FT | 26 MIN

🔸The big headline is that Suggs is becoming a MUCH more confident shooter - jumping up to 7.3 3PT attempts per 75 possessions this season (72nd percentile). Suggs is also 7-7 from the free throw line in his last two games.

Dyson Daniels

7 PTS | 1-2 3PT | 4 REB | 3 AST | 2-3 2PT | 24 MIN

🔸No signs of offensive progression from Daniels so far, despite the Pelicans’ injuries giving him extra opportunity for growth. Defensively, Daniels remains a major disruptor with 4.4 deflections per 36 minutes.

Patrick Williams

9 PTS | 1-2 3PT | 4 REB | 1 STL | 1 BLK | 2-4 2PT | 2-2 FT

🔸Williams’ usage is a paltry 14.6% through four games and he has ONE attempt at the rim so far this season . On the positive side, he’s produced a steal in each game this season - a 3.4% (93rd percentile steal rate) - which would be a huge development if it holds.

Gradey Dick

4 PTS | 0-3 3PT | 6 REB | 2 STL | 2-4 2PT | 21 MIN

🔸Dick was an afterthought on Opening Night but has registered 28 and 21 minutes in TOR’s last two games and may be taking minutes from Gary Trent Jr. Watch Dick’s steal rate through his rookie season - if that can translate from his freshman season at Kansas, he may have more fantasy viability than we think.

Peyton Watson

5 PTS | 0-1 3PT | 2 REB | 1 BLK | 2-3 2PT | 1-2 FT | 15 MIN

🔸6 blocks in four games for Watson and he remains dominant at the rim (8 of 9) in limited minutes. I remain extremely high on Watson’s long-term outlook even if the role is small this season.

Brandin Podziemski

5 PTS | 0-1 3PT | 8 REB | 2 AST | 2-4 2PT | 1-2 FT | 23 MIN

🔸Won’t normally be in the rotation but it’s nice to see Podziemski’s rebounding prowess translate to the NBA.

Moses Moody

13 PTS | 2-5 3PT | 3 REB | 4 AST | 3-3 2PT | 1-1 FT | 21 MIN

🔸Started with Klay and Kuminga inactive and posted another solid line. If he can maintain this shooting - 7-17 (41.2%) from three - and maintain the defensive improvement he’s shown this season, he has a future starter trajectory.

Christian Braun

9 PTS | 1-2 3PT | 8 REB | 2 AST | 1 STL | 3-6 2PT | 30 MIN

🔸A big minute load but meager production. Braun will need to increase his 3PT volume (3.8 attempts per 75 possessions, 25th percentile) and steal rate (1.7%, 55th percentile) to be fantasy relevant.

Aaron Nesmith

5 PTS | 1-4 3PT | 4 REB | 3 AST | 2 BLK | 2-2 FT | 27 MIN

🔸Nesmith is 7-16 (43.8%) from three so far this season and eating into Obi Toppin’s role. He’s yet to register a steal in three contests and his fantasy stat set needs STL production to be viable.

Orlando Robinson

11 PTS | 1-1 3PT | 7 REB | 7 AST | 1 STL | 3-6 2PT | 2-2 FT | 26 MIN

🔸A nice reminder of why we touted Robinson as a dynasty stash since last season - I think he overtakes Thomas Bryant as the backup center at some point this season and may have a ceiling as a starter in his prime.

Day’Ron Sharpe

11 PTS | 8 REB | 1 AST | 1 BLK | 5-8 2PT | 1-3 FT | 10 MIN

🔸Sharpe smashed in only 10 minutes as the Nets continued to play small ball in Claxton’s absence. This per-minute production is why Sharpe remains a strong dynasty stash - even if the Nets are slow to raise his minutes.

Jaime Jaquez Jr.

8 PTS | 2-5 3PT | 2 REB | 3 AST | 1 STL | 1 BLK | 1-4 2PT | 23 MIN

🔸Jaquez has never been a high volume 3PT shooter so I love to see the five attempts here.

Jordan Hawkins

14 PTS | 2-7 3PT | 5 REB | 2 AST | 2 STL | 4-6 2PT | 0-2 FT | 35 MIN

🔸Big minutes and a big offensive role for Hawkins with Ingram sitting out. Tied with Zion in offensive touches and had six contested shots defensively. May be cementing a rotation role as the Pelicans desperately need shooting on the floor.

Ziaire Williams

8 PTS | 2-4 3PT | 7 REB | 2 AST | 1 STL | 1-4 2PT | 33 MIN

🔸Williams is putting up an 83rd percentile defensive rebound rate through four games which is an intriguing development for a prospect who struggled mightily on the boards in his rookie season. We still need more than catch-and-shoot threes from his offensive game, but Year 3 has been positive so far for Ziaire.

Payton Pritchard

0 PTS | 0-6 3PT | 7 REB | 6 AST | 1 STL | 0-2 2PT | 25 MIN

🔸Pritchard has struggled mightily from the field in the first three games - 19.2 TS% and 1-10 on threes. Extra minutes here because of the blowout but it looks like his regular playing time will be around 15 minutes a night with the Celtics running a tight rotation.

Trayce Jackson-Davis

13 PTS | 9 REB | 4 BLK | 5-9 2PT | 3-4 FT | 20 MIN

🔸Played behind Looney with Kuminga out and had expanded minutes in garbage time. I think TJD can be a long-term rotation big with strong per-minute upside. Definitely should be rostered in leagues rostering 250+ players.

Johnny Davis

5 PTS | 2 REB | 2-4 2PT | 1-2 FT | 16 MIN

🔸Davis made his season-debut but was on the fringe of the rotation before garbage time. He should get the opportunity to back up Jordan Poole going forward.

Ryan Rollins

7 PTS | 1 REB | 3 AST | 4 STL | 7-8 FT | 0-2 2PT | 12 MIN

🔸Eight free throw attempts and four steals in 12 minutes is an eye-opener - even in garbage time. Rollins was an intriguing on-ball creator at Toledo and could pop in the Wizards’ inevitable post-All Star tanking period. Watch him closely.