Last Updated on October 7, 2025 9:57 pm by Keston Paul | Published: October 7, 2025

A new basketball season is nearly upon us, bringing tons of exciting, new rotations and actual NBA games! In a true sicko dynasty fashion though, I’m not just watching elite teams like the Thunder, Rockets, or the Cavs. No! Instead, I’m monitoring teams all across the association to track just how players are improving and what players are showing that could drastically affect their dynasty stock.

The most important aspect I’m examining in the early season is how teams are dictating their roles and which players are proving themselves to be worthy of high-usage roles. Usage is heavily correlated to points (and with that potentially threes), alongside a decently strong connection to assists. The two percentage categories also benefit from points, since the more shots you take, the more you can affect the percentage buckets. If I’m counting correctly, that is FIVE categories that are tied positively to usage (turnovers would be a negative correlation with usage). I would never blindly follow one stat to judge a player. If I had to pick just one however, I would probably go with usage.

With that in mind, I have selected five teams that I’m keeping a closer eye on than the others in the opening weeks. These teams all have opportunities for players to announce themselves as worthy of this usage and thus additional potential for fantasy production. These teams may not all play the highest form of basketball. However, you will get ahead of dynasty managers in your league by identifying the high-usage options that portend impactful fantasy production before others are up to speed on them…or identifying which players are not on track to earn that sort of tantalizing usage.

Brooklyn Nets

We have to start with the Brooklyn Nets. Whenever a team drafts a record-setting number of players in the first round, that is always going to capture the attention of dynasty managers. Let’s just list the names first: Egor Demin at 8, Nolan Traore at 19, Drake Powell at 22, Ben Saraf at 26 and Danny Wolf at 27. The intriguing part for fantasy is that Demin, Traore, Saraf, and Wolf all profile as players best in an on-ball offensive role. Whoever (if anyone) emerges from this quartet as a mainstay for the Nets is sure to be an appealing fantasy asset for the immediate and long-term.

Adding onto these rookies’ appeal is the lack of investment in any real veteran options. Cam Thomas only signed the qualifying offer amidst what appears to be a tense relationship with the Nets. Michael Porter Jr. isn’t one to run pick-and-rolls and initiate the offense. Terance Mann definitely isn’t that player. The opportunity is as wide open as can be for someone to do something…anything!. It’s basically this but in a positive sense.

Each of these rookies do have different flavors of on-ball styles. Demin is a talented passer but may be a more limited scorer. The Nets did explore Demin as a more connective wing in Summer League, but that isn’t where his fantasy ceiling lies. Traore is your more classic lead guard, with handles, burst, and vision to execute all types of offensive actions. His efficiency across the board is the current pain point with him, but there is fantasy potential tied to his project role if he hits. Saraf is a more jumbo-sized playmaker, but athletic limitations may relegate him to a rotation role. Wolf is a big man with enough vision and dribbling talent to act as a hub. Shooting and defense are what could hold him back.

From those simplified profiles of those rookies, you can see why they are so enticing for dynasty. If any of them hit their 75th percentile outcomes, they would become productive fantasy options. However, not all of them can initiate the offense together. Of course there can be some synergy between them, but more likely than not one clear option emerges from them all. That’s why this is a must-watch situation for dynasty managers. Identifying which of these rookies is separating themselves from the pack early in the season is a clear way to pounce on the mix of opportunity and talent that is key for fantasy production. It probably won’t be pretty to watch, but make sure the Nets are on your viewing screens early and often.

Toronto Raptors

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