With the NBA Finals set to conclude this week, it's time to take a look at which players have helped or hurt their fantasy stock heading into next season.
Though we should be careful not to take too much away from such a small sample size of games, especially when it comes to projecting regular season fantasy value, NBA front offices understandably place major importance on what takes place when the lights are the brightest.
For all 30 teams, excelling in the playoffs is the ultimate goal. For the 16 teams that reached the playoffs in 2020-21, the insights they have gained will factor into how they choose to construct their rosters and rotations in future years. So while it may not be wise to overreact to recent events, it'd be equally silly to totally ignore what we've just witnessed.
After running through the Western Conference over the weekend, here's a breakdown of players from the East whose fantasy stock has moved up or down as a result of their performance in the 2021 postseason.
Washington Wizards
⬆Stock Up: Rui Hachimura
Daniel Gafford was solid in his first taste of playoff action and could be a decent late-round sleeper in fantasy drafts next season. But the presence of a healthy Thomas Bryant (knee) casts a shadow of doubt over Gafford's season-long upside. As such, it's Hachimura who gets the nod of approval here after averaging 14.8 points on 61.7 percent from the field to go with 7.2 boards
With the NBA Finals set to conclude this week, it's time to take a look at which players have helped or hurt their fantasy stock heading into next season.
Though we should be careful not to take too much away from such a small sample size of games, especially when it comes to projecting regular season fantasy value, NBA front offices understandably place major importance on what takes place when the lights are the brightest.
For all 30 teams, excelling in the playoffs is the ultimate goal. For the 16 teams that reached the playoffs in 2020-21, the insights they have gained will factor into how they choose to construct their rosters and rotations in future years. So while it may not be wise to overreact to recent events, it'd be equally silly to totally ignore what we've just witnessed.
After running through the Western Conference over the weekend, here's a breakdown of players from the East whose fantasy stock has moved up or down as a result of their performance in the 2021 postseason.
Washington Wizards
⬆Stock Up: Rui Hachimura
Daniel Gafford was solid in his first taste of playoff action and could be a decent late-round sleeper in fantasy drafts next season. But the presence of a healthy Thomas Bryant (knee) casts a shadow of doubt over Gafford's season-long upside. As such, it's Hachimura who gets the nod of approval here after averaging 14.8 points on 61.7 percent from the field to go with 7.2 boards and 1.8 threes in 34.6 minutes during his first trip to the postseason.
He needs to get better defensively but continues to showcase steady improvement from beyond the arc -- which is key to thriving alongside Russell Westbrook -- plus Hachimura is one of the only young players on the Wizards' roster with real promise.
Boston Celtics
⬇Stock Down: Kemba Walker, Thunder
While Walker is no longer a Celtic, the same questions about his troublesome knee exist -- and they're a major part of the reason he's now in Oklahoma City. When healthy, Walker figures to be the Thunder's second option behind Shai Gilgeous-Alexander (assuming the Thunder don't reroute him elsewhere).
However, coming off a miserable postseason in which he averaged 12.7 points (31.7% FG, 17.6% 3PT, 90.0% FT), 4.0 rebounds, and 4.0 assists versus 2.7 turnovers in 30.3 minutes, it may be difficult to talk yourself into selecting Walker in the middle rounds of fantasy drafts. Chances are, his knee issues aren't going to get any better as he ages into his 30s.
Miami Heat
⬇Stock Down: Jimmy Butler
Butler was superb during the regular season, although he did miss 20 games. While a poor playoff series against an elite defensive club like Milwaukee shouldn't be harped on too much, it does raise some questions about whether Butler will be able to replicate the same level of regular season success going forward. Health-wise, Butler looked like himself. But the Bucks packed the paint and Butler couldn't make enough outside shots to make them pay.
After averaging 14.5 points on 29.7 percent from the field to go with 7.5 boards, 7.0 assists and 1.3 steals in 38.5 minutes per game during the four-game sweep, it's reasonable to wonder if Butler ran out of gas after putting significant mileage on his body over the last calendar year. Set to turn 32 in September, Butler isn't a lock to pick up where he left off at the end of the regular season.
⬇Stock Down: Goran Dragic
Dragic's regular season struggles extended into the playoffs, as the 34-year-old guard seems to have lost a step. His playoff averages of 16.0 points (42.6% FG, 34.6% 3PT, 75.0% FT), 2.8 assists versus 1.5 turnovers, 1.8 rebounds and 1.0 steal in 29.3 minutes suggest that he no longer has the juice to initiate much offense for himself and others.
Dragic is by no means washed up, but the Heat may think twice -- maybe even three times -- about picking up his team option ($19.4 million). Although Dragic will likely latch onto a contending team as a sixth man even if he doesn't stick with Miami, his best fantasy days are likely behind him.
⬇Stock Down: Tyler Herro
Less than two months ago I went out on a limb and gave Herro an honorable mention as a potential breakout player heading into next season. Like Ron Burgundy felt after jumping into the bear pit, I immediately regretted that decision. While Burgundy escaped the bear pit (mostly thanks to Baxter), Herro was swallowed whole by the Bucks in Round 1.
The sophomore guard looked nothing like the player who took the league by storm as a 20-year-old rookie in last year's playoffs. Herro averaged 9.3 points on 31.6 percent from the field to go with 3.3 rebounds, 1.8 assists and 1.5 threes in 23.3 minutes during the four-game sweep. It's possible that Herro will come back stronger than ever next season, but it's also likely that Miami will do everything in its power to upgrade its backcourt via free agency and the trade market.
Atlanta Hawks
⬆Stock Up: Kevin Huerter
Huerter is more than just a shooter, which he proved during these playoffs. A capable creator offensively (both for himself and others) with an improved pull-up jumper, Huerter could emerge as an unlikely No. 2 option behind Trae Young going forward. Huerter is also a decent defender, thanks largely to his size and willingness to scrap.
His 27-point performance in Game 7 against the 76ers, during which he showed off an improved post game, was the highlight. However, he was a consistent contributor for the Hawks throughout the playoffs, averaging 11.1 points, 3.8 rebounds, 2.8 assists versus 1.1 turnovers, 1.8 threes, 0.9 blocks and 0.8 steals in 31.0 minutes across 18 contests. He's worth targeting in the middle rounds of most fantasy drafts as a potential breakout player.
⬆Stock Up: Cam Reddish
Reddish seemingly came out of nowhere to give the Hawks a much-needed boost on both ends against the Bucks in the Eastern Conference Finals. Albeit in only four games, Reddish amassed averages of 12.8 points (52.8% FG, 64.3% 3PT, 80.0% FT), 3.5 rebounds, 2.3 threes, 1.8 assists, 1.5 steals and 0.5 blocks in 23.0 minutes. Showcasing the swagger that made him a top high school recruit and recent lottery pick, Reddish did enough in Game 6 alone (21 points, 6-7 3PT) to at least put his name back on fantasy radars heading into next season.
⬆Stock Up: Onyeka Okongwu
Okongwu isn't likely to make a major impact next season barring an injury to Clint Capela. Nevertheless, the rookie big man shook off an early-season injury and earned a regular reserve role in Atlanta's playoff rotation. Although Okongwu averaged only 9.2 minutes, he appeared in all 18 playoff games, averaging 2.7 points on 54.8 percent from the field to go with 2.7 rebounds and 0.7 blocks.
If Capela misses any time next season, Okongwu could prove to be a strong addition off the waiver wire. Like Capela, he currently profiles as more of a true center, but the USC product could step into a larger role should the Hawks move on from John Collins this offseason.
New York Knicks
⬇Stock Down: Julius Randle
Randle's shooting came crashing back down to earth when it mattered most. Unless the Knicks make a serious splash via free agency or the trade market, Randle will be locked in as the team's top option offensively once again. Still, opposing teams will probably make him prove that last year wasn't a fluke -- especially from a three-point shooting perspective -- and I'm not so sure it wasn't a fluke myself.
Having averaged 18.0 points (29.8% FG, 33.3% 3PT, 85.2% FT), 11.6 rebounds, and 4.0 assists versus 4.6 turnovers in 36.0 minutes per game during the playoffs, Randle showed he can still fill up a box score even he's not at his best. Nevertheless, his numbers also highlight how difficult it is for him to be efficient as an initiator when his jumpshot isn't falling. And his career three-point shooting percentage (34.2%) is much closer to what we saw during the playoffs than the 2020-21 regular season (41.1% 3PT).
Milwaukee Bucks
⬆Stock Up: Brook Lopez
Lopez isn't seeing quite as much action during the NBA Finals as he did during the previous three playoff rounds. Still, he's been able to mostly silence the critics with steady two-way play. Through 21 games during this postseason, Lopez is averaging 13.3 points (54.7% FG, 32.8% 3PT, 86.0% FT), 5.8 rebounds, 1.6 blocks, 1.0 three and 0.8 steals in 29.1 minutes. He'll probably never be as valuable as he was during the 2018-19 season, but Lopez still provides a steady diet of scoring, blocks and threes at the center position.
Brooklyn Nets
⬆Stock Up: Kevin Durant
Perhaps the most miraculous and surprising thing about these playoffs is the fact that Durant seemingly established (or re-established, depending on who you ask) himself as the league's best player in his first year back from a torn Achilles. Not only did Durant explode for career playoff highs in scoring, rebounding and blocks, but he was also extremely efficient.
His 2021 playoff performance -- 34.3 points per game (51.4% FG, 40.2% 3PT, 87.1% FT), 9.3 rebounds, 4.4 assists, 2.8 threes, 1.6 blocks and 1.5 steals in 40.4 minutes -- was legendary by any standard. Durant's recent onset of lower-body injuries is all that's keeping him from potential No. 1 overall pick consideration in many season-long formats.
⬇Stock Down: Joe Harris
Harris struggled mightily in the playoffs, posting averages of 11.2 points (39.8% FG, 40.2% 3PT, 75.0% FT), 3.6 rebounds, 2.8 threes and 1.6 assists in 36.2 minutes. While his field-goal percentage will likely progress to the mean next season, Harris may be slightly less involved going forward if Brooklyn's big three can stay healthy next season. There will only be so many shots to go around for "the others" on a team featuring Durant, James Harden and Kyrie Irving, who were rarely healthy at the same time in 2020-21.
Philadelphia 76ers
⬆Stock Up: Seth Curry
Curry was on fire for the entirety of the playoffs, pumping in averages of 18.8 points (57.8% FG, 50.6% 3PT, 78.9% FT), 3.4 threes, 2.3 boards, 2.3 dimes and 0.8 steals in 31.8 minutes. Those shooting percentages are unsustainably scalding even for someone named Curry. However, the 30-year-old guard should be expected to continue starting and logging lots of minutes for a 76ers team that needs his shooting to help space the floor for Joel Embiid.
⬆Stock Up: Tyrese Maxey
Maxey was not very involved for most of the regular season and it was unclear if he would be part of the playoff rotation. However, by the time the postseason rolled around, the rookie point guard actually leapfrogged Shake Milton in the pecking order. More of a quick-twitch athlete than any other 76ers guard, Maxey made a habit of attacking off the dribble -- a glaring weakness for most of the roster.
While Maxey may need to improve his perimeter shooting in order to make a consistent impact, he certainly showed that he's not afraid of the big stage. Across 12 playoff games, he averaged 6.3 points, 1.8 rebounds, 1.3 assists and 0.5 blocks in 13.0 minutes. Assuming George Hill isn't back, there should be more minutes on Maxey's plate next season, regardless of what happens with Ben Simmons.
