NBA Fantasy: Notable Free Agent Impacts
NBA free agency always gets the attention of fans, with big names moving to new teams and superstars signing ridiculously large contracts. Several teams made moves that should put them in a better position to compete for an NBA Championship next season.
But the impact of NBA free agency does not end there. With several faces in new places, the potential fantasy value for several players has been impacted, many for the better and some for the worse.
We talked about the impact a few trades may have last time. Let’s take a look at the fantasy impact of a few of the more notable free agency moves.
Myles Turner Signs With the Milwaukee Bucks
Turner didn’t have a significant impact in terms of fantasy value last year. However, with an average of 32 fantasy points a game, he was the kind of player everyone needs: a guy who will not be the reason you lost but could be the reason you win because of the occasional good night.
With Brook Lopez now in LA, Turner will slide right into his vacated slot and get starter minutes from the start. Since the Bucks also waived Damian Lillard, they’ll probably want Turner to be more of a presence on the offensive end.
However, there may still be one more move that could certainly impact the fantasy value of Myles Turner: it remains to be seen what the future holds for Giannis Antetokounmpo in Milwaukee.
D’Angelo Russell Signs With the Dallas Mavericks
Russell was, at one point in his career, good for an average of 40 fantasy points a night (2019-2020, when he was with Minnesota). With the Lakers, he was good for 33-35 points a night (average).
But last season with the Nets, he was largely forgotten in fantasy circles (26.7 fantasy points a night). There is a good chance he will do much better next season, at least as long as Kyrie Irving is out.
Cooper Flagg and Anthony Davis will be the focus of the offense and the two guys that defenses plan for, so that should make it a little easier for a talented player like Russell to post respectable numbers on a nightly basis.
I don’t expect big things, but I wouldn’t be surprised if he becomes that guy you can count on not to lose the game that will occasionally be the reason why you win.
DeAndre Ayton Signs With the Los Angeles Lakers
This is the move I am most looking forward to seeing next season. Ayton has been a reliable fantasy producer during his time with the Suns and Trail Blazers, averaging 33-39.7 fantasy points per game across seven seasons. Good? Yes. Great? No.
However, I would not be surprised if he becomes a great one next year; at the very least, he’ll certainly be a lot better than he was in 2025.
All eyes will, of course, be on Luka Doncic and LeBron James. But despite the volume of shots both superstars will take (and should), Ayton will see enough of the ball to have arguably the best fantasy season of his career (potentially).
