76ers, Heat and Wizards players testing preseason projections after Week 1
ESPN's fantasy experts identified several early-season developments that contradict what analysts expected before the NBA season began.
By Robert Ward ·
Tyrese Maxey is producing at a high level for the Philadelphia 76ers despite the team adding LeBron James and Jaylen Brown alongside Joel Embiid. Maxey averaged 50 fantasy points per game through four games as Philadelphia opened the season 3-1. Brown contributed 36.0 fantasy points per game, and Embiid recorded a 28-point triple-double against the Milwaukee Bucks last Saturday.
Michael F. Florio noted that James and Embiid have already each missed a game, which had been a concern entering the season. Maxey ranks as a Top 5 player across formats, while Embiid and Brown are each averaging over 20 PPG.
In Miami, Giannis Antetokoumpo's arrival has coincided with a drop in Bam Adebayo's numbers. Adebayo averaged 20.1 PPG and 10 RPG last season but is currently at 11.8 PPG, 7.3 RPG, 40% FG and 61.5% FT. Miami is winless through the early schedule.
Washington's Alex Sarr is averaging 8.8 PPG, 5.3 RPG and 1.3 BPG after posting 16.3 PPG, 7.4 RPG and 2.0 BPG last season. Andre Snellings attributed the decline to Anthony Davis occupying the areas of the floor Sarr previously used. Sarr's field goal attempts dropped from 13.7 to 6.5 per game. The No. 1 overall pick, AJ Dybantsa, has not yet played this season.
Jabari Smith Jr. was the No. 3 overall pick in the 2022 draft. Jim McCormick wrote that Smith's defense has improved while his 3-point volume has increased this season, expanding his scoring range.
Nikola Vucevic returned to the Orlando Magic this offseason but is averaging 8.0 minutes per game compared to Wendell Carter Jr.'s 30.7. Carter is 27, while Vucevic is 36. The other Magic stars are Paolo Banchero at 23, Franz Wagner at 25 and Desmond Bane at 28.
Steve Alexander listed ten players out with major injuries in Week 1: Anthony Edwards, Jalen Williams, Jaren Jackson Jr., Kawhi Leonard, Cason Wallace, Lauri Markkanen, Kristaps Porzingis, Kon Knueppel, Ivica Zubac and Yves Missi. Some may not play again this season, and 24 weeks remain on the schedule.
The analysis came from ESPN's fantasy basketball experts, including Andre Snellings, Eric Moody, Eric Karabell, Steve Alexander, Jim McCormick and Michael F. Florio.
Source: ESPN
