Rotoworld Fantasy Basketball Podcast

Matt Stroup is joined by Ryan Knaus, Jared Johnson, Raphielle Johnson and Steve Alexander to break down a number of fantasy topics that have gotten our attention recently, including Nikola Jokic's injury scare, Caris LeVert's impending return and Michael Porter Jr.'s slow start.

After an eventful nine-game night in the NBA, Ryan Knaus (@ryanknaus) and Jared Johnson (@Jae_Tha_Truth) break down the best and worst performances with a fantasy slant. Is Chris Boucher's sparse playing time a temporary problem, or an existential threat to his value? Is it possible for Miles Bridges to maintain his red-hot start to the season? And does Nassir Little's recent play portend good things rest-of-season, or is it just circumstantial without Norman Powell (knee)? All that and much more is covered in Tuesday's Stew.

Matt Stroup, Aaron Robinson and Jared Johnson discuss six big takeaways from the first week/weekend of the NBA season, including a wave of rookies that are immediately fantasy relevant — from Jalen Green to Evan Mobley to Josh Giddey. Plus, what we've noticed about Sacramento's three-guard lineup, and our expectations for Davion Mitchell and Harrison Barnes moving forward. 

Matt Stroup, Jonas Nader and Steve Alexander highlight some serviceable and intriguing waiver wire pickups for Week 1 (and looking ahead to Week 2), including Chris Duarte, Desmond Bane and Cam Reddish after all three posted 20+ points in their respective season openers. We also discuss the potential for Eric Bledsoe, Terance Mann, Nic Claxton and a number of others on this episode.Check out Jonas's Waiver Wired column on NBC Sports EDGE: https://www.nbcsportsedge.com/article/waiver-wired/nba-waiver-wired-week-1

Steve Alexander (@doktora) and Raphielle Johnson (@raphiellej) dig into notable performances on Wednesday night - including huge season debuts from LaMelo Ball, Jaylen Brown and Ja Morant. The duo also break down how a change of address for Evan Fournier (Knicks), as well as Kyle Kuzma and Montrezl Harrell (Wizards) could mean big things this season. Also put under the microscope: rookies Chris Duarte and Evan Mobley. 

Matt Stroup is joined by four writers from the NBC Sports EDGE basketball crew (Ryan Knaus, Raphielle Johnson, Steve Alexander and Jared Johnson) for five minutes each to talk fantasy topics of their choosing. We react to Russell Westbrook's disappointing Lakers debut, and talk expectations for Jordan Poole, Nic Claxton, Patty Mills and others. 

With the NBA season about to tip off and most fantasy drafts in the books, Ryan Knaus (@ryanknaus) and Jared Johnson (@Jae_Tha_Truth) prognosticate about potential Waiver Wire Pickups of the Year, including R.J. Hampton, Killian Hayes and (gasp!) Coby White. They also discuss most fantasy managers' seeming indifference to drafting Trae Young at the turn, the merits of Caris LeVert outside the top-100, and whether people are sleeping on Chris Boucher. Plus, does Robert Williams III's Average Draft Position of 57.1 still leave room for upside?

On the eve of the 2021-22 NBA season, Matt Stroup (@MattStroup) and Steve Alexander (@doktora) sit down to preview some of the key fantasy storylines to watch as the season gets underway, including the uncertain status of Ben Simmons in Philadelphia and Kyrie Irving in Brooklyn. Plus, are Caris LeVert and Jaren Jackson Jr. worth the injury risk in fantasy drafts, and is it possible we're too low on Karl-Anthony Towns — even though he's a consensus first-round fantasy pick?

Heading into the final weekend of drafts before the NBA regular season, Ryan Knaus, Steve Alexander and Matt Stroup preview the Southwest Division from a fantasy perspective, discussing the injury status of Zion (and what it means for the rest of the Pelicans), any Mavs to draft other than Luka Doncic and Kristaps Porzingis, and the potential upside for rookie big man Alperen Sengun. Also on this episode: our expectations for Desmond Bane, De'Anthony Melton and Dejounte Murray.

Matt Stroup, Raphielle Johnson and Jared Johnson discuss some of their favorite early-round, mid-round and late-round fantasy draft targets, including Jaylen Brown, OG Anunoby, De'Aaron Fox, Evan Mobley and Mo Bamba. Plus, our expectations for Tobias Harris, Bogdan Bogdanovic and more.

Matt Stroup and Steve Alexander are joined by Dan Besbris and Adam King from Hoop-Ball.com to discuss some dilemmas that fantasy basketball managers may be facing in the days ahead. Among the ADP battles we hit (based on Yahoo ADP): Kevin Durant vs. Damian Lillard, LaMelo Ball vs. Donovan Mitchell, Anthony Edwards vs. Kristaps Porzingis — and more.

We continue our series of NBA divisional previews with a look at some of the key fantasy storylines in the Pacific, including what's at stake for Deandre Ayton, where to draft LeBron James, and the potentially overlooked upside of De'Aaron Fox. We also discuss the late-round potential of Jordan Poole, whether we're interested in drafting Buddy Hield, Harrison Barnes and Marvin Bagley — and whether Kawhi Leonard's absence will result in a higher ceiling for Marcus Morris.

The NBC Sports EDGE crew gets together with a panel of experts from across the fantasy basketball industry for a 12-team, 9-category head-to-head draft, featuring a wide range of sleepers and shocking picks along the way (including the guy who went first overall). Listen to hear the draft position and fantasy outlook for players including LaMeLo Ball, Michael Porter Jr., LeBron James, De'Aaron Fox, Donovan Mitchell and a ton of others. Our expert panel includes — from NBC Sports EDGE: Ryan Knaus, Raphielle Johnson, Renee Miller, Steve Alexander, Vaughn Dalzell, Jonas Nader, Jared Johnson and Aaron Robinson. Plus, Dalton Del Don (Yahoo), Dan Besbris (HoopBall), Josh Lloyd (Basketball Monster) and Jonathan Wasserman (Bleacher Report), with Matt Stroup hosting.

Matt Stroup (@MattStroup) and Steve Alexander (@doktora) break down some recent headlines that could impact how we approach our fantasy leagues, including the latest on Caris LeVert's injury situation, Andrew Wiggins's availability for Warriors home games, and Domantas Sabonis getting the green light to shoot a lot more 3s. Plus, a lofty assists goal for Rockets point guard Kevin Porter Jr. that results in our latest podcast shirsey bet.

Matt Stroup, Raphielle Johnson and Steve Alexander take a look at at the NBA's Northwest Division for fantasy purposes, hitting some key questions on the Jazz, Nuggets, Blazers, Timberwolves and Thunder. Among the topics discussed on this episode: a rare feat that Mike Conley pulled off last year (and whether he can repeat it at age 34 this season), Michael Porter Jr.'s status as a potential early-round fantasy pick, and Jusuf Nurkic's attempt to bounce back from a somewhat disappointing 2020-21. Plus, our expectations for Karl-Anthony Towns and Malik Beasley in Minnesota, as well as the upside — and downside — for Shai Gilgeous-Alexander in Oklahoma City.

With NBA training camps getting underway this week, Matt Stroup is joined by Ryan Knaus and Aaron Robinson to highlight 10 intriguing names to target late in fantasy drafts, including Terance Mann, Malik Beasley and Jaden McDaniels, as well as a trio of fliers out of Oklahoma City — Lu Dort, Josh Giddey and the wild card of wild cards, Aleksej Pokusevski.

Ryan Knaus, Raphielle Johnson and Matt Stroup continue our series of NBA division previews with a fantasy-centric look at the Southeast. We discuss what to expect from the Hawks shooting guards and small forwards (Bogdan Bogdanovic, De'Andre Hunter, Kevin Huerter and Cam Reddish) in terms of playing time and production. Plus, our outlook for players including LaMelo Ball, Bradley Beal, Daniel Gafford, Miles Bridges, Mo Bamba, Jonathan Isaac and Kyle Lowry — who becomes a scary but intriguing fantasy proposition with a new team at age 35.

He is one of the most exciting real-life point guards out there, and a polarizing player when it comes to fantasy, and today, Matt Stroup and Jared Johnson debate the fantasy value of Ja Morant, while Steve Alexander plays the role of mediator/referee/dad. Also on this episode: Our expectations for Lonzo Ball, Kyle Lowry, Kyle Anderson and more.

Matt Stroup is joined by Raphielle Johnson, Ryan Knaus and Steve Alexander to tackle five key questions in the Central Division, including our workload expectations for Giannis Antetokounmpo, Jrue Holiday and Khris Middleton in Milwaukee, the role of DeMar DeRozan as he arrives in Chicago, and the dynamic in the Pistons frontcourt between Kelly Olynyk and Isaiah Stewart.

With just over a month to go until the start of the 2021-22 NBA regular season, Matt Stroup and Steve Alexander highlight five players with intriguing/perplexing/surprising early ADPs in Yahoo drafts, including Deandre Ayton, Michael Porter Jr., Clint Capela and some late-round players of note.