Rotoworld Fantasy Basketball Podcast

We begin a six-week series of NBA division previews by looking at five key fantasy questions from the Atlantic, as Ryan Knaus, Raphielle Johnson and Matt Stroup discuss their expectations for Tobias Harris, Kevin Durant, Kyrie Irving, Kemba Walker, Jaylen Brown and Pascal Siakam.

Matt Stroup and Steve Alexander take a look at Yahoo ADPs as of early December, breaking down some names that stand out as surprises based on where they've been going in drafts. We discuss whether Luka Doncic, Joel Embiid, LeBron James and Ja Morant are all going too early based on injury concerns and/or last year's fantasy production, and why Anthony Edwards's ADP is potentially a little lower than it should be. Plus, Steve's neighbor/Lakers fan Jakob stops by to talk LeBron, Russell Westbrook, Anthony Davis, and hitting golf balls from Jakob's porch onto Steve's roof.

As Ben Simmons trade rumors continue to escalate, Matt Stroup, Ryan Knaus, Raphielle Johnson and Steve Alexander discuss where Simmons could potentially land, and what this could all mean for promising young Sixers point guard Tyrese Maxey. Then, we take a look at one of the more crowded/intriguing rosters in the league for fantasy purposes — the Charlotte Hornets — and break down what to expect from LaMelo Ball, Terry Rozier, Gordon Hayward, Kelly Oubre, Miles Bridges, P.J. Washington, not to mention Mason "Squeaky Dimes" Plumlee.

With some seven weeks to go until the start of the 2021-22 NBA regular season, Matt Stroup and Steve Alexander highlight 10 favorite draft targets as of late August (and soon to be early September). We discuss the latest on early-round picks ranging from Luka Doncic to Trae Young to Fred VanVleet and Nikola Vucevic, plus some intriguing options available in the middle-to-latter part of your draft, including Chris Boucher, Robert Williams and yes — Khem Birch.

With less than eight weeks to go until the start of the 2021-22 NBA regular season, Raphielle Johnson and Ryan Knaus join Matt Stroup to ask and answer six burning fantasy questions that are on our minds this month. We discuss the status of (and outlook for) Ben Simmons heading into this season, whether we're concerned about Karl-Anthony Towns, and who we see as the biggest risks among first-round fantasy picks. Plus, some of our favorite second-year breakout players (including Jaden McDaniels), and some names — among them Domantas Sabonis — who could make the leap to first-round fantasy value this year. We also react live to the breaking news that Lauri Markkanen has been traded to Cleveland.

Upon further review, six out of the top 11 players in fantasy leagues last season (9-category leagues specifically) will be 30 years of age or older heading into the 2021-22 season. Today, Matt Stroup and Steve Alexander break down a list of 10 real-life aging stars, and how likely we'd be to draft them in fantasy based on last year's production. We hit Steph Curry, James Harden, Kevin Durant, LeBron James, Jimmy Butler and others. Plus, a surprising revelation regarding a Dr. A automobile and the movie National Lampoon's Vacation. (And for those who are wondering, here's the car — and the moment that Steve couldn't stop referencing during the show.)

Ryan Knaus (@ryanknaus), Steve Alexander (@doktora) and Raphielle Johnson (@rapiellej) dig into competitions around the league for minutes, usage and starting jobs. Without the services of their usual host Matt Stroup (@MattStroup), the trio analyze battles with the Wizards forwards, Bucks shooting guards, Hawks wings and Nets centers.

As 2021 NBA Summer League winds down, Matt Stroup is joined by Ryan Knaus and Steve Alexander to discuss some fantasy takeaways from the top prospects we saw in action in Las Vegas, including Cade Cunningham, Jalen Green, Evan Mobley, Scottie Barnes and Jalen Suggs. We also hear from Jared Johnson, who recently dove into historical Summer League data for big-name players (including Karl-Anthony Towns and Trae Young), and he tells us how much Summer League numbers matter — or don't — for fantasy.

With many of the big offseason moves completed in the NBA, Raphielle Johnson, Ryan Knaus and Matt Stroup break down some of the players who may have lost ground in fantasy as the result of their real-life team's decisions. We debate what has changed for Dennis Schroder (now with the Celtics after turning down $84 million from the Lakers), Marcus Smart, Terry Rozier and Darius Garland. Plus, the landscape for high-upside big men Robert Williams, Mo Bamba, Chris Boucher and Daniel Gafford.

NBA depth charts and rotations changed dramatically over the last few weeks, so Matt Stroup and Steve Alexander look at some under-the-radar winners when it comes to fantasy, including Marcus Smart with no Kemba Walker, and Nickeil Alexander-Walker after the Pelicans lost veterans Lonzo Ball and Eric Bledsoe. We also share our expectations for Terance Mann sans Kawhi Leonard, and react to the Summer League debuts of Cade Cunningham, Jalen Green, Scottie Barnes and more.

As the dust settles after a wild week of NBA free agency, Raphielle Johnson, Dr. A, Ryan Knaus and Matt Stroup break down some of the big moves and their potential impact – for real life and fantasy. We dive into the big changes made by the Bulls (Lonzo Ball, DeMar DeRozan arrive), the Knicks (Kemba Walker, Evan Fournier), and who could take a hit on both teams as a result. Plus, reactions to Kelly Oubre, Kelly Olynyk, Spencer Dinwiddie, Andre Drummond and others finding new teams.

With NBA free agency starting on Monday evening, Matt Stroup and Dr. A sit down to consider some of the big decisions that will be made (or may have already been made) this week. We look at the likely landing spots for Chris Paul and Kyle Lowry, and debate whether we’d draft either of the star mid-30’s point guards in fantasy this fall. Plus, a year off — and return to L.A. — looms for Kawhi Leonard, and the fantasy ceiling for two unrestricted free agents (Lonzo Ball and John Collins) who might end up staying with their previous teams.

In the aftermath of a wild night at the NBA Draft, Ryan Knaus and Matt Stroup sit down for some takeaways from the evening, and how some of the big moves might impact fantasy leagues. We first break down the biggest move of the night — Russell Westbrook joining LeBron James and Anthony Davis with the Lakers — and what it means for all three superstars moving forward. We also react to some of the most notable and surprising lottery picks, including Scottie Barnes to Toronto, Jalen Suggs to Orlando, Josh Giddey to Oklahoma City and James Bouknight landing with the Hornets.

With the week of the NBA Draft upon us, Ryan Knaus and Matt Stroup get ready for Thursday night by looking at some of the key names and analyzing their upside for fantasy purposes. We break down the four big names at the top — Cade Cunningham, Jalen Green, Evan Mobley and Jalen Suggs — and consider the short- and long-term fantasy upside for each. Plus, the fantasy outlook for some other first-round players of note, including Scottie Barnes, James Bouknight, Franz Wagner and Jared Butler.

With the NBA offseason officially here, and the NBA Draft just ahead, Matt Stroup and Raphielle Johnson take a few minutes to consider the fantasy outlook for the recently-crowned champion Milwaukee Bucks, in particular their core of stars: Giannis Antetokounmpo, Khris Middleton and Jrue Holiday, with two of them headed for very busy summers. Plus, we discuss what to expect from Chris Paul and Devin Booker after their deep playoff run, what CP3 leaving for Phoenix could mean to the rest of the roster, and the outlook for Deandre Ayton and Mikal Bridges next year. We also look at the latest news on Norman Powell, Onyeka Okongwu and Klay Thompson, who is reportedly making progress but last appeared in an NBA game more than two years ago.

After the Bucks series-shifting Game 5 win over the Suns in Phoenix, Matt Stroup and Ryan Knaus break down the performances of Giannis Antetokounmpo, Khris Middleton and Jrue Holiday, who bounced back with a huge game after a rough night in Game 4. We also discuss whether Phoenix’s offense has become too Booker-centric after Devin Booker scored 40-plus points in consecutive NBA Finals losses. Meanwhile, the latest on Damian Lillard and a possible trade demand out of Portland, and some notable comments from Steve Kerr about the development — and breakout chances — of James Wiseman.

With the NBA Finals tied 2-2 after a thrilling Bucks win in Game 4, Matt Stroup, Raphielle Johnson and Dr. A discuss the latest from the showdown between the Suns and Bucks, with Giannis Antetokounmpo's incredible block on Deandre Ayton standing out as the key moment in the series thus far. Plus, Jrue Holiday struggles in a win, Chris Paul struggles in a loss, and Devin Booker goes off — and tries to foul out — all on the same night. Also on this episode: the outlook for Kawhi Leonard (ACL surgery), Paul George and Ben Simmons heading into next season, the U.S. Olympic basketball roster dilemma, and some long overdue bets get settled.

In the aftermath of the Bucks Game 3 win, and Giannis Antetokounmpo’s second straight 40-point game, Matt Stroup and Dr. A break down how Milwaukee got back into the NBA Finals thanks to the two-time MVP, Jrue Holiday, Khris Middleton and Bobby Portis. Meanwhile, Devin Booker and Mikal Bridges struggled, Deandre Ayton got into foul trouble, and Cam Johnson threw down a monster dunk over P.J. Tucker in a losing effort. We dive into the box score, look ahead to Game 4, and discuss some surprising/not surprising contract news for Spencer Dinwiddie.

Giannis Antetokounmpo threw down a spectacular individual performance in Game 2 of the NBA Finals (42 points on 15-22 shooting), but his star teammates Jrue Holiday and Khris Middleton struggled as the Suns took a 2-0 lead. We discuss what the Bucks need to adjust moving forward (more Brook Lopez and Bobby Portis?), as well as Devin Booker's emergence as a real-life star — and what that could do to his fantasy value. Also on this episode: the once under-the-radar (maybe no longer under-the-radar) value of Suns forwards Mikal Bridges and Cam Johnson.

In the aftermath of Game 1 of the NBA Finals, Matt Stroup is joined by Steve Alexander and Ryan Knaus to break down what went right for Phoenix — namely, Chris Paul, Deandre Ayton and Devin Booker — and what went wrong for Milwaukee in Giannis Antetokounmpo's return. Can the Bucks get more out of Jrue Holiday moving forward? And how will they adjust defensively after getting burned repeatedly by CP3 and Booker in Game 1? We discuss all of that and more, including the impressive rise of Cam Johnson as a bona fide bench standout.