Rotoworld Fantasy Basketball Podcast

Matt Stroup, Noah Rubin and Steve Alexander kick off a six-week division-by-division NBA fantasy preview series with some key fantasy questions and concerns in the Atlantic Division, discussing expectations for Robert Williams, Tyrese Maxey, Kevin Durant, Jalen Brunson, Scottie Barnes, and more. Also on this episode: De'Anthony Melton's sleeper appeal in Philly, and if you have to take one player from the Nets in every fantasy draft at ADP — who is it?(04:45) How high to draft Robert Williams?(12:15) Tyrese Maxey going too high in drafts?(16:30) De'Anthony Melton now with Philadelphia(21:30) What are the expectations for Scottie Barnes in Year 2?(33:05) Kevin Durant conversation(38:05) Jalen Brunson discussion(49:40) What to make of Jayden McDaniels? 

Matt Stroup, Raphielle Johnson and Steve Alexander discuss the impact of the Donovan Mitchell trade to the Cavs, and what it means for Mitchell, Darius Garland, Caris LeVert, Collin Sexton, Lauri Markkanen — and much more. Also on this episode: takeaways from a very early mock draft, including the landing spots for Damian Lillard, Trae Young, LaMelo Ball, Paolo Banchero, and Michael Porter Jr. (3:36) Donovan Mitchell trade fallout(10:23) Fantasy impact on the Cavaliers(14:03) Fantasy outlook for the Utah Jazz(28:21) New York Knicks evaluation of Quentin Grimes(31:52) Mock Draft Recap

Matt Stroup, Steve Alexander and Zak Hanshew break down some of the latest NBA news, injuries, trades and rumors, including the landscape for Patrick Beverley and Russell Westbrook with the Lakers, Michael Porter Jr. and Ben Simmons's outlooks coming off back surgery, and the wildly intriguing upside of Tyrese Haliburton in Indiana. Also on this episode: two fantasy sleepers who could fully break out in the aftermath of Chet Holmgren's season-ending foot injury.(04:05) Patrick Beverly now on the Lakers(10:10) Chet Holmgren out for the year(14:45) Kevin Durant back in Brooklyn(23:10) Tyrese Haliburton's upside (29:05) Michael Porter Jr. assessment 

Jared Johnson (@Jae_Tha_Truth) and Noah Rubin (@NoahRubin22) discuss some of their takeaways after putting together the draft guide, putting the spotlight on Lonzo Ball, Norman Powell, Ivica Zubac, Lonnie Walker, Ja Morant, Jaren Jackson Jr., Josh Hart, Anfernee Simons, Kevin Porter Jr. and Isaiah Jackson. Plus, some talk about the schedule for the 2022-23 season and back-to-back sets.(00:51) Lonzo Ball talk(05:45) A look at Norman Powell(13:50) Ja Morant and his knee?(24:10) Josh Hart conversation 

Matt Stroup, Steve Alexander and Jonas Nader highlight some potential breakout candidates for the upcoming season, including Nic Claxton, Devin Vassell, Alperen Sengun, and Bones Hyland. Also on this episode: the outlook for Jalen Smith in Indiana, and James Wiseman in Golden State. (2:36) OKC's tanking strategy(11:13) Breakout Candidates: Devin Vassell, Alperen Sengun, and more(23:15) Jalen Smith gets an increased role with the Pacers(35:37) Jared Vanderbilt & Patrick Williams(44:40) Other players to watch out for  

Matt Stroup, Raphielle Johnson and Zak Hanshew make the case for and against drafting a number of over-30 real-life and fantasy superstars, including Kevin Durant, LeBron James, Steph Curry, Kyrie Irving and James Harden. Also on this episode: why things could look better for Rudy Gobert as he moves from Utah to Minnesota, and the upside for Damian Lillard coming off a mostly lost season due to injury. (02:45) Kevin Durant outlook(09:22) Kyrie Irving now in his 30's(12:50) Confidence level in Steph Curry(17:05) Paul George's situation(22:45) Jimmy Butler conversation(25:04) Concerns about drafting Chris Paul?(30:10) A look at Demar DeRozan(35:50) Concerns about Jrue Holiday

Matt Stroup, Jared Johnson and Steve Alexander comb through some of the most notable and intriguing position battles in the Western Conference right now, including our expectations for James Wiseman, Tari Eason, John Wall, and Anfernee Simons. Also on this episode: Amid all the hype for Chet Holmgren, can Aleksej Pokusevski fully break out this season in OKC?(03:50) Frontcourt position battle in Dallas (Wood vs. Mcgee)(08:20) Looney vs. Wiseman in Golden State(20:32) Point guard situation for the Clippers (Wall vs. Jackson)(25:20) Position battles in OKC(33:10) Kings have both Kevin Huerter & Malik Monk at shooting guard(41:10) Anfernee Simons shooting guard role safe in Portland?

Matt Stroup, Raphielle Johnson and Ryan Knaus discuss some key position battles in the Eastern Conference, and their fantasy impact, including Cole Anthony vs. Markelle Fultz, Victor Oladipo vs. Max Strus, and Chris Duarte vs. Bennedict Mathurin vs. Buddy Hield. Also on this episode: What's the potential for Isaiah Stewart and Jalen Duren in the Pistons frontcourt, and will Quentin Grimes finally get his shot with the Knicks?(1:55) Frontcourt minutes in Charlotte(5:40) Position battle with Detroit's bigs(11:44) Pacers' young backcourt(19:11) Wing minutes in Miami(31:16) The Magic's multitude of position battles(38:28) Assembling Washington's lineup

Matt Stroup, Jonas Nader and Steve Alexander discuss the impact of Deandre Ayton staying in Phoenix, and takeaways from the Summer League stat lines of Chet Holmgren, Paolo Banchero, Keegan Murray and more. Also on this episode: the opportunities on the Jazz if they end up trading away Donovan Mitchell, Jordan Clarkson and Malik Beasley, and why Quentin Grimes could be a huge beneficiary. (4:33) Deandre Ayton will return to the Suns(10:00) Utah Jazz trade rumors(14:40) Injury updates from Denver(19:47) Chet Holmgren(25:20) Paolo Banchero(30:03) Keegan Murray(33:43) Tari Eason and Mark Williams 

Matt Stroup, Jonas Nader and Noah Rubin discuss the latest Donovan Mitchell trade rumors, the outlook for Christian Wood in Dallas with a potentially less-than-ideal role, and some Summer League standouts, including Jabari Smith and Josh Giddey. Also on this episode: the case for (and against) Bennedict Mathurin as a fantasy sleeper in Indiana.(03:15) Donovan Mitchell trade rumors(10:02) Deandre Ayton to Indiana?(15:56) James Wiseman's stock(24:07) Bennedict Mathurin conversation  

Matt Stroup (@MattStroup) and Steve Alexander (@Docktora) are joined by special guest Danny Pommells (@DPommellsNBCS)  of NBC Sports Philadelphia (co-host of the Sixers Talk podcast) to discuss the outlook for James Harden, Joel Embiid, Tyrese Maxey, Tobias Harris and De'Anthony Melton this upcoming season. Also on this episode: impressions from James Wiseman's long-awaited Summer League appearance, and injury updates on Lonzo Ball and Michael Porter Jr.(2:20) Ben Simmons outlook from Philly perspective(4:37) James Harden returns to the Sixers(10:25) Tyrese Maxey's potential(13:29) Joel Embiid MVP candidacy(16:22) De'Anthony Melton's and Tobias Harris' season outlooks(33:38) Summer League story lines (40:49) Off-season news update  

Matt Stroup, Steve Alexander and Raphielle Johnson discuss some fantasy winners and losers from NBA free agency so far, including Jalen Brunson, Christian Wood, Alperen Sengun, and Jalen Smith. Also on this episode: How will the Hawks new-look backcourt balance out between Trae Young and Dejounte Murray, can Tre Jones step into a big role in San Antonio, and is Nic Claxton ready to break out amid all the chaos in Brooklyn?

Matt Stroup is joined by Chris Forsberg (Celtics reporter for NBC Sports Boston) to discuss expectations for Malcolm Brogdon, Marcus Smart, Robert Williams and more. Also on this episode: the one main area where Jayson Tatum could improve, the fallout from Chet Holmgren's stunning Summer League debut, and the outlook for Zion Williamson and Darius Garland after they both signed max extensions.(02:15) Malcolm Brogdon now a Celtic(14:50) Danilo Gallinari playing time in Boston?(18:30) Under the radar fantasy option on Celtics?(29:01) Keegan Murray so far with Sacramento(31:37) The latest on the Nets, including TJ Warren's arrival(38:06) Zion Williamson's fantasy outlook

Jared Johnson (@Jae_Tha_Truth) and Brad Stonebraker (@bradbraker97) discuss the latest free agency happenings around the league, including Orlando's confusing frontcourt, the T. Jones brothers, Lonnie Walker landing in L.A., Victor Oladipo returning to Miami, and one of the more disappointing re-signings north of the border. Plus, Kevin Durant's surprising announcement. All that and more in Friday's Roundball Stew podcast.(0:33) Is Kevin Durant leaving Brooklyn?(2:18) Victor Oladipo stays in South Beach(7:51) Portland's series of moves(17:36) Jaren Jackson Jr.'s injury and other updates for the Grizzlies(23:39) Lakers' free agency additions(29:44) Market for Kemba Walker

Steve Alexander (@docktora), Noah Rubin (@noahrubin22) and Brad Stonebreaker (@bradbraker97) discuss Kyrie Irving opting in with the Nets, Dejounte Murray trade rumors, John Wall becoming a Clipper, Jalen Brunson's likely move to the Knicks and much more on Wednesday's Roundball Stew.(01:40) Analysis of Nuggets/ Wizards trade(06:05) Kyrie Irving staying in Brooklyn(14:02) Where to target Jalen Brunson fantasy-wise for next season?(20:07) Is Dejounte Murray on the move?(25:02) John Wall to the Clippers(33:25) What's next for Miles Bridges?

On Monday's Roundball Stew, Steve Alexander (@Docktora) and Jared Johnson (@Jae_the_truth) recap the NBA Draft and talk about the fluid Kevin Durant/Kyrie Irving/Ben Simmons situation in Brooklyn, as well as look at long-lost players like John Wall, Jamal Murray and Michael Porter Jr. as free agency approaches this weekend. (1:23) Takeaways from the NBA Draft (9:34) Trade rumors in Brooklyn(14:19) John Wall on the buyout market?(17:47) Malcolm Brogdon could be on the move(24:05) When will Jamal Murray return?(30:32) Miles Bridges

Matt Stroup, Raphielle Johnson and Brad Stonebraker discuss their immediate takeaways from Thursday night's NBA Draft, including our expectations for Paolo Banchero, Chet Holmgren, Jabari Smith Jr. and other top fantasy rookies. Also on this episode: Our favorite fantasy rookie sleepers, and our best efforts to correctly pronounce Bennedict Mathurin's last name.(4:11) Paolo Banchero goes #1 Overall(7:02) Chet Holmgren to OKC(9:51) Jabari Smith heads to Houston(13:17) Sacramento Kings take Murray(21:04) Bennedict Mathurin(27:04) Blazers select Shaedon Sharpe(35:22) Johnny Davis heads to DC 

Matt Stroup, Vaughn Dalzell, Raphielle Johnson, Steve Alexander and Noah Rubin break down the NBA Draft from a fantasy and betting perspective, discussing our expectations for where Jabari Smith Jr., Paolo Banchero, Chet Holmgren and others will land, as well as the latest rumors around Bradley Beal, Deandre Ayton and more. Also on this episode: Will Jaden Ivey or Keegan Murray land with the Kings at No. 4 overall, and what do the Nets do about their Kyrie Irving contract dilemma?(01:40) Odds on the 1st overall pick(12:15) Odds on the 4th overall pick(26:04) Deandre Ayton future discussion(34:03) Knicks aiming for Jalen Brunson(38:10) Bradley Beal's future up in the air 

Matt Stroup (@MattStroup), Jonas Nader (@JonasNader), and Zak Hanshew (@ZakTheMonster) react to the Warriors taking their fourth NBA title in the last eight seasons, and explore some intriguing possibilities at the top of next week's NBA Draft. Among the players whose fantasy outlooks we discuss: Paolo Banchero, Keegan Murray, Dyson Daniels, and Mark Williams. (1:04) NBA Finals recap(5:48) Chet Holmgren's fit in the Top 2(7:01) Paolo Banchero(11:53) Kings' pick and Keegan Murray's potential(20:00) Portland Trailblazers' and Dyson Daniels(27:26) Mark Williams and other big men fits for Charlotte 

Matt Stroup, Jared Johnson and Steve Alexander discuss the upside of some of last year's rookie stars, including Cade Cunningham, Scottie Barnes, and Evan Mobley. Also on this episode: a preview of Game 6 of the NBA Finals, and birthday wishes from Steve to some notable NBA players celebrating this week.(03:45) Game 6 Preview(08:40) Cade Cunningham's potential upside(16:30) Evan Mobley discussion(21:40) Jalen Green segment(25:15) Jalen Suggs Year 2 Forecast(29:55) Franz Wagner focus