Fantasy Basketball 2022-23 rookie rankings: Paolo Banchero stands out as prime fantasy rookie

September 10, 2022

I felt that Chet Holmgren was the rookie with the very best talent set and scenario to complete atop the rookie fantasy leaderboard in 2022-23, however the Oklahoma Metropolis massive is out for the 12 months with a season-ending foot damage. He checked a whole lot of containers as a promising scorer, rebounder, and shot blocker who can stretch the ground with correct capturing from deep. Whereas it will be troublesome for different first-year NBA gamers to match his upside, there’s nonetheless loads of expertise price maintaining a tally of.

I’ve factored in positional battles, staff objectives, and talent units to place collectively a listing for the very best targets within the 2022 draft class. Learn beneath to get explanations for the highest 5 and a full top-20 listing:

1. Paolo Banchero, Orlando Magic

Banchero is getting into an fascinating scenario in Orlando. The shock prime decide within the 2022 NBA Draft is certain to log loads of minutes. Franz Wagner averaged 15.2 factors on practically 31 minutes an evening in his first professional season en path to an NBA All-Rookie first staff choice, and Banchero may get much more publicity. Duke’s former star ahead will play a big half in boosting an offense that ranked twenty ninth in factors per recreation final season. He should not cope with stiff competitors from Jonathan Isaac early on as he appears to recuperate from a string of leg accidents that saved him off the courtroom for all of final 12 months. Banchero could have each alternative to behave because the Magic’s first choice on offense from day one, and the identical cannot be mentioned for the opposite gamers on this listing. Orlando shut him down after two summer time league video games for a motive. They count on him to hold a sizeable workload.

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2. Jabari Smith, Houston Rockets

Smith could be neck and neck with Banchero if the 2 switched groups, however he is nonetheless seems set to have a powerful 12 months in H-City. The Rockets opened issues up for the 6-foot-10 sharpshooter by sending Christian Wooden to the Dallas Mavericks earlier this summer time, making him the clear-cut starter at energy ahead. Kevin Porter Jr. and Jalen Inexperienced are certain to be shot hungry within the backcourt, however Smith could have loads of accountability as arguably his staff’s greatest defender and rebounder within the beginning unit. Usman Garuba would not appear prepared to supply ample help from the bench, so Smith could possibly be a double-double risk pretty usually. He simply has to show that he can bounce again from his Summer season League capturing woes to show his doubters unsuitable.

3. Keegan Murray, Sacramento Kings

The Kings turned heads after they chosen Murray over Jaden Ivey, who was extensively thought of to be the very best level guard within the 2022 draft class. Whether or not Sacramento made one other expensive draft-night blunder stays to be seen, however the Kings really feel assured that Murray will be an asset early on. The small-ball 4 out of Iowa shot the ball extraordinarily nicely throughout summer time league play and averaged 23.3 factors and seven.3 rebounds per contest whereas capturing over 50 p.c from the sphere and 40 p.c from three earlier than taking house an MVP award in Las Vegas. He possible will not replicate these numbers towards elite NBA expertise, however the 22-year-old rookie has the instruments to achieve success regardless of enjoying alongside a pair of fantasy studs in De’Aaron Fox and Domantas Sabonis.

4. Jaden Ivey, Detroit Pistons

I could be greater on Ivey if he wasn’t dominated out of the Las Vegas Summer season League after struggling an ankle sprain 5 minutes into his second recreation, however adjusting to a brand new position with a ball-dominant backcourt accomplice may have an effect on his upside early on. Cade Cunningham can be Detroit’s main ball handler from the get-go. Ivey can set the desk for himself off the ball because of his downhill athleticism, however he may not find yourself being the Pistons’ second-best wing choice as Saddiq Bey appears to construct on his spectacular sophomore season. It is unclear how Detroit will cut up up level guard duties between Cunningham, Ivey, and Killian Hayes, however the Purdue product has extra competitors as his place than the aforementioned gamers. 

5. Bennedict Mathurin, Indiana Pacers

Mathruin is within the operating to start out for the Pacers alongside Tyrese Haliburton and Buddy Hield. The swingman out of Arizona can profit from sharing the courtroom with a pair of sharpshooters who every boast profession 3-point capturing percentages above 39 p.c. Whereas Chris Duarte’s certain to suit into the rotation as nicely, Hield can be a sought-after veteran round commerce deadline time and a commerce may assist Mathurin’s worth shoot up considerably. He showcased a few of his offensive skills by totaling 19.3 factors and 4.0 rebounds on 48.8 p.c capturing in Las Vegas earlier this summer time. 

Prime 20 Fantasy Rookies for 2022-23

1: Paolo Banchero, ORL
2. Jabari Smith, HOU
3. Keegan Murray, IND
4. Jaden Ivey, DET
5. Bennedict Mathurin, IND
6. Tari Eason, HOU
7. Walker Kessler, UTH
8. Mark Williams, CHA
9. Jalen Williams, OKC
10. Johnny Davis, WAS
11. Jake LaRavia, MEM
12. Jalen Duren, DET
13. TyTy Washington, HOU
14. Shaedon Sharpe, POR
15. Dyson Daniels, NOP
16. Blake Wesley, SAS
17. Jeremy Sochan, SAS
18. Ousmane Dieng, OKC
19. Jaden Hardy, DAL
20. A.J. Griffin, ATL