If you’re reading this article, chances are that you’re also an avid fantasy basketball player.
So many resources from that world translates to betting NBA futures.
For today’s article, I’m going to skip the traditional talking points like awards and win totals.
There are countless analysts out there talking ad nauseam on those subjects.
In today’s column, I’m going to zero in on what I was originally hired to do for TSN – talk fantasy basketball.
With so much movement in the offseason, almost every team has significant questions to be solved ahead of Opening Night.
Trades, rookies, and injuries have expanded the range of outcomes for an NBA season that feels like nothing is for certain.
While some teams like the Oklahoma City Thunder and Cleveland Cavaliers are relatively stable, there are countless ambiguous situations.
With all these changes in mind, here are three plus-money season-long player futures on FanDuel that I’m most keen on.
Victor Wembanyama to record a 5×5 in any 2025-26 regular season game (+260)
Why don’t we start off with a bet that has a 100 per cent success rate but has a 27.8 per cent implied probability?
In both seasons Wemby has played, he’s successfully registered one of these 5×5 games.
A 5×5 stat line requires a player to finish with five or more points, rebounds, assists, steals and blocks in a single game.
The phenom was one assist shy of doing it twice during his rookie year and achieved the feat just five games into last season.
If you’ve been watching any film of Wemby during the preseason, his quotes about the offseason seem legit.
“This summer, I chose to do something much more violent. Maybe that takes away from some time I can spend on shooting the basketball, but it doesn’t matter. I wanted to get my body back.”
“I can assure you nobody has trained like I did this summer. I feel better, I look stronger. The scale says I’m heavier. Everything is a green light.”
With those comments in mind, this type of bet aligns with his training.
Hitting a 5×5 doesn’t require elite shooting touch.
He cleared five boards in every game last year.
This bet all comes down to his body and his mentality – will he be able to hound opponents defensively night in, night out?
As it stands, he sits at -185 in win Defensive Player of the Year, a testament to his dominance on that end.
No player outside of Wemby has opened the season as a minus-money choice for DPOY since tracking began.
With more offensive weapons around him in his third season, the assist volume should come up.
I believe in the Wemby hype this season and this is my favourite way to cash in.
Alperen Sengun to average 7+ assists per game (+290)
I mentioned situations in flux above; few teams have more in motion that the Houston Rockets.
Not only did they make the biggest trade of the offseason, but they also got dealt the biggest training camp blow with Fred VanVleet, suffering a torn ACL, now due to miss the entire season.
As a result, thrustoth the trade and injury leaves Houston very thin at the guard position.
Last year’s third-overall pick, Reed Sheppard, will be asked to make a major leap after averaging just 4.4 points and 1.4 assists in his rookie season.
Amen Thompson, their two-way star of the future, will be thrust into that primary playmaker role even if he isn’t ready for it.
He’s demonstrated an ability to rack up dimes but remains a question mark as a true floor general for a team with championship aspirations.
Cue Alperen “Baby Jokic” Sengun who looks primed to evolve once again in his fifth season.
Last year, only two centres averaged more assists per game than Sengun (Jokic – 10.2, Sabonis – 6.0).
The Turk is coming off an impressive showing at the EuroBasket tournament last month, leading his country to a silver medal, their second ever.
Sengun averaged a whopping 6.6 apg on just 30.5 mpg.
Playing alongside Kevin Durant for the first time in preseason, Sengun continues to display his chops as an offensive hub through three games (all wins).
He’s up to 8.7 apg in just 24.1 mpg.
Head coach, Ime Udoka, recently praised his passing in a post-game press conference.
“He’s making quicker decisions. He’s always been a guy who can pass the ball… he’s going to make the right play more often than not. He’s in good rhythm right now coming out of EuroBasket.”
VanVleet, Jalen Green and Dillon Brooks leave behind 10.7 apg coming into this season.
While KD and Thompson will absorb some of that, a two-assist jump per game seems well within the realm of possibility for Sengun.
Shaedon Sharpe to average 22+ points per game (+175)
I would feel a degree of shame if I didn’t close off this article with some Canadian content – let’s talk about a fellow Canuck who flies under the radar.
Shai Gilgeous-Alexander rightfully deserves all the Canadian spotlight.
Jamal Murray has proven himself in the playoffs as a former champ.
Dillon Brooks always seems to find a way into the headlines.
But this season, I’m betting that Canadian fans will become more familiar with the high-flying Sharpe.
Going seventh overall in the 2022 draft, Sharpe was the number one recruit coming out of high school before committing to play for Kentucky.
He remained a bit of a mystery because he never played a single game in college even though he was eligible for the 2022 draft.
As a result, he doesn’t have the game tape and resume like his peers.
Over his first three years in the NBA, he’s steadily increased his scoring production each season settling at 18.5 ppg last year.
Coming into Year 4, there are a few reasons why I believe Sharpe is heading for another leap.
For starters, I’m judging Portland by the actions of its front office.
Last year’s scoring leader, Anfernee Simons, was shipped off to Boston for a proven but aging veteran in Jrue Holiday (a defence-first All-Star).
They agreed to a buyout with former first overall pick, Deandre Ayton, making way for defensive-minded centre, Donovan Clingan.
All-Defensive second-team player, Toumani Camara, looks destined to remain a staple of their starting five.
These three choices point to Portland changing its focus to the end of the floor.
So, what does that mean for Sharpe?
It suggests that he’ll have more offensive responsibility than he’s ever had in his career.
In addition to Simons and Ayton leaving behind a combined 33.7 ppg, the Blazers open the season without Scoot Henderson for at least the first month who averaged 12.7 ppg last year.
That’s a lot of scoring to make up for.
After the All-Star Break last season, Sharpe already upped his scoring to 21.2 ppg over 25 games.
I think it’s reasonable to project Sharpe for a season similar to Zach LaVine when he took the leap in Chicago.
He should be the most athletic guy on the floor every night with the upside to hit 3.0 threes a game.
His starting unit competition likely comes down to Jerami Grant, who’s slowly being phased out.
During preseason, Sharpe leads all rotation players with a 25.1 usage rate.
Portland knows it’s a rebuilding season and all the quotes from training camp and preseason suggest Sharpe is about to ascend.
Head coach Chauncey Billups has endless quotes praising Sharpe’s growth.
Sharpe should be the next great Canadian basketball player.
