TITLE: ESPN analyst flags Collin Gillespie’s rise, Trae Young trade chatter and Austin Reaves’ sustained fantasy value
SLUG: espn-analyst-highlights-gillespie-young-reaves-fantasy-outlook
CONTENT:
Fantasy basketball managers should keep a close watch on three storylines that could reshape rosters, according to ESPN senior writer Eric Karabell in his Dec. 4, 2025 column.
Collin Gillespie pushes toward top-100 status
Phoenix Suns guard Collin Gillespie scored a career-high 28 points against the Los Angeles Lakers on Monday, hitting eight three-pointers, handing out five assists and collecting two steals. The Villanova product has reached double figures in 10 straight outings while averaging 30.6 minutes, 18.0 points, 4.6 assists and 1.5 steals, along with 50 percent shooting from beyond the arc.
Despite the surge, Gillespie remains available in more than 60 percent of standard ESPN leagues. Karabell believes the 2022 undrafted guard can maintain fantasy relevance even when the Suns’ injury picture clears.
Atlanta Hawks’ success without Trae Young sparks trade speculation
Point guard Trae Young has been sidelined since the fifth game of the season with a sprained right MCL and is scheduled for another evaluation in two weeks. In his absence, Atlanta has emerged as one of the league’s better defensive teams. Forward Jalen Johnson averages 50.5 fantasy points per game, eighth-best in the NBA, while guard Dyson Daniels and Johnson combine for 13.3 assists per contest. Journeyman Nickeil Alexander-Walker is contributing 20.4 points and 34.7 fantasy points a night.
Four Hawks currently top Young’s 31.4 fantasy-point average, a drop from his 45.3 mark last season. With Atlanta outperforming expectations, Karabell writes that a trade involving Young “perhaps … makes sense.” The franchise has not eclipsed 44 wins since 2016.
Austin Reaves stays in top-25 territory as Lakers manage LeBron James’ health
Los Angeles Lakers guard Austin Reaves is delivering 48.1 fantasy points per game and has missed only nine contests over the past two seasons. Karabell notes that Reaves’ minutes and shot attempts have remained steady even when LeBron James is available.
James, 41 later this month, began the season dealing with sciatica and recently sat out with a foot issue. Karabell warns that load-management decisions could limit James’ fantasy ceiling, projecting the All-Star to post roughly 20 points, 7 rebounds and 8 assists on nights he plays. Reaves, meanwhile, is projected to settle around 43 fantasy points per game, comparable to last season’s production from Stephen Curry, Jalen Johnson and Jalen Brunson.
Source: ESPN
