ESPN fantasy analyst Eric Karabell outlined several potential late-season developments that could reshape NBA fantasy standings, headlined by Minnesota Timberwolves power forward Julius Randle and Indiana Pacers point guard Andrew Nembhard.
Randle’s push for elite territory
Through games played Thursday, Randle owns the 10th-highest total of ESPN fantasy points, sitting 49 points ahead of teammate Anthony Edwards. The 29-year-old has appeared in every game and is producing 21.9 points, 6.9 rebounds and 5.3 assists per contest. He is also posting career-best marks in field-goal percentage (48.9 %), free-throw percentage (82.1 %) and steals (1.1), while limiting turnovers to 2.6 per outing.
Edwards ranks third in the league with 29.6 points per game but has missed 10 contests and has seen declines in rebounds, assists and three-pointers. Karabell noted that, despite Edwards’ superior real-life scoring, Randle’s durability and all-around numbers give him the edge in fantasy production to date. Randle is the only top-20 fantasy scorer not rostered in at least 99 % of ESPN leagues.
The analyst also highlighted Timberwolves center Rudy Gobert, who returned from a one-game suspension to grab 19 rebounds against Portland, raising his season average to 11.4 boards—fourth in the NBA and more than his point average.
Nembhard emerging as top-50 option
With Tyrese Haliburton sidelined for the year after an Achilles tear in last season’s playoffs, Nembhard has taken control of Indiana’s offense. The fourth-year guard is averaging 17.4 points, 7.4 assists (seventh in the league) and 33.7 ESPN fantasy points, making him one of the campaign’s biggest draft-day bargains after a ninth-round average draft position.
Karabell compared Nembhard’s rise to other surprise performers such as Portland’s Deni Avdija, Detroit’s Jalen Duren, Utah’s Keyonte George and Atlanta’s Nickeil Alexander-Walker, but emphasized that Nembhard’s assist production gives him unique value in category formats.
Additional notes
• Charlotte Hornets guard LaMelo Ball is set to appear in his 50th game of the season, already his highest total since 2021-22. Ball has averaged 38.2 fantasy points while dialing back his shot volume from last year’s 25.2-point scoring clip.
• Hornets rookie Kon Knueppel became the first player to reach 200 made three-pointers this season and is converting 43.6 % from deep. Karabell projects the guard could average 25 points next year.
• Dallas Mavericks swingman Cooper Flagg remains the favorite for Rookie of the Year, yet Karabell believes Knueppel may outscore him in fantasy points next season.
• Brooklyn Nets rookie Egor Demin, who turns 20 on March 3, is viewed as a potential long-term facilitator. The 6-foot-8 guard largely operates off the ball now, but Karabell envisions a sophomore line around 17 points, six assists and 3.2 triples if the roster shifts.
• New Orleans Pelicans guard Dejounte Murray returned from injury in late February and is still available in more than 60 % of ESPN leagues. Last season he averaged 17.5 points, 6.5 rebounds, 7.4 assists and two steals.
• Utah Jazz center Jusuf Nurkic will miss the remainder of the year with a nose injury. Second-year forward Kyle Filipowski—rostered in only 25 % of leagues—is averaging 12.7 points and 8.2 rebounds as a starter and could provide late fantasy value.
The projections underscore how durability, evolving roles and late-season opportunity can shift fantasy rankings as the NBA regular season enters its final stretch.
Source: ESPN
