One Intriguing Dynasty Basketball Player from Each Western Conference Team: Amen Thompson, Christian Braun, Dereck Lively II, Victor Wembanyama, Scoot Henderson and More
Morgan picks out a dynasty player from every Western Conference team that he likes going forward.
Yesterday, I put together a story on an intriguing dynasty basketball player from every Eastern Conference team. Today, I’ll pick out a player from every Western Conference team.
These won’t necessarily be the top dynasty options, but instead maybe some lesser-known players to invest in early. We’ll go in order of the current Western Conference standings.
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Thunder - Jalen Williams
Williams is already a fantasy star, but I think his future is even brighter. He’s just 23 years old and is a dynasty player to possibly build around.
He’s over 20 points this season, along with averaging 5.6 rebounds, 5.2 assists, 1.8 steals and 0.8 blocks a game. I think he’s still several seasons away from peaking, so I’d be all for adding him at his current value, even if it’s pretty high.
Rockets - Amen Thompson
Thompson is emerging as a big asset for Houston, and his future looks extremely bright. He’s averaging 13.8 points, 8 rebounds, 2.8 assists, 1.4 steals and 1.2 blocks this season and is just 22.
He’s really taken off since late December, and I think he’s only going to continue getting better. Get him on your roster before his value really takes off.
Grizzlies - Jaylen Wells
The Grizzlies might have found a second-round gem in Wells. He’s started 43 of the 48 games he’s appeared in and is averaging 11.7 points, 3.2 rebounds, 1.7 assists, 0.6 steals and 0.1 blocks in 26.2 minutes.
With more minutes and NBA seasoning, Wells could become a huge part of the Grizzlies’ future. He’ll be a lot cheaper to acquire than Thompson or Williams were.
Nuggets - Christian Braun
To the surprise of really nobody, Braun has taken off in a bigger role this season. He’s averaging 14.3 points, 4.7 rebounds, 2 assists, 1 steal and 0.6 blocks across 32.4 minutes.
He’s never going to be the star in Denver, but he could become the No. 2 option there in time, and at worst the No. 3 guy.
Lakers - Max Christie
Christie has improved his numbers across the board with more playing time this season. He’s started 24 of the 45 games he’s appeared in and averages 8.3 points, 2.7 rebounds, 1.4 assists, 0.8 steals and 0.4 blocks across 24.9 minutes a game.
Los Angeles is led by LeBron James and Anthony Davis, but over time, Christie could definitely become a much bigger fantasy asset, so I like the idea of stashing him for the long haul.
Clippers - Ivica Zubac
The Clippers are a veteran-heavy team, so there’s not many good younger options. I do really like Zubac for the long haul.
He’s just 27 years old and continues to produce more and more each season. His fantasy game is built on points and rebounds, something he should be able to supply for several more seasons.
Timberwolves - Jaden McDaniels
It seems like McDaniels should be much older, but he’s just 24 and playing in his fifth NBA season.
He’s been a surging fantasy player over the past few weeks, and he looks poised to post his best all-around numbers this year. He probably won’t cost much in a dynasty league, but I like the value he provides, both now and for the next several years.
Mavericks - Dereck Lively II
Lively is banged up and out for several weeks right now, but his long-term outlook looks very promising after a season-and-a-half.
He’s improved his numbers and efficiency despite barely playing more than his rookie season. In time, I think he’ll be given an even bigger role, at which point he could become a fantasy stud.
Suns - Ryan Dunn
There’s not many options on the Phoenix roster, but I do like Dunn a good amount.
The 22-year-old rookie has flashed some potential, but hasn’t been given a consistent role yet. A midseason trade could open the opportunity for Dunn, but it might be more likely that his best fantasy days are a year or two down the road.
Kings - Keegan Murray
Murray kind of slips under the radar with so many other recognizable players in Sacramento. He’s just 24, but delivering good fantasy results already.
His numbers are down compared to his first two seasons, but a trade could get him right back to averaging 15 points a game. He grabs enough rebounds now to offset the lower scoring average this season.
Warriors - Jonathan Kuminga
Kuminga is out with an injury right now, which partly explains why Golden State is so low in the standings.
He was enjoying a career season before suffering his ankle injury. He’s going to be a big fantasy asset, regardless of where he spends the next portion of his career. See if you can maybe buy him a bit low right now.
Spurs - Victor Wembanyama
I’m sorry, but I have to take Wemby here. He’s taken a nice step forward this season, and is just 21 years old and has plenty of room for growth yet.
He’s already a top-end fantasy talent, and it probably won’t take too much longer for him to be the true No. 1 option in the game. Getting a little more talent around him should help him out, so expect San Antonio to be aggressive in their pursuit of more veteran help in trades or free agency.
Trail Blazers - Scoot Henderson
I like several Portland players from a dynasty perspective, but I am going to talk about Henderson here. He’s 20 years old and starting to really emerge as a big-time asset for the Trail Blazers.
He’ll still have some ups and downs, but his well-rounded game is exactly what fantasy owners are after. Having him be as young and still a very raw player should make dynasty owners salivate. This kid could become the next star in Portland.
Pelicans - Yves Missi
Missi is looking like a big-time draft steal after going 21st overall in the 2024 NBA Draft. He’s started 39 of his 45 games played in this season and is averaging 8.8 points, 8 rebounds, 1.4 assists, 0.6 steals and 1.5 blocks across 26.9 minutes.
Those are already pretty solid averages, and they should only increase and he ages and gets familiarized with the NBA. The Pelicans got a good one, and if you don’t mind a player who doesn’t shoot 3-pointers, Missi is a very good fantasy option, both now and moving forward.
Jazz - Keyonte George
I was a big fan of George as a rookie, and not much has changed in his sophomore season. The 21-year-old has improved all his averages and continued to shoot solid percentages despite getting more minutes and more attempts per game.
In 32 starts and 36 games this season, George is averaging 16.3 points, 3.5 rebounds, 5.7 assists, 0.8 steals and 0.2 blocks across 31.5 minutes a game. Utah might choose to rebuild their roster moving forward, and George could be one of the players the team builds around. I love him in dynasty leagues and would see what his asking price is before he really takes off as a fantasy player.
