Dynasty Basketball Players on the Rise: Dyson Daniels, Amen Thompson, Walker Kessler, Christian Braun, Jaden McDaniels and More

We are about a week removed from the NBA trade deadline, and several players have seen their roles increase since then.

I wanted to focus on some dynasty players who have been trending in the right direction of late. We'll focus on players ages 25 and younger, and avoid talking about a ton of big-time stars.

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Victor Wembanyama Dynasty Outlook

I know Wembanyama is a fantasy star who is rostered in every league, but he's worth mentioning after the team added De'Aaron Fox at the deadline.

Wemby is averaging 33 minutes a game in five February games. The Spurs are 2-3, but Wemby has averaged 23.2 points, 11.4 rebounds, 3.6 assists, 1.6 steals, 3 blocks and 2.2 turnovers. His scoring is slightly down, but it hasn't affected him all that much from a fantasy perspective.

As he and Fox get familiarized with each other, I wouldn't be surprised if Wemby sees his averages rise. He'd still cost an arm and a leg, but now might not be a bad time to check in on his value in a trade, just in case a fantasy owner is worried that Fox is going to negatively impact Wembanyama moving forward.

Dyson Daniels Dynasty Outlook

Daniels is only 21 years old, which probably not too many standard league owners know. He's seen an uptick in his fantasy production this month, and it makes sense after the Hawks traded some players away at the deadline.

This month, Daniels is averaging 16.2 points, 6.5 rebounds, 6 assists, 2.2 steals, 1.3 blocks and 2 turnovers. His scoring is over two points higher, and his averages in rebounds, assists and blocks are also up.

I'd expect more of the same for the remainder of the season given the players Atlanta has at its disposal now. Daniels is definitely trending up in dynasty rankings, and he looks like a building block for the Hawks.

Amen Thompson Dynasty Outlook

Thompson is a 22-year-old on the rise. He's been trending up for several weeks now.

In February, Thompson is averaging 14 points, 7.8 rebounds, 6.8 assists, 1.8 steals, 1.7 blocks and 3.2 turnovers across 38.9 minutes a game. Fantasy owners have to love the minutes Thompson is getting, and his well-rounded numbers explain why he's been a popular fantasy player over the past several weeks.

Thompson is part of a pretty young and intriguing Rockets' team that's on the rise. I urged fantasy owners to buy into Thompson several weeks ago, and am still doing the same. He'll cost more now, but he's only begun to scratch the surface on what he could be as a fantasy player.

Walker Kessler Dynasty Outlook

Kessler has been on a tear of late, and looks like one of the better fantasy big men for the foreseeable future now.

In February, Kessler is averaging 12.8 points, 16 rebounds, 2.2 assists and blocks, 0.6 steals and 2.6 turnovers across 34.9 minutes. He's improved pretty much every stat compared to his season-long numbers.

Utah didn't make as many moves as I expected at the deadline, including not moving Kessler. I think the Jazz view him as the long-term starter at center, and the dynasty owners who roster him have to be thrilled with what he's done of late. 

He's not a big-time scorer, but being a nightly double-double threat is more than enough for fantasy owners. Buy into him now before his value really takes off.

Christian Braun Dynasty Outlook

It seemed like only a matter of time before Braun was going to emerge as a big piece in Denver. He's played well this season, but has upped his level of fantasy production of late.

In February, Braun is averaging 19.7 points, 7.8 rebounds, 3.5 assists, 1.5 steals, 0.5 blocks and 0.5 turnovers across 36.6 minutes a game. With how the youngster has played of late, I wonder if Denver might make Jamal Murray available.

That seems like a pretty wild thing to suggest, but if the Nuggets can flip him for another star to pair alongside Nikola Jokic, maybe Denver can improve its title chances. Anyways, Braun looks like a dynasty stud for several more years, and I'd pay up to try to get him on my team before his value goes up even more.

Mark Williams Dynasty Outlook

It's been a weird month for Williams. He was putting together some monster games for the Hornets and then got moved to the Lakers. A couple days later, the trade was rescinded, so Williams is back in Charlotte again.

The 23-year-old is averaging 15.6 points, 9.6 rebounds, 2.5 assists, 0.7 steals, 1.2 blocks and 1 turnover across 25 minutes a game this season. It's a bummer he couldn't play in LA, because I thought he could really have starred in a secondary role to LeBron James, Luka Doncic and Austin Reaves.

Now he goes back to being one of the top players on the Hornets' roster. Williams has the chance to produce a bit more there, but I'm not sure if he can grow much.

I wouldn't be shocked if Williams is dealt away after the season wraps up. Charlotte already traded him once, and I can't imagine they want to keep him around, or if he even wants to be there anymore.

Jaden McDaniels Dynasty Outlook

McDaniels has been a fantasy player on the rise for a few weeks now.

In February, McDaniels is averaging 18.2 points, 8 rebounds, 2.8 assists, 1.7 steals, 1 block and 1.7 turnovers across 35.5 minutes. That's nearly up seven points from his season average, and he's improved as a rebounder noticeably too.

McDaniels has been a fine player over the years, but he's been looking like a top option for Minnesota of late. I don't know if he's going to be able to sustain this, but as just a 24-year-old, I wouldn't mind holding him to see if this continues. He might have just been a bit of a late bloomer.

Trey Murphy III Dynasty Outlook

Murphy has been another surprise fantasy performer of late. He's been rostered in all leagues, but definitely has performed better of late.

This month, Murphy is averaging 27.3 points, 5.3 rebounds, 6 assists, 1.3 steals, 0.5 blocks and 2.3 turnovers across 35.7 minutes a contest. He's up five points a game, while also increasing his assists, rebounds and steals.

The Pelicans are still trying to figure things out for the long haul, but Murphy is starting to look like a big piece of the puzzle, especially after New Orleans moved on from Brandon Ingram. Buy into Murphy before it's too late.

Jaren Jackson Jr./Ja Morant Dynasty Outlook

Jackson and Morant have been similar fantasy players during this month. They are both 25 years old and leading the Grizzlies as well.

Jackson is averaging 27.2 points, 5 rebounds, 2.4 assists, 1.2 steals, 1.8 blocks and 3 turnovers across 32.3 minutes this month. Morant is at 23.3 points, 5 rebounds, seven assists, 1.5 steals, 0.5 blocks and 3 turnovers in 31 minutes.

Both are around the same ranking when it comes to dynasty outlooks, but based on what we've seen of late, and this season, I think Jackson is the one to roster between the two. Both are good options, but I think Jackson has a bit higher ceiling moving forward, especially because he's a big man.