Kawhi Leonard's Rise and Ja Morant's Decline: Dynasty League Dynamics
As the regular season nears its end, dynasty league managers are strategizing for the offseason. Here’s a look at key risers and fallers impacting fantasy basketball. Risers Kawhi Leonard, Los Angeles Clippers After a problematic previous season, Leonard has turned his performance around this year. He played in 63 games, averaging 28.1 points, 6.3 rebounds, and 1.9 steals with impressive shooting percentages of 50.6% from the field and 89.5% from the free-throw line. This marks a pivotal moment for those holding him in dynasty leagues, as it may be the last chance to sell high before he turns 35. Ajay Mitchell, Oklahoma City Thunder Drafted in 2024, Mitchell has emerged as a promising asset. With increased playing time due to injuries, he averaged 13.7 points, 3.6 assists, and shot 48.5% from the field. At just 24 years old, his potential keeps rising, although the Thunder's depth may limit his growth unless trades occur. Daniss Jenkins, Detroit Pistons With Cade Cunningham sidelined, Jenkins stepped up, averaging 18.9 points, 7.6 assists, and hitting 43.1% of his three-point attempts over the last 11 games. At 25, he still has time to develop into a top fantasy option, especially if he secures a starting position. Fallers Ja Morant, Memphis Grizzlies Morant faced yet another challenging season, appearing in only 20 games and struggling with both injuries and off-court issues. His shooting dropped to 41.0%, raising concerns about his future in fantasy leagues, as his value likely sits at an all-time low. Myles Turner, Milwaukee Bucks Turner’s performance has disappointed following his big contract, averaging 11.9 points and 5.3 rebounds. With the Bucks potentially shifting strategies, his role may diminish further. At 30, he might not be the buy-low candidate many hope for. Cameron Johnson, Denver Nuggets After a strong stint with the Nets, Johnson’s transition to the Nuggets has seen his usage rate plummet to 15.0%, leading to diminished averages of 12.1 points. With one more season left on his contract, a significant bounce-back seems unlikely. In summary, as the offseason approaches, players like Leonard and Jenkins rise in value, while Morant, Turner, and Johnson face declining trajectories in dynasty formats.
Source: CBS Sports - 2026-04-08