By all accounts, the Southeast was the worst division in the NBA this season. The Orlando Magic led the division with just a 41-41 record during the regular season. The Washington Wizards and Charlotte Hornets finished with under 20 wins each. The Atlanta Hawks and the Miami Heat went through ups and downs the entire season. However, some excellent fantasy players came out of this division. There was still some bad production, but let’s focus on the positives and get into the fantasy basketball MVPs for the Southeast Division.
2024-25 Fantasy Basketball MVPs: Southeast Division
Orlando Magic: Franz Wagner
After the 2024 playoffs, the Magic came into this season with the expectation of growth. They added some key players, the main one being Kentavious Caldwell-Pope. But Orlando fell short due to some injuries to Paolo Banchero, Moritz Wagner, and Jalen Suggs. However, Franz Wagner did not disappoint, even though he missed some time with a torn oblique. He averaged 24.2 points, 5.7 rebounds, and 4.7 assists. Everyone knew Wagner was a baller, but improving almost all of his counting stats was very impressive.
Atlanta Hawks: Trae Young
The Hawks also dealt with some injuries this season, most notably to the young star Jalen Johnson, who was awesome in his limited 36 games. The league’s Most Improved Player this year, Dyson Daniels, was also a great fantasy contributor. But Trae Young gets the MVP nod with his production. He averaged 24.2 points, 11.6 assists, and 3.1 rebounds. He also finished the season with 51 double-doubles. This was his third season in a row averaging a double-double, and Young is showing no signs of slowing down.
Miami Heat: Bam Adebayo
The fantasy MVP for the Heat was truly a coin flip. Tyler Herro and Bam Adebayo averaged 38.0 and 37.9 fantasy points per game this season, respectively. Herro played one less game than Adebayo, which was why the latter won MVP. Adebayo averaged 18.1 points, 9.6 rebounds, and 4.3 assists. He also added 38 double-doubles and one triple-double. He also shined on the defensive end of the floor as he always does, averaging 2.0 stocks. Jimmy Butler threw a wrench in the Heat’s season, ultimately leading to a disappointing second half of the year. Miami was just 24-33 without Butler, but that didn’t stop Adebayo and Herro from producing.
Charlotte Hornets: Miles Bridges
Injuries, unfortunately, riddled the Hornets’ season. LaMelo Ball played at an All-Star level, but only appeared in 47 games. Brandon Miller was off to a solid second season through 27 games before tearing a ligament in his wrist. Even Mark Williams was a good fantasy option in the 44 games that he played. So, Miles Bridges is going to win fantasy MVP for the Hornets. He averaged 20.3 points, 7.5 rebounds, and 3.9 assists. Bridges also finished the year with 14 double-doubles and one triple-double. Over the past few seasons, the Hornets have always been held back by injuries, but some people may be optimistic about what will come.
Washington Wizards: Jordan Poole
The Wizards’ season was bad, mostly in every aspect of the game. The only silver lining is that there’s a chance that they can get Cooper Flagg. That said, there were still some decent fantasy players, with Jordan Poole taking home fantasy MVP. He averaged 20.5 points, 4.5 assists, and 3.0 rebounds per game. Poole has settled into his role on the Wizards after a rough 2023-24 season. He improved all of his counting stats from the previous year.
The Last Word
Overall, the Southeast Division was rough for the NBA this season. But, there was still some great fantasy production from these teams. Young finished sixth in the NBA in total fantasy points this season. Adebayo and Wagner continued to ascend and produce for their teams. Bridges and Poole put up some solid numbers despite their team’s lack of success. Some other notable fantasy producers from the Southeast include Herro, Daniels, Banchero, Onyeka Okongwu, and Alexandre Sarr.
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