As the regular season wraps up, it’s time to take a look back on what players made this fantasy basketball season a good one. This article will focus on each team in the Pacific Division (Los Angeles Lakers, Los Angeles Clippers, Golden State Warriors, Sacramento Kings, Phoenix Suns). My choices were based on the players’ availability, overall scoring, and draft rankings. Much like the Northwest Division, the Pacific Division was one full of surprises the entire season. The Kings, Lakers, and Warriors all made moves that changed their franchises at the deadline. The Clippers were a pleasant surprise, while the Suns were a not so pleasant surprise this season. This was hands down the most interesting division through the season, so let’s get into it.
2024-25 Fantasy MVPs: Pacific Division
Los Angeles Lakers: LeBron James
Believe it or not, it was tough deciding the fantasy MVP of this team. Acquiring Luka Doncic at the deadline threw this team for a loop. Anthony Davis was outstanding for this Lakers team, and probably would have gotten the nod had he not gotten traded mid-season. Austin Reaves has taken his game to heights that were not expected of him whatsoever. But at the end of the day, it is still LeBron James. He averaged 24.4 points, 8.2 assists, and 7.8 rebounds per game this season. James also added 10 triple-doubles while playing a consistent 70 games for the Lakers. LeBron finished 10th in total fantasy points, wrapping up his 22nd straight season of great fantasy production.
Los Angeles Clippers: Ivica Zubac
Ultimately, the decision for the fantasy MVP of the Clippers was very close. I went back and forth on who should get this award between Ivica Zubac and James Harden. I went with Zubac mainly because of the value where he was drafted. Zubac finished 11th in total fantasy points scored, 13.9 rebounds per game, despite being a late-round selection in most drafts. The consistency that Zubac brought for the Clippers was desperately needed for a team that lost its second-best player, Paul George, to Philadelphia. The Clippers’ big man set career highs across the board, as he averaged 16.8 points, 2.7 assists, and 12.6 rebounds per game. Zubac was also tied for second in the association with a whopping 59 double-doubles. For this reason, the fantasy MVP for the Clippers is Zubac.
Golden State Warriors: Stephen Curry
The Warriors’ fantasy MVP without question is Stephen Curry. There was really no competition for this award as he was the only player on the Warriors that averaged over 30 fantasy points per game outside of Jimmy Butler, who has barely played 30 games for the Dubs. Curry averaged 24.5 points, 6.0 assists, and 4.4 rebounds per game this season. As always, Curry was also incredibly efficient with 44.8/39.7/93.3 shooting splits. The Warriors had some key contributors for certain stretches of the season, like Brandin Podziemski. But Steph is going to take this team’s fantasy MVP award with ease.
Sacramento Kings: Domantas Sabonis
After the Kings’ 2022-23 season, many people thought it was the beginning of something great. Two seasons later, the Kings fired Mike Brown and have become inconsistent season to season. However, one of the only consistent things about this team is Domantas Sabonis. He finished as the 11th in fantasy points per game, averaging 43.73 points. Sabonis averaged 19.1 points, 13.9 rebounds per game, and 6.0 assists. Sabonis led the NBA with those 13.9 rebounds per game, while finishing as the league’s double-double leader with 61. He also had 10 triple-doubles and continued to fill up all parts of the stat sheet, as he’s been doing for the past five seasons. Sabonis was the only right choice for the fantasy MVP of this team.
Phoenix Suns: Devin Booker
The Suns were probably the most disappointing team of this NBA season, finishing 11th in the Western Conference. Devin Booker and Kevin Durant were the only positive things to come out of Phoenix this season. I went with Booker for the fantasy MVP nod because he was more consistent, playing 75 games. Booker, as always, was great as he averaged 25.6 points, 7.1 assists, and 4.1 rebounds per game. Booker’s playmaking really pushed him over the top this season, and he finished with 16 double-doubles on the year. Ultimately, Booker was very deserving of his team’s fantasy MVP this season.
The Last Word
The Pacific Division was an interesting one all season long. Highlighted by the Luka Doncic trade, this division was responsible for some of the most entertaining moments of this NBA season. The division also produced some great fantasy players. From the old-heads like LeBron James and Stephen Curry, to the consistent guys like Domantas Sabonis and Devin Booker. Also, possibly the league’s most improved player, Ivica Zubac. Some other notable players include James Harden, Austin Reaves, Draymond Green, Luka Doncic, Jimmy Butler, Kevin Durant, and DeMar DeRozan.
Photo credit: © Darren Yamashita-Imagn Images
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