Dan Titus has made his call for the first round, and it starts with Tyrese Maxey. In a 12-team fantasy basketball draft, Titus named Maxey his favorite first-round pick as managers work off Yahoo average draft position data from Oct. 15.
The case begins with last season’s numbers. Maxey averaged 28.3 points, 4.1 rebounds, 6.6 assists, 3.1 3-pointers and a combined 2.7 steals and blocks across 70 games, with 46/37/89 shooting splits. Titus expects that kind of production to hold near the top tier, projecting at least 25 points, 4 rebounds and 6 assists with strong percentages and plenty of stocks. He says he likes Maxey anywhere from picks 6 through 8.
This is why the rotoworld search matters now: fantasy managers are drafting, and Titus is turning preseason ranks into a usable board. He is giving a favorite pick in each round, and the first-round answer comes with a clear warning sign attached. Some managers worry Maxey’s usage and production could slip now that LeBron James and Jaylen Brown are sharing the floor with Joel Embiid, but Titus still sees him as the player to take. As he put it, the concern is real, but not enough to pass.
That same logic runs through the rest of the board. Austin Reaves is another target after averaging 23.3 points, 4.7 rebounds and 5.5 assists on 49% shooting last season, with Titus pointing to his eligibility at three positions as added draft value. LaMelo Ball also draws attention after playing 72 games last season and averaging 20.1 points, 7.1 assists, 1.2 steals and 3.8 3-pointers while shooting 90% from the line in Charlotte. His ADP over the last seven days sat at 25.4, which is the sort of price that can push him into range if a manager wants upside at guard.
Brandon Miller is the other name that stands out because of how little has changed around his role. He missed the preseason opener with a shin contusion, then returned to average 16.3 points, 2.7 rebounds, 3 assists and 2 stocks in 25.2 minutes across three games, with a 31% usage rate in that stretch. He also averaged 20.2 points and 3.1 3-pointers while shooting 89% from the line last season, and that is the profile Titus is betting on when he says the volume in Maxey’s core categories will be worth it. For fantasy managers, the next move is simple: decide whether to follow the board or chase another name before the room does.
