LeBron James DVOA, Advanced Stats, & Fantasy Rankings

Philadelphia 76ers guard/forward LeBron James is expected to take on more point-guard duties next season, with Evan Sidery reporting that head coach Nick Nurse confirmed James will primarily play the position. The four-time MVP averaged 20.9 points, 6.1 rebounds, and 7.2 assists last season, and this setup should keep his assists useful even if his scoring volume dips in a crowded lineup. Tyrese Maxey may lose some on-ball reps, but cleaner off-ball scoring chances could soften the fantasy hit. VJ Edgecombe and Jaylen Brown face tighter touch ceilings, while Joel Embiid should remain a major half-court hub. James still carries fantasy value, but the appeal leans more toward assists and efficiency than vintage scoring volume.

Free-agent forward LeBron James is signing with the Philadelphia 76ers on a two-year, $8 million deal with a player option, Klutch Sports CEO Rich Paul told ESPN's Shams Charania. James is coming off another useful fantasy season at age 41, averaging 20.9 points, 6.1 rebounds, 7.2 assists, 1.2 steals, and 0.6 blocks across 60 games with the Lakers. The move puts him into a crowded, high-usage core with Tyrese Maxey, Jaylen Brown, Joel Embiid, and VJ Edgecombe, so the scoring ceiling takes a hit. Still, James should remain a strong assists-and-efficiency piece, with rest management the main fantasy tax.

New Orleans Pelicans forward Trey Murphy III remains on the trade block, but the market has quieted. The Athletic's John Hollinger reports that the chatter has cooled and may not pick back up until LeBron James chooses a team and the rest of the dominoes fall. New Orleans, coming off a 26-56 season, is reportedly asking for around three first-round picks. That steep price has kept Detroit, Golden State, and Cleveland interested without getting a deal done. Murphy holds fantasy value wherever he ends up. He posted career highs last season with 21.5 points, 5.7 rebounds, 3.8 assists, and 1.5 steals while shooting 37.9 percent from deep and 88.6 percent from the line. A move into a clear-usage role, such as next to Cade Cunningham in Detroit, could raise his ceiling, while staying in New Orleans keeps him the team's top option. The one caveat is durability, since he has played just 57, 53, and 66 games over the past three seasons. Draft him as a mid-round building block and watch where he lands.