2025 Pre-Season: Russell

After a nice and easy 2025 draft, we're here to look at the new SlamNation season! Good luck everyone! [ 2025 Chamberlain | 2024 End of Season: Playoff Teams | Toilet Bowl Teams ]

TeamID - Abbrev - Name (2024 Record, 2023 Record)

#1 FJUB Fat Jubas (10-8, 12-7-1)

Having made their mark in last season’s playoffs by pulling off a huge first round upset over the twin seven-foot rookies from SPDE, FJUB was only slightly disappointed to be upset themselves in the next round by eighth-seeded SQSQ.

Heading into 2025 with their playoff streak intact—ten in a row, and having only missed one playoffs ever—FJUB is actually a totally brand new team after last season’s moves. From a keeper roster that featured Fred VanVleet and Brook Lopez to one that is now headlined by Trae Young and Karl-Anthony Towns, FJUB has dramatically transformed their keeper core—replaced all six plaeyrs—in a way that SlamNation has rarely seen. While the new core didn’t rate that high on our recent keepers tiers analysis, there’s no denying that FJUB’s future is very bright as they chase their third title.

Headlined by the NBA’s first overall pick, Zaccharie Risacher (2025 RD1.10)—FJUB’s draft also brought in Keon Ellis as an intriguing three-and-D piece, along with Grayson Allen and Corey Kispert as floor spacers. While Herb Jones and Isaiah Hartenstein are defensive stalwarts, the FJUB roster is constructed to be offense-first, with Young, Towns, Bradley Beal, and Collin Sexton firing away. It’ll be interesting to see if this brand-new FJUB can continue the success of a proud franchise that is always in the contender mix, regardless of what the prognosticators say.

#2 CHMK (8-9-1, 8-12)

A pair of eight-win seasons and three years out of the playoffs marks a nadir for the CHMK franchise. Despite two straight Toilet Bowl wins in 2022-23, CHMK managed to only pull Jabari Smith (2023 RD1.1) and Amen Thompson (2024 RD1.3) from the lottery grab bag. Smith was traded after his rookie year and while Thompson has lots of promise, he certainly wasn’t last year’s rookie of the year, even accounting for Wemby-mania.

However, despite those top of the draft misfires, CHMK has been outstanding in mining Jalens, with the results speaking for themselves as they now have Anthony Edwards and Alperen Sengun after cashing in two three-for-one trades last season. Edwards accelerated to mega-superstardom incredibly quickly and is now poised for an MVP-type season. The defensive backbone of Bam Adebayo and Evan Mobley are also second to none and adding Jalen Suggs (RD2.9) will further give them a point of attack.

To put themselves back into the playoff picture however, CHMK is counting on a bounceback season from Jamal Murray, further growth from Thompson, and the mercurial D’Angelo Russell (RD1.5) to support the main core. Taylor Hendricks (RD3.6) was a great upside pick but we feel like Mike Conley (RD2.11) is about to be the washed king soon, as he’ll likely be on a minutes restriction in Minnesota.  The additions of Tari Eason and Norman Powell are nice value picks though. The intriguing news: someone drafted Bronny James (RD6.11) and it wasn’t a Lakers fan, shocking! Here’s hoping we get to see Ant-Man in the 2025 Slam playoffs!

#3 FUNK (8-9-1, 12-8)

After six straight playoff appearances, FUNK dipped back into the Toilet Bowl. The silver lining was that they made it to the Toilet Bowl Finals and due to the SWMP Rule, “earned” the top pick in the 2025 draft. In a year with no clear standouts however, FUNK chose to go with Reed Sheppard at number overall pick, and belatedly realized he was not categorized as a point guard. Pre-draft, FUNK had already traded away Dejounte Murray—straight up for Lauri Markkanen—leading to a draft that unfurled with plenty of guard options.

The two-headed monster duo of Terry Rozier (RD2.12) and Dennis Schroder (RD3.5) will have to handle point duties for the strong forward core of the team, featuring new NBA champion Jayson Tatum, Markannen, OG Anunoby, and Trey Murphy III. With Devin Vassell ailing, the rest of FUNK’s draft was more guards—Malik Monk and Jordan Clarkson—as they have semi-floor spacers Myles Turner and Wendell Carter Jr. manning the middle.

Once a team full of up-and-coming franchise level stars, FUNK find themselves in a transitional year as they look to get back into the playoffs with a roster that is young vet heavy but light on upside, minus Sheppard. This is a roster built to win now, the question will be if they can?

#4 UFOS (1-17, 3-16-1)

It took a few months for UFOS to find their footing, but by the end of the season, UFOS got a better handle on the complicated Games Played cap and should roll into their sophomore season with a better grasp of how to play with the big boys.

Rolling over almost all of their keepers from the 2024 dispersal draft—only adding Onyeka Okongwu in place of Cameron Johnson—UFOS made a huge splash pre-draft, moving on from Damian Lillard, their only true blue star player. In return, UFOS acquired Immanuel Quickley, whose youth will much better align with the rest of this squad.

The frontline of Jabari Smith Jr., Jarrett Allen, Okongwu, and Nic Claxton is rock solid, and the clear strength of this team. Josh Giddey was tossed aside by Oklahoma City but drafted at 2025 RD1.4 by UFOS, who clearly have big hopes for his multi-purpose stats in Chicago. Sophomores Bilal Coulibaly (RD2.15) and Brandin Podziemski (RD3.2) will be given even more opportunity to shine, and another fellow sophomore, Jarace Walker (RD5.2) has talent if not a direct line to playing time.

Also, rookies Bub Carrington and Rob Dillingham were brought on board for a full youth movement. With Quickley and Jordan Poole—who can’t be worse than last season—alongside the big centers, UFOS have defined strengths at least to pick up a few more wins that last season. With their feet now wet from their first fantasy basketball experience, UFOS will look to build and grow!

#5 TRUO (5-13, 4-15-1)

It’s been a long six seasons of single digit wins for TRUO, and their previous string of playoff appearances are far behind them in the rearview mirror. When can they start their re-ascent? With De’Aaron Fox and Jalen Green in the fold, at least the backcourt seems set—especially with Cam Thomas possibly putting up so many shots this upcoming season that his arm might fall off.

There are larger questions surrounding the rest of this roster though. Will Julius Randle put up another All-NBA season? Can Jonathan Kuminga finally break through? Is Keegan Murray (2023 RD1.4) a better NBA player than fantasy asset? TRUO was able to upset CHMK in the Toilet Bowl, earning themselves a top-two pick in this year’s draft. That selection was used on Zach Edey (2025 RD1.2), who has Rookie of the Year potential, but is likely to have a high floor, low ceiling career as his unique stature is more a change-of-pace option.

Aside from Edey, TRUO’s draft was mostly safe options like John Collins, Alex Caruso, and the venerable Chris Paul (RD6.6). Andrew Nembhard and GG Jackson II are very nice role players for their NBA teams, but fantasy wise are still likely a little boxed in for minutes. At the end of the day, the hopes for TRUO to hit 0.500 again rest largely on Green’s ascendance—and maybe Kuminga. Here’s hoping TRUO can start some forward momentum in 2025 and get more than five regular season wins this season, at least.

#6 SWMP (10-8, 12-8)

Our 2025 Toilet Bowl champions! The last two TB victories for SWMP resulted in Markelle Fultz (2018 RD1.1) and DeAndre Ayton (2019 RD1.1), who are both famously not the best player in their respective drafts. Perhaps having learned a valuable lesson, SWMP instead went with a non-rookie with their pick this year, choosing sophomore Keyonte George (RD1.3) as he’s already flashed some star upside.

Having already made some big moves last season—moving Alperen Sengun for Jalen Williams and Jalen Johnson—SWMP entered the 2025 draft down their RD2 and RD3 picks, but recouped a third-rounder with a trade off of Bradley Beal. SWMP’s draft was mostly for role players with the likes of Cameron Johnson (RD3.10), Ayo Dosunmu, rookie Dalton Knecht, and Max Strus offering some light shooting and offense, but nothing that will push SWMP up a level.

Much like the real life Nicola Jokic, there seems to be a need for some filling out of the roster to get SWMP back to championship level. Paul George and Zach LaVine are great on paper, but both are injury prone, to say the least. That will put a lot of pressure on Williams and George to head the backcourt, and for Jalen Johnson to really blow up this season—which we think he will. Was 2024 just a brief hiccup in SWMP’s chase for a long awaited title? Or is it the start of a slow decline?

#7 MELO (5-13, 10-10)

Four years into SlamNation, MELO fans have experienced some whiplash action, seesawing from eleven wins to three wins, back to ten, and then last year collapsing to five again. History would indicate a winning season for MELO this year, and they certainly are the strongest MELO team we’ve had on paper.

Finals MVP and NBA champ Jaylen Brown and Kevin Durant are great cornerstones to build a team around, and it looks like sophomore Brandon Miller will follow in their footsteps as a great wing player. Pascal Siakam will have renewed life in Indianapolis, as does RJ Barrett, now returned to his native Canada. That gives MELO a great nice forward rotation, buttressed by Jerami Grant (RD2.13) as well. Incoming rookie Stephon Castle (RD1.7) is another do-everything type of player and gives MELO some upside to invest in.

Solid veterans Jakob Poeltl, Marcus Smart, and Aaron Gordon (RD5.4) will be plug-and-play, and even with everyone simply matching their career averages, MELO should be much better than last year already. Will that mean a second appearance for them in the playoffs? We can sure hope so!

#8 KSKT (12-5-1, 16-4)

It only took four seasons for KSKT to rise from six wins to a 2024 championship, and KSKT’s storybook franchise saga continues as they return the exact same keeper core for the second year running. The oldest player there is Kristaps Porzingis, at twenty-nine, but everyone else is still in their young to mid twenties. This is a team that has proven their championship mettle and is still getting better, as Cade Cunningham, Tyrese Haliburton, Zion Williamson, and Anfernee Simons could all go up another level, at least.

With Porizingis out for a few months, Clint Capela (RD1.16) will step in as the nominal starter, with Kelly Olynyk (RD3.14) tapped to simulate Porzingis’ big man shooting when necessary. Without many holes to fill besides at center, KSKT drafted Donte DiVencenzo (RD2.3), PJ Washington, and De’Anthony Melton as difference making role players and additional shooting. Late pick Tidjane Salaun (RD5.14) is one of KSKT’s signature rookie bets that could pay off handsomely.

Overall, injuries will likely determine if KSKT can repeat, but if healthy, this is the Slam team best positioned to repeat in recent history—something that hasn’t been accomplished since SOUR went three-peat in 2015-17. All hail the young king!

2025 Pre-Season: Chamberlain

Back with our pre-season team previews! [ 2025 Russell | 2024 End of Season: Playoff Teams | Toilet Bowl Teams ]

TeamID - Abbrev - Name (2024 Record, 2023 Record)

#9 SQSQ (10-8, 7-13)

It’s been a couple up and down seasons for SQSQ lately, as they’ve built to contend but have been unable to coalesce into championship form, dipping from winning season to seven wins and then back again like a yo-yo. However, during the 2024 playoffs, SQSQ got some serious payback against SCRM, as they pulled off the #8 vs #1 upset, taking out the juggernaut SCRM squad. (Back in 2022, #8 SCRM took out #1 SQSQ in the first round…) That had to feel amazing and even though SQSQ lost in the next round to eventual champion KSKT, the 2025 trophy still made it to the SQSQ/KSKT household as the father helped push the son to the mountain top. Amazing!

Now, for SQSQ to earn a title of their own, they’ll need some serious help from Father Time. LeBron James, DeMar DeRozan, Jrue Holiday, and even arguably Anthony Davis are all past their primes. Recall the huge Giannis Antetokounmpo trade from last season, which has now resulted in Giannis for Davis, DeRozan, Buddy Hield (2024 RD2.2), and Derrick White (2025 RD1.12). This is a win-now squad if we’ve ever seen one—this side of SCRM.

The 2025 draft brought in White, but also RD1.11 Alex Sarr, who has all kinds of physical potential, but may be quite the hit-or-miss prospect, depending on the pundit. It’s just as likely sophomore Julian Strawther (RD5.9) or fellow rookie Kel’el Ware (RD4.8) has as much short term fantasy impact as Sarr. However, Sarr gives this aging team some upside at least, along with last year’s RD1.2, Scoot Henderson, who has goggles now and hopefully a clearer view of the basket. And we can’t overlook the double Bogdanovic pairing of Bogdan and Bojan, which will make for fun vibes at the very least. We assume this is SQSQ’s last year to really push for a title, and we’re excited to see what the front office will do to pursue that goal.

#10 ABCX (0-16, 6-14)

Where is there to go after a winless season? Nowhere but up, right?! Despite recent troubles, ABCX was actually a playoff team just two seasons ago, as the Ja Morant and LaMelo Ball combo looked like an incredible duo. Instead, both have hit upon injury—and off-court related—hard times and ABCX floundered last season, racking up the worst regular season in SlamNation history—Jedi Knights went 0-18-1 in 2017.

Without much in-season of offseason movement, ABCX returns five keepers, with Jaden Ivey replacing Bobby Portis. Critics decried the keeping of Kelly Oubre Jr., but it’s possible he’ll start in Philadelphia. Still, other owners wondered if ABCX should have traded a future pick for a better keeper. We move on however! The return of Morant, Ball, and Bennedict Mathurin should give this team some semblance of competitiveness and scoring punch.

There will be certainly beef inside to help out all these guards, as ABCX elected to keep Jonas Valanciunas—one of the longest running Slam keepers at eleven years and running, and the lone non-All-Star—and then selected Jusuf Nurkic (RD1.8) and Ivica Zubac (RD2.16) to open their 2025 draft. That’s three non-shooting mashers to rebound and defend and while that sounds great for an actual NBA team, we’re worried ABCX isn’t in a position to do anything but aim for upside right now. Aside from arguably Keldon Johnson (RD4.16) and last overall pick 2025 RD6.16 rookie Yves Missi, ABCX is really going for the veteran low ceiling selections.

Maybe just getting a few wins for this team will be a win this season, but for a once proud franchise, something must sell tickets besides the promise of Ja and LaMelo not in street clothes.

#11 BUFF (12-6, 7-13)

What a show BUFF put on last season, as they went from seven wins in 2023 to a Finals berth in 2024. It had been a decade since BUFF last went to the Finals and it looks like they’re raring to go again with a draft heavy on veterans and a new keeper core featuring Jalen Brunson, Mikal Bridges, and Coby White—a trade acquisition pre-draft. The all offense keeper core maintains their identity and adds almost keeper Klay Thompson (RD1.9), Brook Lopez, Russell Westbrook, Andrew Wiggins, Harrison Barnes, and um, sixth round flier Lonzo Ball—his career is over, right?

Trading off a top-five fantasy NBA player in Anthony Edwards is tough for any fan base to digest, but the Finals appearance and the magic of turning Edwards into Brunson and Bridges makes for a much deeper team. Domantas Sabonis is a beast in the middle, while ex-Lakers Brandon Ingram and Kyle Kuzma are basically sort of the same player now...right?

What does that all add up to for BUFF? To be honest, we’re not really sure. Going this veteran heavy is a staple of BUFF’s drafts, but with everyone minus some of the keeper core on the downsides of their careers, is there enough oomph to power them to another title chase? Believe in Brunson!!!

#12 SOUR (10-7-1, 14-6)

It’s strange to have SOUR so sitting so far outside of the title picture. A ho-hum regular season led to a quick first round exit to eventual champs KSKT and SOUR’s repeat hopes were dashed pretty quickly. Our 2023 title holders are no stranger to change though and have already pulled off two transformative moves: trading for Dejounte Murray pre-draft and then Damian Lillard during the draft, losing Lauri Markkanen and Immanuel Quickley in the process.

With Olympic hero Steph Curry back again, as well as Jimmy “I’m Angry” Butler, on a revenge tour, SOUR is looking to contend again asap. Scottie Barnes is a franchise level Swiss knife, and while Miles Bridges is still a terrible human, he’s a fine fantasy player. The defense for this team will come from the five-D trio of Deni Avdija (RD1.13), rookie Donovan Clingan (RD2.6), Draymond Green, another rookie Ryan Dunn, and Andre Drummond. Actually, is that what GM Trieu is doing? Collecting D-names? Dejounte, Damian, etc.

Whatever SOUR’s strategy, we can look forward to a regular season that won’t find them so far out of the regular season spotlight, as Curry, Lillard, and Butler all have a lot to prove this year, and a title for SOUR is never too far out of reach.

#13 SBUK (10-8, 12-8)

Another title winning franchise that is getting a little long in the tooth, SBUK has slipped from 13-6-1 in their 2022 championship year to 12-8 in 2023, and then a less than enthusiastic 10-8 last season--a record that put them just outside the playoff picture. The core of Joel Embiid, Rudy Gobert, Kyrie Irving, and CJ McCollum stay the same and there’s plenty of upside for both Franz Wagner and last year’s pre-draft acquisition Desmond Bane. An upset by UFOS in round one of the Toilet Bowl was, well, upsetting, and that left SBUK without one of the top picks in the 2025 draft.

However, it seems like SBUK ownership knows it needs to invest in a semi-youth movement, and they went all upside for their draft, starting with RD1.6 Ausar Thompson, who was selected at the exact same spot in 2024 as well, albeit by TRUO. It’s not often a rookie is cut so fast, but Thompson has a very polarizing game. The hope is that Thompson’ll grow in his sophomore year. SBUK also brought in a trio of bigs to perhaps take over the reins from Embiid and Gobert. Naz Reid, Trayce Jackson-Davis, and Nikola Jovic have all shown flashes of being big contributors for their NBA teams, and the hope is they’ll show the same for SBUK.

Adding in Kevin Porter Jr. (RD4.10) and Tre Mann (RD5.7) also gives SBUK some much needed additional scoring. In a semi-transition year, it’ll be interesting to see if SBUK can trend back up for one more push at contention, or if this is the beginning of their team revamp. 

#14 SPDE (13-4-1, 7-13)

What is there even to say about this team? The old, emphasis on “old,” version of SPDE was a consistent threat on paper but they consistently fell short due to health issues. After a spectacular 14-4-1 2020 regular season, SPDE has gone 14-42 since. Well, when you get Victor Wembanyama and Chet Holmgren exploding on the scene, your franchise direction changes abruptly! The two super rookies powered SPDE to almost as many wins in one year as they had the previous three, and now give SPDE the best keeper core in SlamNation.

With Devin Booker, Tyrese Maxey, and Tyler Herro surrounding the trees in the middle—did we mention Walker Kessler was a keeper as well?—all SPDE needs is some forward types to fill in the gaps for a complete roster. With that in mind, SDPE brought in old standby Tobias Harris (RD2.2) and defensive ace Jadne McDaniels (RD5.15) to fill out the starting roster, and then took in Austin Reaves, Malcolm Brogdon, and Ben Simmons (RD4.2) for additional guard depth. With another center drafted last in Nick Richards, SPDE certainly will be looking to dominate the paint.

It may be too soon to call this a championship caliber team but Wemby and Chet seem capable of scaling any heights. We’ve love to call this the year of SPDE, even if they aren’t the direct favorites for the 2025 title!

#15 ILCN (11-7, 13-7)

With a roster brimming with talent, ILCN continues to be very good, but not great, and the question is when they’ll put it all together for a dominant regular season. Despite having racked up double digits wins in each of the last four seasons, ILCN has never been higher than a fourth seed. In fact, ILCN is still looking for their first playoff win ever—in three tries, minus the aborted 2020 postseason. The franchise’s main claim to fame is getting to a Toilet Bowl finals in 2022—the lone year from that span they didn’t make the playoffs. 

It’s certainly hard to fault the roster, as ILCN is carrying over all their keepers from a year ago and rank as the second-best keeper roster moving forward. Luka Doncic, Donovan Mitchell, and Darius Garland are as complete a backcourt as one can hope to assemble. The emergence of Paolo Banchero solidifies a forward spot, with Jaren Jackson Jr. sort of on-and-off dominating on defense. The wild card, twenty-one year old Shaedon Sharpe, is a fine prospect as well.

The 2025 draft brought in a bounty of riches as well, as ILCN had an extra third and fourth round pick from the 2024 trade off of Walker Kessler and Bradley Beal. ILCN took their own rookie from last year, Dereck Lively (RD1.15), to start things off, and then reeled off Josh Hart, Mark Williams, and fellow sophomore Jaime Jaquez Jr. before most teams had even fleshed out their starting eight.

Using their extra picks to mine for potential sleepers, ILCN then took rookies Matas Buzelis (RD3.12) and Cody Williams (RD5.12), before another sophomore, Noah Clowney (RD4.5) to finish things off—while adding Caris LeVert as a stop-gap in the last round.

While ILCN has always dealt with many injuries, the fanbase is demanding a longer run in the playoffs this season, as Luka and Co. are looking to make an impact in SlamNation aside from enviable roster construction.

#16 SCRM (16-1-1, 15-4-1)

In perpetual championship or bust mode, SCRM is always a thrill ride to follow. Following up their astounding 15-4-1 2023 regular season, SCRM stepped up to the plate in a big way in 2024, acquiring not only Giannis Antetokounmpo but also Kawhi Leonard as well. Both of them have championship pedigree and while they both cost a pretty penny, SCRM showed out with a regular season winning 16-1-1 record last year. Alas, SCRM was upset by eighth-seeded SQSQ in the first round, which left a lot of unfinished business heading into 2025.

Unafraid to make more moves, SCRM was already down a few 2025 early round selections but then sent off another one for Jalen Duren—while recouping a pick by selling off Coby White. The one-two punch of Antetokounmpo and Shai Gilgeous-Alexander are a force to reckon with, and the backcourt of James Harden and Fred VanVleet fit the core very well.

Without a pick unit the fourth round, SCRM drafted Jeremy Sochan (RD4.1) and Khris Middleton (RD4.4) before adding Dyson Daniels and rookie Ron Holland II  (RD6.4). With a roster thin post-draft, SCRM was understandably active at the first waiver wire, grabbing Rui Hachimura, Jalen Smith, Jonathan Isaac, and Kentavious Caldwell-Pope to round out the roster.

There’s no doubt this team will be a top contender—even without Leonard’s services—and we can’t rule out the possibility that another big move could reshape the team, but SCRM’s time will need to be now if they want to win a long awaited title. We hope they get that shot at a Finals berth in 2025!

Keeper Core Tiers: 2025

Using the same methodology as we did in 2019, here are the keeper cores ranked by pure stats! Math never lies! We did move around some teams though, as context matters. Also, we did look at keeper cores in 2023 as well... so see what has changed in five or two years! Note: Somehow, SPDE and CHMK are back atop these keeper core rankings, five years later, after total rebuilds from both! [ 2019 Keepers | 2023 Keepers ]

T I E R 1

SPDE (24 points)

After hitting jackpot with Victor Wembanyama and Chet Holmgren’s rookie seasons, we can’t overlook Tyrese Maxey’s All-Star campaign as well. Add in the additional backcourt of Devin Booker and Tyler Herro and that covers SPDE on offense and defense. On top of that, Josh Giddey is about to triple-double every night in Chicago, so that just elevates the best keeper core by far in SlamNation. Average age? We’re can’t even tell because the future for SPDE is so bright…or dark, as Wemby and Chet block out the sun for the rest of the league. [Edit: Made a mistake, the sixth keeper is actually Walker Kessler, so basically SPDE is not letting anyone score at the rim, ever.

T I E R 2

ILCN (23)

Carrying over all six keepers from last season, ILCN features Luka Doncic, Donovan Mitchell, and Paolo Banchero as their NBA team’s number one studs. Does Darius Garland or Jaren Jackson Jr. ever make an All-Star team again? Maybe not… Garland had an injury filled year while Jackson desperately needs Morant back to return to his former standing. A semi-lost season left Shaedon Sharpe still a mystery, but he could easily establish himself as Portland’s best player soon. Overall, the one-two-three punch of this team is unmatched from the teams below them.

CHMK (23)

With all the Jalens cashed in, CHMK now has Anthony Edwards, Alperen Sengun, and Bam Adebayo—now the longest tenured Monkey— leading the way for a still evolving keeper core. Evan Mobley and Amen Thompson have a lot of upside to explore, and while neither could hit much offensive growth, they are defensive demons. The only question about this core is Jamal Murray and his oft-injured status. Still, any team with Edwards and Sengun is more than set for the a bright future.

T I E R 3

KSKT (22)

The defending champs return all six keepers from last year and they showed the this core can win championships—when healthy. Tyrese Haliburton elevated himself to top tier status, and Cade Cunningham may follow this season. Zion Williamson, Michael Porter Jr., and Kristaps Porzingis are all huge injury risks, while Anfernee Simons isn’t exactly Mr. Durability himself. Still, this team is very young and only entering their primes. We would push them up higher due to age, but the injury stuff is perhaps too much to count on year after year—except for their championship last year!

SCRM (23)

This team isn’t like the other teams above them, with keeper cores brimming with upside and productivity. SCRM uses the rim attacking duo of Shai Gilgeous-Alexander and Giannis Anteokounmpo to position themselves up this high—two MVP candidates will do that—while ex-MVP types Kawhi Leonard and James Harden are around as super vet difference makers. Fred VanVleet is a nice fit here as his low percentages are mitigated by the entire roster, and the pre-draft trade for Jalen Duren could net a starting center for this always title chasing team. Note: We moved SCRM down a notch due to the age of the Clippers duo.

SWMP (22)

The many headed center trio for SWMP has finally been diversified, leaving behind Nikola Jokic and Deandre Ayton in the middle. With four wings to flank them in Paul George, Jalen Williams, Jalen Johnson, and Zach LaVine, SWMP is very versatile—albeit arguably lacking a point guard. Rumors had Ayton or LaVine on the move this offseason, but in the end both were retained. With only George on the wrong side of thirty, SWMP has maintained its elite keeper core status.

BUFF (22)

After a huge in-season trade off of homegrown Anthony Edwards, BUFF rode some mega vibes all the way to a Finals appearance last season. Their new leader is Jalen Brunson, who has pre-draft acquisition Coby White behind him, with a fleet of forwards—Mikal Bridges, Brandon Ingram, and Kyle Kuzma—surrounding Domantas Sabonis. The future is looking very bright for BUFF as they have an all-under thirty team that looks balanced and deep. They’re still very offensive heavy but as they showed in the playoffs last year, that can work!

SOUR (22)

Olympic hero Steph Curry still rates as one of the best in the game and he just got a lot of scoring help in Immanuel Quickley and Miles Bridges—both draftees from last season—to bolster the offense. Scottie Barnes made an All-Star appearance last season while pre-draft acquisition Dejounte Murray and old hand Jimmy Butler should bring their all-around game to help the center-less SOUR squad. Never one to rest on their laurels, we expect half this team to change over during the course of the 2025 season.

SBUK (22)

Not much changes in SBUK-land, with only Desmond Bane adding onto a core that is usually rock steady—and Bane was acquired during the 2024 draft. Signs of age are coming for SBUK though, as Kyrie Irving, Rudy Gobert, and especially CJ McCollum are getting a little long in the tooth. Hopefully Franz Wagner can find his three point stroke again as he was a real bright spot after his rookie season.

T I E R 4

MELO (21)

Striking gold with Brandon Miller in last year’s draft really bolstered MELO’s core. We can’t overlook their drafting of RJ Barrett as well, as Barrett could have a better chance to shine in tanking Toronto. Jaylen Brown and Pascal Siakam are rock solid All-Stars—more in Brown’s case—while Kevin Durant is, well, still Kevin Durant. Nikola Vucevic is quietly thirty-four years old but still throwing up good counting stats and the memory of Andrew Wiggins and James Wiseman as keepers are long gone.

FUNK (20)

Once flanked by Trae Young and Karl-Anthony Towns, Jayson Tatum is now the lone franchise star amidst a smattering of very good role players. Devin Vassell is another crafty scorer, OG Anunoby and Myles Turner provide defense, while Trey Murphy III and pre-draft trade acquisition Lauri Markannen will spread the floor with plenty of shooting. All the adds up to Tatum plus nothing to get too excited about, barring some more franchise type additions.

T I E R 5

TRUO (19)

A late breaking trade for Jonathan Kuminga adds some more upside to TRUO, but waiting on Kuminga could take some more time. Luckily, Jalen Green has seemingly finally arrived, and he’ll pair with De’Aaron Fox to be a great backcourt. Cam Thomas will get a ton of garbage stats this season too, while Keegan Murray is developing nicely as a role player. And whatever you feel about Julius Randle as an actual NBA player, there’s no doubting his fantasy production. TRUO’s core could easily be ranked higher if Green continues his ascent.

FJUB (18)

A total team makeover has FJUB somehow still near the bottom of the keeper rankings. However, this team now looks a lot younger and a lot better from last season with Jerami Grant, Brook Lopez, and Terry Rozier out the door. Karl-Anthony Towns and Trae Young headline the new FJUB, with Collin Sexton and new pre-draft trade acquisition Bradley Beal adding some offensive punch. Herb Jones and Isaiah Hartenstein—the only free agent to be selected as a keeper—are indispensable NBA players but their fantasy value isn’t nearly as high.

SQSQ (18)

Where does the Laker duo of LeBron James and Anthony Davis lead? Together they are still very productive and quite fearsome—and had a great year last season—but the other keepers definitely look more like a championship chasing core, rather than a rebuilding one. DeMar DeRozan (35 years old), Jrue Holiday (34), and Buddy Hield (32) all easily into their thirties. The franchise savior was supposed to be Scoot Henderson but his struggles have been, well, struggles. Does SQSQ pivot to youth this season or take another swing at contention?

T I E R 6

UFOS (15)

Almost every keeper UFOS took through the dispersal draft had an off season last year—with the possible exception of Jabari Smith Jr., who is coming along nicely. Damian Lillard needs a bounce back year, as does Jordan Poole, while Jarrett Allen and Nic Claxton need health on their side. The last keeper, Onyeka Okongwu still can't beat out Clint Capela for a starting job, but he projects as the same type of big man aas Allen and Claxton. This team was young and talented going into the 2024 season and they could still be in 2025, if you squint a little. All those big men will need to be diversified at some point, but for now it's just collecting talent for UFOS as they head into their second year.

ABCX (15)

Kelly Oubre Jr. again?! After a winless season, ABCX will need to sell some tickets this year, and maybe Oubre Jr. is a great looking guy, but people are paying to watch basketball! The good news is that there’s fresh hope for injury-less seasons from Ja Morant and LaMelo Ball, while Bennedict Mathurin and Jaden Ivery inject a bit of hope for this team in the form of untapped potential. Jonas Valanciunas has been with this team for three seasons now but his sell by date has to be gone after this season, right? We need upgrades across the board here, and some serious doctoring for Morant and Ball’s reputation.

Pre-Draft Trades: 2025

While there weren’t a whole lot of pre-2025 draft trades--unlike last year--there were the usual shifting of keepers around as Jalen Duren, Jonathan Kuminga, Bradley Beal, and Coby White were all moved to other teams for mid-round draft picks. Duren and Beal netted RD3s while Kuminga and White were sold for RD4s. The standard is now to attach a RD6 to those players, which is hell for the SlamNation interns to process—but we are a professional league so we get it done!

Aside from those four player-for-pick trades, the only other exchange was between SOUR and FUNK, who did a clean swap of Lauri Markannen and Dejounte Murray. Both are about the same age and solidly in their primes. Markannen signed a big contract with Utah this offseason, securing his future there, while Murray was traded to New Orleans, which should negatively impact his scoring but up his assists and presumably defense by quite a bit.

While rumors swirled of bigger moves, in the end it was just some light business before the rookie draft!

Keepers 2025