First TD Bets — Wild Card Monday Slate
Alex Christenson
Welcome back to FTN Fantasy’s NBA Power Rankings!
While this article usually highlights the league’s top teams, this week I want to take a different approach. Let’s shift our focus to the struggling squads and explore the silver linings they can draw from this season. After all, winning a championship is the ultimate goal, but only one team can hoist the trophy each year. For the rest, success often lies in development, growth and building for the future.
Take the Spurs last season as an example. They finished with a dismal 22-60 record but walked away with the assurance that Victor Wembanyama is a generational talent and a cornerstone for their future. Even in a losing season, there’s value in progress.
With that in mind, let’s dive into some of the league’s bottom-tier teams and uncover reasons for optimism amidst the losses. Continue reading for our full rankings, plus notes on each team.
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Key Takeaways
Trading Nick Richards To Phoenix Was A Win-Win
Nick Richards wasted no time making an impact for the Phoenix Suns. In his debut, he posted an impressive 21 points and 11 rebounds, helping Phoenix secure a win against the upstart Detroit Pistons. Richards has always flashed potential when given consistent minutes, averaging over 15 points and 11 rebounds per 36 minutes since 2022. However, Charlotte’s crowded frontcourt kept him from exceeding 27 MPG. Now, with a starting role and 30+ minutes per game in Phoenix, Richards has the opportunity to thrive – and he’s already taking full advantage.
Meanwhile, the trade has been just as beneficial for the Hornets. Mark Williams, now stepping into a larger role, has been delivering stellar performances. Since Richards’ departure, Williams has averaged over 20 points, 13 rebounds and solid defense in 30+ minutes per night. While Charlotte isn’t competing for a playoff spot this season, the Hornets have found a cornerstone in Williams to build around. This trade exemplifies a rare win-win scenario for both teams.
Scoot Henderson Showing Signs of Life
Being drafted immediately after Victor Wembanyama was always going to be a tough act to follow. Scoot Henderson entered the league with sky-high expectations but struggled in his rookie season, falling short of even the NBA All-Rookie Second Team. His sophomore campaign started similarly, with inefficient scoring and fewer points per game than his rookie year.
But 2025 has marked a turning point for Henderson. Since the start of January, he’s averaging over 15 points per game on an efficient 50% shooting. While these aren’t superstar numbers yet, they’re a sign of progress for a player who is still developing. At just 20 years old, Henderson’s best days are undoubtedly ahead, and his recent play is a reason for the Blazers – and their fans – to stay optimistic about the future.
Brice Sensabaugh, Instant Offense
The Utah Jazz may be far from playoff contention this season, but they’ve uncovered a bright spot in Brice Sensabaugh. The 29th pick in last year’s draft had a quiet rookie season and a slow start to this one, but 2025 has brought new opportunities – and Sensabaugh has seized them.
Given consistent minutes for the first time, Sensabaugh is averaging 19 points per game despite playing fewer than 30 minutes a night. His scoring efficiency and ability to contribute in limited minutes have made him a standout performer on a struggling team. While the Jazz sit 20 games under .500, they can feel confident they’ve found a valuable piece for the future. Whether Sensabaugh becomes a key contributor or a trade asset, his emergence is a rare win in an otherwise difficult season.
RJ Barrett Might Be the Best Raptor
When the Raptors traded OG Anunoby to the Knicks, they received RJ Barrett and Immanuel Quickley. At the time, Quickley was seen as the real asset, whereas RJ was more of a throw-in. There was an upside with RJ given his age, but he was seen as a ball-stopper who couldn’t contribute to winning consistently.
While the Raptors aren’t winning this year, the narrative around Barrett is different. He is averaging a career-high 22.4 PPG, but I’m even more impressed with the 6 assists he’s getting per night. While he’s not good enough to be the best player on a championship team, he’s certainly a positive asset any winning team would love to have.
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