Building a championship-winning fantasy basketball team requires a blend of astute strategy, comprehensive knowledge, and a willingness to take calculated risks. Understanding player consistency, health, and potential for high output can significantly influence a successful fantasy season.
Reliability of Top Players
Joel Embiid, a major force in fantasy basketball, stood out last season by averaging 61 fantasy points per game. This season, projections suggest he will surpass 60 fantasy points per game again. However, fantasy managers must weigh his impressive per-game output against his availability. Embiid has never played more than 68 games in a season and managed only 39 games last year. These statistics underscore the importance of having a robust strategy for managing potential gaps in team performance.
Nikola Jokic presents a reliable alternative for fantasy basketball enthusiasts. He played 79 games last season and has never played fewer than 69 games in his career. Jokic’s durability makes him a safer bet for consistent performance throughout the season, reducing the uncertainty and risk associated with other top performers.
Veteran Stars with Considerations
LeBron James and Anthony Davis, both seasoned veterans, have notable impacts on fantasy basketball. Last season, James played 71 games while Davis participated in 76 games. Over the previous three seasons, however, James averaged merely 52 games per season, and Davis averaged 44 games. As James turns 40 this season, his age may factor into his durability and output, requiring fantasy managers to consider alternatives or backup plans.
Health and Performance Concerns
Ja Morant is an intriguing figure for fantasy players, providing high-level production with averages of 26.7 points per game (PPG), 7.5 assists per game (APG), and 5.8 rebounds per game (RPG) over the past three seasons. However, his reliability is a concern after missing 73 games last season due to suspension and injury. At 25 years old, Morant still offers substantial upside if he can maintain better health and stay out of trouble.
Similarly, Kevin Durant is entering his 18th NBA season and played 75 games last year. At 36 years old, Durant’s age might raise questions about his future performance, yet his recent output provides optimism for another strong season.
Kyrie Irving’s talent is undeniable, with impressive averages of 26.7 PPG, 49.3 field goal percentage (FG%), 39.9 three-point percentage (3P%), and 91.2 free-throw percentage (FT%) over the last five seasons. Nonetheless, he played only 44.2 games on average during this period. Fantasy managers need to balance his high rankings in per-game fantasy points (22nd last season) against his lower total fantasy points (47th last season) due to limited game participation.
Potential and Risk
Another player to watch is Zion Williamson, who has shown flashes of brilliance with averages of 26.7 PPG, 7.1 RPG, and 4.0 APG between the 2020-21 and 2022-23 seasons. Yet, he has played just 90 out of a possible 236 regular season games in the same period. Williamson played a career-high 70 games last season and exhibited his scoring prowess with a 27.1 PPG average over a 10-game stretch late in the year. His potential, coupled with past inconsistencies, creates a high-risk, high-reward scenario for fantasy managers.
Kawhi Leonard also embodies this high-risk, high-reward potential. Last season, Leonard played 68 games and finished with the 27th-most fantasy points in the league. However, his persistent knee issues, which led him to miss 12 of the Clippers’ last 14 games, including the playoffs, add a layer of uncertainty to his fantasy value.
In conclusion, the key to building a championship-winning fantasy basketball team lies in a careful balance of scouting consistently high-performing players and mitigating risks associated with injury-prone athletes. Each player's past performance and potential trajectory should inform draft decisions, ensuring a well-rounded and competitive team throughout the grueling fantasy basketball season.