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Fantasy Basketball: Who To Draft, Who To Avoid

By Bryan Gibberman

Oct 15, 2014; Cincinnati, OH, USA; Cleveland Cavaliers forward LeBron James (23) reacts during the second half against the Indiana Pacers at the Cintas Center. The Cavaliers defeated the Pacers 98-93. Mandatory Credit: Frank Victores-USA TODAY Sports
Oct 15, 2014; Cincinnati, OH, USA; Cleveland Cavaliers forward LeBron James (23) reacts during the second half against the Indiana Pacers at the Cintas Center. The Cavaliers defeated the Pacers 98-93. Mandatory Credit: Frank Victores-USA TODAY Sports /
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Feb 24, 2014; New Orleans, LA, USA; New Orleans Pelicans head coach Monty Williams talks with power forward Anthony Davis (23) during the fourth quarter at the Smoothie King Center. The Clippers defeated the Pelicans 123-110. Mandatory Credit: Derick E. Hingle-USA TODAY Sports
Feb 24, 2014; New Orleans, LA, USA; New Orleans Pelicans head coach Monty Williams talks with power forward Anthony Davis (23) during the fourth quarter at the Smoothie King Center. The Clippers defeated the Pelicans 123-110. Mandatory Credit: Derick E. Hingle-USA TODAY Sports /

In general, fantasy basketball isn’t an overly complicated concept. Draft players who are good at basketball and put up a lot of box score statistics.  If you do this well your team will typically be good. Here is a look at players I’m targeting and avoiding broken down into different tiers.

More from Fantasy Basketball

I’m going off ESPN’s rankings and personal experience this season in my live drafts or mocks I’ve done with what sections I’m placing the players.

First Round

Pretty simply any player you take in the first round is going to be excellent. This season I’m leaning towards big men. If I have a top three pick, my top target is Anthony Davis, then LeBron James. Kevin Durant is tricky — I’m avoiding in roto leagues, but if it’s head to head scoring I’m ok taking him.

Because of the depth at point guard I won’t end up with Stephen Curry, Chris Paul, John Wall or Russell Westbrook on any of my teams. They’re all going to be excellent fantasy players, but I prefer forwards such as Carmelo Anthony, DeMarcus Cousins, Kevin Love and Blake Griffin before them.

ESPN has Serge Ibaka and Kawhi Leonard in their top 12. Those are two 100 percent avoids for me.  Ibaka doesn’t bring enough across the board to be worth a first-round pick despite good percentages and the blocks.  Leonard is too risky at that point because of Spurs things, when you can go ahead and grab a sure thing.