Ayrton Oneill
Fantasy basketball is a game in which participants manage a team of professional basketball players and compete against other fantasy teams. The players are drafted from across the NBA, and the performance of the players in real-life NBA games determines how many points the fantasy team earns. Each week, participants select one game per player that counts toward their matchup, and the players are locked in until the matchup ends. Fantasy basketball drafts are typically 12 or 13 rounds, and the most common way to play is head-to-head, where teams compete based on categories such as points, rebounds, assists, and blocks.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Cost | Free or paid |
| Number of players | Up to 30 |
| Player selection | One game per player each week |
| Scoring | Based on player performance in NBA games |
| Draft | Typically 12 or 13 rounds |
| Roster | Varies by league |
| Positions | PG, SG, G, SF, F, PF, C, UTIL (utility), bench |
| Scoring categories | Points, 3PM, rebounds, assists, blocks, steals, field goal %, free throw % |
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Drafting your team
Fantasy basketball allows you to run your own team of professional basketball players. You draft a team of the best players from across the NBA and receive points based on your players' performance in NBA games each week of the basketball season.
Before drafting your team, find a list of player rankings and use them to evaluate players. Every platform ranks players differently, so by following these rankings, you can identify values when certain players fall lower than expected in the draft. While building your team, pay attention to position scarcity. For example, centers tend to be valuable in fantasy basketball, so they get drafted early and the position dries up quicker than others. If you’re playing in a dynasty league, your start-up draft will have more rounds, as the rosters (and sometimes starting lineups) tend to be larger.
Fantasy basketball drafts are typically 12 or 13 rounds. Managers are trying to fill out their roster, which usually consists of positions including point guard (pg), shooting guard (sg), guard (g), small forward (sf), forward (f), power forward (pf), center (c), and utility (UTIL). The utility spots are essentially wildcard spots where you can start any player. The injured list (IL) spot allows managers to stash an extra player who is hurt without taking up a roster spot.
Most leagues will hold a snake draft, which is where the draft order reverses each round. For example, in a 10-team league, the manager picking 10th in the first round would get the first pick in the second round.
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Setting lineups
Understanding Positions and Roster Requirements
Familiarise yourself with the various positions in basketball, such as point guard (pg), shooting guard (sg), small forward (sf), power forward (pf), and centre (c). Each position has unique roles and contributions to the team. Your league's rules will dictate the number of players required for each position on your roster.
Drafting Players
The draft is where you select players to fill your roster. It's essential to evaluate players' rankings, performance history, and potential. Centres, for example, tend to be highly valued in fantasy basketball and are often drafted early. Keep in mind that each platform ranks players differently, so refer to multiple sources to make informed decisions.
Weekly Lineup Selection
In fantasy basketball, you typically select one game per player each week that counts toward your matchup. This selection must be made before the chosen game starts, and the player is locked in until your matchup ends. If your selected player doesn't play, you can choose another game.
League-Specific Considerations
Each fantasy basketball league has its own unique rules and settings. Some leagues may have larger rosters and starting lineups, affecting your draft strategy. Additionally, understand the scoring categories used in your league, such as points, 3-pointers made, rebounds, assists, blocks, steals, field goal percentage, and free throw percentage. These categories will influence how you set your lineup to maximise your points.
Utilising Utility and Injury Spots
Most leagues offer utility (UTIL) spots, which are wildcard positions where you can start any player. This flexibility can be strategic when dealing with injuries or optimising your lineup. Similarly, the injured list (IL) spot allows you to stash an injured player without occupying a regular roster spot.
Snake Draft Order
Most leagues use a snake draft order, where the draft order reverses each round. For example, if you pick 10th in the first round, you'll likely get the first pick in the second round. This mechanism helps even the playing field, ensuring that early draft positions aren't significantly advantageous.
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Trading players
Proposing Trades: To initiate a trade, managers select the team they want to trade with and propose an exchange of players. This can be done through platforms like ESPN, which offers a "Propose Trade" option, allowing managers to select the players they want to trade and those they wish to acquire. It's important to assess your roster's strengths and weaknesses and identify areas for improvement.
Negotiation and Persuasion: Trading in fantasy basketball involves negotiation and persuasion. Managers need to convince the other party that the trade is in their best interest. This requires knowledge of basketball, an understanding of player values, and the ability to read the other manager's needs and preferences. It's an art of suggestion, making the other manager feel that the trade idea is partly theirs.
Trade Rules and Settings: Fantasy basketball leagues have specific rules and settings regarding trades. Leagues may set a trade deadline to prevent managers from trading strong players for average ones at the end of the season. Trades can be processed with an uneven number of players, as long as roster limits are not violated. Leagues may also set a trade limit, allowing a specific number of trades during the season.
Draft Pick Trading: In custom leagues, managers can make trades involving draft picks. These trades can involve exchanges of draft positions or a combination of players and draft picks. However, it's important to note that the overall draft slot may change, and there is no assurance that a specific player will be acquired.
Player Ratings and Analysis: Tools like the Fantasy Basketball Trade Analyzer provide player ratings and fair trade ratings. These tools help managers assess the value of players and determine if a trade is favourable. Managers can also consider players' past, future, and expected performance across various categories to make informed decisions.
Finalising Trades: Once a trade is proposed and accepted, the system will display a pending move, and the league will be notified. Depending on the league rules, other managers may have the option to review and vote against the trade. It's important to stay within roster limits, and managers may need to make adjustments to accommodate an uneven number of players.
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Joining a league
Joining a fantasy basketball league is a great way to get more involved with the NBA and its players. You can join an existing league or create your own and invite your friends to join. There are many platforms that offer fantasy basketball, such as ESPN, Yahoo, and CBSSports.com, which offer free and paid leagues.
When joining an existing league, you'll typically be invited by the league manager. You can also find leagues that are open to new members on sites like CBSSports.com. It's important to review the league's rules and settings before joining, as each league is different. Some common settings include roster size, scoring, regular-season schedules, and playoff schedules. You'll want to make sure you're comfortable with these settings before committing to the league.
If you're creating your own league, you'll have more control over the rules and settings. You can decide on the roster size, scoring system, transaction rules, and schedule. This option is great if you want to play with a specific group of friends or colleagues.
Once you've joined or created a league, you'll need to draft your team of players. In fantasy basketball, you typically draft a team of the best players from across the NBA. You can use pre-existing player rankings or build your own to evaluate players and build a strong team. It's important to pay attention to position scarcity when drafting, as certain positions, like centers, tend to be more valuable and are drafted earlier.
After the draft, your league will typically start fresh on the first scoring period. Each week, you'll select one game per player that counts toward your matchup, and your players' performances in those games will earn you points. The goal is to compete against other teams in your league and climb the standings. In leagues with a postseason, the playoffs usually start around Week 22 or Week 23 of the NBA season. The team that accumulates the most points or has the best record is typically crowned the champion.
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Scoring systems
Points Leagues
Points leagues are a straightforward format where players accumulate fantasy points based on their real-life statistical output. The objective is to build a roster that scores more points than your opponents. Points leagues are generally easier for beginners as they don't require players to excel in various categories. Each statistic is assigned a specific point value, and players rack up points as they play their NBA games. For example, a 3-pointer made might be worth 5 points (3 for the points scored, 1 for the 3-pointer, 2 for a field goal made, and -1 for a field goal attempt).
Nine-Category Leagues
In a nine-category league, the goal shifts from pure point accumulation to winning more statistical categories than your opponent. This format requires more strategic roster construction, as you need to build a well-rounded team with players who complement each other across multiple skill sets. While it can be more challenging, it also adds depth to the game.
Rotisserie ("Roto")
Rotisserie, or "Roto," is considered the most common way to play fantasy basketball. In this format, teams are ranked from first to last in each statistical category. Points are then awarded based on the ranking in each category, and these points are totalled to determine an overall score and league rank.
Head-to-Head: Each Category
This format is similar to Rotisserie but is typically played head-to-head. You select the number of statistical categories, and for each scoring period, team totals are accumulated. A win, loss, or tie is credited in each category based on the matchup results. For example, in a 10-category league, the results might be 6-3-1.
PrizePicks
PrizePicks is a platform that allows you to focus on your favourite players and their key stats. You can pick players and choose "more" or "less" based on their projected stats for a particular game, such as points or three-pointers. You can also select between POWER PLAY and FLEX Lineup options, with FLEX Lineups giving you a win even if one of your picks is incorrect.
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Frequently asked questions
You can join an existing league or create your own. If you create your own, you will need to set the rules and scoring systems.
Some platforms offer free fantasy basketball, while others charge a fee. For example, Basketball Commissioner costs $149.99 for the whole season.
You draft a team of the best players from across the NBA. It's important to pay attention to position scarcity—centers tend to be valuable and are drafted early.
You receive points based on your players' performance in NBA games each week. Your team competes based on categories such as points, rebounds, assists, and blocks.
A common start date for the fantasy basketball playoffs is Week 22 or Week 23, so NBA teams aren't resting their best players.
