Kristian Ferrell
Fantasy basketball is a game in which participants act as managers and build a team of real-world basketball players. These players then score points for their fantasy team based on their performance in real-world games. There are a variety of scoring systems used in fantasy basketball, with different leagues using different scoring categories. Some of the most common scoring categories include points scored, rebounds, assists, and steals. In this context, it is important to understand the difference between traditional and advanced stats. While most leagues use traditional stats, advanced stats can be useful for research purposes and understanding a player's outlook, or what to expect from them in the coming season.
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What You'll Learn
Scoring categories
When it comes to fantasy basketball, there are a variety of scoring categories and formats to choose from. The most common settings in fantasy basketball are nine-category leagues with rotisserie scoring. However, points leagues are gaining popularity due to their similarities to fantasy football and the influx of new users.
In a points league, players are sorted by their fantasy points per game or their average fantasy points scored. For example, during the 2023-24 NBA season, Luka Doncic of the Dallas Mavericks scored 59.34 fantasy points per game, the most of any player that season. The format is straightforward: the more points you accumulate, the better your team performs.
Roto, or Rotisserie, is the most common way to play fantasy basketball. Teams are ranked from first to last in each statistical category. Points are then awarded according to the order in each category and totalled to determine an overall score and league rank. Standings are based on the accumulation of points across all statistical categories.
Another format is Head-to-Head, which is similar to how fantasy football is played. It allows you to assign a point value to individual statistic categories, and each scoring period's winner is determined by which team accumulates the most points against a single opponent. H2H Each Category is the most common type of head-to-head play, allowing you to select a specific number of statistic categories. For each scoring period, team totals are accumulated, and a win, loss, or tie is credited in each category based on the matchup results.
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Advanced stats
Plus-Minus
Plus-minus is an indicator of a player's impact on the game. It is represented by the difference between a team's total score and that of their opponents when a particular player is in the game. A high plus-minus suggests that a player helps their team win, even if they do not put up great individual stats. This stat can be used to identify players who could be in line for increased playing time.
Usage Rate
Usage rate calculates the percentage of team possessions that involve a particular player. A high usage rate indicates that a player is a ball hog, while a low usage rate indicates that a player is producing with limited opportunities.
True Shooting Percentage (TS%)
TS% is a formula that more accurately calculates a player's shooting than field goal percentage, free throw percentage, and three-point field goal percentage individually. It is a good tool for helping fantasy basketball players determine when a player's shooting is truly harmful to their team.
Effective Field Goal Percentage (eFG%)
EFG% measures field goal percentage while adjusting for the fact that a 3-point field goal is worth one more point than a 2-point field goal. It is helpful when evaluating fantasy basketball players, as it shows the added value of players with 3PM potential.
Free Throw Rate
Free throw rate is valuable when looking for players who consistently get to the free-throw line. These players will have less variation game-to-game in their scoring than players who rely more heavily on field goals.
Team's Pace Factor
A team's pace factor is the average number of times that team gains possession of the basketball during a typical game. The more possessions a team has, the more opportunities their players have to score fantasy points.
Player Efficiency Rating (PER)
PER combines all of an individual player's positives and negatives and distils them into a useful, definitive number. It is a good stat to use when identifying breakout candidates who are set to see an increase in usage.
Total Rebound Percentage (TRB%)
TRB% is an estimate of the percentage of available rebounds a player grabbed while on the floor.
Win Shares (WS)
Win Shares is a counting stat that isn't usually tracked. It is unclear what this stat entails, but it is a popular advanced stat.
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Cheat sheets
FanDuel Research also provides cheat sheets for points and categories scoring formats, along with a schedule grid for every team. Their cheat sheets include player rankings based on points scoring, with common point values assigned to different stats, such as 1.0 points per point, 1.2 per rebound, 1.5 per assist, and 3.0 per steal and block.
Additionally, cheat sheets may provide information on auction values for leagues that employ player auctions instead of drafts. They can also offer guidance on evaluating trades, identifying "busts" (players who underperform), and navigating the waiver wire, which refers to players who are not currently signed to a fantasy roster.
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Draft strategies
Preparation is Key
Before the draft, it is important to familiarize yourself with your league's settings and rules. Almost all fantasy basketball leagues operate under either a Points or Categorical format, so understanding the differences and how they will impact your draft is crucial. Knowing the rules will also help you determine which players to target and when to make trades. Mock drafts are a great way to prepare, as they give you a feel for player pricing and demand.
Research Players
Use draft guides, rankings, and player profiles to identify the best players for your team. Pay attention to players who are expected to exceed expectations or take their game to an elite level. Consider a player's stats and recent performances when making your selections. Don't just pick the top scorers; choose players who can contribute to all stats, like rebounds, assists, and defense.
Be Flexible and Adapt
Keep an eye on player injuries and be prepared to make trades or adjust your lineup if needed. Don't get too attached to your initial roster; be bold and make changes if your team is struggling. Use the waiver wire to pick up free players who are not currently on any team and could improve your squad.
Salary Cap and Bidding
In salary cap drafts, managers typically have a set budget to work with on draft night. Participating in mock drafts can help you understand the market value of players and how their prices fluctuate over time. This knowledge will help you make informed decisions during the actual draft and ensure you get the best value for your money.
Know Your League Setup
Different leagues have different scoring formats and roster requirements. Understand the specifics of your league to make informed decisions during the draft. For example, know whether your league uses a snake draft approach, where the draft order is reversed after each round, or if it follows a standard sequential order.
Remember, the more prepared you are, the better your draft will be. So, do your research, stay flexible, and don't be afraid to make bold moves to build a winning team!
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Waivers
When a manager makes a claim to add a player, a clock starts, allowing other managers to make a claim on the same player. The default time period is 48 hours, but the commissioner of a private league can change this to any number between 0 and 7 days. During this time, all managers can make a claim to add the player. If no one claims the player, the player becomes a free agent, and anyone can add them to their team without competition. Players listed as "FA" (free agent) are available to add to your team immediately.
Each manager is given a budget to make offers on unclaimed players that are on waivers. The default budget is $100, but the commissioner of a private league can adjust the budget as they see fit. Offers are blind, so other managers cannot see the amount. The highest offer at the end of the waiver period signs the player, and the amount is deducted from the manager's budget.
If you are making transactions, you must move one active player to the bench or to waivers when moving an inactive "benched" player to your active lineup. If you make a move that violates a roster slot, an error message will appear. You will need to ensure that you are moving players into eligible slots per your league settings.
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Frequently asked questions
Generally, 30+ should be the level you roster players at, so when you’ve got 10 guys playing you want a minimum of 300 or else there’s something wrong. For ESPN points, your top player should score around 50.
Fantasy basketball points are calculated using traditional stats as scoring categories. Different actions are assigned different points values. For example, three-point field goals are worth 3 points, two-point field goals are worth 2 points, and rebounds are worth 1.2 points.
A cheat sheet is a tool used during the draft process to aid in team-building. Oftentimes, cheat sheets are structured as a ranking of the top players.
A sleeper is a term used to describe players who are generally undervalued but carry significant upside.
The waiver wire refers to the group of players who are not currently signed to a fantasy roster—essentially, the free agency pool.
