Helena Frye
In fantasy basketball, the most important position is often considered to be the center, as they are considered to be rare and good ones are hard to come by. In terms of scoring, guards tend to be in the upper tiers, with forwards being the scarcest. When it comes to drafting, it is recommended to target players who can fill the scarcest positions first, and then fill the other positions with quality players later on in the draft.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Most important position | Center (C) |
| Scarcest positions | Forward (SF/PF) |
| Positions with most depth | Guard (PG/SG) |
| Players with high blocks | Kawhi Leonard (SG/SF), Harden (PG/SG) |
| Players with high FT% | KAT (C) |
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What You'll Learn
Guards are the most common in upper tiers
When it comes to fantasy basketball, a tiered approach is often used to prepare for drafts. This involves grouping prospects into tiers before the draft, allowing for a clearer evaluation of the available talent pool. One notable trend in fantasy basketball drafts is the prevalence of guards in the upper tiers.
Guards are indeed the most common in the upper tiers of fantasy basketball drafts. This is due to a combination of factors, including the scarcity of quality and depth in other positions, particularly forwards. Forwards tend to be the sparsest position, making them more challenging to acquire during the early stages of the draft. This scarcity can be attributed to the unique skill sets and positional requirements of forwards, which may be more specialised or less prevalent in the player pool.
In contrast, guards are often more versatile and can fill multiple roles on the court. This versatility increases their value in fantasy basketball, where managers seek players who can contribute across various statistical categories. Guards are known for their proficiency in scoring points, making three-pointers, assists, steals, and free-throw percentage. Some guards may even possess unexpected strengths typically associated with other positions, such as blocks or rebounds.
Additionally, the abundance of talented guards in the NBA contributes to their dominance in the upper tiers of fantasy basketball drafts. The guard position is often associated with high-scoring players who can accumulate points quickly. These players tend to be in high demand during drafts, driving up their value and resulting in their selection during the early rounds.
While guards are the most common in the upper tiers, it is important to remember that other positions, such as centres, can also offer significant value. Centres, for example, are known for their rarity and can be highly sought after, especially those who excel in blocking and free-throw shooting without negatively impacting the team in other areas. Therefore, while guards may dominate the upper tiers, a well-rounded team composition considers the scarcity and strengths of each position to optimise the overall roster.
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Forwards are scarce in quality and depth
In the past, small forwards were dynamic, multi-categorical producers and provided a deep-dish foundation for managers. However, with the rise of points formats, the value of small forwards has decreased. The differentiation between PG/SG/PF/C and SF is widening and deepening, and the production of small forwards is lacking in comparison to other positions.
Despite this, there are still some forwards who stand out as top performers and automatic scorers in fantasy basketball. Giannis Antetokounmpo, for example, is one of the best all-around stat stuffers in the league, averaging 30.4 points, 11.5 rebounds, 6.5 assists, 1.2 steals, and 1.1 blocks per game last season. Jayson Tatum is another high-performing small forward, averaging at least 26.4 points per game in each of the last four seasons and at least 8.0 rebounds per game in the last three seasons.
When building a fantasy basketball team, it is important to focus on positional scarcity and categorical scarcity. By using tools like the Player Rater, managers can aggregate value by category and identify where scarcity exists. This information can be used to exploit every edge and improve the team's performance.
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Small forwards have fewest players
Small forwards may have some of the best players in basketball, but they are few in number. LeBron James, Kevin Durant, and Kawhi Leonard have been staples at the position in the past, and Tatum and Barnes are now emerging as stars. While Tatum is the safe option, Barnes has the potential for a monster season if he can increase his scoring while maintaining his efficiency in other areas.
Jalen Williams is another player to watch. He finished his sophomore campaign inside the top 50 and could be a great pick in the third or fourth round. Franz Wagner is also a consistent player, having missed just 15 games in his career and increasing his scoring, rebounds, and assists production every year.
Some other small forwards to consider are Brandon Ingram, RJ Barrett, and Klay Thompson. Ingram's fantasy value got a small bump after Trey Murphy III's injury, and Barrett is a 20-point scorer you can get in the ninth round. Thompson will be a cheap source of points and 3s.
While the small forward position may not have as many players as other positions, there are still plenty of strong options to choose from when building your fantasy basketball team.
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Centres have depth of players
While the center position in the NBA may not be what it once was, with the likes of Kareem Abdul-Jabbar, Wilt Chamberlain, and Shaquille O'Neal, it still holds some depth in terms of player talent and fantasy scoring.
In the 2024-25 season, the center position still has some elite players who can deliver value on offense or defense. Nikola Jokic, for example, is considered by some to be the best player in the league. He has been named the Kia MVP in three of the last four seasons and led all players in total points, rebounds, and assists in the Olympics. Jokic scores, rebounds, and passes at a high level, racks up defensive stats, and shoots well from the free-throw line. Another top-tier center is Victor Wembanyama, who had a stellar rookie campaign, averaging 21.4 points, 10.6 rebounds, 3.9 assists, 3.6 blocks, and 1.2 steals in 29.7 minutes per game. Wembanyama's talent and potential make him a strong pick to go first overall in many fantasy drafts.
Beyond Jokic and Wembanyama, there are other centers who can provide value to fantasy teams. Kristaps Porzingis, Brook Lopez, Nikola Vucevic, and Deandre Ayton are some names that could deliver value on offense or defense, although their inconsistent availability or injury history may be a concern. Domantas Sabonis is another center who had a dominant 2023-24 season, posting career-highs in rebounds and assists while averaging 19.4 points per game.
While the center position may not have the same talent depth as other positions in the modern NBA, there are still several high-quality players who can contribute significantly to fantasy teams. These centers can provide value through scoring, rebounding, passing, and defensive stats, making them valuable assets in fantasy basketball.
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Point guards are good for points, 3s, Ast, Stl, FT%
Point guards are a great source of points, 3s, assists, steals, and free throw percentage (FT%) in fantasy basketball.
A common strategy is to draft one elite point guard early on, surrounded by guards and wings who can contribute to scoring and 3s. This ensures that you don't lose out on the scoring and 3s that bigs in punt FT% usually lack. Point guards can also provide steals, which is a crucial swing stat in head-to-head matchups.
When it comes to assists, it's important to secure these within the first three to four rounds. While drafting, it's wise to prioritize players who can contribute to multiple categories, such as SG/SF players who can fill multiple slots in your lineup.
Free throw shooting is another important factor. You need players who are not just high-percentage shooters but also high-volume shooters. This ensures that your FT% isn't negatively impacted by a single player having a bad week.
By focusing on these key areas and utilizing the strengths of point guards, you can build a competitive fantasy basketball roster.
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Frequently asked questions
While there is no clear answer to which position scores the most in fantasy basketball, some sources suggest that guards tend to be in the upper tiers of drafts. However, it is noted that good centres are hard to come by, especially those who can block and perform well at the FT line.
The standard lineup in fantasy basketball is PG, SG, Guard (PG or SG), SF, PF, Forward (SF or PF), C, C, Util, Util.
The forward positions are considered the most important as they are more scarce in terms of quality and depth of options.
Deandre Ayton is considered a good centre in fantasy basketball. He was traded to the Trail Blazers, where he is expected to see more shots than he would have in Phoenix.
Jayson Tatum is a top-4 producer and forward in fantasy basketball.
