The start of the NBA season is fast approaching, which means we’re heading into the peak season of the fantasy basketball draft. Sometimes it’s the players you don’t pick that can help you win your league. Let’s look at some big names that are best left alone while you build your squad.
Dominate your league with RotoWire’s Fantasy Basketball Rankings – Top 150.
There is no question that Davis is one of the most talented players in the league. But he has seen his production decline since he joined the Lakers. After averaging at least 11.1 rebounds per game in each of his last three seasons with the Pelicans, he hasn’t averaged more than 9.9 rebounds per game with the Lakers. His scoring numbers have also dropped, thanks to him playing alongside LeBron James and Russell Westbrook. Still, it’s hard to complain too much about a player who averaged 23.3 points, 9.9 rebounds, 3.1 assists, 1.2 steals and 2.3 blocks per game last season.
The reason to avoid Davis is not because of his production; it is due to her inability to stay healthy. He only played 40 games last season and appeared in 76 games the previous two seasons. Going even further back, he has played fewer than 60 games in three of the last four seasons. Since it will probably take at least one mid-to-early second-round pick to acquire him in most fantasy drafts, his injury history makes him
The start of the NBA season is fast approaching, which means we’re heading into the peak season of the fantasy basketball draft. Sometimes it’s the players you don’t pick that can help you win your league. Let’s look at some big names that are best left alone while you build your squad.
Dominate your league with RotoWire’s Fantasy Basketball Rankings – Top 150.
There is no question that Davis is one of the most talented players in the league. But he has seen his production decline since he joined the Lakers. After averaging at least 11.1 rebounds per game in each of his last three seasons with the Pelicans, he hasn’t averaged more than 9.9 rebounds per game with the Lakers. His scoring numbers have also dropped, thanks to him playing alongside LeBron James and Russell Westbrook. Still, it’s hard to complain too much about a player who averaged 23.3 points, 9.9 rebounds, 3.1 assists, 1.2 steals and 2.3 blocks per game last season.
The reason to avoid Davis is not because of his production; it is due to her inability to stay healthy. He only played 40 games last season and appeared in 76 games the previous two seasons. Going even further back, he has played fewer than 60 games in three of the last four seasons. Given that it will likely take at least a mid to early second-round pick to acquire him in most fantasy drafts, his injury history makes him too much of a risk.
See where Davis was selected in RotoWire’s Mock Expert Fantasy Basketball Draft.
Leonard is also on this list due to injury concerns. He didn’t play at all last season as he recovered from a torn ACL, which came on the heels of him appearing in just 52 games during the 2020-21 season. Over the past five seasons combined, Leonard has appeared in just 178 games.
All reports are that Leonard enters this season healthy. The Clippers have a talented roster and have high hopes of making a deep playoff run. If they’re going to achieve their ultimate goal of winning a championship, they’ll need Leonard to be healthy when it matters most. Expect them to be conservative with Leonard throughout the season, often sitting him out for at least half of straight sets. Given that the best case scenario is for Leonard to play 50 to 55 games, using an early pick on him might not be wise.
Which elite players should you be concerned about this season? Read Nick Whalen’s Fantasy Basketball Busts: How Each Top 10 Player Could Fail.
Green is a better real-life player than a fantasy asset. When he’s at his peak, he can control a game at both ends of the floor. He is one of the most versatile defenders in the NBA. Offensively, while he doesn’t have a huge punch, his stellar passing ability is vital to matching shooters like Stephen Curry and Klay Thompson. He dominated the playoffs at times last season, helping the Warriors bring home yet another championship.
The problem with Green, for fantasy purposes, is that he’s not a factor in terms of points scored. He hasn’t averaged more than 8.0 points per game the past four seasons. The Warriors aren’t looking for him to score much, leaving him with a usage rate below 15.0 percent in three of those seasons. While he won’t hurt fantasy managers on the boards, he too has averaged fewer than 7.5 rebounds per game in each of the past four seasons. Last season, he averaged just 2.1 more rebounds per game than Curry.
Green’s appeal is his ability to rack up assists like a big man. Plus, he’s a valuable source of steals, taking at least 1.2 per game every season since his rookie campaign. However, his name recognition has contributed to his ADP of 77.8. That’s before the likes of Jamal Murray and Collin Sexton.
Another concern with Green is that he just finished a long playoff run and will turn 33 in March. If the Warriors want to repeat, they’ll need a healthy Green during the playoffs. That means he may not be pressured during the regular season, which could limit his playing time and/or give him more days off.
Do you want positive news? Read Juan Carlos Blanco’s Fantasy Basketball Sleepers – Breakups are coming for these 6 players.
Hayward was excellent in his first season with the Hornets, averaging 19.6 points, 5.9 rebounds, 4.1 assists and 1.9 3-pointers during the 2020-21 campaign. However, he only appeared in 44 games, once again dealing with injuries. Given his history, giving him 34 minutes a game that season might not have been smart.
The Hornets took the reins off Hayward a bit last season, limiting him to 32 minutes per game. However, that didn’t help him stay healthy, as he only played 49 games. The reduction in minutes also affected his production, leaving him with averages of 15.9 points, 4.6 rebounds, 3.6 assists and 1.8 triples per game.
The Hornets could really use a healthy Hayward this season, with Miles Bridges still going through legal trouble. He has not re-signed with the team, and not only is his season in question, but his entire career as well. The problem is that Gordon has done nothing to show that he can stay healthy and hasn’t appeared in more than 60 games since the 2018-19 season. He also turns 33 in March, so hoping this is the season he can stay on the floor might be too much to ask.
Who should I address at the end of drafts? Read Gabriel Allen’s NBA Fantasy Sleepers – Options after Pick 100.