Point Guards
RANK | NAME | Team | # Games | Analysis |
1 | Russell Westbrook | OKC | 4 | Westbrook takes back the top spot with the full slate, but for how long? The scoring hasn't been as plentiful as last season, but he still remains productive in all other categories. |
2 | Damian Lillard | POR | 4 | Lillard continues to be the catalyst for the Blazers offense and has the most time with the ball on just about every possesion. Expect scoring and assists to stay high. |
3 | Kemba Walker | CHA | 4 | Even with Batum back in the lineup, Walker will still get plenty of shots and the Hornets like to run and that benefits Walker's attack style. Expect assists to increase. |
4 | Kyrie Irving | BOS | 4 | Irving continues being a huge part of the Celtics offense and has been calling for the ball all over the court. Irving has the tear drop down to a science and has been seeing success in the lane. |
5 | Dennis Schroder | ATL | 4 | Schroder's shot has improved over his career, but it's his speed that is his best asset and has been a big help with steals. He runs the Hawks transition offense very well and assists should stay high. |
6 | Jeff Teague | MIN | 4 | Teague has been able to carve out a solid piece of the Timberwolves offense and it's left Jamal Crawford buried on the bench. Teague has a lot of options to play with and will dish assists consistently. |
7 | Jrue Holiday | NO | 4 | Even with Rondo back in the lineup, Holiday will become the featured outside scorer and driver when the lane is open. Holiday will still have to switch between the Guard positions and assists shouldn't drop. |
8 | Stephen Curry | GSW | 3 | Curry could be a bit more involved if Kevin Durant has to miss a game this week. Curry is a multi-category producer who's been getting to the basket a bit more this season. |
9 | John Wall | WSH | 3 | Wall's assists should remain at a very high level due to the development of his other options. The Wizards lineup is more attack focused this season and Wall keeps feeding cutters inside. |
10 | Kyle Lowry | TOR | 3 | Lowry continues to share the top scorer position with DeMar DeRozan and Lowry pushes the ball inside and will fight to keep plays alive and will be good steals help. |
11 | Kris Dunn | CHI | 4 | Dunn is getting in the swing of things and he's seeing starts and shooting the ball better showing he's over his finger injury. He should continue to pick up more minutes. |
12 | Elfrid Payton | ORL | 4 | Payton is over his Hamstring injury and is running better on the court and he's a much better attacker and passer than shooter and the Magic love to run. Scoring and assists should remain constant. |
13 | Marcus Smart | BOS | 4 | Smart can be relied on for defensive stats over offensive stats and that's how he keeps his security in the Celtics rotation. Smart will help with rebounding steals and scoring. |
14 | Mario Chalmers | MEM | 4 | Chalmers comes into to a great situation with Mike Conley out for a bit and should be playing close to 30 minutes per game and with other Grizzlies hurt, he'll get more shots. |
15 | Goran Dragic | MIA | 3 | Dragic always needs to remember that he's a better driver than shooter and in some games, he camps out at the three-point line. Dragic will also contribute assists and steals. |
16 | Darren Collison | IND | 3 | Collison remains a big part of the Pacers long-range offense. Collison will fool his defender and drive at times and see's success under the rim. Expect scoring and assists to stay consistent. |
17 | Ricky Rubio | UT | 3 | Rubio's shooting has been very inconsistent and he's become real assist-reliant for fantasy, but the Jazz are suffering from a lot of injuries and by default, Rubio will be a priority shooter for now. |
18 | Spencer Dinwiddie | BKN | 3 | Dinwiddie will start in place of the injured D'Angelo Russell and his assists and scoring will increase. Dinwiddie is scrappy for his size and has speed and should be leading the transition and playing 30 mpg. |
19 | Dennis Smith Jr. | DAL | 3 | Smith continues to drive the paint with force and is starting to realize he needs to stick to that drive when his shot is off. He'll also provide a good amount of assists and steals as well. |
20 | Eric Bledsoe | MIL | 3 | Even though it can take a bit to learn how a new team operates, Bledsoe is showing solid chemistry with the bigger Bucks players and he'll keep feeding them inside and provide steals on the other end. |
Shooting Guards
RANK | NAME | Team | # Games | Analysis |
1 | CJ McCollum | POR | 4 | McCollum will continue to be a priority scoring weapon in the Blazers offense as most of their offense will continue to come from their backcourt. He'll also help with steals. |
2 | Jaylen Brown | BOS | 4 | Brown has filled in Gordon Hayward nicely and has provided a balanced attack between driving and shooting and he's always moving through off-screens to get space off the ball. |
3 | Andrew Wiggins | MIN | 4 | Wiggins has been able to protect his amount of shots and score 20-plus points per game. The decision-making has improved as he drives into less trouble this season. |
4 | Nicolas Batum | CHA | 4 | Batum is back and should see a full week of usage and he'll hit lean-in three-pointers and grab a ton of long rebounds. Most of the Hornets offense will come out of the backcourt. |
5 | Bradley Beal | WSH | 3 | Beal continues to see more offensive success because he's attacking the rim more and taking more contact. As always, Beal is very effective from beyond the arc. |
6 | Victor Oladipo | IND | 3 | Oladipo has been lethal shooting from the field all season and he's been a major priority weapon even with Myles Turner at full strength. Expect him to continue to get a lot of shots and time with the ball. |
7 | DeMar DeRozan | TOR | 3 | DeRozan will continue attacking the rim from the toughest angles and he makes post-play look difficult as he hits a lot of hard turnaround jumpers. Expect consistent steals and rebounding. |
8 | Devin Booker | PHX | 3 | Booker remains the top scoring weapon for the Suns and he's been forced to shoot more from mid and long range over driving because teams continue to double team him on the drive. |
9 | Khris Middleton | MIL | 3 | Even with Eric Bledsoe aboard, Middleton will still be a big part of the Bucks offense and will use his size to his advantage and call for the ball in the high post to get more scoring opportunities. |
10 | Klay Thompson | GSW | 3 | Thompson is mainly scoring dependant, but he'll continue to play a big factor for the Warriors on transition and his quick shot release makes it hard to contest. |
11 | Justin Holiday | CHI | 4 | Other Bulls options are beginning to take shots away from Holiday, but he should still be able to put up double figures in scoring and will provide some rebounding help. |
12 | Kent Bazemore | ATL | 4 | The Hawks are looking for any kind of consistency and Bazemore has been shooting better from the field and with the full slate, he should be in double figures in all four games and get plenty of shots. |
13 | Tyreke Evans | MEM | 4 | Evans is dealing with a Shoulder issue that may cost him a game or two this week. With Mike Conley out, he'll get more shots if he's in. |
14 | Tim Hardaway Jr. | NY | 4 | THJ is nursing a sore Foot and it's possible that he will have to miss a game or two this week. If he goes, he'll continue to be the Knicks second scorer |
15 | James Harden | HOU | 2 | Harden is a MONSTER fantasy producer, but unfortunately for him, he moves way down these rankings for having the short slate. His assists may drop a little with Chris Paul back. |
16 | Lou Williams | LAC | 3 | Even though Patrick Beverley is looking like he's healthy enough to play, Williams should still continue to see starts and a lot of playing time switching between the two Guard positions. |
17 | JJ Redick | PHI | 3 | Redick has had games in which he's provided assist and steals help. With the amount of cutters the Sixers have, Redick should be looking more to fake the shot and force the ball inside. |
18 | Gary Harris | DEN | 3 | Harris is over his shoulder injury and his shooting should improve throughout the week and he'll continue to see openings with Nikola Jokic requiring the double team at all times. |
19 | Donovan Mitchell | UT | 3 | Mitchell has stepped up ever since Joe Johnson went down and he's been very balanced with attacking and shooting and he does have speed. He'll continue to get a secure amount of minutes. |
20 | Danny Green | SAS | 3 | Green has continued to take a consistent amount of shots and help out a tad in a lot of other areas. Green will provide support in scoring and steals and will provide some help with rebounds and assists. |
Small Forwards
RANK | NAME | Team | # Games | Analysis |
1 | Paul George | OKC | 4 | George has been getting more love in the Thunder's offense in the last couple of weeks and he's been hitting more long-range jumpers and he's commanding the ball more which shows more confidence. |
2 | LeBron James | CLE | 3 | James takes the second spot and has been carrying the Cavs offense as best as he can serving as the team's main driver and has had to take on PG duties due to injuries. |
3 | Jimmy Butler | MIN | 4 | Butler is not always involved in the Timberwolves offense when it comes to shooting. He's more of a slasher. Due to his incredible perimeter defense, he'll be a big help with boards and steals. |
4 | Evan Fournier | ORL | 4 | Fournier has been a major focal point of the Magic's offense as he's used very similarly to Victor Oladipo and he can score from all over the court. Fournier shoots more than he drives. |
5 | Kevin Durant | GSW | 3 | Durant is dealing with a sprained Ankle and it is possible that he can miss a game this week. He has a couple of days to get ready for it, but his status is up in the air. |
6 | Taurean Prince | ATL | 4 | Prince should still continue to score in double figures off of attacking even with Kent Bazemore shooting better and Ersan Ilyasova back in the mix. He switches nicely on defense and will get steals. |
7 | Courtney Lee | NY | 4 | Lee earns his minutes from his defense along. The steals will always be there. The Knicks will cotinue to use Lee as a bailout option and will see a lot of open three-pointers. He'll grab boards too. |
8 | Denzel Valentine | CHI | 4 | Valentine has taken advantage of David Nwaba being out and has been shooting the ball better from long range and should see aboun eight to 10 shots per game. He'll also cut backdoor for layups. |
9 | Otto Porter Jr. | WSH | 3 | Porter has been attacking the rim a lot more this season and Wall continues to hit him inside. Porter is one of the best perimeter defenders in the league and he'll help with boards, steals and blocks. |
10 | Robert Covington | PHI | 3 | Covington is balanced offensively as he'll look to create inside the arc on certain plays and post up and he'll stop and pop from three on other plays. On defense he'll continue to grab boards and steals. |
11 | Harrison Barnes | DAL | 3 | Barnes is better on defense than offense and will always help with rebounds and steals. When the lane is open, he'll see more success because he's a better attacker than shooter. |
12 | DeMarre Carroll | BKN | 3 | Carroll has stepped up his game offensively with all of the injuries the Nets continue to suffer from and will often shoot from mid and long-range. He'll rebound consistently and help w/ steals. |
13 | TJ Warren | PHX | 3 | Warren will be scoring dependant most games, but will remain a priority shooting option from mid and long-range and will continue to score in double figures. |
14 | Will Barton | DEN | 3 | Barton will provide help in most fantasy basketball categories as he's as big of a help defensively as he is offensively. He'll score a lot from the high post and will even get more playing time at PG. |
15 | Joe Ingles | UT | 3 | Ingles serves mainly as a bailout option from mid and long range, but will remain a factor because the Jazz are dealing with their own health issues. He'll also grab long rebounds. |
16 | Rodney Hood | UT | 3 | Hood is scoring dependant on the ball mainly from long range. When he gets the ball, the chances of him shooting are really high. Off the ball he should look to drive more. |
17 | Marcus Morris | BOS | 3 | Morris has earned his minutes and he'll do a loyt of the dirty work for the Celtics. He's more of a slasher and should see plays called for him inside. Expect scoring, rebounding and steals help. |
18 | Kyle Anderson | SAS | 3 | Anderson has been able to remain part of the Spurs rotation due to his defense. He's been grabbing a lot of reboundd and keeping plays alive. He'll see open mid-range jumpers. |
19 | Bojan Bogdanovic | IND | 3 | Bogdanovic see's enough shots to still be scoring in double figures. He'll help with steals and be a match up problem at SF for many teams. He'll mainly shoot from long range. |
20 | Rudy Gay | SAS | 3 | Gay calls for the ball in the high post for the most part and will help with scoring, rebounding and steals and teams forget that he can step out and hit the three-ball. His minutes are secure. |
Power Forwards
RANK | NAME | Team | # Games | Analysis |
1 | Anthony Davis | NO | 4 | Davis should be all set to go and play the full slate as he's cleared the NBA's Concussion Protocol. Expect top production in just about every area. |
2 | Giannis Antetokounmpo | MIL | 3 | The Greek Freak moves down because of the lack of full slate, but that shouldn't stop him from out-producing most of these other PF's with full slates. |
3 | Kristaps Porzingis | NY | 4 | Porzingis continues to be the featured player in the Knicks offense and hasn't been married to the arc all year and uses his size nicely on both sides of the ball. He'll help in all categories. |
4 | Aaron Gordon | ORL | 4 | Gordon has emerged as the Magic's top scoring weapon and will continue to get boards on both sides of the ball. His shot has definitely improved between last season and this one. |
5 | Carmelo Anthony | OKC | 4 | Anthony is over his Back issues and will continue seeing a lot of shots from the elbow and three-point line. He will have games in which he provides rebounding help but not consistently. |
6 | Lauri Markkanen | CHI | 4 | Markkanen is fullynhealthy from his Ankle injury and will continue calling for the ball both inside and outside and utilize his high-arc jumper to avoid getting blocked. |
7 | Ben Simmons | PHI | 3 | Simmons continues to be the most productive rookie this season and has been helping out in just about every category and makes getting to the rim look simple. His long-range shooting is his only flaw. |
8 | Blake Griffin | LAC | 3 | Griffin will continue providing more offense from the arc with Danilo Gallinari still hurt. He's much more effective inside and will continue grabbing boards, steals and blocks. |
9 | LaMarcus Aldridge | SAS | 3 | Aldridge continues being the top scoring option for the Spurs and has done a great job from hitting all over the court, including still hitting from the arc. He's been a big rebounding help this season. |
10 | Bobby Portis | CHI | 4 | Portis has earned his spot and taken command of the Bulls offense inside. He's been attacking the rim with success and grabbing rebounds inside for second chance opportunities. |
11 | Jayson Tatum | BOS | 4 | Tatum will continue scoring in double figures and has been most successful attacking the rim and drawing contact. Tatum will grab rebounds and block shots inside as well w/ no rookie wall in sight. |
12 | Taj Gibson | MIN | 4 | Gibson should get a little more usage due to Gorgui Dieng being a bit banged up still and Gibson will score and rebound in volume. He's very effective on the low block on both sides of the ball. |
13 | John Collins | ATL | 4 | Collins will be playing with more of a chip on his shoulder with Ersan Ilyasova back. Collins has seen a lot of success getting to the rim and should pick up more playing time as the season continues. |
14 | JaMychal Green | MEM | 4 | Green should see a major uptick in minutes this season with all of the injuries the Grizzlies are suffering from and will get a lot of plays called for him inside. He'll emerge as the second scorer if Evans is out. |
15 | Draymond Green | GSW | 3 | It's hard to determine what Green's stat line will be on a given night because of his inconsistent offense. He'll hit three's in some games. Always expect rebounds, blocks and steals. |
16 | Domantas Sabonis | IND | 3 | Even though Sabonis mainly sticks to long and mid-range scoring on offense, he's been a major rebounding threat inside as he uses his reach to grab more boards and will still score in double figures. |
17 | Rondae Hollis-Jefferson | BKN | 3 | RHJ's slashing will be needed with Nets hurting and will continue to create with the ball inside the arc and grab boards on both sides of the ball. He can rotate to both Forward spots and Center as well. |
18 | Thaddeus Young | IND | 3 | Young's slashing has been effective and should still be a double-digit scorer while grabbing six to eight rebounds per game. He draws a lot of contact inside and will score from the free-throw line. |
19 | James Johnson | MIA | 3 | Johnson continues to earn his minutes and erase that slow start he had. He'll provide a good amount of mid-range and inside scoring while grabbing rebounds and steals on defense. |
20 | Paul Millsap | DEN | 3 | Millsap is dealing with a Wrist injury. We're currently unsure if he'll have to miss time this week. |
Centers
RANK | NAME | Team | # Games | Analysis |
1 | DeMarcus Cousins | NO | 4 | Even with Davis expected to return, both have proven that they can be top producers sharing the paint and Boogie takes the top spot with the full slate. |
2 | Karl-Anthony Towns | MIN | 4 | Towns scoring has gone down a tad, but he's still getting a ton of love in the offense and has been helpful in all fantasy basketball categories and he'll continue playing deep into games. |
3 | Marc Gasol | MEM | 4 | With Conley out, Gasol becomes the team's top scoring weapon and you'll see him take more long-range jumpers with JaMychal Green back in to handle the paint. Expect a ton of scoring and rebounds. |
4 | Al Horford | BOS | 4 | Horford continues to make more of an impact this season inside on defense and his rebounding shows it. Horford will still efficiently from beyond the arc and call for the ball in the low post. |
5 | Nikola Vucevic | ORL | 4 | Vucevic will continue setting the screen at the top of the key and then cut right to the basket and back his way inside. Continue to expect a lot of inside scoring and rebounding. |
6 | Nikola Jokic | DEN | 3 | Jokic has remained the Nuggets top weapon on offense and gets a ton of time with the ball to create from the outside and work his way inside. It's never easy keeping him off the glass. |
7 | Hassan Whiteside | MIA | 3 | Whiteside will continuing producing at a high level on both sides of the ball and grab a ton of rebounds and blocks inside. He continues to attack from different angles and draw a ton of contact. |
8 | Joel Embiid | PHI | 3 | Embiid has been utilizing his playing time and has been seeing more usage on the ball and is able to create and shoot from the outside, while still providing a lot of chaos inside. |
9 | Dwight Howard | CHA | 4 | Howard has been a big-time enforcer inside for the Hornets and has given them a stronger inside presence this season unlike the last few. Expect able rebounding, blocks and inside scoring. |
10 | Enes Kanter | NY | 4 | Kanter has been in a playing time battle all season and is winning. The Knicks have a ton of Center's but he gives the team toughness inside and will grab offensive boards. He's good at running the floor. |
11 | Kevin Love | CLE | 3 | With all of the Cavs injuries, Love has had to abandon his all-post play and set up more on the perimeter. Until the Cavs are at full strength, expect more three-point shooting from Love. |
12 | DeAndre Jordan | LAC | 3 | Always the same story with Jordan because of lack of moves in the post. The good news for Jordan is Patrick Beverley is on his way back and should get fed more off of alley-oops. Always a strong rebounder. |
13 | Myles Turner | IND | 3 | Turner will continue calling for the ball both inside and outside and will attack from the middle of the paint to try and draw more contact. He'll continue being a big help on the glass. |
14 | Steven Adams | OKC | 4 | Adams is over his calf injury and he'll score from right inside off of second chance scoring opportunities and get boards and blocks. Expect rebounding over scoring. |
15 | Jusuf Nurkic | POR | 4 | Nurkic will continue seeing more playing time with Al-Farouq Aminu out and will score primarily from the low post. He has one-handed moves inside and will still help grab rebounds. |
16 | Dewayne Dedmon | ATL | 4 | Dedmon is another volume producer, but due to the Hawks health issues up front, he'll get more playing for doing the Hawks dirty work inside and grab eight to ten rebounds. Scoring will be inconsistent. |
17 | Robin Lopez | CHI | 4 | Lopez will still see a lot of playing time is a good complimentary big man to Lauri Markkanen who's moving and shooting from all over the court. Lopez should be able to score in double figures all season. |
18 | Pau Gasol | SAS | 3 | With Kawhi Leonard still shelved, Gasol's finess is needed on offense and will grab short and long rebounds even when set up at the top of the paint. He'll provide some assist help feeding cutters and steals. |
19 | Marcin Gortat | WSH | 3 | Gortat's stats have ben all over the place this season and his production is very match up dependant, but he'll still continue playing 30 minutes per game due to lack of other Center options. |
20 | Andre Drummond | DET | 2 | Drummond continues being a nightmare to keep out of the paint and will continue to score from right under the basket and be one of the best rebounders in the league. He's got the short slate this week. |