The 2022-23 NBA season is almost here and it's time to get ready for your fantasy basketball drafts. Deciding between two players with similar average draft position (ADP) is always an issue that arises on draft day. Everyone wants to find those elusive fantasy basketball sleepers while avoiding the player busts. As you're preparing for those fantasy basketball drafts, let's dive into a player debate between Jonas Valanciunas and Christian Wood for the upcoming season. Be sure to check out Fantasy Alarm's fantasy basketball player rankings for the 2022-23 NBA season. Plus, take advantage of our FREE Ultimate Fantasy Basketball Cheat Sheet. Let's now take a closer look at Valanciunas vs Wood in the latest fantasy basketball ADP player debate! 

 

Why You Should Draft Jonas Valanciunas

Heading over to New Orleans last year, it was seemingly a perfect spot for Jonas Valanciunas because the Pelicans were going to be without Zion Williamson and they needed a secondary scorer for Brandon Ingram. He was everything and more for them averaging 17.8 points, 11.4 rebounds, and 2.6 assists per game. That being said, they went out and traded for C.J. McCollum at last years trade deadline and are getting Zion Williamson back to start 2022. How is it possible that Valanciunas maintains the type of production he had last year? I’m not sure it’s even going to be close, to be honest. His aggregate ADP right now is 55.7. 

Why You Should Draft Christian Wood

Thirteen picks later than Valanciunas, based on aggregate ADP, new Dallas Maverick Christian Wood is being drafted. Although Wood may not be the Dallas’ starter, he’s going to play a whole lot when you consider who is his competition in the front court. JaVale McGee may be starting, but we’ve seen this song and dance, as McGee started 68 games in 2017-’18 and averaged 16.6 minutes. Wood, who started for Houston last year, averaged 17.9 points, 10.1 rebounds, 2.3 assists, 1.0 blocks, and .8 blocks. That was in a losing environment without being set-up like he will playing alongside Luka Doncic. Let’s not ignore Wood shot 39% from three-point range last year on almost five attempts.

Verdict

I’d rather take Christian Wood at his ADP than Jonas Valanciunas at his. Wood is likely going to have multi-position eligibility, more opportunity due to what’s around him versus Valanciunas. The big man in New Orleans is behind Zion Williamson, Brandon Ingram, and C.J. McCollum in terms of priority on the offensive end of things. For Wood, there’s a chance he reverts back to his 2020-21 self.

 

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