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There is still some time until the best basketball players in the world get ready for tip off. But the season has already started for fantasy basketball players. This is the time when we crunch the numbers and select the players who will take us to fantasy glory.
The 2017 NBA offseason was exciting and filled with suspense. Big names like Chris Paul, Paul George and Jimmy Butler swapped teams, putting fantasy managers in a dilemma.
To make things a bit easy I will provide a detailed list of players to select for your team this year. This ranking will prove useful for managers in a ten-man league but larger leagues can also abide by it.
On that note, here is a list of players to select in round 1:
#1 Russell Westbrook/PG/OKC:
2016-17 Regular Season MVP Russell Westbrook will again be drafted in the top three this season. He averaged a triple-double (31.6 points per game, 10.7 rebounds per game, 10.4 assists per game) last season.
Putting up these numbers again this season is going to be a tough task. OKC acquired Paul George from the Pacers this offseason and he will definitely bite into a small chunk of Westbrook's points.
Still, you can expect 20+ points, 8+ rebounds and 7+ assists per night from him. So don't blink if he is available on your screen.
#2 James Harden/PG/Houston Rockets:
Regular season MVP Runner-Up James Harden aka The Beard had a career high season in 2016. He averaged 29.1 Points per game, 8.1 Rebounds per game and 11.4 Assists per game.
He was a top 3 pick last season but this year might be a different story. The Rockets acquired Chris Paul from the Clippers this offseason. That means a change in position from PG to SG for Harden and his numbers will not be the same from there. Both Paul and Harden are star players and ball hogs. Hence, the chemistry between them is something we need to watch out for.
We can still expect 20+ points and 7+ rebounds from Harden every game but his assist numbers might see a major dip. Harden might be a risky pick this year but he is a class act and can be banked upon to lead your team.
#3 Giannis Antetoukounmpo/F-G/Milwaukee Bucks:
2016-17's Most Improved Player of the Year, Giannis Antetoukounmpo is here to stay and dominate.
His stats back him up as he averaged 22.9 points, 8.8 rebounds, 5.4 assists, 1.6 steals, 1.8 blocks per game, a career high, last season. He is projected to better this performance in the 2017-18 season.
With the added incentive of Kobe challenging him to become the MVP, make sure you have the Greek Freak with you when you go to war.
#4 Karl Anthony Towns/F-C/Minnesota Timberwolves:
A future MVP candidate and 2015's No.1 pick Karl Anthony Towns has taken the NBA by storm ever since his arrival.
He averaged 25.1 points, 12.3 rebounds, 2.4 assists per game last season. The Timberwolves signed Jimmy Butler, one the best two-way players in the NBA, this offseason. This means that KAT can worry less about defence and concentrate more on his offence, a scary proposition for the opposition. Hence, a boost in the stats is clearly on the cards this season for KAT.
#5 Anthony Davis/F-C/New Orleans Pelicans:
Anthony Davis aka The Brow is one of the most dominant big men in modern NBA. He has the innate ability to be good with and without the ball.
His stats - 28 points, 11.8 rebounds, 2.4 assists, 1.4 steals and 2.2 blocks per game - tell the story. This will be the first time Davis & Cousins start a season together, so it will be interesting to see their chemistry.
Nevertheless, production from the Brow isn't expected to be hampered by this partnership.
#6 Kevin Durant/F/GSW:
2016-17 NBA Finals MVP and NBA champion Kevin Durant had a dip in form last year largely due to his injury. He showed in the NBA finals what he is capable of and is a contender for this season's MVP award.
25 points, 8.4 rebounds, 4.8 assists per game are damn good numbers but not when you are Durant. Expectations are high for him again this year. He is being backed by many to lead the Warriors to another championship so fantasy managers, be ready for Durant to strike back.
#7 John Wall/PG/Washington Wizards:
The Wizards PG was one of the few players to average a double-double last season. With 23.1 points and 10.7 assists per game & also boasting a high steal rate of 2 per game, Wall had a sensational season. He is definitely somebody you should strongly consider having on your team.
#8 Steph Curry/PG/GSW:
2-time MVP and 2-time NBA champion, Steph Curry is one of the best shooters the NBA will ever have. He is a sniper from the 3pt range and an elite passer of the ball.
His 2016-17 season could not match his 15-16 form but he still had solid numbers of 25.3 points, 4.5 rebounds, 6.6 assists and 1.8 steals per game. We can expect the same stats or maybe even more this season from 'Chef' Curry.
So grab him with both hands if you get a chance.
#9 LeBron James/F/Cleveland Cavaliers:
Two names are synonymous with basketball, Michael Jordan and LeBron 'KING' James. Nobody has dominated the NBA like 'King' James has for the past decade.
He makes this top 10 list because of the Kyrie Irving trade. Isaiah Thomas, who was part of the deal from Boston to Cleveland, will be injured for a lengthy period of time. So it will be an all LeBron show and we might see some huge games from him in this period.
The 26.4 points, 8.6 rebounds, and 8.7 assists might see a huge bump this season. But keep in mind his rather low FT%.
#10 DeMarcus Cousins/F-C/New Orleans Pelicans:
DeMarcus 'Big Man' Cousins aka Boogie is one of the most talented and destructive big men in the NBA.
With 27 points, 11 rebounds, 4.6 assists per game his stats do not lie. With an ever improving 3pt shot, Cousins looks like a dream acquisition.
But his on-court antics often lead to ejection from games. His chemistry with Anthony Davis is also something we need to watch out for.
Expect him to stuff the stat sheet this NBA season.
Guess the Lakers players!
