For more fantasy coverage, check out theScore's 2018 Fantasy Basketball Draft Kit, with player rankings and new content released daily.
These rankings reflect standard scoring formats, taking into account a player's expected production in the following categories: points, rebounds, assists, steals, blocks, 3-point shots made, field-goal percentage, free-throw percentage, and turnovers.
Position Rankings
PG | SG | SF | PF | C | Top 150
Tier 1 - Fantasy Superstars
| RANK | PLAYER | TEAM |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | James Harden | HOU |
| 2 | Anthony Davis | NOP |
| 3 | Giannis Antetokounmpo | MIL |
| 4 | LeBron James | LAL |
| 5 | Kevin Durant | GSW |
| 6 | Stephen Curry | GSW |
| 7 | Karl-Anthony Towns | MIN |
| 8 | Nikola Jokic | DEN |
| 9 | Russell Westbrook | OKC |
| 10 | Kawhi Leonard | TOR |
| 11 | Joel Embiid | PHI |
James Harden does it all. He'll likely finish in the top percentile in points, assists, 3-pointers made, and free-throw percentage this year. He's one of the best rebounders for his position, and despite a reputation for being a sieve on defense, totalled 2.5 stocks (steals plus blocks) per game last season. And he's missed just 12 total games in the regular season over the past four years. Anthony Davis and Giannis Antetokounmpo are certainly worthy of consideration, but Harden is the No. 1 selection this year.
Russell Westbrook averaged a triple-double for the second straight season, but after an uninspiring postseason run, it wouldn't be a shock to see the Oklahoma City Thunder balance their approach on offense. Paul George is entering Year 2 with the team, Steven Adams' offensive contributions remain untapped, and newcomer Dennis Schroder needs touches in the backcourt. It's unclear how many games Westbrook could miss to start the season after undergoing arthroscopic surgery on his right knee, but it doesn't seem to be serious enough to jeopardize the likelihood of yet another top-10 fantasy season.
With a player option for 2019-20, Kawhi Leonard is effectively playing for his next contract. Missing all but nine games last season is concerning, but his production from 2015-17 was elite. Over that two-season stretch, Leonard averaged 23.4 points, 6.3 rebounds, 3.1 assists, 1.8 steals, 0.9 blocks, and 1.9 made 3-pointers per game with excellent shooting splits. And that was with the egalitarian San Antonio Spurs. New Toronto Raptors coach Nick Nurse has an opportunity to unleash Leonard against a middling Eastern Conference. If he's healthy, Leonard could exceed his previous statistical benchmarks.
Tier 2 - Starters
| RANK | PLAYER | TEAM |
|---|---|---|
| 12 | Paul George | OKC |
| 13 | Victor Oladipo | IND |
| 14 | Damian Lillard | POR |
| 15 | Ben Simmons | PHI |
| 16 | John Wall | WAS |
| 17 | Jrue Holiday | NOP |
| 18 | Chris Paul | HOU |
| 19 | Kyrie Irving | BOS |
| 20 | Kemba Walker | CHA |
| 21 | Jimmy Butler | MIN |
| 22 | Devin Booker | PHO |
| 23 | Bradley Beal | WAS |
| 24 | Andre Drummond | DET |
| 25 | Donovan Mitchell | UTH |
| 26 | Draymond Green | GSW |
| 27 | Rudy Gobert | UTH |
| 28 | Khris Middleton | MIL |
| 29 | C.J. McCollum | POR |
| 30 | Klay Thompson | GSW |
| 31 | Kevin Love | CLE |
| 32 | Kyle Lowry | TOR |
| 33 | Marc Gasol | MEM |
| 34 | DeMar DeRozan | SAS |
| 35 | Eric Bledsoe | MIL |
| 36 | Mike Conley | MEM |
| 37 | Tobias Harris | LAC |
| 38 | LaMarcus Aldridge | SAS |
| 39 | Blake Griffin | DET |
| 40 | Al Horford | BOS |
| 41 | Clint Capela | HOU |
| 42 | DeAndre Jordan | DAL |
| 43 | Gordon Hayward | BOS |
| 44 | Nikola Vucevic | ORL |
| 45 | Otto Porter Jr. | WAS |
After Gordon Hayward left Utah last summer, the Jazz looked to be Rudy Gobert's team. There were modest expectations that the formidable defensive force could expand his role on offense, propelling his fantasy value into the upper echelon. Well, Gobert increased his field goal attempts from 7.7 to 7.9 per game, barely moving the needle on his scoring output. With Donovan Mitchell (20.5 points, 3.7 assists, and 2.4 made 3-pointers per game last season) entering Year 2, there's little reason to think Gobert's profile on offense will change. He's still a fantastic option at center, bringing rebounds, blocks, and field-goal percentage, and his free-throw percentage (68.2 percent last season) isn't quite as bad as other interior-oriented big men. However, the French Rejection's fantasy outlook has been surpassed by the Jazz's star sophomore.
DeAndre Jordan is once again in a contract year. His shooting range only extends the length of his arm, guaranteeing one of the highest field goal percentages in the league. One of the understated developments in his fantasy outlook last year is that he hit free throws at a career-best 58 percent clip, disincentivizing teams from deploying the Hack-a-Shaq strategy against him. Once the biggest blemish on his well-rounded fantasy production, Jordan's free-throw shooting isn't quite as detrimental as it's been in years past. In formats with two center spots to fill, using a fifth-round pick on the walking double-double is a smart bet.
Jimmy Butler's days with the Minnesota Timberwolves appear to be numbered. His potential in season-long fantasy will only be known if - or more likely, when - he's traded. Consider his ranking at No. 21 a placeholder until there's more clarity surrounding his immediate future.
Tier 3 - Depth
The general calamity that accompanies a complete franchise overhaul often produces a handful of massive short-term fantasy assets. The Atlanta Hawks' Taurean Prince fits that bill. The forward averaged 14.1 points, 4.7 rebounds, and 2.6 assists appearing in all 82 games last season, but he really shined down the stretch. After the All-Star break, Prince averaged 19 points, 4.9 rebounds, 3.5 assists, 1.3 steals, and 3.2 made 3-pointers per game with shooting splits of 44.3/41.2/89.2.
The Boston Celtics boast the deepest guard and wing rotations in the league. Gordon Hayward will need to be integrated into the offense, and Kyrie Irving will presumably be healthier this year, so it's no given that promising youngsters Jayson Tatum and Jaylen Brown will both take another collective leap forward in their production, to say nothing of the likes of Terry Rozier, Marcus Smart, and Marcus Morris. As the Celtics are currently built, the team is an injury or two away from those players reaching their individual fantasy potential. Don't reach too high for Tatum and Brown in re-draft formats.
Luka Doncic is perhaps the hardest player to rank. He comes to the Dallas Mavericks after amassing a host of accomplishments with EuroLeague powerhouse Real Madrid. The question fantasy owners will have to ask themselves is whether the highly touted rookie is going to outperform established veterans in Year 1. Doncic's career outlook is promising, but is he a more valuable present-day asset than the Detroit Pistons' Reggie Jackson, who put up 14.6 points and 5.3 assists in an injury-marred 2017-18 campaign? Even the best prospects take time to hit their stride. Don't overlook proven veterans for an unknown - at least, not with a top-100 pick.
Tier 4 - Bench
After an uneven and injury-plagued first season, Markelle Fultz is worthy of a late-round flier. The Philadelphia 76ers won't afford him significant touches at the expense of young superstars Joel Embiid and Ben Simmons, but he still showed flashes of a well-rounded fantasy profile down the stretch last year. Small sample size caveat notwithstanding, in four outings with at least 20 minutes of game time, Fultz averaged 9.3 points, 3.8 rebounds, and 4.5 assists. With good health, more confidence, and a stable role - even as a sixth man - Fultz could provide top-100 fantasy value.
Honorable mentions: Mario Hezonja (NYK), Markieff Morris (WAS), Kyle Anderson (MEM), Patrick Beverley (LAC), Marco Belinelli (SAS), Rajon Rondo (LAL), George Hill (CLE), Austin Rivers (WAS), Jarrett Allen (BKN), Ryan Anderson (PHO), Tristan Thompson (CLE)