Investing an early draft pick in a player prone to injuries, or someone expected to have significantly reduced playing time, can quickly derail a fantasy basketball season. Astute fantasy managers anticipate these scenarios, carefully steering clear of such players during their drafts.
To help you navigate your draft strategy, here are five prominent players to consider avoiding this fantasy season:
Joel Embiid, Center, Philadelphia 76ers
Joel Embiid`s career has been consistently plagued by injuries, with him averaging just 50 games over nine seasons and appearing in only 19 last year. He has never surpassed 68 games in a single season, reaching the 60-game mark only four times. While undeniably dominant when healthy, recent reports regarding his fitness are concerning. Expecting him to play 70 games is highly optimistic. It`s prudent to avoid Joel Embiid entirely, but if you absolutely must draft him, consider also rostering Adem Bona as a backup for his inevitable absences.
Anthony Davis, Power Forward/Center, Dallas Mavericks
Similar to Embiid, Anthony Davis possesses a well-documented history of missing games due to injury, a pattern that unfortunately continued even after his trade to the Mavericks last season. This season, with Cooper Flagg now a central figure in Dallas and Kyrie Irving sidelined by an Achilles injury, the Mavericks are not projected for a strong campaign. This situation increases the likelihood of Davis being sidelined for extended periods due to even minor injuries, with an early season shutdown not out of the question. His 76 games played in the 2023-24 season were an anomaly, making him an exceptionally risky first-round selection.
Paul George, Small Forward/Power Forward, Philadelphia 76ers
At 35 years old, Paul George experienced a disappointing fantasy season last year, participating in just 41 games. Following July knee surgery, his availability for the start of the upcoming season is uncertain. Historically, games played have been a consistent concern for George. Furthermore, the 76ers appear to be in a rebuilding phase, potentially aiming to secure a high draft pick this summer, especially given Embiid`s persistent health issues. Considering that Tyrese Maxey was shut down prematurely last season, it`s plausible the Sixers will prioritize protecting their draft assets again this campaign. Drafting Paul George, regardless of how far he may fall in the rankings, is not advisable.
Ivica Zubac, Center, LA Clippers
Ivica Zubac enjoyed a career-best season last year, averaging 16.8 points, 12.6 rebounds, and 1.1 blocks in a substantial 32.8 minutes per game, largely due to a lack of viable backup centers. However, the Clippers` acquisition of Brook Lopez, a perennial starter, signals a significant change in their frontcourt rotation. It`s highly improbable Zubac will see similar playing time this season; a more realistic expectation is around 25 minutes per game, representing an eight-minute reduction. While not a strict platoon, this decrease will almost certainly lead to a drop in his fantasy production from last year`s highs, which were notably better than his previous average of 11.7 points and 9.2 rebounds. Approach Zubac with caution.
Kristaps Porzingis, Power Forward/Center, Atlanta Hawks
Kristaps Porzingis is undeniably effective when on the court, but his career has been consistently marked by an inability to play in back-to-back games; the Celtics often managed him as an `every-other-game` center last season. Now with the Hawks, who boast a promising young center in Onyeka Okongwu, there`s potential for them to start Porzingis at power forward alongside Okongwu. However, expecting Porzingis to play more than half the season is overly optimistic. His extensive injury history is evident in his games-played log: 42, 57, 65, 51, 43, 57, 0, 48, 66, and 72. He has only surpassed 60 games three times in his ten-year career, and it would be surprising if he plays more than 55 games this upcoming season.
Rupert Hollis