The season`s initial fantasy basketball mock draft highlighted an interesting trend: the first round was dominated by centers and point guards, whereas shooting guards, small forwards, and power forwards were heavily selected in the fourth and eighth rounds. This pattern offers a quick look at recent seasons` draft trends, where top picks often go to point guards and big men, while wing talent is found later. This insight is crucial for managers building their teams, which is precisely why a tier-based approach, as outlined in this article, is so valuable.
One effective strategy could be to prioritize small forwards in the early rounds, recognizing their limited availability among top picks. Another method involves identifying where talent for each position is most concentrated. For example, among power forwards, Tier 3 has the largest group, while for small forwards, Tier 5 is the deepest. Conversely, centers show depth in Tiers 1 and 2, but Tier 3 has only one player. Leveraging this information helps create a strategic roadmap for a successful team.
While numerous paths lead to a championship team, all require securing high-performing players across your roster. Below is a breakdown of players into tiers by position, based on preseason projections. Although reviewing this structure is beneficial, you`ll gain the most by spending a few minutes creating your own player tiers based on your personal evaluations. This brief exercise can significantly prepare you for your draft and give you a distinct advantage over other managers in your league.
Point Guard
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TIER 1
- Shai Gilgeous-Alexander
- Luka Doncic
- Cade Cunningham
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TIER 2
- Trae Young
- James Harden
- Josh Giddey
- Tyrese Maxey
- Stephen Curry
- Jalen Brunson
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TIER 3
- De`Aaron Fox
- Ja Morant
- Jamal Murray
- LaMelo Ball
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TIER 4
- Dyson Daniels
- Derrick White
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TIER 5
- Tyler Herro
- Jordan Poole
- Kevin Porter Jr.
- Darius Garland
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TIER 6
- CJ McCollum
- Anfernee Simons
- Andrew Nembhard
- Payton Pritchard
- T.J. McConnell
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TIER 7
- D`Angelo Russell
- Immanuel Quickley
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TIER 8
- Ty Jerome
- Egor Demin
- Jalen Suggs
- Keyonte George
- Chris Paul
- Scoot Henderson
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TIER 9
- Scotty Pippen Jr.
- Dennis Schroder
- Isaiah Collier
- Donte DiVincenzo
- Tyus Jones
- Jrue Holiday
- Kyrie Irving
Insights on Point Guards:
- Point guards are more numerous in the top two tiers than any other position, with reigning MVP Shai Gilgeous-Alexander leading Tier 1.
- Luka Doncic remains a top-tier player even after his trade to the Lakers, and Cade Cunningham advanced to the top tier following a stellar performance last season.
- Tier 2 comprises franchise players, while Tier 3 includes a mix of franchise players and All-Star second options.
- Tier 4 features specialists like Dyson Daniels (steals) and Derrick White (3-pointers). Tier 5 includes star-caliber players expected to miss the season`s start (Tyler Herro, Darius Garland) and younger players poised for larger roles (Jordan Poole, Kevin Porter Jr.).
- Rookie Egor Demin makes his appearance in Tier 8.
Shooting Guard
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TIER 1
- Anthony Edwards
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TIER 2
- Amen Thompson
- Jaylen Brown
- Devin Booker
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TIER 3
- Donovan Mitchell
- Scottie Barnes
- Desmond Bane
- Coby White
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TIER 4
- Jalen Green
- Austin Reaves
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TIER 5
- Jimmy Butler III
- Trey Murphy III
- Zach LaVine
- Christian Braun
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TIER 6
- RJ Barrett
- Reed Sheppard
- Norman Powell
- Malik Monk
- Shaedon Sharpe
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TIER 7
- Cam Thomas
- Brandon Miller
- Stephon Castle
- Bennedict Mathurin
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TIER 8
- Devin Vassell
- Kelly Oubre Jr.
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TIER 9
- Aaron Wiggins
- Bub Carrington
- Dylan Harper
- Klay Thompson
- Collin Sexton
- Bradley Beal
Insights on Shooting Guards:
- For the second consecutive season, Anthony Edwards is the sole shooting guard in Tier 1.
- Tier 2 includes All-Stars Devin Booker and Jaylen Brown, anticipated to take on larger roles due to changes in their teams` rosters. They are joined by Amen Thompson, who showed superstar potential in his sophomore year and is expected to expand his role further in his third season.
- Tier 3 features Donovan Mitchell, whose ranking might be higher if not for reduced minutes affecting his team`s success last season, alongside three other promising young stars.
- Tier 4 consists of Jalen Green and Austin Reaves, both capable of strong scoring but likely to be secondary or tertiary options on their teams.
- Reed Sheppard, despite limited rookie minutes, is an intriguing player in Tier 6, projected for a significantly larger role on the Rockets this season due to backcourt roster changes.
- Dylan Harper is the only rookie to make this list, appearing in Tier 9.
Small Forward
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TIER 1
- LeBron James
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TIER 2
- Jalen Williams
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TIER 3
- Franz Wagner
- DeMar DeRozan
- Cooper Flagg
- Josh Hart
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TIER 4
- Michael Porter Jr.
- Miles Bridges
- Mikal Bridges
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TIER 5
- Deni Avdija
- OG Anunoby
- Kawhi Leonard
- Andrew Wiggins
- Brandon Ingram
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TIER 6
- Lauri Markkanen
- Jaden McDaniels
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TIER 7
- Tobias Harris
- Paul George
- Ausar Thompson
- Santi Aldama
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TIER 8
- Tari Eason
- Toumani Camara
- Cam Whitmore
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TIER 9
- De`Andre Hunter
- Ace Bailey
- Kyle Kuzma
- Cameron Johnson
- Aaron Nesmith
- Zaccharie Risacher
Insights on Small Forwards:
- LeBron James is the sole small forward in Tier 1, a remarkable feat for a 40-year-old, given his ninth-place finish in fantasy points and sixth-best average fantasy scoring last season.
- Jalen Williams, who ranked 26th in fantasy scoring average, is still young and improving, securing his spot in Tier 2.
- Cooper Flagg, the highest-ranked rookie, joins a diverse Tier 3 alongside high-scoring wings Franz Wagner and DeMar DeRozan. Josh Hart also lands in Tier 3 due to his unique all-around game and consistent availability.
- Tier 4 features both Miles and Mikal Bridges, plus Michael Porter Jr., who is expected to have an increased role in Brooklyn. Deni Avdija, who began his breakout last season, could potentially exceed his Tier 5 status.
- Brandon Ingram and especially Kawhi Leonard, despite their high-caliber play, are ranked lower due to their injury histories.
- Intriguing names in the lower tiers include Ausar Thompson in Tier 7, who could rebound after a sophomore slump, and rookies Ace Bailey and Zaccharie Risacher (2024 No. 1 overall pick) in Tier 9.
Power Forward
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TIER 1
- Giannis Antetokounmpo
- Anthony Davis
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TIER 2
- Pascal Siakam
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TIER 3
- Zion Williamson
- Kevin Durant
- Evan Mobley
- Paolo Banchero
- Jalen Johnson
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TIER 4
- Chet Holmgren
- Jaren Jackson Jr.
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TIER 5
- Julius Randle
- Kristaps Porzingis
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TIER 6
- Naz Reid
- John Collins
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TIER 7
- Aaron Gordon
- Keegan Murray
- Draymond Green
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TIER 8
- Bobby Portis
- Obi Toppin
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TIER 9
- Matas Buzelis
- P.J. Washington
Insights on Power Forwards:
- Giannis Antetokounmpo consistently holds a Tier 1 spot among power forwards and is joined this season by Anthony Davis, who is now primarily playing power forward for the deep Mavericks team.
- Pascal Siakam is the sole player in Tier 2, with his offensive volume expected to rise due to Tyrese Haliburton`s absence.
- Tier 3 is densely populated with players ranging from Kevin Durant to Zion Williamson, who is still striving for a healthy, superstar-level season.
- Tiers 4 and 5 collectively feature four players, three of whom are versatile big men known for combining shot-blocking with perimeter scoring.
- No rookie power forwards made these tiers, but Matas Buzelis in Tier 9, a promising rookie last season, could develop into a valuable fantasy contributor in his sophomore year.
Center
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TIER 1
- Nikola Jokic
- Victor Wembanyama
- Domantas Sabonis
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TIER 2
- Karl-Anthony Towns
- Ivica Zubac
- Nikola Vucevic
- Alperen Sengun
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TIER 3
- Bam Adebayo
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TIER 4
- Jarrett Allen
- Myles Turner
- Joel Embiid
- Jalen Duren
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TIER 5
- Jakob Poeltl
- Walker Kessler
- Onyeka Okongwu
- Rudy Gobert
- Alex Sarr
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TIER 6
- Mark Williams
- Deandre Ayton
- Nic Claxton
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TIER 7
- Isaiah Hartenstein
- Daniel Gafford
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TIER 8
- Zach Edey
- Kel`el Ware
- Donovan Clingan
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TIER 9
- Neemias Queta
- Yves Missi
- Dereck Lively II
Insights on Centers:
- Tiers 1 and 2 are robust with centers, including the seven listed here, plus two power forwards with dual eligibility. Nikola Jokic remains the undisputed top overall fantasy pick for yet another year, while Victor Wembanyama is among the few players with the potential to challenge for that premier spot.
- Tier 2 welcomes new faces, notably Ivica Zubac, who achieved star status last season.
- Bam Adebayo stands alone in Tier 3, though Tier 3 power forward Evan Mobley also has dual eligibility.
- Joel Embiid falls into Tier 4, but concerns about his availability could see him drop further. In a recent mock draft, he was selected in the sixth round, and without positive health updates, his ranking could decline significantly.
- Alex Sarr, the No. 2 overall pick in the 2024 NBA draft, showed enough promise as a rookie and in the Vegas Summer League to debut in Tier 5. Four other rookies from his class also made the list, with three in Tier 8 and one in Tier 9.
Final Thoughts
There are multiple strategies to build a championship team, but a key approach is to maximize player value based on your draft position. By keeping track of available talent in different draft segments, you`ll see tangible benefits in your team`s performance. This preparation will undoubtedly pay off.
Rupert Hollis 
Jasper Carew