The NBA regular season is just around the corner and that means it is once again fantasy basketball season. Not only is this a fun time for fans who do not have to wait much longer for basketball in what has been the weirdest year ever, but the analytical fans who love the world of fantasy sports are also thriving. There is still fantasy football going on, and now it is time to think of who should be your first-round pick, who should be your sleeper, and who could be a steal for you in this shortened NBA season. Without further adieu, here are five must-have players for fantasy basketball in the 2020-21 season.
Five Must-Have Players in Fantasy Basketball
1. The Joker
Fantasy basketball is heavily predicated on personal statistics. With that in mind, anyone who can land Nuggets’ superstar Nikola Jokic is going to be ahead of the curve. He can rack up triple-double with the best of them as he already possesses 41 (fourth amongst active players) in his career and the one thing he has over the Greek Freak, a consistent jump shot. In turn, that will give you more three-point shots, not that having Giannis on your squad is going to hurt you. Nikola Jokic should a consensus top-three pick going into fantasy this year, so what about a solid late first-round acquisition?
2. Steph Curry
Stephen Curry is looking to come back with a vengeance this year. With Klay Thompson now out, he is going to get the majority of the touches in the Warriors’ offensive system. Remember, this is still the only player in NBA history to win a unanimous MVP and is also a deceptively solid rebounder despite his play-style. In the small sample size of games, he did play last season, Curry tallied 5.2 rebounds per game. We already know how elite of a scorer he is and his assists totals should be just fine playing alongside a nice scoring threat in Andrew Wiggins. With all of this in mind, the three-time champion is a solid first-round pick for any fantasy owner going into this year.
3. The Promising Center in Phoenix
Deandre Ayton should be ecstatic about Chris Paul coming to Phoenix. With Paul’s legendary ability in the pick and roll, Ayton is going to feast on pick and roll and pick and pop opportunities. Not to mention, he is a walking double-figure rebounder. Now, that he is a part of a star trio consisting of him, Paul, and Devin Booker, his passing numbers should go up as well this season. Ayton has been a solid pick for the Suns, his production has just been overshadowed from playing in, well, Phoenix. For his career, he has averaged numbers of 17.0 points, 10.7 rebounds, and 1.1 blocks per game. With Phoenix now being projected to be a playoff team, Ayton’s value has ascended in fantasy basketball.
4. The Overlooked Big in Orlando
Throughout his whole career, Nikola Vucevic has been underrated. He has been a consistent fixture for the Magic and has been the key piece in leading Orlando to the postseason the past two seasons. Vucevic is a career 16 and 10 guy. ESPN has him ranked sixth amongst his position in their fantasy rankings and he will get any fantasy owner plenty of rebounds and points. Vucevic came close to a 20 and 10 average last season (19.6 points and 10.9 rebounds per game). As overlooked as he has been, Vucevic is a solid option for a mid to late second-round pick.
5. The Heavy MVP Favorite in Dallas
Luka Doncic is coming into a highly anticipated season. Rightly so, considering his career is off to a phenomenal start. So good that many are touting him as the early MVP favorite. Like Giannis and Jokic, he can stuff the box score which is imperative in fantasy basketball. If Doncic can develop a consistent three-point shot, the Mavericks superstar may become the best commodity in fantasy basketball. He is projected to put up totals around 30 points, eight assists, and nine rebounds per game. If Kristaps Porzingis can stay healthy and be a reliable co-star to Doncic, then fantasy owners will rejoice and he just may win the MVP in only his third-career season.
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