Fantasy Basketball season is right around the corner. That may catch some players by surprise.
With Fantasy Football in full swing, it can be easy to forget how quickly Fantasy Basketball approaches after the start of the NFL season. But don’t worry, we’re here to get you up to speed with everything you need to know ahead of your draft, breaking down the top players at each position.
Is Luka Doncic the No. 1 point guard or should you look to reigning Finals MVP Stephen Curry instead? Devin Booker and James Harden will battle it out for the title of the NBA’s best shooting guard, while Kevin Durant and Jayson Tatum are side-by-side at the small forward position.
As for bigs, you can’t go wrong with any of Nikola Jokic, Giannis Antetokounmpo or Joel Embiid, but which order should they be drafted in?
The Sporting News has you covered with the top 20 players at each position below.
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Fantasy Basketball 2022: Top 20 rankings for each position
Top 20 Point Guards
| Position Rank | Player | Team | Top 200 Rank |
| 1. | Luka Doncic | DAL | 3 |
| 2. | Stephen Curry | GSW | 6 |
| 3. | Trae Young | ATL | 8 |
| 4. | LaMelo Ball | CHA | 11 |
| 5. | Damian Lillard | POR | 15 |
| 6. | Tyrese Haliburton | IND | 17 |
| 7. | Kyrie Irving | BKN | 22 |
| 8. | Dejounte Murray | ATL | 23 |
| 9. | Ja Morant | MEM | 24 |
| 10. | Darius Garland | CLE | 26 |
| 11. | Fred VanVleet | TOR | 29 |
| 12. | Chris Paul | PHX | 33 |
| 13. | Cade Cunningham | DET | 43 |
| 14. | Jrue Holiday | MIL | 44 |
| 15. | De’Aaron Fox | SAC | 48 |
| 16. | Ben Simmons | BKN | 58 |
| 17. | Josh Giddey | OKC | 59 |
| 18. | Jamal Murray | DEN | 71 |
| 19. | Jalen Brunson | NYK | 77 |
| 20. | Russell Westbrook | LAL | 79 |
1. Luka Doncic, Dallas Mavericks
Doncic over Curry is a tough decision, but Luka’s ability to stuff the stat sheet across all categories on a nightly basis gives him a slight edge in my book. Is this the year Doncic finally makes a push for his first-ever MVP award?
2. Stephen Curry, Golden State Warriors
Arguably the best player in the world, Curry is coming off of a remarkable run for his fourth championship and first Finals MVP award. Selecting Curry gives your team an immediate advantage in points, 3-pointers, assists, field goal percentage and free throw percentage.
3. Trae Young, Atlanta Hawks
Young became the first player in 50 years (!) to lead the NBA in total points and assists last season. Enough said from a fantasy standpoint.
4. LaMelo Ball, Charlotte Hornets
Ball made his first All-Star appearance last season and the 21-year-old phenom is only getting better. He’ll once again run the show in Charlotte, filling up the box score every night.
5. Damian Lillard, Portland Trail Blazers
Lillard missed the majority of last season after receiving abdominal surgery, but the All-Star guard will be back at full strength this year. He’s one of the best scoring playmakers the league has seen in years and he’ll be tough to pass on in fantasy drafts.
One sleeper: Tyrese Haliburton, Indiana Pacers
Listen, it’s hard to call him a sleeper since I have him ranked 17th in my top 200, but do not be afraid to reach for Haliburton this season. He’ll be last year’s Dejounte Murray, outperforming his average draft position in a big way.
Top 20 Shooting Guards
| Position Rank | Player | Team | Top 200 Rank |
| 1. | James Harden | PHI | 9 |
| 2. | Devin Booker | PHX | 18 |
| 3. | Shai Gilgeous-Alexander | OKC | 19 |
| 4. | Zach LaVine | CHI | 30 |
| 5. | Donovan Mitchell | CLE | 32 |
| 6. | Jaylen Brown | BOS | 34 |
| 7. | Bradley Beal | WAS | 35 |
| 8. | Anthony Edwards | MIN | 38 |
| 9. | CJ McCollum | NOP | 47 |
| 10. | Terry Rozier | CHA | 54 |
| 11. | Tyrese Maxey | PHI | 61 |
| 12. | Desmond Bane | MEM | 64 |
| 13. | Marcus Smart | BOS | 69 |
| 14. | Collin Sexton | UTA | 72 |
| 15. | Tyler Herro | MIA | 73 |
| 16. | Jalen Green | HOU | 78 |
| 17. | Buddy Hield | IND | 83 |
| 18. | Jordan Poole | GSW | 84 |
| 19. | Norman Powell | LAC | 93 |
| 20. | Gary Trent Jr. | TOR | 94 |
1. James Harden, Philadelphia 76ers
Harden had a “down year” last season and still finished as a top-10 fantasy player. Heading into training camp in better shape with an improved team around him, he’ll once again be a fantasy beast.
2. Devin Booker, Phoenix Suns
As Chris Paul continues to get older, Booker will assume more responsibility in carrying the Suns franchise. Booker’s a prolific scorer who should take another leap this season.
3. Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, Oklahoma City Thunder
Gilgeous-Alexander is dealing with a Grade 2 MCL sprain and is expected to miss the start of training camp, but he’s set to be re-evaluated in two weeks. When he takes the floor, he’ll do everything for a Thunder team that is set for another rebuilding season.
4. Zach LaVine, Chicago Bulls
LaVine has turned into a fantasy gem as he has evolved into a more efficient scorer who also provides assists and rebounds.
5. Donovan Mitchell, Cleveland Cavaliers
Joining a new team with more offensive talent around him than ever before, Mitchell should thrive in Cleveland. With a point guard like Darius Garland, he’ll never have an easier time getting open looks.
One sleeper: Desmond Bane, Memphis Grizzlies
Bane had a breakout season last year, stepping up in a big way any time Ja Morant was out of the lineup. He’s an efficient scorer and 3-point marksman who should take on an even bigger role with the Grizzlies this season.
Top 20 Small Forwards
| Position Rank | Player | Team | Top 200 Rank |
| 1. | Kevin Durant | BKN | 5 |
| 2. | Jayson Tatum | BOS | 7 |
| 3. | Jimmy Butler | MIA | 12 |
| 4. | LeBron James | LAL | 13 |
| 5. | Paul George | LAC | 14 |
| 6. | Kawhi Leonard | LAC | 27 |
| 7. | DeMar DeRozan | CHI | 36 |
| 8. | Khris Middleton | MIL | 37 |
| 9. | Brandon Ingram | NOP | 42 |
| 10. | Mikal Bridges | PHX | 55 |
| 11. | Michael Porter Jr. | DEN | 57 |
| 12. | RJ Barrett | NYK | 60 |
| 13. | Andrew Wiggins | GSW | 62 |
| 14. | Tobias Harris | PHI | 63 |
| 15. | O.G. Anunoby | TOR | 68 |
| 16. | Keldon Johnson | SAS | 81 |
| 17. | Franz Wagner | ORL | 86 |
| 18. | Saddiq Bey | DET | 90 |
| 19. | Gordon Hayward | CHA | 91 |
| 20. | Harrison Barnes | SAC | 97 |
1. Kevin Durant, Brooklyn Nets
Durant put it better than I ever could: “I’m Kevin Durant, you know who I am.”
2. Jayson Tatum, Boston Celtics
Tatum cracked All-NBA First Team for the first time last season. With the Celtics looking to get back to the NBA Finals, he might be in line to make a push for MVP this year.
3. Jimmy Butler, Miami Heat
Butler’s performance in the playoffs showed exactly how valuable he can be in fantasy as a do-it-all player for the Heat.
4. LeBron James, Los Angeles Lakers
You might see LeBron placed lower than this on other rankings, but I’m not going to doubt the King, even going into Year 20. Coming off of the second-highest points per game average of his career, James will still be a fantasy workhorse.
5. Paul George, LA Clippers
When George stays healthy, he’s in the top tier of fantasy players without question. The Clippers will be contending for a championship this year and he will play a huge role in that pursuit.
One sleeper: Franz Wagner, Orlando Magic
Wagner came on strong at the end of his rookie season and carried that momentum into the summer with his play at EuroBasket for Germany. He’s a swiss army knife who is worth reaching for in the middle rounds.
Top 20 Power Forwards
| Position Rank | Player | Team | Top 200 Rank |
| 1. | Giannis Antetokounmpo | MIL | 2 |
| 2. | Anthony Davis | LAL | 16 |
| 3. | Domantas Sabonis | SAC | 20 |
| 4. | Pascal Siakam | TOR | 25 |
| 5. | Zion Williamson | NOP | 40 |
| 6. | Evan Mobley | CLE | 49 |
| 7. | Julius Randle | NYK | 50 |
| 8. | Scottie Barnes | TOR | 52 |
| 9. | John Collins | ATL | 56 |
| 10. | Paolo Banchero | ORL | 67 |
| 11. | Jerami Grant | POR | 75 |
| 12. | Draymond Green | GSW | 82 |
| 13. | Kyle Kuzma | WAS | 86 |
| 14. | Keegan Murray | SAC | 87 |
| 15. | Lauri Markkanen | UTA | 95 |
| 16. | Jabari Smith Jr. | HOU | 96 |
| 17. | Jaren Jackson Jr. | MEM | 100 |
| 18. | Jalen Smith | IND | 101 |
| 19. | Brandon Clarke | MEM | 109 |
| 20. | Isaiah Jackson | IND | 110 |
1. Giannis Antetokounmpo, Milwaukee Bucks
Antetokounmpo is the most dominant player in the world today. That’s all there is to it.
2. Anthony Davis, Los Angeles Lakers
There are always injury risks that come with drafting Davis, but if he can keep a clean bill of health, AD will return to the upper echelon of fantasy players this season.
3. Domantas Sabonis, Sacramento Kings
Sabonis has been a fantasy gem over the past couple of seasons, contributing to points, rebounds and assists. He’ll be highly featured in the Kings’ offense and he’s worth using a second-round pick on.
4. Pascal Siakam, Toronto Raptors
Siakam had his second All-NBA season in 2021-22 and continues to improve every year. As the Raptors’ No. 1 scorer who also contributes to other categories, Siakam is a stat-sheet stuffer who will be awesome in fantasy again this season.
5. Zion Williamson, New Orleans Pelicans
The last time Williamson took the court, he was an unstoppable and super efficient scorer, averaging 27 points per game on over 60 percent shooting from the field. After a year off, Williamson should be poised to return to full strength, and you should draft him without much hesitation.
One sleeper: Paolo Banchero, Orlando Magic
Banchero was the No. 1 overall pick in the 2022 NBA Draft but there isn’t typically a lot of expectation for a rookie to produce at a high level from a fantasy perspective. Banchero defies that logic as a big man who will contribute to points, rebounds, assists and 3-pointers.
Top 20 Centers
| Position Rank | Player | Team | Top 200 Rank |
| 1. | Nikola Jokic | DEN | 1 |
| 2. | Joel Embiid | PHI | 4 |
| 3. | Karl-Anthony Towns | MIN | 10 |
| 4. | Bam Adebayo | MIA | 21 |
| 5. | Deandre Ayton | PHX | 28 |
| 6. | Rudy Gobert | MIN | 31 |
| 7. | Kristaps Porzingis | WAS | 39 |
| 8. | Jarrett Allen | CLE | 41 |
| 9. | Myles Turner | IND | 45 |
| 10. | Nikola Vucevic | CHI | 46 |
| 11. | Jonas Valanciunas | NOP | 51 |
| 12. | Jusuf Nurkic | POR | 53 |
| 13. | Christian Wood | DAL | 65 |
| 14. | Clint Capela | ATL | 66 |
| 15. | Jakob Poeltl | SAS | 70 |
| 16. | Robert Williams III | BOS | 74 |
| 17. | Wendell Carter Jr. | ORL | 76 |
| 18. | Al Horford | BOS | 88 |
| 19. | Mitchell Robinson | NYK | 89 |
| 20. | Alperen Sengun | HOU | 103 |
1. Nikola Jokic, Denver Nuggets
The back-to-back MVP has been the most dominant fantasy player we’ve seen in quite some time. There should be no question as to who you should take with the No. 1 pick.
2. Joel Embiid, Philadelphia 76ers
Embiid is a walking double-double who is coming off of the first scoring title by a center since Shaquille O’Neal. He’s worth consideration for the No. 2 overall pick in fantasy drafts.
3. Karl-Anthony Towns, Minnesota Timberwolves
Towns is another unique big man because, along with flirting with a double-double on a nightly basis, he contributes a significant number of 3s. He’s a top-10 fantasy player in all formats.
4. Bam Adebayo, Miami Heat
Adebayo will contribute points, rebounds and assists while also racking up defensive counting stats. When healthy, he’s a top 25 fantasy player without a doubt.
5. Deandre Ayton, Phoenix Suns
Ayton is in a weird situation with the Suns, but it shouldn’t stop the big man from posting a double-double night in and night out. Shooting over 60 percent from the field over the last two seasons, he’s a field goal percentage booster as well.
One sleeper: Alperen Sengun, Houston Rockets
Sengun is one of my favorite sleepers this season, poised to take over the starting center position in Houston. He’s a skilled big man who can contribute to all categories, and he’ll get the playing time needed to prove that in Year 2.
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