Point Guard
RANK | NAME | Team | # Games | Analysis |
1 | Damian Lillard | POR | 4 | Lillard takes the top spot with the full slate. The Balzers as a whole have been playing a lot better down the stretch and Lillard remains by far the top all-around option. |
2 | Russell Westbrook | OKC | 3 | Westbrook takes the second spotthis week and he continues to be a huge help on the glass and as the floor general compiling assists. We all know he's also good for 20-plus points a game. |
3 | Chris Paul | HOU | 4 | Paul has missed his last three games with a Hamstring injury, but reports are saying that he should be ready to go on Tuesday and he's walking back into a four-game week. |
4 | Kemba Walker | CHA | 4 | With Nicolas Batum still out, Walker will continue to see a higher usage rate as he's by far and away the top scoring option and he'll contribute a good amount of dimes. |
5 | Lonzo Ball | LAL | 4 | Ball will be used even more if Isaiah Thomas needs to miss games with a Hip injury. He's improves his long-range shooting as the season continues and he'll be a huge help w. boards and dimes. |
6 | Eric Bledsoe | MIL | 4 | Bledsoe will continue playing a lot of minutes because of the lack of health of other Bucks guards. He'll help out with steals on the defensive end and scoring and assists on offense. |
7 | Jeff Teague | MIN | 4 | Teague will continue to shoot the ball more as Jimmy Butler isn't ready to return just yet. Teague's tear-drop is a great asset and he draws contact. He'll help with assists too. |
8 | Elfrid Payton | PHX | 4 | Even with Devin Booker back in the fold, Payton will still pick up shots left behind by T.J. Warren and he'll compile a ton of assists feeding the cutting Josh Jackson. |
9 | Jamal Murray | DEN | 4 | Murray will continue to see more shots with Garry Harris out and he'll be able to play more thus have more opportunities to compile assists. Expect mainly scoring. |
10 | Dennis Smith Jr. | DAL | 4 | Smith is healthy again and he'll still be used as the secondary scorer for the Mavs and take a lot of shots and spend a ton of time with the ball. |
11 | Austin Rivers | LAC | 4 | Rivers will continue to see a good amount of shots, even when Danilo Gallinari returns. He's been helpful running the offense and dishing and getting steals. |
12 | Cameron Payne | CHI | 4 | Payne will continue to fill in for the injured Kris Dunn and owners can expect a good amount of scoring, assists and steals and he doesn't have any playing time threats. |
13 | Quinn Cook | GSW | 4 | With Curry back on the shelf, Cook, who did a great job filling in before, will see another uptick in minutes and he'll reward owners with shots, assists and steals. |
14 | Ish Smith | DET | 4 | Smith is still getting playing time with Reggie Jackson back in the lineup and he should be able to provide more help with boards and even assists than Jackson. His minutes are safe for now. |
15 | Reggie Jackson | DET | 4 | The Pistons want to integrate Jackson more and he should see 20-plus minutes each game moving forward. He's more scoring dependant with his stats in other categories being inconsistent. |
16 | Goran Dragic | MIA | 3 | Dragic will continue being the top scoring and priority shooting option with Hassan Whiteside still hurt. Dragic has had to use his quick step to the basket to force the ball inside. |
17 | Spencer Dinwiddie | BKN | 3 | Dinwiddie is still hanging on to his p;laying time and even though the scoring has tapered off a bit, he'll still help with assists and even a bit with boards and steals. |
18 | Dennis Schroder | ATL | 3 | Schroder missed his previous game with an Ankle injury and his status is currently up in the air for the week. |
19 | John Wall | WSH | 4 | There's a chance that Wall could play either three games of his full slate or the entire slate. He's very close. Two to three games this week is a good estimate. He'll likely need to rest one game. |
20 | Kyle Lowry | TOR | 2 | Lowry would be much higher in the rankings but Toronto drew the short slate this week. He continues to be the top assist man and second scorer for the Raptors. |
Shooting Guard
RANK | NAME | Team | # Games | Analysis |
1 | James Harden | HOU | 3 | Harden will continue to provide an extreme amount of scoring, rebounding and assists for owners as he's vying for that NBA AND Fantasy MVP award for the season. |
2 | Bradley Beal | WSH | 4 | Even with Wall returning, expect Beal to still be very active in the scoring and while Walll re-adjusts, Beal will still be the top scoring option at least for a few more games. |
3 | Devin Booker | PHX | 4 | Booker is ready to go and should be active for most, if not the entire slate for the week. Know that if the Hand swells up after Monday's game, he'll likely have to sit out the following game. |
4 | Lou Williams | LAC | 4 | Williams continues to be a big-time offensive player for the Clippers and he'll also help with boards, assists and steals. He continues to hit some of the hardest shots from the corners. |
5 | Khris Middleton | MIL | 4 | Middleton is an effective shooter and passer and he sets up a lot from the top of the key and takes a lot of open three-pointers. He'll help push the ball inside from the key. |
6 | CJ McCollum | POR | 4 | McCollum continues to be the established second scoring option for the Blazers and he gets a lot of shots and a decent amount of time with the ball and he'll provide some assist help. |
7 | Victor Oladipo | IND | 3 | Oladipo continues his strong season as the Pacers top scoring option and he'll take shots from three and drive the lane. He'll provide some help with rebounding and assists. |
8 | Kentavious Caldwell-Pope | LAL | 4 | KCP is a solid two-way player from the elbow. He gets boards from the elbow on both sodes of the ball and gets a good amount of open shots from that spot. |
9 | Andrew Wiggins | MIN | 4 | Wiggins will have at least another week of being the second scoring option with Butler still hurt. He's been helping out more on the glass down the stretch. |
10 | JJ Redick | PHI | 4 | Redick will always look for the pick and pop, but this year has been different. The shooting is still consistent, but he's been much more of a floor general and his assist numbers stand out. |
11 | Buddy Hield | SAC | 4 | Hield has been a more consistent scorer down the stretch and he'll provide some assist and steals help. Owners can expect double figures from him. |
12 | Jrue Holiday | NO | 3 | Holiday moves down without the full slate, but he's done a great job picking up the pieces left behind from DeMarcus Cousins and he's the Pelicans second scoring option. |
13 | Jeremy Lamb | CHA | 4 | Lamb will benefit as Batum continues to not play because of Achilles issues. He should be starting for the Hornets for the rest of the way and he'll provide long-range scoring and rebounding. |
14 | J.J. Barea | DAL | 4 | Barea can rotate to both guard spot and he finds a way to be a three-category producer between scoring, rebounding and assists. He'll also provide some steals help. |
15 | Rodney Hood | CLE | 4 | Hood's Back is healthy and he'll be able to be the Cavs bailout long-range shooting option, even with Kevin Love back in action. He'll provide help with steals on the defensive end. |
16 | Donovan Mitchell | UT | 3 | Mitchell continues to be the top scoring option as it's very difficult stopping him on the drive. He's a good ball-handler and can shoot and provide assists. |
17 | Tim Hardaway Jr. | NY | 3 | Hardaway will remain the Knicks top scoring option as the end of the season draws near. He'll have games in which he's more helpful with boards, dimes and steals. |
18 | D'Angelo Russell | BKN | 3 | Russell will continue to be a priority scoring option and he'll continue having games in which he can be relied on for just scoring and others in which he racks up the assists. |
19 | Eric Gordon | HOU | 3 | Even with Chris Paul back in the mix, Gordon should be able to score on opposing second units and provide some steals and assists along with double-digit scoring. |
20 | DeMar DeRozan | TOR | 2 | DeRozan would obviously be ranked higher as the Raptors top scoring option, but with the short slate, he moves down. Owners can expect a good amount of scoring, rebounding and steals. |
Small Forward
RANK | NAME | Team | # Games | Analysis |
1 | LeBron James | CLE | 4 | James keeps the top spot with the full slate and even with Love back and playing more minutes and taking more shots, James is the primary scorer and he'll help with just about every category. |
2 | Otto Porter Jr. | WSH | 4 | Porter takes the seond spot even with Wall coming back. Wall returning will take some of the defensive pressure off Porter and he should see better shots and he'll grab boards. |
3 | Will Barton | DEN | 4 | Barton will continue to fill in for Gary Harris and he'll play multiple positions and even run the point. He'll be a three to four category producer with scoring, boards, dimes and steals. |
4 | Harrison Barnes | DAL | 4 | Barnes will remain the top scoring option down the stretch and he'll look to drive more than shoot from the outside and he'll help with boards and steals consistently. |
5 | Robert Covington | PHI | 4 | Covington needs to continue to force himself inside and use his size to grab more boards. Expect a good amount of scoring and steals along with long rebounds. |
6 | Kyle Kuzma | LAL | 4 | Kuzma will continue filling in for Brandon Ingram and he'll help on the glass but he's clearly being told to hang out more at the arc and be a bailout option. |
7 | Paul George | OKC | 3 | George is the Thunder's second scoring option and his stats have improved over the last few months ever since he started commanding the ball on offense. He's good for boards and steals. |
8 | Nemanja Bjelica | MIN | 4 | Bjelica hasn't been as impactful over the last week, but he still has playing time and lack of depth on his side and his minutes are safe this week. Expect points and boards. |
9 | Denzel Valentine | CHI | 4 | Valentine will be heavily involved as the Bulls are still without Zach LaVine and they clearly don't want Justin Holiday involved. Valentine is a good outside shooter and he'll grab boards. |
10 | Wilson Chandler | DEN | 4 | Chandler has improved over the last couple of months and Harris still out, he should see 20-plus minutes consistently and he can also run the point effectively. |
11 | Kelly Oubre Jr. | WSH | 4 | Oubre should be able to get enough shots to score in double figures consistently coming off the bench and he'll also provide some boards and steals. He mainly shoots from the outside. |
12 | Bogdan Bogdanovic | SAC | 4 | Bogdanovic will continue to be a priority scorer and he shoots a lot of deep three-pointers. He'll also help a bit with boards and assists and he has a good drive and just needs to use it more. |
13 | DeMarre Carroll | BKN | 3 | Carroll has had an excellent season for fantasy and he's been consistently helpful with scoring, with an improved long-range game, and he's grabbed boards and steals. |
14 | Joe Ingles | UT | 3 | Ingles remains the Jazz bailout shooting option for good rebounds. To Ingles credit, he's been stepping inside the arc to the top of the paint to grab boards. He'll help with steals as well. |
15 | Taurean Prince | ATL | 3 | Prince will be a priority scoring option with John Collins and Dennis Schroder banged up and Kent Bazemore out for the rest of the season. Expect boards and steals too. |
16 | Jayson Tatum | BOS | 3 | Tatum will see a lot of shots with Irving out for the next few weeks. He'll have to balance his offense between driving and taking long-range jumpers. Expect more minutes, points and boards. |
17 | Josh Richardson | MIA | 3 | Richardson can rotate to multiple positions and owners have been able to benefit from consistent scoring in double figures. He'll grab some boards and help with dimes too. |
18 | Trevor Ariza | HOU | 3 | Ariza's minutes are safe and he'll continue serving as the Rockets main bailout option and owners can expect steals on the perimeter as well. |
19 | Kyle Anderson | SAS | 3 | Where's Kawhi? WE STILL DON'T KNOW! Anderson will contin ue being the primary fill in option and he'll help with long-range scoring, rebounding and steals. |
20 | Danilo Gallinari | LAC | 4 | Gallo could return and actually play in the full slate but we are awaiting confirmation. He could still be on your waiver wire and would be a good grab because he'd be walking back into a lot of shots. |
Power Forward
RANK | NAME | Team | # Games | Analysis |
1 | Giannis Antetokounmpo | MIL | 4 | You didn't need to catch "60 Minutes" in order to see just how great of a player (fantasy and reality) the Greek Freak is. He helps in all categories consistent except three-point shooting. |
2 | Ben Simmons | PHI | 4 | Simmons doesn't even have a consistent jumper, but is THAT good of a driver, disher, rebounder and he grabs steals on the perimeter. |
3 | Blake Griffin | DET | 4 | Griffin is a multi-category producer and he's played a similar role in Detroit as he did in Los Angeles. As the Pistons top scoring option, he'll drive and take long-range shots and help w/ boards. |
4 | Draymond Green | GSW | 4 | He's over his Pelvis injury, but now is sick and had to miss his previous game. There's a chance he'll have to miss one game this week. |
5 | Tobias Harris | LAC | 4 | Harris will be slashing more down the stretch as Gallinari should be back in the next game or two. Harris will be drawing more contact, grabbing more boards and he won't lose out on minutes. |
6 | Dario Saric | PHI | 4 | Saric continues to play at multiple positions and utilize his long-range post-game and he'll hit spot-up jumpers and crash for boards and help with steals in the paint. |
7 | Julius Randle | LAL | 4 | Randle's amazing second half of the season continues and owners can expect a ton of points and boards. He'll help out even more on the ball by poking away the ball and grabbing steals. |
8 | Lauri Markkanen | CHI | 4 | Markkanen should be returning Tuesday after resting his previous game. There is a chance that the Bulls will rest him at some point this week in order to keep his Back healthy. |
9 | Paul Millsap | DEN | 4 | Millsap will continue to see more shots with Harris out and he'll hit shots mainly from the high post and elbow. Millsap will step back and hit from long-range and he'll grab boards consistently. |
10 | LaMarcus Aldridge | SAS | 3 | Aldridge remains the Spurs top scoring option and he'll take long-range jumpers and produce in the post. He'll help with boards and blocks as well. |
11 | Bobby Portis | CHI | 4 | Portis will still see a ton of minutes, even with Markkanen back. Portis has been very productive in the paint. His driving has improved and he'll help out with points, boards and blocks. |
12 | Aaron Gordon | ORL | 3 | Gordon is the Magic's top scoring option and he plays a lot on the ball and he'll take three's as well. He's excellent at crashing the boards and he'll help with steals in the lane. |
13 | Al-Farouq Aminu | POR | 4 | Aminu is a better slasher than shooter and he'll force himself inside and draw a ton of contact. Expect help with steals in the paint and he'll have games in which his long-range shooting is on. |
14 | Taj Gibson | MIN | 4 | Gibson has been helping out with scoring and rebounding consistently. He's more of a rebounder than a scorer, but should be able to hit double figures in most of his games. |
15 | JaMychal Green | MEM | 4 | Green will benefit most when Marc Gasol is set up on the perimeter and his driving has improved and should be able to grab six to eight rebounds per game down the stretch. |
16 | Markieff Morris | WSH | 4 | Morris will still get a decent amount of open mid-range shots and Wall should be able to hit him cutting when he returns this week. Morris is also a reliable rebounder. |
17 | Larry Nance Jr. | CLE | 4 | Nance has been a bit inconsistent, but he should see less defensive pressure with Love more involved. Nance will space in the paint because Love sets up outside a lot. He's good for boards. |
18 | Jabari Parker | MIL | 4 | Parker has been scoring in double figures consistently and he's been pick up more playing time and he should be getting a good amount of minutes off the bench moving forward. |
19 | Rondae Hollis-Jefferson | BKN | 3 | RHJ continues to bhe the Nets best all-around inside player. He drives, shoots from mid-range and then crashes the boards and draws a lot of contact under the basket. |
20 | Nikola Mirotic | NO | 3 | Mirotic missed his previous game with a Hip injury and we're unsure whether or not he'll have to miss Tuesday's game. |
Center
RANK | NAME | Team | # Games | Analysis |
1 | Karl-Anthony Towns | MIN | 4 | Towns takes the top spot with the full slate and his usage will still be higher because Jimmy Butler is still out. Expect him to continue to take a decent amount of outside shots. |
2 | Andre Drummond | DET | 4 | Drummond will NOT take any long-range jumpers, but he'll pull down a ton of rebounds and score a lot of his points off of second chance opportunities. |
3 | Nikola Jokic | DEN | 4 | Jokic will continue to be the Nuggets top scoring option as they make their push to the playoffs and he'll hit long-range jumpers and grab a ton of boards and blocks. |
4 | Joel Embiid | PHI | 4 | Embiid will continue playing in back to back games and provide a ton of all-round production including long-range shooting. He's a major multi-category producer. |
5 | Anthony Davis | NO | 3 | Davis moves down in the rankings because of the lack of full slate, but owners can expect a ton of scoring, rebounding and blocks. |
6 | DeAndre Jordan | LAC | 4 | Jordan is a low-block specific Center and he'll score just from under the basket and he'll grab a ton of boards and blocks along the way. |
7 | Kevin Love | CLE | 4 | Love is back and he should be playing a lot more in games moving forward. He'll take a lot of three's, but he'll also set up in the post and owners can expect him to grab a lot of boards. |
8 | Dwight Howard | CHA | 4 | Howard will continue being the Hornets second scoring option with Batum hurt and owners will get a lot of scoring and rebounding from him. He'll help out with blocks as well. |
9 | Marc Gasol | MEM | 4 | Gasol is still getting sufficient minutes when he plays and he'll score from inside and outside and help with boards and blocks, but remember, he can be held out at any time for rest. |
10 | Jusuf Nurkic | POR | 4 | Nurkic has been seeing more success inside and he'll use his good foot work to power his way in the paint and he'll help with boards and steals. |
11 | Nikola Vucevic | ORL | 3 | Vucevic also has strong foot work and as the Magic's second scoring option for the rest of the season, owners can expect frequent double-doubles. |
12 | Rudy Gobert | UT | 3 | Gobert will score all of his points from under the basket and he continues to be a fierce rebounder and shot blocker. A lot of plays will still be called for him inside. |
13 | Willie Cauley-Stein | SAC | 4 | It's been an up and down last couple of weeks for Cauley-Stein as his scoring has dropped off, but he's been producing enough boards, steals and blocks to put up a good line. |
14 | Dirk Nowitzki | DAL | 4 | Nowitzki continues to see shots and owners can expect him to score in double figures consistently. Rebounds are another story as he's been a bit more inconsistent. |
15 | Clint Capela | HOU | 3 | Capela remains the Rockets top inside option and he'll get a good chunk of plays called for him in the post and he's been better at positioning in the paint and has been grabbing a lot of boards. |
16 | Brook Lopez | LAL | 4 | Lopez has been playing better over the last few weeks and the scoring has been his biggest asset. He'll have games in which he grabs a decent amount of boards OR assists. Doesn't make sense! |
17 | John Henson | MIL | 4 | Henson is quietly a three-category producer. He won't have games in which he scores a ton of points, but he'll hit double figures and help out a good amount with boards and blocks. |
18 | Alex Len | PHX | 4 | Len has had a productive last few games and with Tyson Chandler likely done for the season, Len should be seeing 25-30 minutes per game moving forward and he'll help with points and boards. |
19 | Al Horford | BOS | 3 | Horford will be the top scoring option for the Celtics with Irving out and he'll score from both at the arc and in the paint. His usage will go up a ton and he'll grab consistent boards. |
20 | Enes Kanter | NY | 3 | Kanter continues compiling a lot of double-doubles and as the Knicks second scoring option for the rest of the season, he'll provide a ton of points and boards. |