The 2024-25 NBA season is fast approaching, which means it’s time to start preparing for your fantasy basketball drafts. Whether you’re playing in a roto or category league, nailing your early picks is crucial to assembling a championship roster. To help guide your draft strategy, we’ve compiled the top 10 player rankings for the upcoming season.
Wembanyama and Doncic Lead the Pack
Topping the rankings this year are two generational talents: sophomore sensation Victor Wembanyama and perennial MVP candidate Luka Doncic. Wembanyama, the 7’4″ French phenom, took the league by storm in his rookie season, posting eye-popping numbers across multiple categories. His unique blend of size, skill, and defensive prowess makes him the clear #1 pick in all fantasy formats.
Doncic, meanwhile, remains the most well-rounded fantasy asset in the game. The Mavericks’ superstar contributes elite numbers in points, rebounds, assists, and threes, making him a category-league monster. He’s a no-brainer selection at #2 overall.
Shai Gilgeous-Alexander and Anthony Edwards Surge into Top 5
The big surprises in this year’s top 10 are the meteoric rises of Shai Gilgeous-Alexander and Anthony Edwards. SGA, coming off a sensational 2023-24 campaign, vaults all the way up to #4 thanks to his across-the-board production and improved efficiency. The Thunder guard is now a bona fide first-round talent.
Edwards cracks the top 10 for the first time in his career, sliding in at #10 on the heels of a scoring title. The Timberwolves’ high-flying swingman has developed into one of the league’s most explosive offensive weapons, making him an alluring early-round selection in category formats. His gaudy point totals and elite steal numbers offset his middling percentages.
Familiar Faces Fall Out of the Top 10
Equally notable are the superstars who have fallen out of the top 10 this season. Former perennial first-rounders Stephen Curry and Giannis Antetokounmpo now sit at #17 and #12, respectively, as age and mileage begin to take their toll.
Curry, now 36, is still a potent offensive force, but his declining durability and the Warriors’ reduced reliance on his scoring have diminished his fantasy appeal. Antetokounmpo remains a multi-category stud, but his mounting injury history and the Bucks’ cautious load management approach limit his overall upside. Both remain valuable fantasy assets, but the days of confidently spending a top-5 pick on either superstar appear to be over.
Roto vs. Category Considerations
When evaluating the top 10, it’s important to consider the differences between roto and category league formats. In roto leagues, where your total stats accumulated for the season determine your standing in each category, high-floor players with consistent production across multiple categories are especially valuable.
Doncic, Wembanyama, and Nikola Jokic (who checks in at #3 overall) fit this mold perfectly. Their nightly stat-stuffing makes them the ideal building blocks for a roto squad.
In category leagues, where you aim to win as many stat categories as possible each week, specialists and high-upside options hold more appeal. An elite shot-blocker like Jaren Jackson Jr. (ranked #29) or a lock for the scoring title like Edwards become more enticing fits for your early-round selections.
Full Top 150 Rankings
While assembling a strong core with your first few picks is vital, finding value in the middle and later rounds often separates the great fantasy teams from the merely good ones. With that in mind, here’s a look at our full top 150 rankings for the 2024-25 season:
- Victor Wembanyama, SA, C1
- Luka Doncic, Dal, PG1
- Nikola Jokic, Den, C2
- Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, OKC, PG2
- Tyrese Haliburton, Ind, PG3 & SG
- Anthony Davis, LAL, C3 & PF
- Donovan Mitchell, Cle, SG1 & PG
- Trae Young, Atl, PG4
- Jayson Tatum, Bos, PF1 & SF
- Anthony Edwards, Min, SG2 & SF
…
Fantasy basketball in 2024-25 looks to be as exciting as ever, with an intriguing mix of established elites and emerging stars populating the top 150. By leveraging these rankings and tailoring your draft strategy to your league format, you’ll be well on your way to fantasy basketball glory. Best of luck this season!
