In recent years, fantasy basketball has grown in popularity among sports fans, and this NBA season has been particularly full of surprises, which adds an extra layer of spice to the drafting. Because fantasy players have access to a wealth of information, analysis, and guidance to help them in team drafting, the hype just keeps increasing.
Every fantasy basketball player wants to know which teams are performing well, who are the MVP players, and who are the potential sleepers. This information is key to drafting a winning team and needs to be properly analyzed to create a successful strategy. Whether you’re a long-time experienced player or an excited beginner, you must have this knowledge, which is why we are here to guide you on it. But first, you must be clear on what fantasy basketball is and how it works.
What Is Fantasy Basketball & How Does It Work?
The idea behind fantasy basketball is straightforward: it is a virtual basketball game where users select a team of NBA players from the real world, then compete against other fantasy teams based on how well those players performed statistically in actual games.
The game starts with a draw in which players choose their NBA team from a field of available players. The positions available to players include centers, small forwards, power forwards, point guards, and shooting guards. Based on their anticipated performance for the upcoming season, each player is given a specific value, or “salary,” that represents them.
Following the conclusion of the draft, the regular season is launched, and players’ fantasy teams face off against one another based on the statistical performance of their players in actual NBA games. Points are given for a number of different things, including points, rebounds, assists, steals, and blocked shots. The team with the most points at the end of the week or the season wins!
There are several different ways to play fantasy basketball, including head-to-head, roto, and points leagues. In head-to-head leagues, teams compete against one another on a weekly basis; the team with the most points at the end of the week wins. Roto leagues, on the other hand, award the championship to the team that finishes first in the standings and are based on season-long cumulative statistics. Similar to roto leagues, points leagues reward players for particular statistics like rebounds or assists.
The ability to make trades and pick up free agents during the season is one of the most thrilling aspects of fantasy basketball. This enables players to improve their teams and compete for the championship. However, making the right moves requires a good deal of strategy and research.
Fantasy basketball can be an exciting and entertaining way for NBA fans to interact with the league, giving them the chance to feel like a general manager and make decisions that will impact the success of their team. It’s easier than ever to start playing fantasy basketball and join the millions of fans who love this unique experience, thanks to the abundance of information and resources accessible online.
Despite its popularity, fans are aware of the challenges that fantasy basketball can bring them. Keeping up with the NBA’s frequent changes, such as player injuries, trades, and lineup adjustments, is one of the hardest obstacles. To succeed, fantasy players must maintain knowledge and modify their approaches as necessary.
Fans of all stripes, from casual to die hard, enjoy fantasy basketball. Casual fans can take delight in the simple pleasure of selecting a team of their favourite players and tracking their performance over the course of the season. Hardcore fans, on the other hand, can delve further into the game’s statistics and strategy, leveraging their understanding to gain an advantage over rivals.
If your goal is to become one of those fans and a celebrated player this season, we are here for you. Let us dive into the fantasy NBA top rankings of 2022-23.
Fantasy NBA Rankings 2022-23: Top 50 Players
| Rank | Players | Best | Worst | Average |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1. | Nikola Jokic (DEN – SF, PF) DTD | 1 | 2 | 1.2 |
| 2. | Joel Embiid (PHI – PF, C) DTD | 1 | 6 | 3.6 |
| 3. | Luka Doncic (DAL – PG, SG) | 2 | 10 | 5.4 |
| 4. | Shai Gilgeous-Alexander (OKC – PG, SG) | 3 | 8 | 5.6 |
| 5. | Jayson Tatum (BOS – SF,PF) | 3 | 16 | 7.0 |
| 6. | Stephen Curry (GSW – PG,SG) | 5 | 15 | 9.0 |
| 7. | Donovan Mitchell (CLE – PG,SG) DTD | 8 | 18 | 12.8 |
| 8. | Tyrese Haliburton (IND – PG,SG) OUT | 6 | 28 | 13.0 |
| 9. | James Harden (PHI – PG,SG) DTD | 9 | 18 | 13.8 |
| 10. | LeBron James (LAL – PG,SG,SF,PF) DTD | 9 | 33 | 19.0 |
| 11. | Kristaps Porzingis (WAS – PF,C) DTD | 6 | 31 | 19.4 |
| 12. | Domantas Sabonis (SAC – PF,C) | 7 | 38 | 19.6 |
| 13. | Bam Adebayo (MIA – PF,C) DTD | 10 | 27 | 20.2 |
| 14. | Giannis Antetokounmpo (MIL – PF,C) DTD | 3 | 49 | 21.2 |
| 15. | Damian Lillard (POR – PG) DTD | 9 | 33 | 21.2 |
| 16. | Pascal Siakam (TOR – PF,C) | 17 | 36 | 23.8 |
| 17. | Jimmy Butler (MIA – SF,PF,SG) DTD | 4 | 42 | 25.0 |
| 18. | Anthony Edwards (MIN – SG,SF) | 13 | 39 | 25.2 |
| 19. | Kyrie Irving (BKN – PG,SG) | 10 | 43 | 25.4 |
| 20. | Paul George (LAC – SF,PF,SG) DTD | 13 | 45 | 26.2 |
| 21. | Myles Turner (IND – PF,C) DTD | 13 | 42 | 26.4 |
| 22. | Nikola Vucevic (CHI – C) | 9 | 51 | 27.6 |
| 23. | LaMelo Ball (CHA – PG,SG) DTD | 11 | 53 | 27.6 |
| 24. | DeMar DeRozan (CHI – SF,PF,SG) DTD | 7 | 53 | 28.2 |
| 25. | Trae Young (ATL – PG) | 8 | 64 | 28.4 |
| 26. | Dejounte Murray (ATL – PG,SG) | 20 | 49 | 28.4 |
| 27. | Rudy Gobert (MIN – C) DTD | 15 | 40 | 29.6 |
| 28. | Jaylen Brown (BOS – SG,SF) DTD | 18 | 42 | 33.0 |
| 29. | Ja Morant (MEM – PG) | 14 | 60 | 33.2 |
| 30. | Jarrett Allen (CLE – C) | 12 | 45 | 33.6 |
| 31. | Jrue Holiday (MIL – PG,SG) DTD | 24 | 57 | 36.2 |
| 32. | Deandre Ayton (PHO – C) DTD | 20 | 52 | 36.6 |
| 33. | Bradley Beal (WAS – SG,SF) DTD | 30 | 44 | 39.0 |
| 34. | Darius Garland (CLE – PG, SG) DTD | 19 | 89 | 39.8 |
| 35. | De’Aaron Fox (SAC – PG) | 31 | 47 | 39.8 |
| 36. | Lauri Markkanen (UTH – PF, C) | 26 | 58 | 41.0 |
| 37. | Mikal Bridges (PHO – SG,SF) | 25 | 51 | 41.2 |
| 38. | Chris Paul (PHO – PG) DTD | 32 | 59 | 42.6 |
| 39. | Evan Mobley (CLE – C, PF) | 24 | 55 | 44.0 |
| 40. | Fred VanVleet (TOR – PG,SG) DTD | 23 | 69 | 45.0 |
| 41. | Zach LaVine (CHI – SG,SF) DTD | 34 | 64 | 47.6 |
| 42. | Alperen Sengun (HOU – C) | 25 | 68 | 48.4 |
| 43. | OG Anunoby (TOR – SF,PF) DTD | 28 | 73 | 50.6 |
| 44. | Desmond Bane (MEM – PG,SG,SF) | 21 | 76 | 52.8 |
| 45. | Julius Randle (NYK – PF,C) | 33 | 95 | 53.0 |
| 46. | CJ McCollum (NOR – PG,SG) | 45 | 64 | 55.6 |
| 47. | John Collins (ATL – PF, C) | 47 | 71 | 56.6 |
| 48. | Jalen Brunson (NYK – PG,SG) | 26 | 115 | 58.4 |
| 49. | Tyler Herro (MIA – PG,SG) DTD | 36 | 72 | 59.8 |
| 50. | Jaren Jackson Jr. (MEM – PF,C) | 24 | 125 | 60.4 |
Biggest Surprises In Season Rankings:
Just as we told you, there are a few big surprises in the top rankings this year, one of them being Lauri Markkanen – SF/PF – Utah Jazz. Looks like he’s gonna be one of the most key players when it comes to the Jazz rebuild. A lot of experts have previously counted him as a sleeper, and he has also been frequently injured in the last few seasons, but he is exceeding everyone’s expectations this year. He is averaging the most points (22.2), three-pointers made (2.4), and offensive rebounds (2.3) per game while shooting a career-high 52.8 percent from the field. In five games this year, he has scored 30 points or more and has nine double-doubles.
Although not in the top 50 rankings, Kyle Lowry, PG/SG – Miami Heat is the only Miami Heat player to have played in every game this year. The former champion has been racking up counting stats for fantasy managers, averaging 14.2 points, 4.9 rebounds, 6.2 assists, 2.4 triples, and 1.1 steals in 36.3 minutes per contest. Because he leads the team with 13.4 potential assists per game, it’s possible that the Heat’s injuries are lowering his assist rate. Still, I’d take advantage of his current output and availability to sell high. His performance has been a pleasant surprise, and it is now time to cash in and consider him for your line-up.
Top Sleepers of The Season 2022-23:
- Alperen Sengun, Rockets: As a rookie in his first season, Sengun demonstrated what he might give in a bigger role by putting up 12.1 points, 8.2 rebounds, 3.6 assists, and 1.0 blocks over 29.7 minutes over 13 starts. Since he is only 20 years old, he still has a lot of growth potential. Even though his fantasy value will increase due to his increased playing time, Sengun is particularly intriguing due to his room for development, fast-paced style and his expanded position.
- Jalen Smith, Pacers: Smith is talented and young, performed admirably when given more opportunities last season, and is expected to start at power forward for the Pacers, who are in the process of rebuilding. After settling in well following a Suns trade, Smith re-signed with Indiana on a two-year deal this offseason. In 22 games with the Pacers, he averaged 13.4 points, 7.6 rebounds, and 1.0 blocks while playing 24.7 minutes per game. Smith also improved his free-throw percentage from 71.4 percent to 76.5 percent in his rookie season. Plus, we must not forget that he shot 36.8 percent from distance in his final college season at Maryland.
- James Wiseman, Warriors: Wiseman, the second overall pick in 2020, is not exactly an unknown player. However, he’s lost some momentum and has doubts surrounding him after missing the entirety of the Warriors’ 2021–22 championship season due to a knee injury. Wiseman had a promising age-19 rookie season in 2020–21, averaging 11.5 points (on 51.9 percent shooting) and 5.8 rebounds in a constrained 21.4 minutes across 39 games. During the Las Vegas Summer League, Wiseman produced 10.5 points, 5.5 rebounds, and 2.0 blocks in just under 20 minutes per game. This proves that he’s back in his game form and makes for a worthy sleeper.
Some more sleepers to consider: Terence Man – Clippers, Tre Jones – Spurs, Nassir Little – Trail Blazers, Thomas Bryant – Lakers, Bruce Brown – Nuggets, Jake LaRavia – Grizzlies.
Conclusion:
This season’s top NBA rankings have given us a thrilling glimpse into the world of fantasy basketball and its upcoming contests. The league is rife with drama and intrigue, from the emergence of rising star players to the consistent supremacy of seasoned veterans. It’s impossible not to be amazed by the extraordinary talent and athleticism on exhibit, whether you’re a devoted fan or a casual player.
As promised, we have made it easier for you to draft your dream team this season. With top rankings, biggest surprises and top sleepers all at your disposal, you are now ready to put your mind into a strong strategy. And if you want any tips to make your strategy full-proof, we have also created the ultimate DFS strategy guide here. Now, all there’s left to do is create a masterful draft. Then you can sit back, unwind, and enjoy the ride of earning cash prizes at DreamPick.
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