Top NBA Fantasy Basketball Rankings For Points Leagues

Hey guys! Getting ready for your fantasy basketball draft? You've come to the right place! If you're playing in a points league, you know that traditional rankings just don't cut it. You need a list that's tailored to how your league scores points. So, let's dive into the ultimate NBA fantasy basketball rankings for points leagues. We'll break down the top players, sleepers, and strategies to dominate your draft and win that championship trophy.

Understanding Points League Scoring

Before we jump into the rankings, let's make sure we're all on the same page about points league scoring. Unlike category leagues, where you're trying to win in categories like points, rebounds, assists, steals, and blocks, points leagues are all about, well, points! Typically, players accumulate points for each statistic they record. A common scoring system might look like this:

Point: 1 point
Rebound: 1.2 points
Assist: 1.5 points
Steal: 3 points
Block: 3 points
Turnover: -1 point

However, it's super important to check your league's specific settings! Some leagues might award more or fewer points for certain stats, or even penalize for things like missed field goals or free throws. Knowing your league's scoring system is the absolute foundation for building a winning strategy. For example, if your league heavily rewards steals and blocks, defensive specialists become much more valuable. Conversely, if turnovers are heavily penalized, players who handle the ball a lot (like point guards) become riskier picks.

Understanding these nuances is key to identifying undervalued players and maximizing your points each week. So, take a close look at your league's rules before you start prepping for your draft. Trust me, it'll make a huge difference!

Top 10 NBA Fantasy Basketball Players for Points Leagues

Alright, let's get to the good stuff! Here are my top 10 players for points leagues this season. Keep in mind that these rankings are based on a standard points league scoring system, so adjust accordingly based on your league's specific rules.

Nikola Jokic: The Joker is an absolute fantasy beast in points leagues. His ability to score, rebound, assist, and even steal at an elite level makes him the consensus #1 pick. He's basically a walking triple-double threat every night, and his efficiency is off the charts. You simply can't go wrong with Jokic at the top.
Luka Dončić: Luka is another fantasy superstar who stuffs the stat sheet every game. His scoring prowess, combined with his excellent rebounding and assist numbers, makes him a consistent high-scorer in points leagues. He might have a few more turnovers than Jokic, but his overall production is undeniable.
Giannis Antetokounmpo: Giannis is a force of nature who dominates on both ends of the court. His scoring is elite, and he racks up plenty of rebounds, blocks, and steals. The only slight knock on Giannis is his free-throw percentage, which can hurt you if your league penalizes missed free throws. However, his overall upside is too high to pass up.
Joel Embiid: When healthy, Embiid is a dominant force in fantasy basketball. His scoring, rebounding, and block numbers are elite, and he's also a decent free-throw shooter for a center. The biggest concern with Embiid is his injury history, so you'll need to factor that into your decision. But if he stays healthy, he's a top-5 player in points leagues.
Shai Gilgeous-Alexander: SGA's emergence as a bona fide superstar makes him a top-5 pick. His scoring ability is elite, and he also contributes with rebounds, assists, and steals. With his usage rate sky high, expect another monster fantasy season.
Trae Young: Trae is a scoring machine and an assist wizard, making him a valuable asset in points leagues. His biggest weakness is his poor field goal percentage, but his sheer volume of points and assists more than makes up for it.
Anthony Edwards: Ant is on the rise and showing he can be a dominant force on the court. He can get you elite points and also bring in a good number of steals and rebounds.
Damian Lillard: Dame Time is always a threat to explode for a huge scoring night. He's one of the best shooters in the league and also contributes with assists. The change of scenery could unlock an even higher ceiling for Lillard.
Jayson Tatum: Tatum is a consistent scorer who also contributes with rebounds and assists. He's a reliable option who won't kill you in any category, making him a safe pick in the first round.
Domantas Sabonis: Sabonis is a rebounding machine who also contributes with scoring and assists. He's a triple-double threat every night, and his efficiency is excellent. He is a player that is often overlooked but can be an excellent pick to round out your first round.

Sleepers and Value Picks

Finding sleepers and value picks is crucial to winning your fantasy league. These are the players who are being drafted later than they should be, given their potential production. Here are a few of my favorite sleepers for points leagues this season:

De'Aaron Fox: Fox continues to get better and better. He is a threat for points, assists, and steals and could be a league winner if he continues on his upward trajectory.
Tyrese Maxey: With Harden gone, Maxey should thrive and be a great value pick. The increase in usage rate should see an increase in fantasy production.
Cade Cunningham: After an injury-plagued season last year, Cade is poised for a breakout year. He has all the tools to be a fantasy star, and he's being drafted later than he should be.
Jalen Green: He has the green light in Houston, he should be able to produce a lot of points, and get a good number of steals.
Keegan Murray: Murray had an excellent rookie season, and he's poised to take another step forward this year. He's a consistent scorer and rebounder who can also knock down threes.

Draft Strategies for Points Leagues

Here are a few draft strategies to keep in mind when drafting for points leagues:

Prioritize volume scorers: In points leagues, volume is king. Target players who score a lot of points, even if they're not the most efficient. The sheer number of points they accumulate will outweigh any inefficiencies.
Don't be afraid to reach for defensive specialists: If your league heavily rewards steals and blocks, don't be afraid to reach for players who excel in those categories. They can be valuable assets, even if they don't score a lot of points.
Pay attention to positional scarcity: Consider the scarcity of each position when making your picks. For example, there are usually fewer elite centers than there are elite guards, so you might want to prioritize centers early in the draft.
Be flexible: Don't be afraid to deviate from your pre-draft rankings if the situation calls for it. If a player you like is falling in the draft, don't hesitate to scoop him up, even if he's not on your original list.
Know your league's settings: I can't stress this enough! Knowing your league's specific scoring system is crucial for making informed decisions on draft day. Adapt your rankings and strategies accordingly.

Conclusion

Drafting a winning fantasy basketball team in a points league requires a different approach than in a category league. By understanding the nuances of points league scoring, targeting high-volume scorers, and finding sleepers and value picks, you can build a team that dominates the competition. So, do your research, prepare your rankings, and get ready to crush your draft! Good luck, and may the best fantasy manager win!