Fantasy Basketball 2022: Latest Rankings for Top NBA Players and Sleepers
Just 10 days before the NBA 2022-23 season's October 18 tip-off, it's time to get fantasy leagues in order. Here, we're examining both sides of the rankings: the top tier and the sleepers. So, whether you've drafted already or not, there should be something worth peeking at.
Viewed under the lens of head-to-head categories leagues, we're using the FantasyPros consensus rankings as our backbone. For the upper echelon, we look solely at the consensus top 20. For the sleepers, we eye those with an ADP (average draft position) past 120.
The two sleepers keyed in on are the Portland Trail Blazers' Anfernee Simons and Atlanta Hawks' DeAndre Hunter. But, in honor of those in deeper leagues, let's get some other names out of the way first.
Here are some players with an ADP past 150 who you should keep in mind: Jaden Ivey, Bones Hyland, Aleksej Pokusevski, Chris Duarte, Darius Bazley, Obi Toppin, James Wiseman, Kevon Looney and Joe Harris. All are being practically ignored by the fantasy community and, even if you don't have the space to draft them, should be at the top of your watchlist once the season tips off and waivers start rolling.
Fantasy Basketball Rankings
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1. Nikola Jokic, Denver Nuggets
2. Giannis Antetokounmpo, Milwaukee Bucks
3. Joel Embiid, Philadelphia 76ers
4. Kevin Durant, Brooklyn Nets
5. Luka Doncic, Dallas Mavericks
6. Jayson Tatum, Boston Celtics
7. Stephen Curry, Golden State Warriors
8. Karl-Anthony Towns, Minnesota Timberwolves
9. James Harden, Philadelphia 76ers
10. Trae Young, Atlanta Hawks
11. LaMelo Ball, Charlotte Hornets
12. Damian Lillard, Portland Trail Blazers
13. Tyrese Haliburton, Indiana Pacers
14. LeBron James, Los Angeles Lakers
15. Devin Booker, Phoenix Suns
16. Anthony Davis, Los Angeles Lakers
17. Paul George, Los Angeles Clippers
18. Bam Adebayo, Miami Heat
19. Kyrie Irving, Brooklyn Nets
20. Domantas Sabonis, Sacramento Kings
Last season's top tier of projected fantasy performers felt murky, and this year, past the top two, is no different. Reasonably, Jokic and Giannis deserve their own tier—as both fill up the stat sheet across multiple categories while remaining relatively injury-free (a comment for which I've knocked on wood).
Past them, the field opens up widely, and it's hard to blame anyone for going against the consensus rankings. Among those dealing with injury questions are the likes of Joel Embiid, Damian Lillard, LeBron James and Anthony Davis. All are unquestioned talents, but whether it's a history of missed games or the possibility of load management, there's some uncertainty for a first-round selection.
Another nebulous factor this year comes in the shape of reconstructed rosters. We've yet to see how Towns and Young's stats will be impacted by their new star teammates, Rudy Gobert and Dejounte Murray, respectively.
This lack of clarity at the top of the rankings means just one thing: feel free to shoot your shot. No one can be blamed for going for or against anyone in the upper echelon because, outside of the top two, there are no right answers.
As far as someone to plant a flag on, though, it's hard not to fixate on Kyrie. At No. 19, his ranking is evidently clouded by the past couple seasons and—without those league restrictions—it's hard not to see him outperforming his ADP this year.
Anfernee Simons, PG/SG, Portland Trail Blazers
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Simons is the most criminally underrated player this fantasy basketball season. The 23-year-old is being drafted at No. 129, putting the newly signed, $100-million man behind players like Collin Sexton (No. 89), Mike Conley (No. 102) and Spencer Dinwiddie (No. 107).
Frankly, it doesn't make much sense. All of those players have bigger question marks, whether due to health, age or simply their projected role. The only explanation seems to be a concern that Simons is limited in the variety of his statistical output and that his usage rate could be negatively impacted by Lillard's return to the lineup and the addition of Jerami Grant.
Still, Simons is young and coming off a season in which, thrust into a ball-dominant role, he averaged 17.3 points, 3.9 assists and 3.1 threes per game while shooting 44.3 percent from the field, 40.5 percent from three and 88.8 percent from the line.
Those numbers are all impressive for someone at his age, and it's hard to see why he's not being lent the expectation of improvement typically granted to the youth. Further, we've seen Lillard co-exist in a productive backcourt tandem before, so the main gripe appears to be Grant's expected volume.
If Simons does indeed take fewer than last year's 14 shots per game next season, it's easy to imagine that he could improve his efficiency and assist totals. He represents a gamble that is too tantalizing to pass up this late in drafts.
De'Andre Hunter, SF/PF, Atlanta Hawks
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In each of his three seasons in the league, Hunter has been an eye-test guy. No matter what disarray surrounded him, the 6'8" wing has proved himself to be a consistent force on both sides of the floor.
Although that's translated into firm appreciation by Atlanta, who have refused to move him in any deals, it hasn't necessarily translated into the statistical production wanted by fantasy managers. Still, Hunter is a great basketball player and, sometimes, that's the sort of consistency you need to round out your lineup.
In three seasons, the former Virginia standout has averaged no less than 29 minutes per game, while chipping in over 12 points and three rebounds per game. Most intriguingly, his three-point percentage jumped to 37.9 percent this past season—up from a paltry 32.6 the year prior.
Hunter isn't a playmaker by any means, but he is an impressive slasher with an improving three-point stroke. While Murray's addition to the lineup may consume some shot opportunities, it should only open the game up for Atlanta's best off-ball wing. If you find your forward position lacking by draft's end, Hunter—especially if he can stay healthy—could provide legitimate value this year.
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