Fantasy Basketball 2017: Position Rankings, Team Names for Upcoming NBA Season

Tyler ConwayOct 3, 2017

The 2017-18 NBA season starts two weeks earlier than normal. With that, the fantasy basketball season starts two weeks early as well.

While there isn't the same level of near-constant analysis for fantasy basketball as there is football (and even baseball), it's a game of skill that is growing in popularity among NBA fans. The best teams find a way to have all-around versatility—not unlike actual NBA teams.

Here is a look at the top players at every position and some potential team names (safe for work ones at least) to use this season.

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Sleepers

Willie Cauley-Stein, C, Sacramento Kings

The Kings' February trade of DeMarcus Cousins opened up major minutes for Cauley-Stein, who responded seeing major jumps in every category. He averaged 12.9 points and 8.1 rebounds after the break, more importantly adding 2.2 assists and roughly a block and steal per game. Those are solid stat-filling numbers for a player who is going to be available in later rounds.

Compare his stats to those of Nerlens Noel, who averaged 8.5 points and 6.8 rebounds per game after the break. Noel is going nearly two rounds ahead of Cauley-Stein in Yahoo leagues. There's no real reason for this, and if you can get Cauley-Stein in Round 8 or 9 while passing on Noel, that's the smart move.

Kentavious Caldwell-Pope, SG, Los Angeles Lakers

Some of this is dependent on the progress of Lonzo Ball, who will be engineering the Lakers offense this season for better or for worse. Caldwell-Pope took a big risk in signing a one-year contract in Los Angeles, but it's one that could pay huge dividends if Ball feeds him the way the Lakers hope.

Caldwell-Pope knocked down a couple of threes per game last season at a 35 percent clip, both of which were career highs. Those numbers came despite an often-staid Pistons offense forcing him to create the shots for himself—not a strong suit for the three-and-D wing.

If Ball can find KCP in the corners, his scoring could uptick to the 16-18 point range, which would make him a valuable later-round piece.

Ricky Rubio, PG, Utah Jazz

Rubio remains one of the most underrated players in basketball. He does everything well, except shoot. He's one of the league's best passers, a good rebounder for his position, plays heady defense and racks up steals. His tanking shooting has long made him a frustrating own in fantasy, but that could be a thing of the past.

For the first time in his career Rubio shot 40 percent in 2016-17. After the All-Star break, that number was 42 percent. Rubio averaged 16.0 points and 10.5 assists while averaging a three per game after the break and looked like he was finally coming into his own as a two-way playmaker.

The Timberwolves sold low on him this summer after seeing a need for more floor spacing, but the Rubio-Rudy Gobert pick-and-roll should be a big part of Utah's offense this season.

Positional Rankings

Point Guard

1. Russell Westbrook, Oklahoma City Thunder

2. James Harden, Houston Rockets

3. Stephen Curry, Golden State Warriors

4. John Wall, Washington Wizards

5. Kyrie Irving, Boston Celtics

6. Chris Paul, Houston Rockets

7. Damian Lillard, Portland Trail Blazers

8. Kemba Walker, Charlotte Hornets

9. Kyle Lowry, Toronto Raptors

10. Goran Dragic, Miami Heat