NBA Fantasy Draft Strategies to Dominate Your League This Season
2025-11-12 12:00
As I sit down to map out my NBA fantasy draft strategy for this season, I can't help but think about how quickly fortunes can change in professional sports. Just look at what happened in the volleyball world recently - a franchise that's only a year old managed to snap the two-time PVL champions' impressive 10-game winning streak. That single loss proved devastating, pushing the No. 2 seed to the brink of elimination in 2025. This exact scenario is why I approach fantasy basketball with both excitement and caution - one wrong move, one poorly timed decision, and your entire season could unravel faster than you can say "triple-double."
When I first started playing fantasy basketball about eight years ago, I made the classic mistake of overvaluing big names and past performances. I'd draft players based on their reputation rather than their current situation, and I'd consistently finish in the bottom half of my leagues. But over time, I've developed a more nuanced approach that balances statistical analysis with gut feelings about team dynamics and player development. The key insight I've gained is that fantasy success isn't just about picking the best players - it's about understanding how the entire ecosystem of the NBA interacts with your specific league settings and scoring system.
Let me share what I consider the most critical element of draft strategy: understanding value relative to position scarcity. In my main competitive league last season, I noticed that quality centers were incredibly scarce after the top 15 picks, while there were plenty of serviceable guards available throughout the draft. This realization completely shifted my approach. I invested heavily in securing two elite centers within my first four picks, even if it meant passing on higher-ranked guards. The result? I dominated the rebounds and blocks categories all season long, which gave me a consistent foundation while I patched together my guard rotation through waivers and trades. This season, I'm noticing a similar dynamic with power forwards - the drop-off after the top 20 seems particularly steep based on my projections.
Another strategy I've come to swear by is what I call the "high-floor versus high-ceiling" balance. In every draft, I aim for a mix of reliable veterans who will give me consistent production and younger players with breakout potential. Last season, I drafted Chris Paul in the middle rounds - sure, he's older and might miss some games, but when he plays, he's almost guaranteed to provide elite assists and steals. To balance this, I paired him with younger, riskier picks like Tyrese Maxey, who had the potential to explode if given more responsibility. This approach gives your team both stability and upside - when one of those high-ceiling picks actually pans out, it can completely transform your team's potential.
I've also learned to pay close attention to coaching changes and offensive systems. When a team hires a coach known for uptempo basketball, like Mike D'Antoni back in his Phoenix days, that immediately boosts the fantasy value of every player on that roster. This season, I'm particularly interested in how the Lakers' new coaching staff will utilize Anthony Davis - if they commit to running more offense through him, he could return to top-5 fantasy value. Similarly, when a team loses key players in free agency, it creates opportunities for remaining players to take on larger roles. I'm watching the Brooklyn situation carefully - if Kyrie Irving ends up elsewhere, that could mean a massive usage bump for Cam Thomas that makes him a tremendous value pick in later rounds.
One of my personal preferences that might be controversial: I tend to avoid players coming off significant injuries, regardless of how talented they are. I've been burned too many times by Kawhi Leonard's load management and Zion Williamson's various ailments. Last season, I passed on Kawhi in the second round despite his obvious talent, and while he did have some fantastic games when he played, his frequent absences would have destroyed my weekly matchups. Instead, I selected Pascal Siakam, who might not have the same ceiling but gave me 75 games of solid production. In fantasy basketball, availability might not be the best ability, but it's certainly up there.
The statistical approach I take involves creating my own projections rather than relying entirely on expert rankings. I spend about 20 hours each preseason building a model that factors in minutes projections, usage rates, team pace, and historical production. Last year, my model identified Jalen Brunson as a potential breakout candidate before most experts had him ranked highly, allowing me to snag him in the 6th round - he finished the season as a top-30 player. This season, I'm similarly high on players like Jalen Williams and Keegan Murray, who I believe are poised for significant jumps in their second years.
Draft day strategy is about more than just player selection - it's about understanding your league mates and anticipating their moves. In my experience, about 70% of fantasy managers reach for players they personally like rather than following value-based drafting principles. I use this to my advantage by identifying which players are likely to be overdrafted in my specific league. If I know my friend Mark always drafts Celtics players too early, I might let Jayson Tatum slide past his appropriate draft position, knowing I can probably get Jaylen Brown a round later than he should go. These small edges add up throughout the draft and can give you a significant advantage.
As we approach this season's fantasy drafts, I'm focusing on three key principles that have served me well: prioritize big men early due to position scarcity, balance risk throughout your roster rather than going all-in on one approach, and always have a backup plan for every pick. The volleyball example I mentioned earlier perfectly illustrates why flexibility matters - even dominant teams can be knocked off course by unexpected developments. In fantasy terms, this means having watch list players ready to add when injuries occur and being proactive rather than reactive on the waiver wire. The managers who adapt quickest to the changing landscape of the NBA season are the ones who end up holding the trophy at the end.
Heather Bolton Suber ’02
Leah Schnell ’01
Sarah Grimes Wiggins ’93
Dr. Ralph Swearngin
Point University will induct four members into the Athletics Hall of Fame during a luncheon on Friday, October 24, during Homecoming weekend.
The class of 2025 includes Leah Schnell ’01, Heather Bolton Suber ’02, Dr. Ralph Swearngin and Sarah Grimes Wiggins ’93. The Athletics Hall of Fame was launched in May 2024, when six inaugural members were inducted.
“We look forward to honoring the second Hall of Fame class during Homecoming,” said Jaunelle White, vice president of intercollegiate athletics and chief student development officer. “It’s always a great feeling to have our alumni back on campus mingling with our current student-athletes and coaches. These individuals were elite during their time at Atlanta Christian College and deserve to be recognized.”
Schnell attended Atlanta Christian College from 1998 to 2001, where she earned a degree in business while competing in both basketball and volleyball. On the basketball court, she earned First Team All-Conference, Scholar Athlete, and First Team All-American honors for three consecutive years. Schnell also held the title of all-time leading scorer from 1998-2001. She now thrives as a commercial construction project manager at Barnsley Construction Group and as an entrepreneur.
Suber, from Havana, Florida, attended ACC from 1998 to 2002. A dedicated two-sport athlete, she earned numerous accolades, including First Team All-Conference, Second Team All-Conference, Honorable Mention and First Team All-American. One of her most memorable achievements came when she made eleven three-pointers in a single game. Suber graduated with a degree in early childhood education and went on to earn a master’s degree in education and a specialist degree in instructional technology. For over 23 years, she has served as an educator.
Swearngin has had a distinguished career in education, athletics and ministry spanning several decades, including 20 years at ACC in roles such as professor, dean of students, athletics director and coach. He held national leadership positions with the NCCAA, served as a trustee of Point University for over 10 years, and worked extensively in ministry and education in California, earning degrees from Whittier College and Georgia State University. His athletic involvement includes 23 years as a high school football official in California and Georgia, 22 years with the Georgia High School Association — retiring as executive director in 2014 — and service on national football and softball rules committees. Honored with multiple Hall of Fame inductions and the Atlanta Falcons Lifetime Achievement Award, Swearngin has authored two books and remains active in retirement through preaching and leading Bible studies, alongside his wife of 58 years, Evelyn.
Wiggins grew up in Roswell, Georgia, where she began playing basketball at the age of ten. After two years at Florida State University, she transferred to ACC in 1990. While at ACC, Wiggins was named to the All-American team in both 1991 and 1992. In her final year, she led her team in scoring, helping them finish second in the nation, and was named national MVP in 1992. She earned a bachelor of science in elementary education in 1993 and later received a master’s degree in technology and media sciences from Georgia Southern University in 2009. For the past 33 years, Wiggins has worked as a dedicated educator. In 1997, she married Todd Wiggins. Together, they have two children, Preston, 26, and Logan, 22.
