Fantasy Basketball 2023: Wembanyama Takes Center Stage
Two weeks out from preseason, draft rooms are already forming, cheat sheets are being printed, and one thing is obvious from RotoWire’s latest top‑150 for category leagues: the game has changed.
Blocks rule. Percentages matter. And Victor Wembanyama has kicked the door in.
Round 1: Wemby storms the throne, Jokić holds the crown
Nikola Jokić still opens the board. He’s the safest investment in fantasy basketball: elite field-goal percentage on huge volume, positive from the line, 3s, top-tier rebounds and assists, with steals sprinkled in. There’s no weakness. Just a question of how you want to build around him.
But the conversation now starts with Victor Wembanyama. His blocks alone are a cheat code in category formats, and he layers them with 3s and boards in a way almost no one else can touch. If Jokić is the foundation, Wembanyama is the nuclear option.
Behind them, Shai Gilgeous-Alexander is far more valuable in category leagues than in points. Guards who shoot this efficiently from the field and the line, on heavy usage, with elite steals, simply don’t come around often. Luka Dončić follows with a twist: LeBron James leaving Los Angeles for Philadelphia hands him even more usage. The counting stats and 3-point volume scream first round, but the field-goal drag and league-leading turnovers are the tax.
Cade Cunningham, Jayson Tatum and Anthony Edwards shape the middle of the round. Cunningham brings big assists and strong rebounding from the guard spot, but you’ll need to stomach turnovers and shaky field-goal percentage. Tatum returns as Boston’s unquestioned No. 1 with Jaylen Brown gone, one of the cleanest all-around category profiles on the board. Edwards, now flanked by LaMelo Ball instead of Naz Reid and Julius Randle, should see better looks but fewer assists.
Then comes the classic puzzle: Giannis Antetokounmpo. In Miami, he still obliterates field-goal percentage, rebounds, steals and blocks, but the free-throw line and 3s almost force a punt build. Get that decision right and he plays above this rank.
Jalen Johnson’s all-court game — 20/10/6 with steals and blocks — pushes him into the back half of the first, though free throws, turnovers and durability pose questions. Tyrese Maxey’s 3s, free-throw strength and sneaky steals stay attractive, but the arrival of Jaylen Brown and LeBron in Philadelphia threatens his usage.
Cooper Flagg closes in on fantasy stardom after a standout rookie season in Dallas. He brings forward-eligible stocks (steals and blocks) with rising efficiency, and Kyrie Irving’s return should improve his shot quality. Tyrese Haliburton, off an Achilles injury, still offers an elite assist-to-turnover ratio, heavy 3s and pristine free-throw shooting, but now comes with more downside risk than in previous years.
Round 2–3: Old pillars, new homes, and the rise of the specialist
Round 2 opens with Scottie Barnes, the prototype category forward: steals, blocks, boards and assists. His free-throw issues and low 3-point volume remain a drag, and Kawhi Leonard’s arrival in Toronto dents his usage. Donovan Mitchell stays steady in Cleveland with 3s, free throws and better steals than he’s credited for, though James Harden caps his assists.
Karl-Anthony Towns, now in New York, remains a rare center who crushes free throws, shoots 3s and hauls in 12 boards, but offers little in blocks. Kevin Durant, at 38 and in Houston, still owns one of the cleanest efficiency lines in basketball, with 3s and about a block a night. The risk is rest, not production.
Stephen Curry is built for category leagues: outrageous 3-point volume, elite free-throw percentage, real steals. Age and games played push him into the second round. Jamal Murray’s role in Denver is rock solid — 3s, strong percentages, assists with manageable turnovers — while Alperen Sengun offers center-eligible assists, steals and field-goal percentage, offset by heavy turnovers and no 3s.
Amen Thompson is a build-defining pick. His steals, blocks and strong field-goal percentage from the wing are gold, but you’re punting 3s and free throws to roster him. Trae Young still delivers elite assists, 3s and free throws in Washington, with the usual field-goal and turnover headaches.
Austin Reaves takes on a bigger role with James gone from the Lakers, offering elite free-throw volume, 3s and secondary playmaking. LaMelo Ball brings top-tier 3s, steals and assists to Minnesota but remains a drain on field-goal percentage and turnovers, with health still a concern. Chet Holmgren closes Round 2 as a category archetype: blocks and 3s from a center, with good percentages and ordinary raw totals that matter less here.
Round 3 is where risk and reward start to blur. Josh Giddey in Chicago offers rebounds, assists and steals from the guard spot, with improved 3-point shooting and high turnovers as the cost. Harden, now in Cleveland, still piles up 3s, free throws, assists and steals, but demands a roster built to absorb poor field-goal percentage and giveaways.
Devin Booker’s down shooting year in Phoenix creates a discount; he remains the Suns’ primary creator with strong free-throw shooting, decent 3s and assists, and clear upside if the field-goal percentage normalizes.
Anthony Davis, now in Washington, played just 20 games last season. When he’s on the floor, he posts a first-round line: elite field-goal percentage, double-digit boards, blocks and steals. He’s the definition of a high-variance swing. Kawhi Leonard brings MVP-level two-way production when active, but a long injury history and Toronto’s depth give him every excuse to ease off.
Trey Murphy III emerges as a major category riser in New Orleans: high-volume 3s at a good clip, strong free throws, low turnovers. Evan Mobley offers blocks, steals and boards with usually strong field-goal percentage, his slide coming from last year’s shooting slump. Jalen Brunson remains a model of efficiency for a high-usage guard in New York, but offers little in defensive stats.
Domantas Sabonis continues to anchor Sacramento with field-goal percentage, massive rebounds and assists from the center spot, while turnovers and lack of blocks remain the holes. Derrick White’s rare 3s–blocks–steals combo, plus strong free throws and low turnovers, keeps him a signature asset even as his shot volume dips with Tatum and Paul George in Boston. Lauri Markkanen provides 3s, free throws and boards from a forward spot in Utah, though his low steals, blocks and assists cap his ceiling. Bam Adebayo rounds out the tier with a balanced center line in Miami, even if Giannis’ arrival may shave his boards while nudging up his 3s.
Rounds 4–6: Injury gambles, usage swings and format winners
Round 4 is where context starts to bite. Jalen Williams, still Oklahoma City’s No. 2 option, brings a balanced, efficient two-way line, assuming he’s past last season’s wrist and hamstring issues. Walker Kessler lands in Los Angeles, where Luka Dončić’s lobs should fuel elite field-goal percentage and traditional big-man stats.
Deni Avdija’s All-Star breakout in Portland delivered 3s, rebounds and playmaking from the forward spot, but his field-goal percentage and turnovers hurt, and the arrivals of Ja Morant and Damian Lillard threaten his touches. Kyrie Irving in Dallas becomes a category riser: elite shooting from both the field and the line, 3s, steals and extremely low turnovers for a high-usage guard, though he’s coming off an ACL tear at 34.
Jaren Jackson Jr. remains the archetype stretch shot-blocker in Utah, with 3s, blocks and a strong free-throw percentage for a big, offset by poor field-goal percentage and foul trouble. Jalen Duren in Detroit offers elite field-goal percentage and a nightly double-double, with improving free throws, thin blocks and no 3s. Brandon Miller steps into extra usage in Charlotte after the LaMelo trade, with 3-point volume as his main weapon, but his field-goal percentage must hold for the upside to land.
Jaylen Brown in Philadelphia should be the second scoring option behind Joel Embiid, especially with LeBron load-managed, but he remains more suited to points formats. Kon Knueppel, a second-year leap candidate in Charlotte, fits category leagues perfectly with efficient shooting and 3s, and will inherit some of the Hornets’ vacated usage. Onyeka Okongwu in Atlanta offers field-goal percentage, boards, blocks and now 3s from a 32-minute starter role. Desmond Bane and Paolo Banchero in Orlando sit at opposite ends of the category spectrum: Bane as a clean 3s, free-throw, steals and low-turnover asset; Banchero as a volume stat-stuffer weighed down by middling efficiency and heavy turnovers.
Round 5 leans into upside. Donovan Clingan in Portland brings blocks, field-goal percentage and a double-double baseline in limited minutes, with clear room to grow as the Blazers’ frontcourt clears. Nickeil Alexander-Walker’s Most Improved campaign in Atlanta came on a 3-and-D profile that shines in category leagues. Darius Garland, now the lead playmaker for the Clippers, offers free throws, 3s and assists, tempered by recent injuries.
Dejounte Murray returns from an Achilles tear to New Orleans with his signature steals, rebounds and assists from the guard spot. LeBron James in Philadelphia still threatens a triple-double on strong efficiency, but his minutes, role and availability at his age are now open questions. Pascal Siakam remains dependable in Indiana with good field-goal percentage, low turnovers and reliable steals, even as Haliburton’s return trims his possessions.
Keyonte George faces usage pressure in Utah after a breakout year. Dyson Daniels in Atlanta remains a steals specialist with solid field-goal percentage but no 3s and a weak free-throw line. OG Anunoby is once again a mid-round 3-and-D prize in New York, combining 3s, steals, blocks, good field-goal percentage and almost no turnovers. Rookie Cameron Boozer in Memphis is well-positioned for minutes but must fight the usual rookie inefficiency and turnover tax. Kel’el Ware in Milwaukee brings blocks, boards, field-goal percentage and some stretch shooting on a rebuilding team that should feed him minutes. Matas Buzelis in Chicago offers two-way stats from the forward spot after a sophomore breakout, with more room to grow.
Round 6 is where drafters must decide how much risk they can stomach. Joel Embiid, still elite in free throws, blocks and field-goal percentage, wins categories when he plays. Philadelphia’s upgrades might lower his minutes but reduce the need to push him. Franz Wagner in Orlando has 22/5/5 upside, but erratic free throws and 3s, plus injuries, create a discount.
Stephon Castle in San Antonio slides because his weaknesses — shooting efficiency and turnovers — are punished hardest in this format, even if his steals and assists help. Tyler Herro in Milwaukee becomes a high-usage lead playmaker with 3s and elite free throws, but minimal defensive stats and rising turnovers. Michael Porter Jr. in Brooklyn remains a clean category fit: high-volume 3s at a strong clip, good field-goal percentage, rebounds and very few turnovers, even if Julius Randle’s arrival costs him shots.
Ivica Zubac in Indiana delivers solid center stats with good looks from Haliburton, but limited shot-blocking keeps him in the middle rounds. Randle in Brooklyn brings rebounds, assists and strong free throws, with little defensive juice. Ryan Rollins, a breakout in Milwaukee last year with steals, 3s and efficiency, now faces a crowded rotation with Herro, Porter Jr. and Brayden Burries. Zach Edey in Memphis offers dominant per-minute boards, blocks and field-goal percentage; if he reaches 30 minutes, he crushes this price. De’Aaron Fox in San Antonio is a bounce-back candidate after injuries, though Castle and Dylan Harper will eat into his usage. Damian Lillard in Portland still offers elite free throws and 3s, but age, injuries and a crowded backcourt loom. Rudy Gobert’s volume has dipped in Minnesota, yet his durability and secure role keep him relevant.
Rounds 7–10: Volume vs value, and where category leagues diverge
By Round 7, the board is full of specialists and role certainty. Alex Sarr in Washington blends blocks and stretch shooting, but a reshaped roster squeezes his opportunities. Naz Reid should finally clear 30 minutes as a starting power forward in Charlotte, bringing 3s, blocks and strong field-goal percentage. Mikal Bridges, now in New York, remains the league’s iron man, adding 3s, steals, good field-goal percentage and almost no turnovers.
Paul George in Boston still translates beautifully to fantasy as a low-turnover 3-and-D wing who can create when needed, even as absences pile up. Brandon Ingram, now a top-two option with the Clippers, can deliver 25/5/5, but modest 3s and limited defensive stats hurt his category value. Jaden McDaniels in Minnesota offers steals, blocks and a solid field-goal percentage with improving 3s, and LaMelo’s presence should ease his looks.
Payton Pritchard in Boston rivals starters in 3-point volume, with strong free throws and almost no turnovers. Even with fewer shots after Tatum’s return and George’s arrival, his shooting categories remain intact. Ausar Thompson in Detroit is one of the best per-minute stocks producers in the league; if his workload grows, he smashes this price despite shooting concerns. Ja Morant, now in Portland and no longer the franchise centerpiece, carries role uncertainty and a worrying injury record. Immanuel Quickley in Toronto offers standard point-guard stats with a safe floor. Jarrett Allen’s minutes and production have slipped in Cleveland, but he’s still an efficient double-double threat. Zion Williamson tumbles in this format: elite field-goal percentage, but poor free throws, no 3s and heavy turnovers. Sixty-two games last year was a step forward, not a guarantee.
Round 8 leans into role clarity. VJ Edgecombe in Philadelphia brings steals and 3s from a sophomore with secure minutes, even if a usage spike is unlikely on a loaded roster. Coby White is the clear starting point guard in Charlotte with 3s and strong free throws. Myles Turner in Milwaukee remains a premium category center with blocks, 3s and good free throws, his ADP depressed by a rocky first year and an unsettled roster.
Dylan Harper in San Antonio flashed in the playoffs with steals and strong efficiency, but a crowded backcourt clouds his path. Ty Jerome’s pristine efficiency and 3s in limited games for Memphis make him a speculative play with minutes as the only real question. Jalen Suggs in Orlando is a defense-first guard whose steals and floor-general profile translate nicely if he can stay healthy.
Derik Queen in New Orleans played 81 games as a rookie, offering field-goal percentage, boards and passing from a big spot, weighed down by turnovers and a crowded frontcourt. Norman Powell brings back-to-back 20-point seasons on elite shooting splits that pop in category leagues. Caleb Wilson in Chicago is expected to start and play 30 minutes, with the tools to deliver steals and blocks, though rookie percentages will hurt. Josh Hart in New York remains a glue guy with rebounds, assists and steals from the wing, plus improved 3s but a weak free-throw line. Isaiah Hartenstein in Oklahoma City fills gaps with field-goal percentage, boards, assists and steals from center, limited mainly by calf issues and depth. Nicolas Claxton in Chicago offers elite field-goal percentage, blocks and steals, but brutal free throws and no 3s. Chicago acquired him to play him, which is the bullish case.
Round 9: Where drafters hunt for overlooked edges
Jabari Smith Jr. in Houston faces a ceiling squeeze behind Durant, Sengun, Amen Thompson and Fred VanVleet, but his floor as a role player is solid. AJ Dybantsa, the No. 1 pick in Washington, slides on efficiency concerns and usage competition with Trae Young and Johnny Davis. Day’Ron Sharpe in Brooklyn projects to start at center with elite rebounding, efficient scoring and useful steals, though free throws and historical minutes caps are real risks.
Miles Bridges in Phoenix offers 3s and free throws from a secure starting forward spot, but thin defensive stats and a modest role. Ayo Dosunmu in Minnesota brings good field-goal percentage, steals, scoring and assists in an expanded role that earned him a five-year deal. Andrew Wiggins in Miami quietly contributes 3s, steals, blocks and a solid field-goal percentage as the third option behind Giannis and Adebayo. Collin Murray-Boyles in Toronto offers steals, blocks and strong field-goal percentage from a versatile forward, but no 3s, shaky free throws and unclear minutes. VanVleet in Houston still supplies 3s, free throws, steals and assists, though he’s now a 32-year-old guard off an ACL tear in a crowded backcourt.
Keegan Murray in Sacramento gives you 3s, a decent field-goal percentage, blocks and extremely low turnovers, coming off an injury-hit 23-game season. A healthy year on a rebuilding Kings team should bring volume. Cedric Coward in Memphis is a sophomore breakout candidate with efficient 3s and steals. Kristaps Porziņģis in Golden State will obliterate this ranking on a per-game basis but has only cleared 65 games twice. John Collins in Detroit steps into Tobias Harris’ old role, with more minutes and touches than he saw with the Clippers.
Round 10: All about late-round leverage
Neemias Queta in Boston brings field-goal percentage, boards and blocks after a breakout year, now sharing the role with Mitchell Robinson. Kevin Porter Jr. in Milwaukee offers assists and 3s with career-best numbers, but Herro, Burries and Rollins crowd his path. Khaman Maluach in Phoenix has a real shot at the starting job while Mark Williams is out, with a plausible double-double and two blocks outcome.
Toumani Camara in Portland rises sharply with steals, blocks, 3s and solid field-goal percentage from a starting 3-and-D forward slot. Darryn Peterson in Utah, the No. 2 pick, will start at shooting guard and get volume, but on a revamped roster his ceiling is uncertain; his reliable 3-pointer keeps his floor high. Ajay Mitchell and Cason Wallace in Oklahoma City headline the Thunder’s depth: Mitchell as an efficient sixth man with starter upside, Wallace as a steals-and-3s specialist with strong field-goal percentage and minimal turnovers. Zach LaVine in Sacramento could lead the team in scoring if healthy, but has missed 108 games in three years and remains a trade candidate.
Peyton Watson in Cleveland becomes a starting 3-and-D wing whose usage will be thin but whose categories don’t need much volume. CJ McCollum in Atlanta is steady: 3s, strong percentages, low turnovers in a defined role. Brandin Podziemski in Golden State steps into a larger offensive share behind Curry, with well-rounded numbers from the shooting guard spot. Jalen Green, now in Phoenix, falls hard in this format: streaky scoring on poor field-goal percentage with little defensive production.
Rounds 11–13: Deep cuts, pure specialists and the late-round swing
By Round 11, every pick is either a specialist or a bet on chaos. Jusuf Nurkić in Utah provides rebounds and assists from center and likely starts with Kessler gone, but may not close and has struggled to stay healthy. Kyshawn George in Washington is a Year 2 two-way breakout facing a busier roster. RJ Barrett in Toronto scores 20 a night, but weak free throws, few 3s and no defensive stats make him a poor fit for this format.
Jaime Jaquez Jr. in Milwaukee offers a well-rounded offensive line with a strong path to forward minutes, limited only by low 3s. Jakob Poeltl in Toronto remains a quality big with traditional stats, though back issues capped him at 46 games and 25 minutes last year. Egor Dëmin in Brooklyn brings 3s and assists as a rookie, but poor interior finishing drags his field-goal percentage down, and he sits behind Mikel Brown Jr., Randle and Porter Jr. in the pecking order.
Reed Sheppard in Houston sees his path narrowed by Marcus Smart’s arrival and VanVleet’s return, but his stat profile fits category leagues when he plays. Maxime Raynaud in Sacramento ended last season well but is stuck behind a healthy Sabonis. Saddiq Bey in New Orleans just signed a new deal after a career year, yet faces a crowded depth chart. Sandro Mamukelashvili in Los Angeles could carve out sixth-man upside on a Lakers team thin in the frontcourt. Anthony Black in Orlando broke out last season, but with the Magic healthy, his minutes and touches aren’t guaranteed. Darius Acuff Jr. in Sacramento will start as a rookie point guard on a rebuilding team, with turnovers and field-goal percentage making him more attractive in points formats than here.
Round 12 turns to niche value. Jeremiah Fears in New Orleans is a microwave scorer whose role shrinks with Dejounte Murray back and Bennedict Mathurin arriving. Andrew Nembhard in Indiana showed his ceiling — 16.9 points and 7.7 assists — when Haliburton sat; that’s the upside, not the expectation. P.J. Washington in Dallas offers 3s, steals and blocks with seven boards a night, though a crowded frontcourt adds risk.
Ace Bailey in Utah brings bench scoring on a reloaded roster with an unclear role. DeMar DeRozan in Denver slides into a sixth-man lane with elite free throws, strong field-goal percentage and very low turnovers taking clean looks from Jokić. Tari Eason in Houston remains one of the best per-minute stocks-and-boards players in the league, stuck behind a deep rotation. Davion Mitchell in Miami offers assists with almost no turnovers and improved 3s, making him more valuable here than his counting stats suggest.
Collin Gillespie in Phoenix is a 3s, free-throw and low-turnover specialist likely coming off the bench but still moving categories. Aaron Gordon in Denver brings field-goal percentage and growing 3s in a safe role next to Jokić and Murray, with injuries as the main concern. Paul Reed in Detroit is one of the league’s most productive per-minute bigs, backing up Jalen Duren. Tre Jones in Chicago is an assists-and-steals specialist whose role spiked when Giddey was hurt, but is now less clear. Devin Vassell in San Antonio offers late-round 3s, free throws, steals and low turnovers, though his usage is trending down on a rising roster.
Round 13 is for the brave. Christian Braun in Denver should again see 30-plus minutes next to Jokić, but last year’s across-the-board regression, partly injury-driven, leaves his projection hazy. Quentin Grimes in Los Angeles offers 3s, free throws and steals as a release valve for Dončić and Reaves, with upside if he locks down the third-option role.
Yaxel Lendeborg in Golden State, a rookie with a chance to start, fits the Warriors’ two-way identity. Jrue Holiday in Portland stays relevant as a 36-year-old on the strength of steals, 3s, free throws and low turnovers, even as his scoring fades and Morant and Lillard sit ahead of him. Cameron Johnson in Denver saw his counting stats collapse while his shooting held; that profile plays better here than in points leagues. Pelle Larsson in Miami flashed upside last season and steps into a team desperate for offensive jolts.
Draft boards will move. Roles will change. Injuries will rewrite plans. But the shape of this top 150 is clear: stocks and percentages are king, punt builds are no longer optional, and the managers who understand that this is Wembanyama’s world now are the ones most likely to own their leagues by spring.
