Леброн Жэймс Филадельфи-76-д нэгдлээ

An early, post-Summer League top-50 fantasy basketball draft rankings offers an updated perspective for 9-category formats. We also have news finally that LeBron James is joining the 76ers after a drawn-out process. Now that LeBron has a landing spot, let’s go over my early draft rankings.

Top 10

1. Victor Wembanyama, SAS – F/C

2. Nikola Jokić, DEN – C

3. Luka Dončić, LAL – G

4. Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, OKC – G

5. Cade Cunningham, DET – G

6. Tyrese Maxey, PHI – G

7. Anthony Edwards, MIN – G/F

8. Jayson Tatum, BOS – F

9. Jalen Johnson, ATL – F

10. Scottie Barnes, TOR – G/F

Many will have Jokić as the 1.01, but it’s Wemby’s time. Luka and SGA are interchangeable at No. 3. Cunningham’s turnovers can be frustrating, but he’s a stat-stuffer on both ends and can lead the league in assists. Maxey’s usage will take a slight hit with Jaylen Brown and James in the fold, but expect his efficiency to improve.

Tatum makes his return to the top 10, as he should be ready to go for a full season. Young bucks Jalen Johnson and Scottie Barnes’ versatility earns them late first-round validity — Johnson finished 13th in 9-cat last season.

11–20

11. Jamal Murray, DEN – G

12. Donovan Mitchell, CLE – G

13. Tyrese Haliburton, IND – G

14. Giannis Antetokounmpo, MIA – F/C

15. Cooper Flagg, DAL – G/F

16. Kevin Durant, HOU – G/F

17. Chet Holmgren, OKC – F/C

18. Austin Reaves, LAL – G/F

19. Karl-Anthony Towns, NYK – F/C

20. Kawhi Leonard, LAC – F

Giannis lands in the second round because of his poor free-throw shooting and lack of 3s require too much work around. Now, if we’re talking points leagues, he’s a top-five player. Cooper Flagg ranks high, expect a big sophomore leap. He can literally do it all.

Haliburton is returning from an Achilles tear. I’d still proceed with some caution — though he should produce plenty of counting stats even if he misses games due to load management. Holmgren will have his best season to date, while Reaves gets to feast on usage post-LeBron.

KAT and Kawhi are both efficiency-driven, productive assets. Keep an ear out for any news regarding penalizing Leonard for his alleged cap circumvention investigation with the Clippers.

21–30

21. Josh Giddey, CHI – G/F

22. LaMelo Ball, MIN – G

23. Jalen Brunson, NYK – G

24. Trae Young, WAS – G

25. Stephen Curry, GSW – G

26. Lauri Markkanen, UTA – F

27. Derrick White, BOS – G

28. Bam Adebayo, MIA – F/C

29. James Harden, FA – G

30. Deni Avdija, POR – G/F

I expect the third round to be pretty guard-heavy. Giddey and Ball offer multi-cat upside at the point, while I anticipate strong bounce-backs from Young and Curry, who were both limited by injuries last season. Brunson is recovering from offseason wrist surgery, but the King of New York should be cleared by the preseason. Markkanen was eighth in per-game value in 9-cat last year. However, he only played in 42 games. He’ll play in far more this upcoming season with the Jazz finally looking to compete. An uptick in 3s could be coming for Adebayo along with his steady dose of double-doubles and stocks.

Harden’s usage and efficiency slipped in Cleveland — where he is expected to return — still useful, but no longer a top-15 lock. Avdija’s assists will take a hit with Ja Morant and DamianLillard back in the fold, but he should remain Portland’s top offensive option.

31–40

31. Jaren Jackson Jr., UTH – F/C

32. Trey Murphy III, NOR – G/F

33. Jalen Duren, DET – C

34. Devin Booker, PHO – G

35. Alperen Şengün, HOU – F/C

36. Amen Thompson, HOU – G/F

37. Pascal Siakam, IND – F/C

38. Evan Mobley, CLE – F/C

39. Brandon Miller, CHA – G/F

40. Jalen Williams, OKC – G/F

A deep, position-flexible tier that gives me some pause. JJJ is in a good spot to showcase his two-way ability. He just needs to rebound more. Mobley is a bit overrated, while Şengün and Amen Thompson offer rare stat-sheet variety for their size but still have holes in their games. Şengün’s issue is turnovers and poor free-throw shooting and Amen can’t shoot beyond 10 feet consistently. Good thing they got the best shooting coach in the game now. Trey Murphy III has a new head coach in Jamahl Mosley, who doesn’t exactly know how to enhance the team’s best players. I’m not out on him, but I’m somewhat hesitant.

Duren’s contract situation could impact his play. Let’s hope not — seems like the Pistons are playing with fire. Booker’s scoring and assists keep him in the top 35. That said, I’m not looking to draft him. Siakam remains a steady all-around option in Indiana and gets a bump with Haliburton returning. Brandon Miller’s about to go off, while Jalen Williams is ripe for a rebound campaign. Injuries crushed his confidence and ability last year.

41–50

41. Desmond Bane, ORL – G/F

42. Kon Knueppel, CHA – G/F

43. Nickeil Alexander-Walker, ATL – G/F

44. Keyonte George, UTA – G

45. Walker Kessler, LAL – C

46. Domantas Sabonis, SAC – F/C

47. Jaylen Brown, PHI – G/F

48. Kyrie Irving, DAL – G

49. LeBron James, PHI – F

50. Anthony Davis, WAS – F/C

The biggest risers into the top-50 crew are Kon Knueppel and Keyonte George. It may seem early, but I’d rather be early than late. These guys are going to ball. Kessler joining the Lakers will be great for his fantasy stock. Imagine how many easy conversions he’ll get playing as the roll-man for Luka and Reaves, plus he’s one of the best rim protectors in the game. I doubt the Kings will get rid of Sabonis, so he’ll have at least one year left of top-50 appeal as one of the best passing bigs and triple-double threats.

I’m trusting that a year off allowed Kyrie’s ACL to fully heal, in which case, he’s in a great position to cook with the Mavs lacking any true scorers or playmakers beyond Flagg.

Let’s close by turning our attention to LeBron and Brown. All the stars in Philadelphia will take a usage hit. However, I don’t anticipate LeBron being too far off from his final season in L.A. — 20-6-7. I could also see a world where he’s among the top assist generators in the league with a slight downtick in scoring.

While Brown is still going to provide buckets, rebounds and steals, he’ll likely be overdrafted in 9-cat leagues relative to his performance, but is a top-30 player for points leagues.