Mikey O Knows – Top 10 Bold Predictions (thinks) for the 2020-21 Fantasy Basketball Season
Wow! I cannot believe the NBA season is finally back. Tip-off is set for tomorrow with Kevin Durant’s return to action and LeBron James raising the banner. What more could we ask for!?
Well, how about some bold predictions! Fantasy drafts are wrapping up tonight so here are few players to circle and avoid if you’re feeling lucky! And in the spirit of one of my favorite writers Peter King, here’s my ode to King with my own version of 10 things I think I think for the 2020-21 fantasy basketball season. Hope you enjoy!
What?! You’re not hosting your fantasy basketball league on Fantrax? Inconceivable! Check out all the features of Fantrax Fantasy Basketball Commissioner and we’re pretty sure you’ll come around to our way of thinking.
Top 10 Bold Predictions (thinks) for 2020-21
1. I think Luka Doncic will finish as the No.1 fantasy player in basketball and win MVP.
Okay, not that bold? For the most part, Doncic rankings have varied across sites from the 3-8 range but never the 1 spot!? Don’t be afraid. There’s a reason why I like Josh Richardson this season. There’s nobody else there! 30/10/10 is a real possibility and that first MVP trophy is in sight.
2. I think Zion Williamson reaches his superstar hype and finishes in the top-12 this year.
Zion’s stardom took center stage in his last preseason game racking up 31 points and 9 rebounds. Williamson had a restriction limit last season and still led the team in usage rate. The restrictions are now gone, and the ship is ready for take-off.
3. I think Shai Gilgeous-Alexander will get MVP consideration and finish inside the top-10 in fantasy.
The Thunder need to change their acronym from OKC this year to SGA because it’s going to be a one-man show. His 24.4 points, 9.8 rebounds, and 8.8 assists average without Chris Paul and Gallinari were insane and I think he gets super close to matching those numbers this season. Or maybe Hamidou Diallo and Luguentz Dort will rack up the points this season… Yeah, I’ll stick with the top-10 prediction.
4. I think Jimmy Butler finishes outside the top-50.
People tend to have recency bias and remember Jimmy Butler dominating the NBA playoffs and his current ADP sits around 19. Butler averaged just 16 PPG in March last year and is going to be racking up the DNP’s thanks to his 10-week offseason. Hard pass for me.
5. I think Christian Wood becomes an All-Star this season and finishes top-10 in rebounds and in the top-10 amongst power forwards and centers.
After the pistons traded away Andre Drummond last season, Wood averaged 22.3 points and 9.5 rebounds per-game. The Rockets are a much more offensively efficient team than Detroit and Wood is going to reap the rewards being the no.2 option in Houston this year. We all saw Clint Capela breakout with the Rockets recently. Houston, prepare for take-off.
6. Speaking of Clint Capela… I think he finishes outside the top-100 in fantasy rankings this year.
Not due to skill but the depth on the Atlanta Hawks roster. It will be too hard to keep up his current ADP in the high 40s with Trae Young, John Collins, Danilo Gallinari, and others like Reddish, Rondo, Hunter, and Okongwu chipping in. Too many hawks to feed in Georgia.
7. I think Coby White is one of the next biggest breakout stars and cracks the top-30 in fantasy.
White already showed he belongs averaging over 26 PPG in his final 9 games last year in his rookie season. White looked like he was in prime form the other night in preseason dropping 18 points in the 3rd White’s sophomore season will trump Derrick Rose’s second year with the Bulls and will put Chicago back on the map and in the playoff mix.
8. I think Thomas Bryant is the big-man that finishes in the top-40 and not Mitchell Robinson.
Bryant finally looking healthy has been a beast in the preseason for the Wizards and is even knocking down three-pointers. Robinson finds himself in a crowded frontcourt in New York. No thanks
9. I think Immanuel Quickley becomes the Knicks starting point guard well…rather quickly.
The Knicks acquired Quickley on draft night and the 21-year-old broke out scoring 22 points while adding 5 assists and 5 steals during preseason action. Frank Ntilikina and Dennis Smith Jr have proven not to be the future at point guard so in what figures to be another lost season for New York I suspect Quickley will be given the keys to the guard duties. Reach on the SEC player of the year.
10. I think Aron Baynes cracks the top-50 in fantasy and is named Lord of Winterfell and Warden of the North.
Baynes was great last season starting for the Phoenix Suns and finished off March averaging 22.7 points and 8.3 rebounds without Deandre Ayton. Gone is Ibaka and Gasol. Bayne is the starting Center for the Raptors. Draft away Aron of House Stark.
*Honorable Mention
11. I think 2021 might get off to a slow start but will be a much better year than 2020.
It’s been great interacting with you all over Twitter and other platforms so let’s keep the discussions going for what is set to be a great fantasy basketball season.
Let’s all stay safe, make some friendly wagers and watch some basketball… Oh baby!
If you’re on board with these 6 deep sleepers, you’ll also want to check out Mike’s 2020-21 Fantasy Basketball Rankings and also the rest of our Fantasy Basketball content.
Fantrax was one of the fastest-growing fantasy sites of 2019 and we’re not letting our foot off the pedal now! With multi-team trades, designated commissioner/league managers, and drag/drop easy click methods, Fantrax is sure to excite the serious fantasy sports fan – sign up now for a free year at Fantrax.com.
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