Advanced metrics in basketball can serve a number of different purposes but for fantasy general managers, it can be a unique tool if used right. Nobody needs to be convinced it’s worth taking Stephen Curry early on in fantasy leagues but they might not realize the high potential for other players to enjoy breakout seasons based on the numbers that people don’t seem to talk about nearly enough.
Enter usage rate: it’s the number of possessions that a player is used per 40 minutes. In other words, it measure how big a part of the plans a player is. The more they’re used, the more they’re likely to compile fantasy points. It’s an advance metric that tells you much more than just minutes played.
On that note, here is a look at some young NBA players with highest usage rates that might be worth taking a flier on in basketball fantasy leagues.
Anthony Davis, New Orleans Pelicans
Everybody understands how dangerous Davis is after a couple of incredible seasons for the Pelicans but the reality is that the superstar center still hasn’t reached his maximum potential. Davis is still just 22 years old and with his elite combination of size and skill –das well as his improved basketball IQ and experience at the NBA level – he could be poised for the best year of his career.
Consider that Davis had a 29.1 usage rate in 22 games following the All-Star break and averaged 24.0 points, 10.0 rebounds, 3.4 blocks and 3.0 assists. Similar numbers or better can be expected of Davis this year. Remember that new head coach Alvin Gentry is an offensive mind and wants to get more out of Davis – including more three-point attempts.
Look for him to put together another dominant season as a true superstar in New Orleans.
Kyrie Irving, Cleveland Cavaliers
Irving is on track to be back at full strength at the start of this season and he could be poised for another big year. He had a 28.2 usage rate last year and really seemed to get more comfortable playing with LeBron James as the season went on. Irving averaged 21.7 points, 5.2 assists and 3.2 rebounds per game last season and at 23 years old, he could be poised to put up even better numbers this year. It’s hard to fathom that he’s still just 23.
He’s a player that is on the rise still and as long as he stays healthy, he is going to be a fantasy giant this season.
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Jordan Clarkson, Los Angeles Lakers
The Lakers used their first round pick on D’Angelo Russell but there has already been talk that it will be Jordan Clarkson starting at the point guard position this season after he exceeded all expectations as a rookie a year ago. It took a while for Clarkson to get going but he broke out in the second half when his usage rate really went up. It won’t surprise anybody if he continues to progress this year.
Clarkson averaged 16.7 points, 5.4 assists and 4.6 rebounds in 28 games after the All-Star break last year and could be a hidden gem that goes in the later rounds of fantasy basketball drafts this season. Everyone is assuming there’s no role for him in the Lakers backcourt but this is a team that’s short on talent. They’ll find ways to get him on the court – including starting him right off the bat.
Andre Drummond, Detroit Pistons
Drummond’s usage rate was already pretty high down the stretch last year and the fact that Detroit traded Greg Monroe to the Milwaukee Bucks will only give him more of an opportunity to put up big numbers. Drummond averaged 13.8 points, 13.5 rebounds and 1.9 blocks per game last season and his numbers could be poised to improve across the board. It’s easy to forget that the 2012 first round pick is still only 22 years old but Drummond should be a player on every fantasy GM’s early radar as a pick with the potential for a massive season.
