With the NBA fantasy season coming to an end, some managers have already turned their attention to next season and identified certain players that they want to have on their teams for next season. The majority of fantasy basketball leagues rely heavily on guard play as they tend to put up the highest scoring, assists and percentage numbers and when it comes to the best of the best they can do it all. We’ve seen a bit of a changing of the guard in recent years but these are now the top point guards you’ll want to target:
Russell Westbrook – Oklahoma City Thunder
No other NBA player that has recorded nine triple-doubles this season. That makes the fact that Westbrook has done it in just 57 games – after missing time with injuries – that much more impressive. Westbrook leads the NBA with 27.3 points per game this season but it’s just as impressive that he has filled all of the other categories as well, averaging 8.7 assists, 7.1 rebounds and 2.2 steals per game. Critics will point to Westbrook’s erratic turnover numbers from time to time as well as whether his playing style will allow him to stay healthy for a full season, but a healthy Westbrook playing to his potential with the reigning MVP Kevin Durant back at full strength next to him will be the best option on the board.
Stephen Curry – Golden State Warriors
If Westbrook is No. 1 on this list then Curry has to be No. 1a as he has all of the tools to be the league’s most productive fantasy point guard next season. Curry’s overall production is a little lower than Westbrook’s this season in big part because he has more help around him and has been able to sit out a ridiculous 16 different fourth quarters in which the Warriors had already built an insurmountable lead. Curry still ranks behind only Westbrook in terms of pure production with 23.4 points, 7.9 assists and 4.3 rebounds per game this season. It’s also worth noting that he has averaged 2.2 steals and 3.4 3-point shots per game and his .914 free throw percentage leads the NBA.
Kyrie Irving – Cleveland Cavaliers
Year One of the LeBron return has helped Irving become an elite fantasy point guard as he has averaged 21.9 points, 5.2 rebounds and 3.2 assists per game this season. The Cavaliers offense has stepped up big time after a slow start to the season and they will only get better as they continue to develop their chemistry. Irving will be a major beneficiary of the talent around him especially if Kevin Love stays in Cleveland and LeBron James stays healthy. He may not have the same raw talent as Westbrook or Curry, but numbers never lie and Irving is in the perfect fantasy situation with the Cavaliers.
Chris Paul – Los Angeles Clippers
Paul leads the association in assists with 10.2 per game this season even while playing a chunk of the season without Blake Griffin in the lineup. He’s still averaging 18.7 points with 4.7 to continue his trend of being a perennial lock to rank in the top five. Paul has shown flashes of taking the Clippers on his back with a couple of 30-point games down the stretch and as the primary ball handler in Los Angeles, he will continue to put up elite numbers through the next few seasons.
Damian Lillard – Portland Trail Blazers
Lillard has climbed the ranks of the elite fantasy point guards throughout his young career and his averages are proof that he belongs in this conversation. He has averaged 21.4 points, 6.3 assists and 4.8 rebounds per game this season. Lillard is the type of player that will contribute in terms of both three-point shooting and steals as well and should continue to raise his stock as he gains experience as a rising star on this list in Portland. John Wall and Jeff Teague also gain consideration on this list but Lillard is younger than both and his potential to transform in to a legitimate superstar next year is higher.
Next In Line: John Wall, Washington Wizards; Jeff Teague, Atlanta Hawks; Kyle Lowry, Toronto Raptors
