The countdown to the NBA season continues this month with fantasy managers doing their best to try to anticipate what to expect. The forward position has the potential to be deeper than it has been in years so we took the time to break down the best of the best from a fantasy perspective. Here is a look at the top five fantasy forwards heading in to the 2016-17 NBA season.
Anthony Davis, New Orleans Pelicans
Davis failed to live up to the massive expectations that were set for him following his incredible 2015-16 season but his numbers last year were still good enough to warrant him holding down the top spot on this list. Davis averaged 24.3 points, 10.3 rebounds, 1.9 assists, 2.0 blocks and 1.3 steals over 61 games played last season. At 23-years-old, Davis is still the premier fantasy forward in the NBA and as long as he can stay healthy he should contend for the title of top fantasy performer regardless of position this season.
Kevin Durant, Golden State Warriors
Durant has the pure talent to be the top forward on this list but the biggest concern managers will have from a fantasy perspective is the impact a move to the Warriors will have on his individual production. Durant averaged 28.2 points, 8.2 rebounds and 5.0 assists as part of the Oklahoma City Thunder’s 1-2 punch with Russell Westbrook but his numbers could take a hit now that he has to share the rock with multiple stars in Golden State. Stephen Curry, Klay Thompson and Draymond Green will all want their touches and that should mean Durant’s fantasy stock could take a hit with the Warriors.
Kawhi Leonard, San Antonio Spurs
Leonard has the all-around ability to be among the top-three fantasy forwards in the NBA this season. The reigning NBA Defensive Player of the Year averaged 21.2 points, 6.8 rebounds, 2.6 assists, 1.8 three-point shots, 1.8 steals and 1.0 blocks per game while shooting 50.6-percent from the field last season. You have to love the fact that Leonard got stronger as the season progressed. For starters, he played two minutes more per game after the All-Star break, playing as high as 38.2 minutes per contest in April. He averaged 20.2 points, 6.7 rebounds, 2.5 assists, 1.8 threes, 1.8 steals and 0.9 blocks before the All-Star game, but those numbers – almost all across the board – improved after the break. He averaged 23.4 points, 7.2 rebounds, 2.9 assists, 1.8 threes, 1.8 steals and 1.2 blocks. That’s about as much of a stat-stuffing forward as you’ll find in fantasy basketball.
Now he will take on an even bigger role both on and off the floor following the retirement of Tim Duncan. Leonard’s offensive numbers should continue to improve this coming season as a top fantasy forward. Remember that this is a guy who is still just 25 years old and is entering his sixth year in the NBA. This will be his prime in the coming years and that’s why you want to own him.
LeBron James, Cleveland Cavaliers
LeBron capped off his legacy by bringing an NBA championship to Cleveland in 2016. What will he have in store for an encore? There is no doubt about his incredible ability but LeBron will turn 32-years-old this summer and his focus has shifted from bringing a title to Cleveland to winning multiple titles with the Cavaliers. That could impact his fantasy statistics if the trend of him becoming more passive during the regular season continues. LeBron still averaged 25.3 points, 7.4 rebounds and 6.8 assists per game last season so don’t expect him to slip from the top-five fantasy forwards in the NBA.
Paul George, Indiana Pacers
Jimmy Butler of the Chicago Bulls and Giannis Antetokounmpo of the Milwaukee Bucks both received consideration for the final spot on this list but ultimately we decided to roll with George. PG13 led the Pacers with 23.1 points, 7.0 rebounds and 4.1 assists per game last season and his numbers picked up big time in the playoffs when he averaged 27.3 points, 7.0 rebounds and 6.6 assists in a first round series against the Toronto Raptors. Now two years removed from the devastating knee injury that forced him to miss the entire 2014-15 season, George is primed to return to the mix of elite fantasy forwards in the NBA.
