👉 TAP TO SAVE 30% WITH CODE NEW
X
Lost password?

Don't have an account?
Gain Access Now

X

Receive free daily analysis

NFL
NBA
NHL
NASCAR
CFB
MLB
MMA
PGA
ESPORTS
BETTING

Already have an account? Log In

X

Forgot Password


POPULAR FANTASY TOOLS

Expert Advice
Articles & Tools
Import Your Leagues
Draft Rankings
Draft Simulator
Enter League Settings
Compare Any Players
Rookies & Call-Ups
24x7 News and Alerts

Fantasy Basketball Tiered Rankings - Power Forwards

The 2015-2016 NBA season ended on June 19th and the start of the 2016-2017 NBA regular season is a decent ways away on October 25th. Since the end of the NBA season rookies have been drafted, newcomers squared off and competed for roster spots in the NBA Summer League, and there was a mad dash to sign valuable free agents by every single team in the league.

So here we stand, looking at the beginning of a new Fantasy Basketball season on the distant horizon, wondering what to make of all the roster changes and power shifts. To make sure that none of us are caught off guard and unprepared because of distractions in the sports world like the NFL and the World Series, let's rank the top 20 players for Fantasy Basketball by all five positions and break down the top 20 by tiers of value.

Today, we focus on our 2016-17 tiered fantasy basketball rankings for NBA power forwards.

Featured Promo: New Novig users get a $25 purchase match (50% discount up to $25) on your first Novig deposit, and 6 free months of RotoBaller's "Big-4" Premium Pass (NBA, NFL, MLB, NHL) which includes exclusive tools for Betting, Props, DFS and more! CLAIM IT NOW

Editor's Note: All players on this list are eligible at PF in Yahoo! leagues.  Many may be eligible at other positions, but they are only ranked here in the tiered rankings.

 

First Tier Power Forwards - Fantasy Basketball Rankings

1. Paul Millsap, ATL

2. Anthony Davis, NOR

Now that players are growing up focusing on athleticism, shooting, and ball handling, we are seeing a very diverse skill set throughout the upper echelon of NBA power forwards. Paul Millsap and Anthony Davis are clearly the best of the best at PF, and they offer different kinds of production along with their own risks/rewards.

Millsap has been an All-Star the last three seasons, has hit big peaks in assists; steals; blocks; and rebounds, has continued to score 17 per night even at 31 years old, and has shot 34.4% from distance in his time as a Hawk. Since his rookie season Anthony Davis has averaged 23.1 points, 2.6 blocks, 1.4 steals, and 10.2 boards per game. He also shot 32.4% for 3PT shots last year after shooting just 11% total for his first three seasons.

The only drawback to Davis is health. He averages 65 games per year and last year had a career low 61. Though if there is a candidate for a quadruple-double in the NBA, my money is on him. With his young age and still-budding skill set, he offers a far higher ceiling than Millsap does, especially since Millsap is 31. However with Al Horford now a Boston Celtic, there may be a really wide-open gap for rebounds in Atlanta.

 

Second Tier Power Forwards - Fantasy Basketball Rankings

3. Pau Gasol, SAS

4. Blake Griffin, LAC

5. Derrick Favors, UTA

6. LaMarcus Aldridge, SAS

Maybe Blake Griffin could even stay in the top five all season as long as he doesn't get in anymore equipment related altercations. The power forwards in this 4-7 range are more traditional type players, in that, they mostly prefer to score from inside, they rebound aggressively, and they all are pretty effective on defense in one way or another.

Gasol is a safer bet because of his track record, but any of these guys should make any Fantasy Basketball Manager happy to have.

 

Third Tier Power Forwards - Fantasy Basketball Rankings

7. Kevin Love, CLE

8. Kristaps Porzingis, NYK

9. Greg Monroe, MIL

10. Serge Ibaka, ORL

11. Tobias Harris, DET

12. Nerlens Noel, PHI

13. Kenneth Faried, DEN

If the players in the 8-13 range just had one more category that stuck out, then they would all have a case for the top five. Unfortunately, while these players demonstrate a lot of talent in their areas of expertise, they have some glaring gaps that make them less desirable for Fantasy Basketball Managers.

Love can rebound, score, and shoot. Ibaka can block, rebound, and has improved his shooting. Faried is a rebounding monster, Greg Monroe is a quiet double-double guy, and Tobias Harris is sneaky well-rounded. Guys like this can be hard to own because of their high ADP but they have the gaps that the immediate tier above them do not have. I would love to keep believing in Nerlens Noel, but there are just so many young big guys on the 76ers roster that it brings up a lot of uncertainty as to what his future role is.

 

Fourth Tier Power Forwards - Fantasy Basketball Rankings

14. Dirk Nowitzki, DAL

15. Myles Turner, IND

16. Robert Covington, PHI

There is really no theme for this tier, they just aren't able to do what the 13 guys above them can do, or at least not anymore in Dirk's case. Dirk is getting old but he is still one of the best shooters in basketball history. That means he should continue to score at an efficient rate. He is also still tall, so an adequate rate of rebounds should continue. Myles Turner averaged 10.3 points, 5.5 rebounds, and 1.4 blocks in his rookie year in a meager 22.3 minutes each game.

Per 36 minutes that is equivalent to 16.3 points, 8.7 rebounds, and 2.3 blocks. He probably won't be on the floor for 36 minutes each game, but after his successful rookie campaign his playing time should increase by a big margin. Robert Covington has been a versatile defensive specialist the past two years in Philly and shot 36.3% from distance. The big problem is that the 76ers drafted Ben Simmons and have a big slew of talented young players to kick start their rebuild. That might mean Covington's days of ample playing time are cooked.

 

Fifth Tier Power Forwards - Fantasy Basketball Rankings

18. Chris Bosh, MIA

19. Aaron Gordon, ORL

20. Julius Randle, LAL

This fifth tier is actually a little more well-rounded than the fourth tier, they just have more question marks. For instance, how much more valuable would Julius Randle be if he could block at least a shot a game and could pop out to hit three pointers more often and at a better rate than 27.8%? We all can see that Aaron Gordon would have more statistical production with more playing time, but will he get more playing time this year? And will it be enough? At 32 years old, when will Chris Bosh's play start to steeply diminish?

 

POPULAR FANTASY TOOLS

Expert Advice
Articles & Tools
Import Your Leagues
Draft Rankings
Draft Simulator
Enter League Settings
Compare Any Players
Rookies & Call-Ups
24x7 News and Alerts

REAL-TIME FANTASY NEWS

Jake Bennett

an Early Standout, Being Stretched Out as Starter
MLB

Tony Clark Expected to Resign as MLBPA Executive Director
Gerrit Cole

Throws Another Bullpen, Progressing Well in Recovery
Pablo López

Pablo Lopez has Torn Elbow Ligament, "Surgery on the Table"
Brett Baty

to Work in Super-Utility Role This Year?
Hurston Waldrep

May Need Surgery
Riley O'Brien

Dealing With Calf Soreness
Jack Leiter

Looking to Build on Solid Second Half
Kyle Manzardo

Can Be a Great Late-Round Power Source
Dylan Crews

Ready to Rebound After a Rough Rookie Season?
Ryan Walker

to Start the Season as Giants Closer?
Romy Gonzalez

Still Only Playing Catch
Kenneth Walker III

Seahawks Not Expected to Use Franchise Tag on Kenneth Walker III
Walker Buehler

Padres Sign Walker Buehler to Minor-League Deal
Juan Brito

to be a Utility Option This Spring
Richie Palacios

Will Get Reps at Third Base
Isiah Kiner-Falefa

Taking Reps at First Base
Tanner Houck

Resumes Throwing for First Time Since Injury
Salvador Perez

Takes Live Batting Practice on Monday
Ian Happ

Cubs, Ian Happ Not Currently Engaged in Extension Talks
Tyler Freeman

Dealing With Back Soreness
Seiya Suzuki

Cubs and Seiya Suzuki Not Discussing an Extension Yet?
Tyrese Martin

Set to Join 76ers on Two-Way Deal
Alondes Williams

Signs 10-Day Contract With Wizards
Nate Williams

Joins Golden State on Two-Way Deal
Jabari Walker

Signing Two-Year Deal with 76ers
Cameron Payne

Signing Rest-Of-Season Deal With 76ers
Bucky Irving

Undergoes Offseason Shoulder Surgery
Tyreek Hill

Says he Will Play in 2026
Joey Logano

Finishes Third in the 2026 Daytona 500
Ricky Stenhouse Jr

. Finishes as the Runner-Up in the Daytona 500
Chase Elliott

Falls Short of His First Daytona 500 Victory Again
Brad Keselowski

Ends Daytona 500 With a Top-Five Finish
Tyler Reddick

Wins the Daytona 500 for the First Time with 23XI Racing
Tyreek Hill

Released by Dolphins
Victor Wembanyama

Shines Despite Team World Loss
Kawhi Leonard

Leads Team Stripes In All-Star Thriller
Anthony Edwards

Takes Home All-Star Game MVP
NBA

Malik Beasley Agrees to Deal with Puerto Rico Team
Joey Logano

Should DFS Players Roster Joey Logano At Daytona?
Ryan Blaney

Is Ryan Blaney Worth Rostering for DFS at Daytona?
Chase Briscoe

May Not be Worth DFS Consideration for Daytona
Chase Elliott

Is Chase Elliott Worth Rostering At Daytona This Week For DFS?
Austin Cindric

May Be Worth Rostering At Daytona
Cleveland Browns

Browns to Spend Top Draft Picks on Receiver or Offensive Lineman?
Brad Keselowski

Is Brad Keselowski Worth Rostering for Daytona Lineups?
Tyler Reddick

May be A Solid and Sneaky Pick for Daytona Lineups
Alex Bowman

is A Highly Favorable Mid-Tier Option for Daytona
Ross Chastain

Could be A Top DFS Scorer for Daytona
Justin Allgaier

is One of the Safest DFS Options for Daytona
Tim Stützle

Tim Stutzle Matches Team Germany Record With Third Goal
Karl-Anthony Towns

Jalen Brunson, Karl-Anthony Towns Claim 2026 Shooting Stars Crown
Jack Eichel

Off to Hot Start in Olympics
Keshad Johnson

Wins 2026 Slam Dunk Contest
OTT

Mads Sogaard Injured Saturday
Damian Lillard

Wins Third Three-Point Contest
Haywood Highsmith

Agrees to Multi-Year Deal With Suns
Luka Dončić

Luka Doncic Returns For All-Star Game On Minutes Cap
NASCAR

Christoper Bell Emerging As One of The Best at Daytona
William Byron

Trying for Third Straight Daytona 500 Victory
Kyle Larson

Has Never Posted a Top-Five Finish at Daytona
Denny Hamlin

Is Denny Hamlin Overrated at Daytona?
Chris Buescher

an Easy DFS Pick for the Daytona 500
Kyle Busch

on Pole, Still Searching for Elusive Daytona 500 Victory
Giannis Antetokounmpo

Feeling "100 Percent"
Lucas Raymond

Ties Team Sweden Record With Three Points Saturday
Anton Lundell

Battling Illness
Kevin Fiala

Out for the Season
Riley Minix

Signs Two-Way Deal With Cavaliers
Luka Dončić

Luka Doncic Likely Available for All-Star Game
Toronto Raptors

Chris Paul Retires From Basketball
Zach LaVine

to Undergo Season-Ending Hand Surgery
David Pastrnak

Gets Off the Mark at Olympics
Macklin Celebrini

Pots Another Goal Friday
Kevin Fiala

Stretchered Off Against Canada
Aaron Rodgers

Likely to Return to Steelers?
Terry McLaurin

Commanders Want Terry McLaurin to Get 10 Targets a Game
Deandre Ayton

Remains Day-to-Day for Lakers
LeBron James

Posts Historic Triple-Double in Win
Jordan Binnington

Records 26-Save Shutout Against Czechia
Connor McDavid

Ties Canadian Record With Three Assists in Olympic Debut
Josh Morrissey

Hurt in Olympic Opener
CFB

Trinidad Chambliss Eligible for 2026 Season
CFB

BYU's Parker Kingston Charged with Felony Rape
RANKINGS
C
1B
2B
3B
SS
OF
SP
RP

RANKINGS

QB
RB
WR
TE
K
DEF