👉 TAP TO SAVE 50% WITH CODE SPRING
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

#1 Expert Projections
Save 50% Now
Import Your Leagues
Props Tool
Compare Any Players
Compare Any Players
24x7 News and Alerts

Fantasy Basketball Rankings Analysis: Overvalued NBA Players

Last week I took a look at some players who might be undervalued according to their pre-draft Yahoo! rankings. This week I flip the switch and discuss a handful of players who are a bit overvalued for my taste!

So when everyone else is sipping the wrong flavor of Kool-Aid on these guys, just let them pass and be content knowing that you've made the wise decision. Note: All default ranks and position eligibility based on Yahoo! leagues as of Sunday 10/2/2016.

Editor's Note: Be sure to check out FantasyAces DFS contests. New users that sign up on Fantasy Aces and make a $20 deposit will receive RotoBaller's full season NFL Premium Pass for free (including Premium DFS), normally a $59.99 value. Expert DFS research, sample lineups, matchup ratings and lots more!

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

 

Over-Valued Fantasy Basketball Players for Yahoo! Drafters

Draymond Green, SF/PF Golden State, (current Yahoo! Rank: 19)

Draymond Green was a stalwart in 2015-16 and he emerged as one of the games top all-around talents. Green averaged a shocking 14 PPG, 7.4 APG, 9.5 RPG, 1.5 SPG and 1.4 BPG. The assists were double his career-high of 3.7 set the year before.

While Green will still be a focal point of the Golden State offense, the addition of Kevin Durant is going to impact a bit of everyone’s game. The consensus seems to be that Klay Thompson could be hurt the most by the signing of Durant, but it could actually be Green. The Warriors ran a lot of offensive sets through their versatile power forward, and as a result his game went to the next level. Durant brings last season’s ninth-highest usage rate to Oakland, and the Warriors didn’t bring him over to become a spectator. While Durant will have to adjust his game to make his time in Golden State work, don’t expect him to take too much of a backseat. Green is already an unselfish player, and he could be just fine running around causing havoc on defense and deferring to his more talented teammates.

Expect Green to put up numbers closer to his 2014-15 totals, when he averaged 11.7 PPG, 3.7 APG, 8.2 RPG, 1.6 SPG and 1.3 BPG. Those numbers still make him a guy you need to own, but you’d be wise to not reach for him as his statistical impact could take a bit of a hit.

 

Jonas Valanciunas, C, Toronto, (36)

Let me just start by saying that I love me some Jonas Valanciunas. JV is one of my favorite players in all of basketball, and I truly believe he doesn’t get enough credit for how scary good he actually is.

Despite what I think of him as a player, the Raptors just don’t seem too interested in getting the big man involved enough on the offensive end. The 2015-16 playoffs were a coming out part of sorts for the Lithuanian, as his monster nights made him known to the national audience like never before. The 24-year-old is entering his fifth season in the league, and I don’t expect him to improve much numbers-wise. I think he’s good enough that a team can run an offense through him, but the guard-centric Raptors seem content on running almost all of their plays through DeMar DeRozan and Kyle Lowry.

JV averaged 12.8 PPG, 0.7 APG, 9.1 RPG, 0.4 SPG and 1.3 BPG. With all those numbers came a very efficient .565 FG and just 1.4 TO, making him a very good player to own. Based on the fact that he still likely won’t become a more important part of the Toronto offense, and the fact that the Raptors seem more interested in his defensive development rather than him as an offensive force; it could mean that he continues to produce as is. While those would be good numbers, they wouldn’t justify a third-round pick.

 

Jae Crowder, SF/PF, Boston (50)

Jae Crowder has seen his career hit a new level since being acquired by the Boston Celtics. Crowder was an afterthought in Dallas, but when he made the shift to Bean Town, he became a key rotation player for Brad Stevens and the Celtics.

Crowder averaged 14.2 PPG, 1.8 APG, 5.1 RPG, 1.7 SPG, 0.5 BPG and 1.7 3PM on .443 FG in 2015-16. Now, Crowder is a fine player but the Celtics’ team-sharing offense (for everyone other than Isaiah Thomas) and the addition of Al Horford really limits his value as a fantasy player. In real life, Crowder will still be counted on to provide defense, grit, hustle and some knock-down shooting; but on his best night he’s the fourth option on the team and he’s undeserving of a fourth- to fifth-round draft pick. Look elsewhere at that time in the draft, because Crowder isn’t the type of player you want with one of your top picks.

 

Danny Green, SG/SF, San Antonio (78)

Danny Green had a really big 2014-15 campaign, in which he averaged career-highs in points (11.7), assists (2.0), rebounds (4.2), steals (1.2), blocks (1.1) and three-pointers made (2.4). Green took a huge step back in 2015-16, shooting just .376 from the field, and seeing a decrease in all of his counting stats. Green’s current 78th ranking by Yahoo! is one of the more confusing rankings they have. While he could contribute in threes and help with steals and blocks, he provides almost no value everywhere else.

Green is an afterthought in the San Antonio offense and rightfully so. He’s a streaky shooter whose offensive game and upside are extremely limited. While his defense will always make sure he gets consistent minutes, the benefits he provides won’t ever amount to a top 7-8 pick on your team. Stay away on draft night, and let someone else take him.

 

Catch you again next week and all season long.

 


By popular demand, RotoBaller has aggregated all of our fantasy basketball NBA waiver wire pickups into a running list of NBA waiver options, so bookmark the page and check back often for updates.

POPULAR FANTASY TOOLS

#1 Expert Projections
Save 50% Now
Import Your Leagues
Props Tool
Compare Any Players
Compare Any Players
24x7 News and Alerts

REAL-TIME FANTASY NEWS

Malik Willis

Gets Three New Receivers in the Draft
Antonio Williams

to See Starting Role on Day 1 in Weak Wide Receiver Room?
Terrance Ferguson

No Longer the Unquestioned Future TE1 in Los Angeles?
Brenton Strange

Does Brenton Strange Still Need to Prove Himself in Jacksonville?
KC Concepcion

Already Facing Competition for Targets in Cleveland
Jacory Croskey-Merritt

Remains the Top Option in Washington Backfield?
MLB

Red Sox Fire Manager Alex Cora and Other Coaches
A.J. Lawson

Questionable for Sunday Due to Back Spasms
Kevin Huerter

Injures Left Hip Saturday
Green Bay Packers

Packers Take Kicker Trey Smack with Pick No. 216
Kelly Oubre Jr.

Iffy for Sunday
Victor Wembanyama

Still Questionable on Injury Report
Denver Broncos

Broncos Select Dallen Bentley with 256th Pick
Kevin Durant

Uncertain for Sunday's Action
Austin Reaves

Listed as Questionable for Sunday's Game 4
Aaron Gordon

Active on Saturday
Indianapolis Colts

Colts Select Deion Burks with Pick No. 254
Joel Embiid

Remains Doubtful Ahead of Game 4
New England Patriots

Patriots Select Jam Miller with 245th Pick
Indianapolis Colts

Colts Select Seth McGowan with Pick No. 237
New England Patriots

Patriots Take Quarterback Behren Morton with Pick No. 234
Kansas City Chiefs

Chiefs Draft Garrett Nussmeier With 249th Overall Pick
Cleveland Browns

Browns Draft Carsen Ryan in the Seventh Round
Tennessee Titans

Titans Select Jaren Kanak with Pick No. 225
Washington Commanders

Commanders Take Quarterback Athan Kaliakmanis with Pick No. 223
Houston Texans

Texans Select Lewis Bond with Pick No. 204
Pittsburgh Steelers

Navy's Eli Heidenreich to the Steelers at No. 230 Overall
Jacksonville Jaguars

Jaguars Double Dip at Wide Receiver with C.J. Williams at Pick No. 203
Josh Manson

Not Expected to Play Sunday
Los Angeles Rams

Rams Select CJ Daniels with 197th Pick
Mason Lohrei

Set to Miss Game 4 as Healthy Scratch
Cincinnati Bengals

Bengals Select Jack Endries at No. 221 Overall
Emil Andrae

Won't Play Saturday
Arturs Silovs

Starting Game 4 Against Flyers
Dan Vladar

Cleared for Game 4
Mats Zuccarello

Remains Out Saturday
Nikolaj Ehlers

Dealing With Lower-Body Injury
Steven Kwan

Scratched With Neck Stiffness
Trey Yesavage

Returning From Injured List on Tuesday
Eugenio Suárez

Eugenio Suarez Heading to the Injured List With Oblique Strain
Kirby Dach

Battles and Scores Two Points in Friday Triumph
Connor McDavid

Delivers Mixed-Bag Performance Friday
MLB

Saturday's Mets-Rockies Game Postponed Due to Weather
Karel Vejmelka

Saves Utah With Huge Effort Friday
Lane Hutson

Scores Crucial Overtime Goal in Montreal Win
Lawson Crouse

Cashes in With Two Goals for Utah
Mikael Granlund

Serves Up Trio of Assists in Anaheim Big Win
Giancarlo Stanton

Exits With Leg Tightness on Friday
Isaiah Joe

Likely to Miss Game 3 Against Suns
Peyton Watson

to Remain Sidelined Saturday
Aaron Gordon

Questionable for Saturday's Game 4
Jordan Goodwin

on Track to Return Saturday
Grayson Allen

Listed as Questionable for Saturday
Mark Williams

Won't Play Saturday
Victor Wembanyama

Will Miss Game 3 Against Trail Blazers
Tari Eason

Reed Sheppard Move into Starting Five on Friday
Nickeil Alexander-Walker

Wins Most Improved Player Award
Immanuel Quickley

to Miss Rest of First-Round Series
Kevin Durant

is Ruled Out for Game 3 on Friday
Joel Embiid

Officially Ruled Out for Game 3
Eugenio Suárez

Eugenio Suarez Scratched on Friday With Mid-Back Pain
Troy Terry

Available for Game 3 Against Oilers
Radko Gudas

Misses Second Straight Game Friday
Charle-Edouard D'Astous

Unavailable Friday
Dan Vladar

Considered a Game-Time Call for Saturday
Jake Sanderson

Ruled Out for Game 4 Due to Concussion
Yakov Trenin

Won't Play in Game 4 Against Stars
Mats Zuccarello

a Game-Time Decision Saturday
Jackson Holliday

Receives Positive Test Results, Will be Shut Down for a Week
Jeff Hoffman

Out as Blue Jays Closer
Youssef Zalal

Set For UFC Vegas 116 Main Event
Aljamain Sterling

An Underdog At UFC Vegas 116
Joselyne Edwards

Set For UFC Vegas 116 Co-Main Event
Norma Dumont

Looks To Extend Her Win Streak
Alexander Hernandez

A Favorite At UFC Vegas 116
Rafa Garcia

Looks For His Third Consecutive Win
Adrian Luna Martinetti

Set For His UFC Debut
Davey Grant

Looks To Get Back In The Win Column
Jaden McDaniels

Records Double-Double in Game 3
Jordan Kyrou

Recovering From Minor Knee Procedure
Francisco Lindor

Expected to Miss "Significant Time"
Francisco Lindor

Mets Officially Place Francisco Lindor on Injured List With Calf Strain
Michael Harris II

Removed Early With Quad Tightness
Francisco Lindor

Likely Headed to the Injured List
Michael Harris II

Continues to Heat Up With Two-Homer Game on Wednesday
Francisco Lindor

Leaves Wednesday's Game Early With Calf Tightness
JR Ritchie

Earns Promotion, Will Make MLB Debut on Thursday
Wyatt Langford

Expected to Go on Injured List With Flexor Strain
Maikel Garcia

Leaves Early on Wednesday With Elbow Soreness
Roman Anthony

Day-to-Day With Sore Back
Juan Soto

Officially Back in Mets Lineup on Wednesday
J.T. Realmuto

Phillies Place J.T. Realmuto on Injured List With Back Injury
CFB

Beau Pribula Leading Virginia Quarterback Competition
Marco Penge

Trending Down Entering Zurich Classic
Sahith Theegala

Eyes Another Strong Week at Zurich Classic
Brooks Koepka

Shane Lowry Teams Up with Brooks Koepka at Zurich Classic
Si Woo Kim

Adds Another Strong Finish at RBC Heritage
Luke Clanton

Hoping to Find Form in New Orleans
Scottie Scheffler

is Starting to Hit His Stride
Brooks Koepka

Looking for Progress in PGA Return With Partner at Zurich Classic
Matt Fitzpatrick

Looks to Share Recent Form at Zurich Classic
CFB

Ashton Daniels Named Florida State's Starting Quarterback
Tyler Reddick

Earns His Fifth Win of the 2026 Season at Kansas
Kyle Larson

Finishes as the Runner-Up at Kansas
Chase Briscoe

Rallies for A New Career-Best Finish at Kansas
Denny Hamlin

Leads the Most Laps at Kansas but Misses Out on Victory
Christopher Bell

Falls Out of Contention for Kansas Victory on Final Restart
Mike Malott

Scores Third-Round TKO Win
Gilbert Burns

Retires After UFC Winnipeg Loss
Charles Jourdain

Extends Winning Streak
Kyler Phillips

Drops Decision At UFC Winnipeg
Mandel Nallo

Suffers First-Round TKO Loss In His UFC Debut
Jai Herbert

Scores First-Round TKO Win
Karine Silva

Gets Dominated at UFC Winnipeg
Jasmine Jasudavicius

Dominates Karine Silva
RANKINGS
C
1B
2B
3B
SS
OF
SP
RP

RANKINGS

QB
RB
WR
TE
K
DEF