👉 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

#1 Expert Projections
Save 30% Now
Import Your Leagues
Top-Rated Accuracy
Draft Simulator
Enter League Settings
Compare Any Players
Rookies & Call-Ups
24x7 News and Alerts

Rookie Guards to Avoid in Fantasy Basketball

As much as the NBA Draft is a time to get excited about certain players, it's also a time to be skeptical from a fantasy perspective. Before a player can even get to the stage to shake Adam Silver's hand, the impacts of that player are already thought about by fantasy enthusiasts. Lets be honest; as much excitement that is derived from a player, that player is more likely to be a "bust" than an NBA lifer.

The following guards should be avoided in your draft. These guards don't lack talent, but for multiple reasons, the situations in which they find themselves aren't exactly ideal for immediate fantasy production.

Editor's Note: RotoBaller has the best Premium NBA Subscription, only $29.99 for the full season. We have all the preseason tools to help win your drafts, and in-season tools to win your seasonal and daily leagues: Draft Kit, Premium Rankings, Sleepers List, Late-Round Fliers, Early-Round Avoids, DFS Cheat Sheets, Lineup Picks, Expert Lineups, Stacks and Avoids.

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

 

Leave Them Alone on Draft Day

Kris Dunn, Minnesota Timberwolves

Kris Dunn was selected fifth by the Timberwolves and is a popular pick by many to be a dark horse for Rookie of the Year. As talented and as explosive as Dunn is, people need to pump the brakes a bit. While Dunn has the talent and three years of college experience to be able to contribute right away, he finds himself in a situation that might not lend itself to producing numbers.

The Timberwolves fully believe they’re poised to make a run, and they feel they have the personnel and the coach to do it. Many believed Dunn would supplant Ricky Rubio as the team’s point guard, and would contribute towards that playoff goal immediately. The problem with all that is that Rubio appears firmly entrenched in his role, and Dunn looks like he will be backing up for the foreseeable future.

When you add Zach LaVine’s ability to run the point, plus the overall talent on the Minnesota roster, Dunn won’t find a whole lot of opportunities to contribute right away. While he may eventually turn into a key contributor this season, it’s going to take a lot more than initially thought for him to be able to do that out of the gates. Stay away for now.

 

Caris LeVert, Brooklyn Nets

Like Dunn, Caris LeVert doesn’t find himself on this list because of a lack of talent. In fact, it’s quite the opposite. The Michigan product has one of the best overall skill sets of anyone to come out of this draft, and has a chance to be a very solid pro player for a Nets team desperate for young talent. He can do a variety of things on the basketball court; all of which will help him stick around and contribute to an NBA team. That is if he can stay healthy. LeVert missed extended periods of time at Michigan, playing in only 33 of 68 games in his last two years.

LeVert should be able to work his way into that talentless Brooklyn rotation this season, but he hasn’t stepped on the court yet. Expect the Nets to ease him in when he is ready to play, and that alone will cost the rookie a lot of opportunities for production. When he does play, he can be a do-it-all type of player who will defend, score, and put up numbers in a lot of categories. It’s just likely that won’t happen this season.

Monitor his workload to see how he looks, but don't buy into him hoping he'll be an instant fantasy producer just because the Nets don't have much other talent their rotation.

 

Denzel Valentine, Chicago Bulls

Denzel Valentine had himself quite the career at Michigan State University. Valentine improved every year, and he turned what was once a limited game into being arguably the best player in college basketball and a first-round draft pick. The Bulls think the Tom Izzo favorite has a chance to become a solid rotation player and they probably won’t be wrong... in the long term.

Despite all the positives, Valentine is still rather limited for the pro game. He’s not the most athletic guy, and a lot of his value will come from the intangibles he brings. Intangibles unfortunately are not a fantasy basketball stat, so he likely won’t help your fantasy team as much as he’ll help the Bulls in real life.

Valentine could eventually develop into a good performer, but with the likes of Rajon Rondo, Dwyane Wade and Jimmy Butler in the mix, Valentine will have a very difficult time finding the minutes and touches he needs to make a real fantasy impact this season.

 


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 30% Now
Import Your Leagues
Top-Rated Accuracy
Draft Simulator
Enter League Settings
Compare Any Players
Rookies & Call-Ups
24x7 News and Alerts

REAL-TIME FANTASY NEWS

Jack Bech

Could be a Nice Buy-Low Candidate Going into Sophomore Season
Mark Scheifele

Collects Three Helpers on Monday
Jacob deGrom

Pitches Through Knee Issue on Monday
Ukko-Pekka Luukkonen

Defeats the Lightning
Dalton Rushing

Smacks Two Homers in Rout of Blue Jays
Jaydon Blue

Will Jaydon Blue Remain the Cowboys' RB2 After the Draft?
Max Scherzer

Dealing With Forearm Tendinitis, Expected to Make his Next Start
Oronde Gadsden

Due for a Year 2 Breakout?
Collin Morikawa

Vegas has Lost Confidence in Collin Morikawa Ahead of Masters Tournament
Keaton Mitchell

to Play a Key Role on New Team?
Ludvig Aberg

One of the Top Plays For This Week's Masters Tournament
Isaiah Bond

Is Isaiah Bond Due for a Year 2 Breakout or a Reduced Role?
James Cook

Continues to Trend Up Every Year
Rory McIlroy

Set to Defend his Long-Awaited Masters Victory
Bryson DeChambeau

Looks to Finally Claim a Green Jacket
Patrick Cantlay

Needs Plenty to Go Right at Augusta
Harris English

Playing Solid Golf Heading to Masters
Sam Burns

Bouncing Back Nicely After Slow Start to 2026 Season
Corey Conners

Quietly Putting Together A Strong 2026 Season
Russell Henley

Looks to Bounce Back At Masters
Robert MacIntyre

Hopes to Rebound After Missed Cut at Masters Last Year
Justin Rose

Ready to Put Heartbreaking Playoff Loss Behind Him
Matt Fitzpatrick

Heads to Masters After Winning Valspar Championship
Xander Schauffele

Continues Scorching Start to 2026 Season
Scottie Scheffler

Returns to Action For Masters
Maverick McNealy

Might Perform Well Early at Masters Tournament
Gary Woodland

Riding the Wave Heading into Augusta National
Greg Dulcich

Will Have an Opportunity for a Big Role in 2026
Jacksonville Jaguars

Jaguars Love Their Running Back Room
Lamar Jackson

Present for Start of Offseason Program
Rasmus Hojgaard

Seeks to Continue Momentum from Houston
Shane Lowry

Attempting to Turn Back Time at the Masters
Sepp Straka

Trying to Get Under Par At Augusta
Viktor Hovland

Seeks a Hot Start at the Masters Tournament
Dean Wade

Jaylon Tyson and Dean Wade Set to Sit Out Again on Monday
Thomas Bryant

Unavailable on Monday
Andrew Mangiapane

Available for Monday's Tilt
Max Strus

Ruled Out Against Grizzlies
Shane Wright

Expected to Miss Another Game
Jarrett Allen

Available on Monday
Vladislav Namestnikov

Available Monday
Anthony Cirelli

Out Against Sabres
Evan Mobley

Active Against Memphis
Nino Niederreiter

Rejoins Jets Lineup
Brandon Hagel

Sits Out Third Consecutive Game
DAL

Nathan Bastian to Miss 3-4 Weeks
Mike Trout

Held Out of Series Opener Against Braves
Sam Merrill

Set to Suit Up on Monday
Donovan Mitchell

Ruled Out Monday
Alejandro Kirk

to Undergo Thumb Surgery on Tuesday
James Harden

Out Monday
Juan Soto

Mets Place Juan Soto on 10-Day Injured List
Matthew Boyd

Cubs Putting Matthew Boyd on 15-Day Injured List With Biceps Strain
Mickey Moniak

Goes Yard Twice Against his Old Team
Brent Rooker

Homers Twice, Drives in Six in Win Over Astros
Mike Trout

Considered Day-to-Day With Hand Contusion
New York Giants

Dexter Lawrence Requests a Trade, Won't Take Part in Offseason Program
Brooks Koepka

Needs his Putter to Work at Augusta National
Kyle Williams

Is Kyle Williams the Latest Patriots Draft Bust at Wide Receiver?
Elic Ayomanor

Should Benefit from Improved Quarterback Play
Isaac TeSlaa

Unlikely to Repeat Touchdown Efficiency
Deebo Samuel Sr.

Remains Unsigned
Darius Slayton

Where Does Darius Slayton Fit Among a Crowd of Giants Pass-Catchers?
Vít Krejčí

Vit Krejci Still Sidelined Monday
Bruce Brown

Likely Available vs. Portland
Spencer Jones

Remains Sidelined Monday
Isaiah Stewart

Remains Out Monday vs. Orlando
Dillon Brooks

Risks Suspension After 18th Technical Foul
Daniel Gafford

Leaves Game Early with Shoulder Injury
Luka Dončić

Luka Doncic to Undergo Hamstring Treatment in Europe
Will Cuylle

Grabs First Career Hat Trick in Blowout Win
Jacob Markstrom

Records First Shutout of the Season
Brady Tkachuk

Scores Twice Against Hurricanes
Sidney Crosby

Registers Three Points in Sunday's Win
Robert Thomas

Pots First Career Hat Trick
Valeri Nichushkin

Labeled Day-to-Day
Chris Duncan

Suffers Second-Round Submission Loss
Renato Moicano

Gets Back In The Win Column
Tabatha Ricci

Gets Outgrappled
Virna Jandiroba

Bounces Back
Brendson Ribeiro

Suffers First-Round Submission Loss
Abdul-Rakhman Yakhyaev

Earns First-Round Submission Win
Rafael Estevam

Suffers His First Loss
Ethyn Ewing

Dominates At UFC Vegas 115
Pat Bryant

Year 2 Breakout No Longer in the Cards?
Troy Franklin

Set to Take a Step Backward in 2026?
Sam Howell

Joe Milton III to Compete for Backup Role
Cameron Ward

Working in the Building, Making Good Progress
Will Levis

Titans to Trade Will Levis Before the Draft?
Jacob Markstrom

Shuts Out the Canadiens
Brady Tkachuk

Scores Twice on Sunday
Cameron Payne

Out at Least Two Weeks
Duncan Robinson

Iffy for Monday
Jerami Grant

Out Again Monday
Tobias Harris

Questionable Vs. Magic
Karl-Anthony Towns

Back Against Atlanta
Joel Embiid

Available Monday Vs. Spurs
Mike Trout

Exits Early After Getting Hit by Pitch
Kirill Kaprizov

Bags Sixth Career Hat Trick Sunday
Stuart Skinner

Nursing Upper-Body Injury
Charlie Lindgren

Gets the Nod Sunday
Pavel Buchnevich

Ready to Play Sunday Night
Trevor Lawrence

Can a Dynamic Surrounding Cast Lead Trevor Lawrence to Another Career Year?
Pete Fairbanks

Serving as Opener Before Going on Paternity List
George Klassen

Called Up to Start on Sunday
Hunter Brown

Placed on 15-Day Injured List with Right-Shoulder Strain
Jesús Luzardo

Jesus Luzardo Dominates Rockies on Saturday
Byron Buxton

Back in Sunday's Lineup
Mookie Betts

Heading to the Injured List With Oblique Strain
Cade Horton

Cubs Place Cade Horton on 15-Day Injured List With Forearm Strain
Mookie Betts

Considered Day-to-Day, Heading for an MRI on Saturday
Juan Soto

Day-to-Day With Minor Groin Strain, No Decision on IL Yet
MLB

Cubs-Guardians Game Postponed on Saturday
Chris Duncan

Set For UFC Vegas 115 Main Event
Renato Moicano

An Underdog At UFC Vegas 115
Tabatha Ricci

Set For UFC Vegas 115 Co-Main Event
Virna Jandiroba

Looks To Bounce Back
Brendson Ribeiro

In Desperate Need Of Win
Abdul-Rakhman Yakhyaev

Looks To Remain Unbeaten
Ethyn Ewing

Set For His Second UFC Bout
Rafael Estevam

Looks To Remain Undefeated
CFB

Gunner Stockton Looking "Great" After Offseason Injury
CFB

Sam Leavitt Showing "Encouraging Signs" at LSU Practice
RANKINGS
C
1B
2B
3B
SS
OF
SP
RP

RANKINGS

QB
RB
WR
TE
K
DEF