Keeper leagues and dynasty leagues are becoming increasingly popular, thanks in large part to host sites that can compile data and history in an organized fashion. These leagues allow players selected in an NBA fantasy draft or acquired during the season to remain on your roster the following season, similar to real-life NBA.
Because fantasy basketball managers need to take multiple seasons into account, fantasy basketball rankings for keeper and dynasty leagues can look much different from re-draft leagues, which are only focused on the upcoming season as rosters reset the following year.
We'll dive into keeper league rankings and how you should evaluate players based on potentially keeping them for multiple seasons, how the fantasy basketball auction values of younger players may shift, and how you can maximize your draft to provide your team with short-term competitiveness and long-term durability.
Top Fantasy Basketball Keeper Players to Build Around
The general consensus is that NBA players peak in their late 20s. The average age of the top 24 players on RotoWire's NBA projections is around 29 years old, which means targeting established players in their early 20s can pay dividends as they blossom into their best selves.
The obvious starting point is Victor Wembanyama, who in just two seasons has finished 3rd and 6th overall, respectively, in per game rankings. He's worth every penny in auction leagues and should undoubtedly be the first player off any draft board where he's available. Cade Cunningham, another first overall NBA draft pick, is beginning to come into his own and put up top-30 numbers in his age 23 season. He'll be flirting with first-round status as his NBA fantasy ADP rises, as will Minnesota's Anthony Edwards.
Outside of the first round, OKC's Chet Holmgren finished inside the top-50 in his first full season and, at age 23, is only going to improve. Houston's Amen Thompson may not be a household name yet, but fantasy owners can build around the 22-year-old who contributes in eight categories and should have a major role with the Rockets this season and beyond. Don't lose sight of him on your NBA fantasy draft cheat sheet in keeper drafts.
Best Young Stars for Fantasy Basketball Keeper Leagues
Beyond the obvious young names to anchor your rosters for years to come, there are a handful of other players making their way into NBA starting lineups who should be huge contributors moving forward. Below are some names to keep an eye on heading into your keeper league draft.
Atlanta's Jalen Johnson is just 23 years old, but already has a pair of top-50 finishes under his belt. Playing alongside Trae Young in a free-flowing offense while locked into a major role with the Hawks makes him someone to target. He'll be an All-Star before long, and you use RotoWire's fantasy basketball draft kit to take a deep dive into his numbers and potential.
Looking deeper, Chicago's Matas Buzelis has the look and feel of a blossoming star. The 6-foot-10 athletic forward does a little bit of everything and should be a contributor across the board for fantasy teams, and he's still just 21 years old.
And it's impossible not to mention this year's prize of the NBA Draft, Dallas' Cooper Flagg. It's always risky taking rookies (less so in keeper and dynasty drafts), but Flagg has all the makings of a future star. He should contribute across the board, and he's playing alongside a talented Mavs' team that will keep his numbers flowing all season long.
Fantasy Basketball Keeper Rankings: Veterans Who Still Deliver
It's important to not be laser focused on only young players in keeper leagues. Veterans who may be trending downward from a keeper perspective can still deliver plenty of value in the short term. A clear example is Nikola Jokic, who at 31 doesn't scream "long-term play." But he's still a top-2 player in any fantasy basketball format and stays off the NBA injury report (70+ games in seven of the last eight seasons).
A little deeper, don't shy away from older players like Steph Curry, LeBron James and Nikola Vucevic, if they fit your team's mold. While they may not have great value as keepers in 3 to 4 years, they give you the chance to win your league in the present, which many managers overlook thinking about the future. There's a balance you'll need to find and use it to your advantage.
Keeper and dynasty leagues are exciting and give you the feel of being a real general manager. Plucking young talent before they fully blossom can provide great value to your team, but it's important to also field a great short-term team with proven veterans who have less risk. Managers who subscribe to RotoWire will be able to find that balance as they prepare for their keeper drafts and keeper leagues.
