Fantasy basketball has grown into one of the most strategic and competitive fantasy sports formats. With an 82-game NBA season, daily lineup adjustments and constant injury news, managers need to be active, smart and resourceful. But too often, beginners and even seasoned players fall into traps built on outdated advice or misconceptions. That's why it's important to use a fantasy basketball draft kit.
In this guide, we'll debunk some of the most common fantasy basketball myths that hold managers back. From the belief that drafting only superstars guarantees victory to the misconception that rookies can't contribute, we'll cover why these ideas are misleading and how tools such an NBA fantasy draft cheat sheet give you the real winning edge.
Myth 1: Drafting the Biggest Names Guarantees a Championship
Many fantasy players think locking in stars like Wembanyama, Jokic, Giannis, LeBron or Curry means automatic success. The truth? Chasing big names often leads to roster imbalance. You may dominate points, but fall behind in assists, steals or percentages. A player who may not score much but dominates in scarcity stats such as steals and blocks may be ranked higher than a giant volume scorer that makes nightly headlines.
Consider that Hawks guard Dyson Daniels finished 2024-25 as the 21st ranked player in fantasy basketball, ahead of stars like Devin Booker (25.6 ppg) and Giannis Antetokounmpo (30.4 ppg), despite averaging just 14.1 points per game.
The smarter approach is to build depth and cover multiple categories. Instead of relying on name value, lean on up-to-date fantasy basketball rankings to draft the best values across rounds. Balance wins leagues, not just one or two household names.
Myth 2: Injuries Ruin Your Season Automatically
Another common myth is that a major injury spells doom. Sure, losing a star hurts, but it doesn't mean your season is over. The talent pool is deep across 30 NBA teams, with rotations that go eight or nine players, meaning owners can always find value. By being active on the waiver wire and streaming players, you can survive and even thrive.
Checking the NBA injury report daily keeps you ahead of rest days and unexpected scratches. Proactive managers who adapt quickly often outperform those who panic and give up.
Checking in with the NBA injury report to see the statuses of George and Embiid, specifically, throughout the year could make him even more valuable.
Myth 3: You Only Need to Focus on Scoring Stats
Scoring is the flashiest stat, but focusing only on points is a rookie mistake. Assists, steals, rebounds, blocks and percentages are equally important. Category scarcity matters too, as blocks and steals are harder to find than points. Houston's Amen Thompson averaged just 14.1 points per game last season, but he finished in the top-25 in both steals and blocks. That stellar showing in scarce categories helped him finish higher in the year-end rankings than players such as All-Stars Zion Williamson, Jaylen Brown and Paolo Banchero.
Successful managers treat every stat as valuable in fantasy basketball. Understanding positional needs during your NBA fantasy draft ensures you're not left scrambling to cover critical categories later in the season. In head-to-head leagues, players can "punt" categories – meaning they ignore them and focus on players who dominate in other categories.
Myth 4: Waiver Wire Is Only for Emergency Pickups
Too many fantasy managers treat the waiver wire as a last resort. In reality, it's one of the best tools for gaining an edge throughout the season. Rotations change, bench players step up and opportunities constantly appear.
By tracking NBA starting lineups and reacting quickly, you can find hidden gems who deliver category boosts. Even if your draft wasn't perfect, the waiver wire can turn a good team into a great one, especially early in the season when young players blossom and later in the season, after the trade deadline, when certain teams are tanking and want to give young players more playing time.
Myth 5: Streaming Players Isn't Worth the Effort
Streaming, which means adding and dropping players to maximize games played, is often dismissed as micromanagement. But in competitive leagues, it's a proven path to victory. More games equal more stats, and in tight category matchups, that's often the difference. The difference between getting 55 total games out of your players in a week instead of 52 can mean a dozen more assists or a few more steals, which often decides categories.
Tools like an NBA lineup optimizer can highlight short-term value plays while checking projected minutes helps you identify the best pickups. Streaming isn't busywork; it's smart management.
Myth 6: You Should Never Trade Your Star Players
It's natural to feel protective of your biggest names, but refusing to trade them is a mistake. Sometimes flipping one star for two strong contributors balances your roster and improves your overall output.
Evaluating NBA fantasy ADP trends and using trade calculators helps you recognize when a deal makes sense. Don't be afraid to move stars. You should be afraid of standing still.
Myth 7: Waiver Wire Is Only for Emergency Pickups
The excitement and unknown of first-year players coming into the NBA usually gets the best of fantasy basketball owners. While there are blue-chip exceptions like Zion Williamson, Victor Wembanyama and potentially Cooper Flagg, the reality is that most rookies aren't worth the risk.
They often come with poor percentages, tend to miss games late in the season as they adjust from a 35-game college schedule to the rigors of an 82-game regular season and are often overpriced because so many owners want to find the next, great, young talent. That's not to say owners should entirely disregard rookies, but just know that most of them fail to reach their ADP.
Checking NBA projections and monitoring rookie movement in rankings helps you spot which players could buck the trend and exceed expectations. While the shiny new toys in the league making headlines look enticing, there are usually better options available at a discount.
Ignoring Myths Crucial to Success
Fantasy basketball rewards preparation, consistency and adaptability. Falling for myths limits your success. The managers who win are the ones who balance their rosters, use tools effectively and stay active all season long.
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