No two fantasy basketball drafts are exactly the same, but players selected in snake drafts often go in similar ranges and rounds. Once a draft is complete, the host of the draft (think ESPN, Yahoo, CBS and others) take the draft slot of each player and average it into where he went in previous drafts. That produces a player's NBA fantasy ADP (average draft position), a good indicator of around where that player will go in your draft.
It's one of the most important features in the fantasy basketball draft kit for those taking part in snake drafts. It can be used a number of different ways on draft day, both in helping you set your rankings, using rankings on specific sites and knowing where you can wait on specific players on draft day.
What Does ADP Mean in Fantasy Basketball?
Unlike fantasy basketball auction values for auction drafts, ADP is used strictly for snake drafts. It's calculated by host sites and the hundreds of drafts that take place in them. For example, if Shai Gilgeous-Alexander was drafted first, sixth and third in three drafts, his ADP would be 3.3 (10 divided by 3). Rotowire's ADP then takes all those host sites and combines them into one number.
While the rankings are an exact science, it doesn't guarantee anything on draft day. Luka Doncic may have an ADP of 4.4, but the owner drafting first has Doncic atop his personal NBA fantasy rankings and selects the Slovenian All-Pro. What it does is give a better idea of the expanded range where players will be selected. ADP is constantly being updated, so players can see the trend on when a player is being drafted and use that to their advantage on their own draft day.
How Is ADP Calculated in Fantasy Basketball Drafts?
The key to finding fantasy basketball waiver wire gems is to understand the context of a player's hot stretch. If a player fills in nicely for a missing star, but that star is set to return, that player may not return much value moving forward. If the player has had a couple big nights because of a rotation change that you expect to continue, it's worth taking a flier on them. Checking out NBA projections each night can help.
It's also good to find players who are performing well in niche categories like 3-pointers, steals or blocks. It's tough to find a Top-10 scorer on the waiver wire, but players who are elite in one category often pop up throughout the year. Don't simply look for big names; look for players specific to the categories you're chasing.
Why ADP Matters for Your Fantasy Basketball Draft
ADP is important for owners in snake fantasy basketball drafts because it helps give a sense of where players might be drafted. This is helpful for a few reasons. First, it helps determine the range of where owners should consider drafting players, so that they aren't reaching too heavily early in drafts.
It's also good because it gives owners a sense of where other league mates may be considering drafting those players. Following ADP trends throughout the preseason can also help owners learn who is rising and who is falling–and then draft accordingly.
How to Use ADP Data to Gain an Edge
Casual fantasy basketball players will use ADP to gauge when they should draft a player. The most savvy owners will take it a step further. They'll use ADP to strategize on waiting on a certain player with a lower ADP than where they have him on their personal fantasy basketball cheat sheet.
For example, Josh Giddey has the 37th highest ADP on ESPN (41.02). In Rotowire's NBA projections, he's the 15th ranked player. You may not need to take Giddey in the teens, but instead can wait until a pick in the 20s to grab Giddey because other owners will be waiting closer to 40 to grab him.
Of course, you may not be the only fantasy basketball owner using ADP to his or her advantage. Keep in mind that others may be analyzing ADP vs. their own draft boards, so don't wait too long to grab the players you're interested in. Beyond ADP, keep other factors in play such as changes to NBA lineups, injury news and the categories you need help in.
ADP is a great starting point for all fantasy basketball owners. It gives you a sense of where certain players might go that can help you gauge when you should target them in your own drafts. Players who subscribe to RotoWire will be able to see trends in ADP and use them in their pre-draft process.
