As fantasy basketball draft season approaches, evaluating value against average draft position remains one of the most important parts of roster construction.
Eric Karabell has highlighted a group of players he recommends fading at their current draft cost, pointing to names who may not offer the best return relative to where they are being selected. The list includes prominent players such as Kawhi Leonard and Lonzo Ball.
The focus is not necessarily on avoiding talent altogether, but on weighing risk, role, availability and draft price when building a fantasy roster. In formats where every pick carries opportunity cost, selecting a player too early can limit flexibility and reduce overall value.
Draft value remains the key factor
Average draft position provides a useful snapshot of how the fantasy market views a player, but it can also create situations where recognizable names are selected ahead of more reliable or better-valued options.
For fantasy managers, the takeaway is to compare each player’s projected production with their current cost and consider whether similar output may be available later in drafts.