The fantasy football season is coming to an end, but that doesn't mean your competitive spirit has to fade. By joining a fantasy basketball league, you can continue to enjoy the excitement and challenges of fantasy sports. Whether you're a seasoned fantasy player or a newbie, fantasy basketball has something to offer. With the 2024-2025 NBA season in full swing, it's the perfect time to dive in and give it a try.

Unlock the Excitement of Fantasy Basketball

Give Fantasy Basketball a Shot

If you're a die-hard football fan who hasn't explored basketball much, fantasy basketball can be a great gateway. You'll start recognizing player names, understanding team dynamics, and realizing why certain players are so dominant. It's like having an all-access pass to basketball fandom. You'll find yourself eagerly checking game stats daily and engaging in MVP debates.Just like in fantasy football, fantasy basketball offers flexibility. Missed the season kickoff? No problem. Yahoo Fantasy Basketball draft rooms stay open until March 2025, giving you plenty of time to draft, play, and potentially win. If you're not satisfied with your first team, you can always draft again.There are options to play for free or for cash on Yahoo. You can join a league with friends or participate in a free Public League if you just want to have some fun. Or, if you're confident, you can join a Public Prize League and add some excitement with monetary stakes.

Keep the Momentum Going!

Fantasy basketball is the perfect remedy for the long post-football-season lull. Just like in fantasy football, there are multiple formats to choose from, catering to both beginners and seasoned pros. You can select from points leagues, head-to-head categories leagues, and rotisserie leagues, providing a diverse and enjoyable playing experience.Tips for Drafting a Fantasy Basketball Team

Test the Waters with a Points League

If you're new to fantasy basketball or prefer a simple format, points leagues are a great starting point. They follow a similar scoring system to football, with players earning points based on their performance. You can set your lineups daily or weekly, depending on what works best for you.For those seeking a more traditional fantasy basketball experience, try a head-to-head 9-categories league. In this format, you're graded on nine statistical categories, including points, rebounds, assists, steals, blocks, free-throw percentage, field-goal percentage, 3-pointers made, and turnovers. It's a challenging test, but it can be a lot of fun.

Do a Mock Draft!

Before diving into a real draft, practice with a mock draft. Yahoo's mock draft tool allows you to test your strategies, get familiar with draft formats (such as snake or salary cap), and understand where players are being drafted (average draft positions or ADP). During the season, things can change quickly due to injuries, trends, and breakout stars, so having a sense of the market is crucial. Mock drafts help you prepare and make more informed decisions when it's time to draft.Once you're ready to draft, refer to my articles for insights on which players are trending up or down and the latest fantasy basketball rankings. This will help you build a team that can compete now, not one that could have won two months ago.

I Drafted a Fantasy Basketball Team, Now What?

Fantasy basketball requires more attention than football, but the added strategic elements make it incredibly rewarding.Keep an eye on daily player status updates. Knowing who's available, who's injured, and who's on a hot streak can give you a significant advantage, just like in fantasy football.Exploit scheduling quirks. If a team has more games in a week, consider adding players from that team to gain a competitive edge.Don't overlook the waiver wire. New players emerge throughout the season, and a smart pickup could lead to a big win.If setting your lineup becomes too time-consuming, Yahoo! + offers a lineup tool that simplifies the process. With just one click, you can set optimal lineups for the week ahead, making fantasy basketball accessible even when you're short on time.

What You May Have Missed This Season So Far

In points leagues, Nikola Jokić, Giannis Antetokounmpo, and Luka Dončić have been at the top. In 9-category leagues, Nikola Jokić, Victor Wembanyama, and Shai Gilgeous-Alexander have stood out.Payton Pritchard has been a great value relative to his ADP.The Celtics are the most fantasy-friendly team, with five players in the top 75 and six in the top 100 in 9-cat formats.Joel Embiid has surpassed Kawhi Leonard as the most frustrating player in fantasy. Buyers beware.Kawhi Leonard has not played in an NBA game this season.Zion Williamson has played in six games.The NBA trade season is open, and the biggest move so far was Dennis Schröder being traded to the Golden State Warriors.The Wizards, Jazz, and Pelicans have combined to win only 13 games, indicating a rebuilding phase.

Players Being Drafted Higher vs. Preseason

Karl-Anthony Towns, Jalen Williams, Alperen Şengün, Nikola Vučević, Derrick White, Jalen Johnson, Dyson Daniels, Payton Pritchard, Franz Wagner, OG Anunoby, Isaiah Hartenstein, Darius Garland, Tyler Herro, John Collins, Josh Hart, Jalen Suggs, Trey Murphy III, Norman Powell, and Cameron Johnson are all being drafted higher than expected.

Players Being Drafted Lower vs. Preseason

Zion Williamson, Jusuf Nurkić, Jabari Smith Jr., Jalen Duren, Brandon Ingram, Deandre Ayton, D’Angelo Russell, Kyle Kuzma, Lauri Markkanen, Joel Embiid, Jerami Grant, Terry Rozier, Mark Williams, Collin Sexton, Klay Thompson, Alex Caruso, and Bogdan Bogdanović are being drafted lower than anticipated.Final ThoughtsThere's no better time to get involved in fantasy basketball. Whether you're looking for a post-football fix, want to try something new, or simply want to understand how Wembanyama is dominating the NBA, fantasy basketball offers endless excitement. Draft, play, win, and keep that competitive spark alive all season long! What are you waiting for? Join the game now.