ESPN has a complex rating system utilized to determine which players are standing out from a fantasy perspective at this point in the season. It’s not a concrete science. It does, however, give a pretty reliable snapshot of what’s going on in the fantasy realm. A quick glance at those ESPN rankings as of right now, 10 games or so into the NBA season, show some pretty interesting stuff. In the Top 25 there are players that will remain near the peak of the rankings this season, and there are also players that a few weeks ago no one would have given a fighting chance to sniff the Top 25. It’s still extremely early in the season and there’s a good a majority of these players will fall off come midseason. That said as of right now it’s worth noting some of the players that have stood out so far.
Here are the full rankings from ESPN.
Gordon Hayward; Current Ranking: 5; Average ESPN Draft Position: 47.0
This guy has been an absolute stud for the Utah Jazz so far. Gordon Hayward is averaging 19.2 points, 5.5 rebounds, 4.8 assists, and 1.3 steals per game this season. He’s been the catalyst on a team that has overachieved to this point in the season and in his fourth season in the NBA, it seems he’s finally starting to figure it out. He added weight in the offseason and the 6-foot-8-inch, 225-pound Hayward has the body type to compete against almost anyone at his position in the NBA. Hayward is clearly the focal point of this offense moving forward. He likely won’t stay in the Top 10 for the entire season (simply because Utah is so bad). Hayward could, however, flirt with the Top 25 all season long.
Klay Thompson; Current Ranking: 6; Average ESPN Draft Position: 32.0
Klay Thompson has benefited from the fast-paced style of play of the Steve Kerr system, as well as defenses putting extra attention on Steph Curry. Thompson is proving to be worth the contract he signed earlier this season as he’s averaging 23.6 points, 3.2 rebounds, and 3.3 assists per game. Thompson is also hitting on 47 percent of his shots from long range, an extremely useful statistic in the fantasy realm. His inflated stats will most definitely come down a tad because there is so much firepower on the Golden State Warriors. That said Thompson is slowly approaching untouchable status.
Nikola Vucevic; Current Ranking: 7; Average ESPN Draft Position: 44.1
This is definitely one of the more surprising early season risers so far. Nikola Vucevic has always been able to rebound throughout his brief NBA career, and finally is showing he has the ability to score. That has inflated his value from a fantasy perspective, and he’s also blocking 1.3 shots per game. Vucevic has been a lone bright spot on an Orland Magic team that has been pretty underwhelming this season. Though Victor Oladipo will take away touches when he returns to the Magic, Vucevic is clearly the main inside option for the team as of right now. That in and of itself is a reason to keep rolling with him.
Brandon Knight; Current Ranking: 9; Average ESPN Draft Position: 91.0
Brandon Knight is playing out of his mind this season and is finally proving why he was looked at as a premier prospect coming out of Kentucky three years ago. Knight is averaging 18.3 points, 6.0 rebounds, and 6.4 assists this season and has been a main reason the Milwaukee Bucks are 5-5 right now. It’s hard to believe that Knight is going to continue this absurd run after he hasn’t proven to be consistent really at any point in his career. He’s definitely a player to keep an eye on for the rest of the season. It feels like Knight is a very good sell-high candidate at the moment. He could, however, make owners kick themselves for trading him if he continues to play like this.
Roy Hibbert; Current Ranking: 13; Average ESPN Draft Position: 87.0
No one believed in Roy Hibbert a few weeks ago heading into this season, especially after the way he finished last season. Hibbert, however, has made it a point of emphasis to prove those doubters wrong this season. He is averaging 13.6 points, 8.1 rebounds, and 3.2 blocks per game this season. Hibbert started last season similarly and then fell off the face of the planet down the stretch. That should make owners wary of this start. That said it’s really hard to argue with the numbers he’s putting up to this point in the season. Hibbert will be a primary face of the Indiana Pacers this season with Paul George recovering from a nasty leg injury. Hibbert will be fine this season.