Welcome to October! Fall is in the air and with it, basketball. The NBA season begins in about three weeks with the first games Tuesday, October 24. Of course, this is the time for fantasy drafts throughout the land. As we get closer to the season, they will only increase. When looking at the players at the top of the draft, it is obvious which one should be the first overall taken. Without doubt, that player is Nikola Jokic. With that settled, the manager with the second overall pick has to make a choice. Never fear, as this fantasy basketball second overall edition is here to help!

As with the articles I have written for fantasy baseball, discussion and debate are highly encouraged. Which player would you select? Is it one of the players listed or someone else entirely? Let me know!

The Candidates

Giannis Antetokounmpo, PF, Milwaukee Bucks

First up for discussion is Giannis Antetokounmpo, the two-time season and NBA Finals MVP. Important Stats: 63 games played, 31.1 points, 11.8 rebounds, 5.7 assists, 55%, 64% FT.

Comment: The 31.1 PPG was the highest of his career. His assist average was right in line with his career average. Additionally, Giannis’ FG% was the same from the previous season. However, the free throw percentage was his worst since 2019.

As everyone knows, he has had knee issues. Giannis hasn’t played in more than 67 games the past four year. However, despite the wear and tear, the good news is that he is only 28. For the moment, it looks like he will enter this season healthy.

Luka Doncic, PG, Dallas Mavericks

Next up is Luka Doncic, the do everything point guard for the Dallas Mavericks. Important stats: played in 66 games. Further, in 2022-2023, Doncic averaged 8.6 rebounds and 8.0 assists and scored 32.4 PPG . He shot 49% from the field and 74% from the line.

Comments: Doncic, like Giannis, has had problems with injuries in his NBA career. He hasn’t played in more than 66 games in a season since he was a rookie. Likewise, his assists average was his lowest since his first year. However, his PPG was the highest of his career.

Doncic improved his FG% from the 45% he averaged the previous season. He is extremely consistent from the free throw line. The FT% was right in line with the mark he posted in 2021-2022. Without question, Doncic has earned his place for consideration on this fantasy basketball second overall edition.

Jayson Tatum, SF, Boston Celtics

Last, but certainly not least, is the dynamic small forward from Boston, Jayson Tatum. Important stats: He played in 74 games and averaged 30.1 PPG, 8.8 rebounds and 4.6 assists. Tatum shot 46% from the floor. Further, his free throw percentage was an excellent 85%. Best of all, he is only 24.

Comment: The number of games Tatum played in last season is the highest of any player forecasted to be taken in this draft’s top five. The points, rebounds and assists averages all increased from Tatum’s previous year. Additionally, his shooting percentage was his best since his rookie season.

Conclusion: The second pick in the draft should be:

Jayson Tatum

Unlike the other two players, Tatum can be counted on by the manager who selects him to be on the court for nearly every game. The proof: in his previous season, Tatum appeared in even more games with 76. That is no small matter in today’s NBA, even with the new rules on resting players. There are few, if any, things that frustrate a fantasy manager more than needing a big game from his first round draft pick only to find he won’t play.

Truly, Giannis would be even more dominant if he could hit his free throws. However, he hasn’t shot better than 68% from the line in three of the last four years. The other two, particularly Tatum, are much better shooters from the line.

Ultimately, the biggest knock on Doncic is the unknown. How will he and Kyrie Irving mesh over a full season? Anyone who says they have the answer to that should be avoided at all costs. Certainly, the 20 games the two played together last season could only be described as a disaster. The proof is that despite the trade, the Mavericks missed the postseason entirely in 2022-2023, after making it to the Western Conference Finals the season before.

For the reasons cited above, Tatum should be the second overall selection in fantasy drafts.

The Final Word

Thank you for joining me for this fantasy basketball second overall edition! Again, as stated at the top, I always welcome suggestions, comments and input from my readers. Let’s discuss!

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