Fantasy basketball: Joel Embiid and four other big-name players to avoid in drafts

Drafting injury-prone players or those expected to see reduced playing time with high picks can quickly derail a fantasy basketball season. Savvy managers avoid such players, and here are five big names to steer clear of in drafts this year.

Joel Embiid, center for the Philadelphia 76ers, has a history of missing games, averaging only 50 appearances over nine seasons and playing just 19 games last year. Despite his dominance when healthy, his durability concerns make him risky, and it's advisable to avoid him or draft backup Adem Bona as insurance.

Anthony Davis, power forward/center for the Dallas Mavericks, continues to struggle with injuries, and with Cooper Flagg taking a leading role and Kyrie Irving sidelined, the team's poor performance could lead to Davis being shut down early. Although he played 76 games in 2023-24, this was an exception, making him a high-risk first-round pick.

Paul George, small forward/power forward for the Philadelphia 76ers, is coming off a season where he played only 41 games and had offseason knee surgery. At 35 years old, his availability is uncertain, and with the Sixers potentially tanking to protect draft picks, he is not recommended for fantasy drafts.

Ivica Zubac, center for the LA Clippers, had a career-high season in points, rebounds, and minutes, but the addition of Brook Lopez means his playing time is likely to drop to around 25 minutes per game. This reduction will negatively impact his stats, making him a less attractive option compared to last year.

Fantasy managers are encouraged to create or join a league on ESPN to start their championship run, emphasizing the importance of strategic drafting to avoid these pitfalls.