Selecting an injury-prone player or one consistently missing games with an early draft pick can quickly derail a fantasy basketball season. Similarly, drafting a player high who is projected to experience a significant reduction in playing time compared to the previous season is equally risky. Experienced fantasy managers proactively identify such precarious situations, allowing them to steer clear of these players during their drafts. This season, consider these five prominent players as potential draft day liabilities.
Joel Embiid, C, Philadelphia 76ers
Joel Embiid, the Philadelphia 76ers` center, presents a significant injury risk. Over his nine-season career, he has averaged merely 50 games per season, playing only 19 last year. He has never surpassed 68 games in a single season, reaching the 60-game mark just four times. While undeniably a dominant fantasy asset when on the court, recent reports regarding his health are not optimistic. Although he might defy expectations and play 70 games, such an outcome is highly improbable. I personally recommend avoiding Embiid entirely; however, if compelled to draft him, securing a backup like Adem Bona, who could fill in during Embiid`s frequent absences, would be crucial.
Anthony Davis, PF/C, Dallas Mavericks
Anthony Davis, the power forward/center for the Dallas Mavericks, shares Embiid`s unfortunate tendency for injuries, a pattern that persisted even after his trade to the Mavericks last season. With Cooper Flagg now a central figure in Dallas and Kyrie Irving sidelined for much of the season due to an Achilles injury, the Mavericks are not projected to perform strongly. This environment makes Davis highly susceptible to extended absences with any minor injury, and an early-season shutdown is a real possibility. His 76 games played in the 2023-24 season appear to be an anomaly, making him an exceptionally risky first-round draft choice.
Paul George, SF/PF, Philadelphia 76ers
Paul George, the 35-year-old small forward/power forward for the Philadelphia 76ers, was a major fantasy disappointment last season, participating in only 41 games. Following offseason knee surgery in July, his readiness for the start of the season is uncertain. George`s career has been plagued by availability issues. Furthermore, the 76ers are strong candidates for `tanking` to retain their upcoming draft pick, compounded by Embiid`s ongoing health concerns. Given that Tyrese Maxey was sidelined last season, it`s highly probable the Sixers will prioritize protecting their draft asset again this campaign. Consequently, I advise against drafting George, regardless of his potential drop in draft position.
Ivica Zubac, C, LA Clippers
Ivica Zubac, center for the LA Clippers, enjoyed a career-best season last year, achieving averages of 16.8 points, 12.6 rebounds, and 1.1 blocks in a substantial 32.8 minutes per game. These career-highs in points, rebounds, and minutes were largely due to the Clippers` lack of a capable backup. However, with the offseason acquisition of Brook Lopez, a perennial starter, Zubac`s heavy minute load is unlikely to continue. A realistic expectation for Zubac in the 2025-26 season is approximately 25 minutes per game, an eight-minute decrease. While a strict platoon system isn`t anticipated, a significant dip in Zubac`s statistical output is almost guaranteed, especially compared to his previous season`s averages of 11.7 points and 9.2 rebounds.
Kristaps Porzingis, PF/C, Atlanta Hawks
Kristaps Porzingis, now a power forward/center for the Atlanta Hawks, is highly effective when available. However, a significant concern is his consistent absence from back-to-back games throughout his career, a pattern continued by the Celtics last season who managed his load by having him play every other game. With the Hawks boasting a promising young talent in Onyeka Okongwu, even if Porzingis starts at power forward alongside Okongwu, it`s difficult to foresee him playing in more than half the season`s games. His career game log — 42, 57, 65, 51, 43, 57, 0, 48, 66, and 72 games — clearly illustrates this. Across his ten-year career, he has only played 60 or more games three times. I would be genuinely surprised if he participates in more than 55 games this upcoming season.
