Fantasy Basketball: Ranking the fantasy impact of the 2021 NBA Draft class

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The 2021 NBA Draft class is extremely talented with much more than a handful of rookies expected to make an immediate impact in the league.

While typically there are only a few rookies who can make such a difference that they're worthy of rostering in fantasy basketball, this year's class may be deeper than most in that aspect.

Take a look at which first-year players are set to make the biggest impact in fantasy basketball.

Ranking fantasy impact of 2021 NBA Draft class

Moody Kuminga

10. Moses Moody, Golden State Warriors

Moody will make a fantasy impact with his 3-point shooting, rebounding and steals. He also often handled the ball as a playmaker for the Warriors in Summer League, so he may be a surprise source for some assists if he assumes a similar role for their second unit.

With Golden State back at full strength, playing time may be too inconsistent to permanently roster Moody, but he's worth monitoring in case he carves out a role as an offensive initiator off the bench and catch-and-shoot 3-point shooter when running with the starters.

9. Chris Duarte, Indiana Pacers

This spot in the rankings may come as a bit of a surprise, but the Pacers drafted the NBA-ready 24-year-old for a reason. I would expect him to fall in line right behind TJ Warren and Caris LeVert on Indiana's wing depth chart, and he'll make his fantasy impact by knocking down 3s, coming up with both steals and blocks, and grabbing rebounds.

Playing time could hinder his fantasy ceiling, but if Duarte gets the minutes, he will be well worth a roster spot as a player who will shoot efficiently and rack up defensive counting stats.

8. Jonathan Kuminga, Golden State Warriors

Kuminga could be higher on this list if his role on the Warriors was known, but as mentioned in Moody's section, with the team back at full strength, it will be interesting to see what these rookies get for playing time.

Kuminga is still worth drafting because if he does get the minutes, he'll contribute to every category across the board. You may run the risk of hurting your field goal and free throw percentages, but the 18-year-old will score the ball, grab boards, tally steals and blocks, and knock down 3-pointers. If playing time allows it, he could be a double-double threat on some nights, too.

7. Josh Giddey, Oklahoma City Thunder

Josh Giddey (Oklahoma City Thunder) Summer League

Giddey has a chance to be a fantasy gem this year. I don't anticipate him getting drafted until the late rounds and if he lives up to expectations, his final ranking could greatly surpass his average draft position.

Giddey should have the ball in his hands a ton during his rookie season and as we saw in the NBL, he's a triple-double threat because of his ability to rack up assists and rebounds. I would give Giddey the green light before a lot of the typical fantasy role players just because his potential upside could give you the steal of your fantasy draft.

6. Scottie Barnes, Toronto Raptors

There's a chance that Barnes could crack the Raptors' starting lineup to begin the season with All-Star forward Pascal Siakam expected to miss the first few weeks due to offseason shoulder surgery. Because of that, he's worth taking a swing on in your fantasy draft, getting your team out on the right foot to start the season.

He will be a do-it-all-type of fantasy player who can give you points, rebounds, assists, steals and blocks, potentially even notching a double-double here and there. He may hurt your team's free throw percentage, but that's a minor flaw compared to what he'll tally across all counting stats.

The minutes will be there for Barnes all year long, making him a lock to be one of the best rookies in this class in terms of fantasy production.

5. Alperen Sengün, Houston Rockets

Sengun

Sengün slides into the top five on this list as a nightly double-double threat. The Turkish big man should slot right into the rebuilding Rockets' starting lineup, receiving more than enough playing time to be worthy of a draft pick and full-time roster spot in fantasy.

If Summer League is any indication, the 19-year-old recorded double-doubles in points and rebounds in three of his four appearances while also averaging 3.0 blocks, 2.8 assists and 1.2 steals per game. Sengün's numbers will take a hit once he's playing alongside Christian Wood, but I still anticipate him being featured prominently enough in Houston's game plan to make a strong fantasy impact.

Sengün may get overlooked on the draft board, but keep him tabbed and don't be afraid to reach a little early because he'll be worth it.

4. Jalen Green, Houston Rockets

Jalen Green (Houston Rockets) Summer League

Green is going to score with ease from the moment he steps foot on an NBA floor.

He'll be the focal point of everything the Rockets do offensively and because of that, I expect the No. 2 pick to average over 20 points per game as a rookie. He'll, of course, contribute to points and 3s, but he'll also be a guaranteed boost to your team's free throw percentage.

He may not be a nightly double-double threat, but he'll receive plenty of playing time to rack up some rebounds and he showed flashes of improved playmaking during Summer League, giving him some promise to tally some assists as well.

Expect his fantasy impact to be similar to last year's No. 1 pick Anthony Edwards, who really hit his stride toward the end of the season during what would be the fantasy basketball playoffs.

3. Evan Mobley, Cleveland Cavaliers

Mobley

Mobley will be a fantasy stud right away, as long as he and his frontcourt mate Jarrett Allen can divvy up the rebounds next season.

The No. 3 overall pick will constantly be in the hunt for points-rebounds double-doubles, but his defensive stats are where he'll really set himself apart as a fantasy player. Mobley will rack up blocks and steals, and he's a solid passer for a big, so he should sneak some assists in there.

Mobley's field goal percentage should be an asset as well. He didn't have the most efficient Summer League, but when he has Darius Garland setting him up and Collin Sexton as a scoring threat next to him, his offensive looks should become much easier than they were during the exhibition games.

You can expect the 20-year-old to start immediately and play a big role in what the Cavaliers do next season, so he'll be worthy of an early-to-mid-round draft pick.

2. Jalen Suggs, Orlando Magic

Jalen Suggs (Orlando Magic) Summer League

The best fantasy basketball players are the ones who can contribute to multiple categories. With Suggs running the show for the Magic from Day 1, he should be one of the first rookies off the board in fantasy drafts.

He'll be Orlando's primary ball handler and playmaker, giving fantasy owners points, assists, rebounds and steals while also adding in some 3-pointers and blocks. He could give you the occasional points-assist double-double and his boost toward defensive counting stats will be a huge asset.

Don't wait too long to take a swing on the former Gonzaga floor general.

1. Cade Cunningham, Detroit Pistons

Cade Cunningham in his NBA Summer League debut

As just mentioned with Suggs, the more well-rounded your stats are, the more valuable you become in fantasy, and that's what lands Cunningham atop of this list.

The No. 1 overall pick will have the keys to the Pistons' franchise with everything running through him from the very first game. There is no statistical category that he won't check, and he'll be a blast to own because his stat line could help your team differently every night.

Some games he'll pour in points and 3s, others he may rack up assists and rebounds, and the defensive counting stats will be present on a nightly basis. He'll be a double-double and triple-double threat.

Cunningham's value goes beyond being the first rookie off the board. Don't make the same mistake many fantasy owners did last year on letting LaMelo Ball slide to the middle rounds of your fantasy draft. Consider Cunningham just after the first two tiers of superstars go off the board.

Other rookies to monitor in fantasy basketball

James Bouknight, Charlotte Hornets: Bouknight will be a shot-creating scorer for the Hornets off the bench and rebounds very well for his position. He's worth monitoring at the end of the draft or on the waiver wire.

Bones Hyland, Denver Nuggets: With no real timeline for when Jamal Murray might return from a torn ACL, Hyland may be in line for significant playing time at the start of the season because of the Nuggets' thin backcourt. He's a fantastic scorer and passer and should be able to help in both points and assists if given the minutes. 

Jalen Johnson, Atlanta Hawks: Johnson has been a stud at Summer League and could be a valuable source of points, rebounds, steals and blocks if given the playing time behind John Collins.

Kai Jones, Charlotte Hornets: Jones will likely start the season behind Mason Plumlee but the rim-running athletic center could be a double-double threat, a blocks machine and a field goal percentage booster if he plays enough.

Corey Kispert, Washington Wizards: This one is pretty simple – if your team is in need of 3-point shooting, Kispert is your guy.

Davion

Davion Mitchell, Sacramento Kings: Between De'Aaron Fox and Tyrese Haliburton, there's not enough playmaking opportunities available for Mitchell to crack the top 10 on this list, but he'll certainly provide your team with steals, some assists and 3-pointers.

Trey Murphy III, New Orleans Pelicans: Murphy could be an interesting fantasy X-Factor, especially if the Pelicans do not bring back restricted free agent Josh Hart. The Virginia product would give you a boost in points, rebounds, 3-pointers and steals.

Cameron Thomas, Brooklyn Nets: Being drafted by the most loaded offensive team in the NBA doesn't necessarily work in favour of one of the best scorers in this year's rookie class, but if your team is in need of points or 3-pointers, Thomas is worth keeping an eye on. Especially in games where one of Kevin Durant, Kyrie Irving or James Harden aren't available, Thomas could see an uptick in playing time that makes him a valuable streaming option this year.

Franz Wagner, Orlando Magic: Wagner may be worth a late draft pick depending on his role in Orlando. He's the type of player who can provide a little bit of everything to the box score, something that is invaluable in fantasy basketball.

The views on this page do not necessarily represent the views of the NBA or its clubs.

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Kyle Irving is an NBA content producer for The Sporting News.