.png){kind=small}
The 2017-18 NBA season is fast approaching, and thus so is fantasy basketball season.
As part of our preseason fantasy coverage here at Off the Glass, I’ll be profiling my top five overall players for 2017-18 season.
Without any further ado, here is No. 5.
5. Kevin Durant
Durant was not quite as prolific a scorer in his first season with the Golden State Warriors (25.1 points per game), as he set career-lows in usage rate (27.8 percent) and shot attempts per game (16.5).
But from a fantasy perspective, Durant made up for a scoring drop-off with a boost in other categories. He set career-highs in rebounds (8.3) and blocks (1.6) per game), while also averaging 4.8 assists and 1.1 steals per game.
Durant’s shooting percentages ranged from good (53.7 percent from the floor; 37.5 percent from beyond the arc) to elite (87.5 percent from the line) last season. In eight or nine category leagues, that across the board output is invaluable.
One concern with Durant is durability, as he has missed at least 10 games in three straight seasons and has played all 82 games just once (more than 80 games four times). But after a year of finding his way with the Warriors, that’s not enough to quell Durant’s substantial upside this year with the expectation he further asserts himself on the offensive end.
Averages of 27, 9 and 5 (points, rebounds and assists) are within reach for Durant this year. With some added contribution in blocks and steals, and a difference-making free throw percentage, that puts him in the fantasy elite.