There should never be a player to avoid at all costs in a fantasy basketball draft. As former wrestler Ted DiBiase said: “Everybody’s got a price.”

There are numerous reasons to avoid a player. It can be team context, Average Draft Position (ADP) is too high, injuries, or the lack of categories.

At some point, a player can have value if everyone has similar sentiments and plummets down the draft board. Still, these are players to avoid drafting in most scenarios.

“Do Not Draft” List For Fantasy Basketball 2024

Paolo Banchero (ORL)

Banchero can contribute in some categories such as points, rebounds, and assists. He averaged 22.6 points, 6.9 rebounds, and 5.4 assists last season in his second year in the NBA. He’s not an asset in free throw percentage, shooting 73.8% as a rookie and 72.5% last season.

Banchero averaged 3.1 turnovers last year and 0.9 steals and 0.6 blocks aren’t good enough for a third-round pick with the lack of defensive stats.

Jimmy Butler (MIA)

Butler is a fun player to watch, especially in the postseason, but the market is higher on him than I am.

He has name value and it pushed him higher than he should be drafted. Butler has played more than 60 games one time since 2016-17. He just turned 35 and missed games will happen. Butler’s stats took a slight decline last season outside of three-point percentage. If Nikola Jovic improves and Tyler Herro continues to shoot, Butler could be relied upon less, especially with Bam Adebayo around, too.

Joel Embiid (PHI)

We all know the deal. When Embiid is on the floor, he's one of the elite fantasy players. The issue is health and missed games and he often goes in the first round.

The 76ers have 14 back-to-backs and Embiid recently said he will probably not play back-to-back for the rest of his career. Embiid hasn’t played in the preseason and the goal is to be cautious and make sure he’s healthy for the postseason. Embiid was limited to 39 games last season and has never played more than 68 games in a season. He has played in 51 games or fewer in half of his eight seasons. There’s already concern going into the season and unless he falls far down the draft, it’s not worth the headache.

Jrue Holiday (BOS)

The ADP on Holiday on most sites is too high for me. He’s 34, coming off a long playoff run, and was on the Olympic team.

He only had a 16% usage rate and his scoring dropped off going to Boston last season. After averaging 19.3 points for the Bucks in 22-23, he averaged 12.5 points for Boston last year to go with 5.4 rebounds and 4.8 assists. Several players are going after him that are better picks.

Brandon Ingram (NOP)

Ingram will benefit while Trey Murphy is out, but long term, there are concerns. Ingram averaged 5.7 assists last season and that’s unlikely to continue with Dejounte Murray added to the team. Ingram also doesn’t help with defensive stats, averaging 0.8 steals and 0.6 blocks.

Kawhi Leonard (LAC)

Before the latest report, Leonard was on this list. Leonard reportedly will be sidelined indefinitely with right knee inflammation as he rehabilitates after coming off surgery. There are always people who go back to an ex and know it’s not going to work out. Those same people draft Leonard. We have been here many times.

When Leonard is on the court, the stats will be great. The issue is missing time and it constantly happens. Leonard played 68 games last season; the most he played since 2016-17. As with any injury-prone player, it comes down to draft cost and what type of risk one wants to take, but unless he drops far in drafts and there are injured reserve spots, it’s best to avoid.

Tyrese Maxey (PHI)

Even if Maxey has the second-highest usage on the team, he doesn’t help in enough categories to go in the early third round. Paul George will cut into some of the numbers and Maxey played more than half his games without Joel Embiid last season where he saw a nine-percent boost in usage.

Maxey doesn’t help enough with the defensive stats and the assists aren’t high enough for the early pick. He averaged 37.5 minutes per game and it could decrease.

Khris Middleton (MIL)

Middleton didn’t play in the preseason and there is some question as to when he will be ready. He had surgery on both his ankles, is 33 years old, and played in 33 and 55 games over the last two seasons.

He hasn't really been able to play significant minutes in the last two seasons, either, averaging 24.3 minutes two years ago and 27 last season. Middleton isn’t expensive and it’s easy to convince yourself to take the chance due to the price, but most players don’t get healthier as they get older while also dealing with injuries the past few seasons.

Klay Thompson (DAL)

Thompson is on a new team and won’t get the usage he had in Golden State. Thompson shot the ball better in the second half, but he doesn't typically contribute much outside of scoring and three-pointers. With an ADP of 86 on ESPN, it’s way too high.

More 2024 Fantasy Basketball Analysis