Fantasy basketball drafts are in full swing. While it’s tempting to chase big names, not everyone is built for success in High Score formats. In a game where upside rules, knowing who to avoid can be just as important as finding the next breakout star.
[High Score is a new way to play Fantasy Basketball on Yahoo with simple rosters and scoring. Create or join a league]
Here are the frontcourt players I’m avoiding.
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Paul George, Philadelphia 76ers
George’s fantasy résumé used to be elite. Those days are gone. In 2024–25, George played just 41 games in his first stint with the Sixers, averaging 16.2 points, 5.3 rebounds and 4.3 assists and 1.8 steals per game. His usage rate (23.5%) was his lowest mark since the 2012-13 season.
Now 35, George underwent arthroscopic knee surgery this summer with no timeline determined for his return. Even when healthy, his efficiency slipped. PG’s effective field goal percentage dropped to 51.4%, his lowest shooting numbers since the 2011-12 season.
A couple of positives: his assist rate climbed back over 20% and he was 94th percentile in steals at his position. That said, if George isn’t giving you 20+ points a night with the same level of dimes, upholding seventh-round value will be tough in High Score.
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Kawhi Leonard, Los Angeles Clippers
Kawhi remains one of the league’s most efficient scorers, but efficiency holds less weight in High Score and standard points formats. Leonard appeared in 37 games, averaging 21.5 points, 5.9 rebounds, 3.1 assists and 1.6 steals per game last season — solid output. But the Clippers’ offseason moves (specifically bringing in Bradley Beal and John Collins) signaled a shift toward preserving their stars.
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With added depth throughout their roster, Leonard’s upside is fading, as the focus shifts to keeping him healthy for the postseason. Expect managed minutes and scheduled rest throughout the upcoming season. He’s being drafted 45th overall in Yahoo leagues, which I can get behind in a 9-cat roto format, but not points or H2H category leagues.
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Jarrett Allen, Cleveland Cavaliers
Allen is still valuable in category leagues for FG% and rebounding, but in formats that reward ceiling — like High Score — Allen’s consistency won’t be as valuable. He was top 10 in double-doubles with an impressive 1.15 fantasy points per minute last year, but his minutes fell under 30 per game, with a decrease in rebounding and his fewest field-goal attempts per game (7.8) since 2021.
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The issue is role stagnation.
With Evan Mobley’s usage climbing under coach Kenny Atkinson and the Cavaliers shifting to a more perimeter-oriented offense, Allen’s offensive opportunities aren’t as fruitful.
Allen’s consistency has become both his strength and his limitation. He’s a reliable double-double threat, but if he’s not blocking shots or getting over that 30-minute threshold, boom opportunities are capped.
Rudy Gobert, Minnesota Timberwolves
With rebounds worth less in High Score, Gobert’s value continues to fall. The 12-year vet is coming off a season where his rebound rate dropped to 18.2%, his lowest in seven years and a career-low 4.1% block rate. Gobert’s fantasy points per minute (0.99) fell to under 1.0 for the first time in a decade.
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As the Wolves’ offensive core (Anthony Edwards, Julius Randle, Naz Reid and Jaden McDaniels) evolves, Gobert’s usage and effectiveness will continue trending south.
He’s a classic “better in real life than fantasy” big man — a safe double-double, but one without any game-breaking upside, especially with the rim protection falling off.
Cam Johnson, Denver Nuggets
Moving from a losing environment to a winning one will benefit Johnson in real life. However, Johnson’s departure from Brooklyn to Denver is a downgrade for his fantasy outlook. Yes, he’s now playing with the best basketball player in the world. Still, he’s coming off an injury-riddled season where he put up career-highs across several categories like points, FT%, 3s made, FG% and assists per game. Then there was the 22.9 usage rate, which was also a career-best. I expect he’ll maintain his efficiency, but the volume and sheer opportunity are a wrap with the Nuggets.
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In Denver, Johnson’s role shifts dramatically, becoming a low-usage floor spacer, rather than a featured scorer. Fewer shots mean fewer spike games, and that’s detrimental in formats where ceiling outcomes give you the best opportunity to win.
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