OKC Thunder: National pundits rank SGA high in their fantasy drafts

OKC Thunder cornerstone Shai Gilgeous-Alexander in the mix of national pundits Fantasy ratings.

With the NBA 2020-21 season set to begin this week, many fans are drafting their fantasy teams. Last week Thunderous Intentions noted Bleacher Report ranked OKC Thunder cornerstone high on their list of shooting guards.

ESPN and NBA writers are also ranking the players and have differing views on where Shai Gilgeous-Alexander and other Thunder players should be seeded.

Kyle Irving of NBA.com offers up fantasy rankings for his top 200 players. While Andre Snellings provides the same for ESPN.

Although Irving and Snellings have essentially the same top ten their seeding is different. Depending on whose opinion you value more would be who to select and in which order. The following is Irving’s top 10 list, with Snellings ESPN ranking listed in the bracket following the player.

1. Luka Doncic (ESPN – 3rd)
2. James Harden (ESPN – 6th)
3. Giannis Antetokounmpo (ESPN – 1st)
4. Nikola Jokic (ESPN – 2nd)
5. Anthony Davis
6. Karl-Anthony Towns (ESPN – 4th)
7. LeBron James (ESPN – 8th)
8. Trae Young (ESPN – not in top 10)
9. Damian Lilliard (ESPN – 7th)
10. Stephen Curry

 SGA top OKC Thunder player on fantasy mock drafts

Both NBA and ESPN rank Davis and Curry in the same position while Irving has Young in his top 10 and Snellings elects to place Kevin Durant in his top 10.

More from Thunderous Intentions

• Stealing one player from every Southwest Division team for the OKC Thunder
• Should the OKC Thunder chase after a disgruntled hometown hero?
• 3 OKC Thunder players who can step up in Aleksej Pokusevski’s absence
• Aleksej Pokusevski sidelined approximately 6 weeks with ankle injury
• Damian Lillard does not fit with the OKC Thunder

On Irving’s list, the first OKC Thunder player to make the cut is Shai Gilgeous-Alexander coming in at 43rd. Three other Thunder players make Irving’s list — Al Horford (98), Trevor Ariza (156), and Darius Bazley (172).

Snelling is much higher on Gilgeous-Alexander ranking him 19th overall and fourth among shooting guards. Al Horford ranks 64th and Trevor Ariza is seeded at 190th.

SGA should rank higher given he’ll have the ball in his hand more this season and TI noted there is massive production to replace given the players who exited. As I highlighted last week the exiting core produced 83.7 points, 31.1 rebounds, and 17.4 assists per game.

Remember – this season isn’t about winning – – it’s about growing the assets. With that in mind. If you are playing in fantasy pools that allow you to trade or switch players make sure to keep an eye on the OKC Thunder rotation as there are bound to be players who don’t get drafted initially that will be great additions as the season progresses.