Fantasy Basketball Draft Busts in the First 10 Rounds: Anthony Davis, Zion Williamson and More

Yesterday, we went over fantasy basketball draft steals in each of the first 10 rounds. Today, we are back to go over a draft bust for each of the first 10 rounds.

I'll again be basing things off of the FantasySP Average Draft Position list. I'll be approaching things from a total fantasy points view, although I'd choose a similar list in a category-based league.

Check out fantasy basketball Average Draft Position data on FantasySP as you prepare for the 2025-26 NBA season!

Round 1 - Anthony Davis

LeBron James was an option after he was ruled out 3-4 weeks yesterday, but I'm still going to say Davis and his long injury history will make him a first-round bust.

Injuries and availability is going to be a theme in this article, and Davis is one of the more talented players in the game, but also probably near the top of the oft-injured player list.

He has played over 60 games just once over the past five years. That's more than enough history to expect Davis to miss some time again this season. 

Davis averaged 24.7 points, 11.6 rebounds, 3.5 assists, 2.2 blocks and 1.2 steals across 33.5 minutes in his 51 games last season, so again, he's stellar when he's out there. If he even misses 20 games though, he'll likely finish below where he was drafted, which makes him a draft bust option.

Round 2 - Tyrese Maxey

I hate to put Maxey on this list, but after he only logged 52 games last season, he was my best bust choice for the second round.

He averaged 26.3 points, 6.1 assists, 3.3 rebounds, 1.8 steals and 0.4 blocks over 37.7 minutes per contest. Maxey is another stellar fantasy option when he's out there, but I could see the coaching staff dropping his minutes per game in an effort to keep him healthy all season.

Like the rest of the injury-riddled 76ers' squad, there's a chance Maxey busts as a result of his missed games.

Round 3 - De'Aaron Fox

Fox has had a pretty injury-free career, but was limited to 62 contests last year. He's now the No. 2 option in San Antonio, so that's another reason why I see him failing to live up to his ADP.

He averaged 23.5 points, 6.3 assists, 3.8 assists, 1.5 steals and 0.4 blocks over 36.1 minutes a game, but his scoring dropped nearly five points against joining the Spurs last year.

Unless he falls in my draft, I'd skip Fox this season. You'd be hoping for an injury to Victor Wembanyama again for Fox to live up to last year's marks.

Round 4 - LaMelo Ball

Ball is a fantasy stud when on the court, but he's missed far too many games over his five-year career. He's only played over 51 games on one occasion, and he's been at 47 or less games the past three years.

That's just not enough games to take Ball this early in a fantasy draft. He averaged 25.2 points, 7.4 assists, 4.9 rebounds, 1.1 steals and 0.3 blocks across 32 minutes a night, so I get the appeal to draft him.

It's just too big of a risk though, and there's several other players near his ADP that are much safer draft picks. Don't get tempted into drafting Ball, because you'll probably end up disappointed by the end of the season.

Round 5 - Zion Williamson

Williamson's games played have jumped back and forth over his five seasons and six years in the league. 

He was at just 24 games as a rookie before playing 61 as a sophomore. Williamson missed the 2021-22 season before playing just 29 games the following year. He jumped to 70 games played after that, before logging just 30 games in 2024-25.

Williamson appears to be in better shape for this season, but I need to see it to believe it with him. More likely, he'll be rested somewhat often, and if he misses extended time again, you're looking at him being a draft bust again, despite being picked later than in past years.

He averaged 24.6 points, 7.2 rebounds, 5.3 assists, 1.2 steals and 0.9 blocks over 28.6 minutes per game last season. Those are great fantasy numbers for his ADP, but at just 30 games played, he didn't help fantasy owners out much last year.

It's a risk to take Williamson near his ADP, and I'd try to avoid him unless he slipped in my drafts.

Round 6 - Tyler Herro

Herro had surgery on September 19, and it was expected to keep him out 8-12 weeks. That means he's already going to miss probably a month of the season, and maybe two. 

Herro has only been below 50 games once in his career, so he's not a major injury-prone player, but the early-season injury is enough to scare me off him this year.

He averaged 23.9 points, 5.5 assists, 5.2 rebounds, 0.9 steals and 0.2 blocks per game. He could be a nice addition after he returns to the court, but he's likely to miss more games than that first month or two, so he could still end up as a bust despite a fair ADP now.

Round 7 - Brandon Ingram

Ingram only took the court for 18 games last season. He was at 45 or more games in every other year of his nine-year career.

He averaged 22.2 points, 5.6 rebounds, 5.2 assists, 0.9 steals and 0.6 blocks over 33.1 minutes a game last season. Ingram was traded from the Pelicans to the Raptors, but he never suited up for his new team.

Between some injury concerns, and having a better team around him in Toronto, I see Ingram being underwhelming this coming season. I'd try to avoid him if I could in fantasy drafts.

Round 8 - CJ McCollum

McCollum has had a pretty injury-free career, so I'm down on him because of his age (34) and his situation (playing for the Wizards).

He averaged 21.1 points, 4.1 assists, 3.8 rebounds, 0.8 steals and 0.4 blocks over 32.7 minutes a game last season. Washington is looking to find its way and build toward a brighter future, so I'd be surprised if McCollum is with them by the end of the season.

He'll likely be able to deliver similar averages to start this season, but I see him at least regressing a bit due to age. A trade to a better team could hurt his fantasy value even more, so I'm not a massive fan of McCollum at his ADP.

Round 9 - Paul George

George in the ninth round seems like such a steal, but after an injury-riddled, and frankly poor showing, across 41 games with Philly last season, I still think he's being drafted too early, and will end up as a bust again.

He averaged just 16.2 points, 5.3 rebounds, 4.3 assists, 1.8 steals and 0.5 blocks over 32.5 minutes a game last year. It was the worst season since his third year in the league - he's played 15 years.

Between missing more games and likely producing similar numbers this season, I don't see him finishing anywhere near his ADP. Look elsewhere for help in round 9.

Round 10 - Deandre Ayton

Ayton was brought in to help solidify the Lakers' center spot. He's fallen off the past couple seasons, and dealt with injuries too, so I think he's not worth his ADP.

He averaged 14.4 points, 10.2 rebounds, 1.6 assists, 1 block and 0.8 steals per game over 30.2 minutes in 40 contests. Ayton played 55 games two years ago.

He should factor in a good amount in LA, but he'll likely suffer offensively when Luka Doncic, Austin Reaves and James are all available. That, mixed with some missed games probably, will end in Ayton underperforming and being a draft bust again.