NBA Big Board: Anthony Davis at the top

There's no question who the No. 1 pick is this year (and likely many to come). Davis is only getting better and may even add a three-point shot to his already nearly flawless game this season.

He’s taken his game to another level while also putting past durability concerns to rest. Was easily the No. 2 fantasy player last year despite seeing a modest 32.7 mpg.

Was only player in league to average at least 27.0 ppg, 5.0 rpg, 7.0 apg and 2.0 3pt last season. Durable and a huge help in FT%, there are few safer choices than Harden.

A risk coming off major surgery after missing 55 games last season. Still, he just turned 27 years old and isn’t far removed from being the best fantasy player on the planet.

Led the NBA with 10.2 apg, making his modest 2.3 tpg all the more remarkable. Moreover, his 1.7 3pt and 90.9 FT% were both career highs, as the 30-year-old PG shows no signs of slowing down.

Likely to see his minutes decrease even further, but it’s hard to let the best player in the world fall much further than this.

Led the NBA in ppg (28.1) but also tpg (4.4) and will see his Usage Rate come down with the healthy return of Durant.

Was the No. 6 fantasy player despite a Usage Rate (21.4) that ranked No. 93 in the NBA. Just 24 years old, Leonard has increased his ppg, rpg, apg and spg during every year he’s been in the league.

Remains to be seen if he can get along with George Karl, but was only player to average at least 24.0 ppg and 12.0 rpg. On the cusp of superstardom.

Horford is rock solid, but consider this a bit of a tier drop off starting here.

Was a major disappointment last year, struggling through injuries before getting shutdown midway through the season. Anthony claims he’s back to 100% and don’t forget he was a top-eight fantasy player both in 2012/13 and 2013/14.

Was one of the league’s biggest breakout stars last season, and while he may have to share the ball more if Derrick Rose somehow stays healthy, Butler’s emergence as an elite option is here to stay.

Went from being a borderline top-50 fantasy player to a top-10 option during his fourth year in the league last season (despite a decrease in mpg) and is still improving. Look for Thompson to get to the line more in 2015/16.

Contributes across the board and is even center eligible.

The 23-year-old averaged 13.4 rpg, 1.0 spg and 2.6 bpg after the All-Star break last season and was a top-10 fantasy player over the final two months. He’s going to be an absolute beast.

Remained highly productive before a knee injury cut his season short. Averaged career highs in 3pt (1.2) and FT% (83.6%).

Could see a decrease in Usage Rate now with the Spurs, but he’ll remain plenty valuable and benefit from playing in such an efficient system.

Should see his role expand even further now the clear centerpiece to Portland’s franchise.

Finished second in the NBA with 10.0 apg, but it doesn’t look like he’s ever going to develop into much of a shooter from long range, which prevents him from becoming a truly elite fantasy option.

The biggest wild card coming off such a gruesome leg injury, conservative owners won’t take the plunge this early. George is also going to play more power forward this season, which he’s skeptical of.

Despite seeing his Usage Rate plummet to the lowest since his rookie year after joining the Cavs last season, Love remained a top-35 fantasy asset. He should be better year two in Cleveland.

Relied too much on his newly developed jumper at times but also finished with a career-high 5.3 apg. Griffin is still just 26 years old and is a rock solid fantasy option.

Remains raw offensively but the 21 year old’s potential is limitless. He averaged 10.0 rpg, 2.1 spg and 2.3 bpg after the All-Star break last season and was a top-15 fantasy player over the final two months.

Some more blocks would be nice, but the big man helps in the percentages, and his 19.3 ppg ranked fifth highest among those who qualified at center last year.

Was a top-20 fantasy player last year despite getting just 11.7 ppg, as he contributed across the board elsewhere. The former second round pick was paid during the offseason but will remain as hungry as ever. Continued improvement on his three-point shot would be huge.

Was the No. 11 fantasy player despite the additions of James and Love, but Irving is coming off knee surgery, and there’s no definitive timetable for his return.

Few big men can match Gasol’s efficiency, as he was a top-20 fantasy player last year despite grabbing a modest 7.8 rpg.

Similar to Gasol, Lopez is a valuable fantasy big man despite lacking big rebounding numbers (7.4 rpg).

Struggles at the line and durability is a concern, but Whiteside somehow averaged 10.0 rpg and 2.6 bpg in just 23:47 mpg last season, when he was the No. 22 fantasy player over the final three months. No one in the league has more upside in the blocks department.

After disappointing during his last two years in Los Angeles, Gasol returned as a top-15 fantasy asset after joining Chicago. Expect some slight regression from the 35-year-old.

Had something of a down year in 2014/15 but was a top-35 asset in each of the three prior seasons.

Remains a strong option when on the court but has missed an average of 16.0 games over the past four seasons.

Broke out after finally given starter’s minutes and won’t have to compete for touches with Goran Dragic or Isaiah Thomas this year.

Was a top-50 fantasy player over the final three months of his sophomore campaign last season and looks primed to make the leap in 2015/16.

After being at least a top-16 fantasy asset in each of the previous four seasons, Jefferson was barely top-50 last year and also missed 17 games. He should bounce back, but injuries are a real concern.

He got off to a fine start last year, as Bosh’s Usage Rate (25.9) tied for a career high thanks to James leaving town. But a blood cot in his lungs prematurely ended his season, although thankfully he looks good to go for 2015/16.

A tumultuous offseason ended with Jordan back where he started in L.A., where he should continue to rack up the boards and blocks while killing your FT%.

Was a top-25 fantasy player during his first full season in Sacramento and should continue to benefit as one of the main scoring options on a Kings team that figures to be among the league leaders in PACE.

He didn’t make as big of a leap as some hoped, but Favors continued to improve incrementally and should have his biggest role yet in Utah’s young offense.

Here’s another young, improving player in Utah whose fantasy arrow is pointing up.

Remains highly efficient but should continue to see decreased minutes headed toward the end of his brilliant career.

Thrived during his first year in Houston and should remain a strong source for threes and steals.

He wasn’t able to maintain his scorching start to last season, thanks partially to playing through some injuries. He may have to share more backcourt touches with Dennis Schroder, but Teague is a solid PG option.

Was surprisingly the No. 12 fantasy player over the final two months of last season.

He’s going to be a big part of Orlando’s future after signing a big contract during the offseason. There’s a lot of untapped potential here.

Should see a career high in minutes with Greg Monroe gone and is a major threat to lead the league in rebounding but FT% will be a huge drain. If you’re in a H2H or points format, bump Drummond way up.

Somehow remained a borderline top-20 player last year despite seeing just 28:55 mpg. Now 39 years old and with Aldridge in San Antonio, expect some decline from Duncan in 2015/16.

Was the No. 11 fantasy player over the final two months of last season. Gallinari is going to be Denver’s No. 1 scoring option and is primed for a big year if he can stay healthy.

Should thrive while taking over as the Suns’ starting point guard.

No one was happier to see Brian Shaw relieved of his coaching duties than Faried, whose upside remains immense. There’s no reason why the Nuggets shouldn’t unleash him in 2015/16.