Top Fantasy NBA 2020 Strategies That Will Dominate Your League This Season

As we dive into the 2020 fantasy NBA season, I can't help but reflect on how much the landscape has changed since I first started playing over a decade ago. The game has evolved dramatically, and my approach has had to evolve with it. I've learned that success in fantasy basketball isn't just about drafting the biggest names—it's about understanding momentum shifts, much like what we saw in that recent tennis match where Eala carried her early energy through the entire game despite Day's brief comeback. That same principle applies to fantasy basketball: you need players who can maintain their performance levels throughout the season's inevitable ups and downs.

When building my roster this year, I'm focusing heavily on players who demonstrated consistency last season. Take Giannis Antetokounmpo, for instance—he maintained an incredible 29.5 points per game while still contributing significantly in rebounds and assists. But here's where many managers go wrong: they overvalue scoring and undervalue the supporting categories. In one of my most successful leagues last year, I won primarily because I prioritized steals and blocks, two categories that many casual players overlook. I specifically targeted players like Robert Covington, who averaged 1.6 steals and 2.3 blocks per game before his mid-season trade. Those defensive stats gave me a consistent advantage in at least two categories every week, creating a foundation I could build upon.

The waiver wire has become increasingly important in today's fantasy landscape. I check it religiously every morning—sometimes even during games—because finding that one emerging player can completely transform your season. Last year, I picked up Devonte' Graham in week three when he was only 42% owned, and he ended up providing third-round value for the rest of the season. The key is recognizing patterns early. When a player's minutes increase from 24 to 32 per game, that's usually a sign of bigger things to come. Similarly, when a team falls out of playoff contention, they often give more opportunities to younger players. That's when you pounce.

Trading strategy is another area where I've developed strong opinions. Many managers hesitate to trade early in the season, but I've found that weeks 3-6 are actually the perfect window to make moves. Players who started hot but are likely to regress can be traded for slow starters with stronger track records. Last season, I traded away Eric Bledsoe after his hot start for a struggling Jrue Holiday, and that move essentially won me my league. Holiday's second-half surge was exactly what my team needed to maintain momentum through the playoff push. This relates back to that tennis match dynamic—sometimes you need to steady your team after early fluctuations, just like Eala did when Day leveled the score at 2-all.

One of my personal preferences that might be controversial: I'm completely avoiding players over 32 years old this season. The data shows a significant drop-off in production after that age, particularly in back-to-back games. LeBron James is the obvious exception, but even he showed signs of fatigue last season, with his scoring dropping by 4.2 points in the second night of back-to-backs. Instead, I'm targeting third and fourth-year players who are entering their physical primes. These players typically see the biggest jumps in efficiency and minutes, providing the best value relative to their draft position.

As we approach the season, remember that fantasy basketball success comes from maintaining consistent performance across all categories while being aggressive with roster management. The managers who dominate their leagues aren't necessarily the ones who draft the best team—they're the ones who manage their teams most effectively throughout the entire season. Just like in that tennis match where momentum shifted but the prepared player ultimately prevailed, your ability to adapt and make smart decisions will determine whether you're holding the championship trophy come April.