Fantasy Basketball: Top 10 Scorers in 2024-25

This is a fantasy basketball review and analysis of the top 10 scorers in the NBA from the 2024-25 season. It is part of a series of articles that break down the top producers from each key counting statistical category. In fantasy basketball, rightly or wrongly, scoring gets a premium. Even though each category is supposed to have equal weight, being worth one win each, high-scoring players tend to go early in drafts. This is related to scoring scarcity later on. If a drafter wants to win in the PTS category in the head-to-head format, it would be ideal to get scorers early. Ideally, the scorers also contribute in other contested categories.

Below is a list of the top 10 league leaders in points scored at the end of the season. The list displays the players’ total points, points per game, their end-of-season rankings based on 9-cat per-game scoring, and their rankings based on 9-cat totals rankings. Rankings have been sourced from Basketballmonster.com.

May 22, 2025; Oklahoma City, Oklahoma, USA; Oklahoma City Thunder guard Shai Gilgeous-Alexander (2) drives against Minnesota Timberwolves guard Anthony Edwards (5) in the first quarter during game two of the western conference finals for the 2025 NBA Playoffs at Paycom Center. Mandatory Credit: Alonzo Adams-Imagn Images
Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, Oklahoma City Thunder

SGA is the newly minted regular season MVP. It’s a well-deserved honor. He finished the season as the NBA scoring leader, beating out the next player by 300 points. That’s not close when the grand scheme of things is considered. The Thunder superstar was an elite fantasy force in 2024-25. He finished as the second-best player in 9-cat per-game rankings, trailing only Nikola Jokic. But when it comes to totals, SGA was the top dog.

Gilgeous-Alexander delivered across the board. He complemented his 32.7 points per game with robust averages of 2.1 threes, 5.0 rebounds, 6.4 assists, 1.7 steals, and a block per game. He did it all. But it doesn’t end there. SGA was also a smooth operator when it came to shooting efficiency. He clocked in with 51.9% FG on 21.8 attempts from the field and 89.8% on 8.8 attempts from the line.

Considering SGA’s current projection and career trajectories, it’s hard to bet against at least a repeat of his 2024-25 line next season. He’s a shoo-in to be a top-three draft day target. Aggressively pursue him with confidence.

Anthony Edwards, Minnesota Timberwolves

Anthony Edwards represents the future of the NBA. His elite offensive game is on par with some of the best players in the world right now. Edwards was fifth in the league in points per game, but thanks to the 79 games he played, he netted the second-most accrued points this season. He finished the season outside of the top 15, but his body of work points towards an upward-trending market sentiment. Edwards’ game is not close to perfect. He could use some improvement in the areas of steals, blocks, and turnovers. Regardless, he is someone who has first-round value potential, especially if he further iterates on his still-improving game.

Nikola Jokic, Denver Nuggets

Nikola Jokic was the best player in 9-cat scoring formats in fantasy basketball in 2024-25. Period. The Joker is as elite as it gets when it comes to category-based fantasy basketball scoring. He pops in at least four of the top 10 lists in this article series. That’s hard to beat. No other player did that. As much hype and momentum as SGA and Victor Wembanyama have going for them, taking Jokic with the first-overall pick in fantasy in 2025-26 would not be considered folly by any stretch.

Giannis Antetokounmpo, Milwaukee Bucks

Where Giannis ends up playing this coming season will be a factor as far as assessing him for fantasy basketball, albeit a small one. It will not be so much about who he’s surrounded by but whether or not he’s happy in his playing environment (team). The two-time MVP award winner will do what he does in almost any scenario, but his passion for and engagement in the game will be the deciding factors as to whether he will be an elite option in fantasy basketball.

Antetokounmpo finished outside of the top 50 this season in 9-cat this season. His value was dragged down by his 3.1 turnovers per game and perennially low 61.7% FT. However, when punting is taken into account in the H2H format, Giannis slides back into first-round pick consideration. His 67 games played were slightly above the acceptable 65-game comfort threshold of most managers, so feel free to target him in the middle of the first round in drafts next season — much lower if it’s a rotisserie league.

Jayson Tatum, Boston Celtics

Calling Jayson Tatum the cornerstone of the Celtics would be an understatement. He was a top-shelf player in fantasy and real life. He delivered points along with reliable peripheral contributions. As a result, Tatum finished just outside of the top 12 in end-of-season fantasy rankings. He played in 72 games during the regular season, but his 2024-25 campaign ended abruptly due to a ruptured right Achilles tendon.

It’s a shame that fantasy GMs will be missing the services of one of the best forwards in the NBA this coming season, but it is what it is. From a dynasty perspective, GMs invested in Tatum are now at a crossroads. They can either move him if they’re in win-now mode or hold him if their team has the depth. In redraft leagues, Tatum will not be a draft-day target.

Devin Booker, Phoenix Suns

Devin Booker put up impressive averages as the lead guard for the Suns. He displayed his ever-present scoring chops while also providing solid assists (7.1 APG). If he only provided steals, Booker would fit the “complete guard archetype.” What made Booker such a gem to have in 9-cat scoring leagues was his shooting efficiency from the field (46.1% FG). He proved to be a great cornerstone scorer for fantasy teams thanks to his roto-friendly stat set.

What’s next for Booker? From the way things look right now, it appears that the team is headed for a re-tool. Thankfully, they have a committed Booker in their corner. If the franchise decides to build around him, then that would be the best-case scenario for his fantasy outlook. He has the tools to lead the team in both scoring and assists. This makes an intriguing case to target Booker close to or just outside of the top 12 in 2025-26.

Trae Young, Atlanta Hawks

Young was one of the best points/assists guards in the league last season. The Hawks guard averaged 24.2 points and 11.6 dimes per game. As usual, Young was haunted by inefficient shooting from the field (41.1% FG). His league-leading 4.7 turnovers a night did not do him any favors either. He was more of an 8-cat (no turnovers) kind of player. At the end of the day, if a fantasy team needed points, assists, and threes, then Young was the guy to target.

Interestingly enough, the Hawks have some decisions to make over the offseason. Young’s name has been mentioned in a handful of trade rumors already. Regardless of what jersey he’s donning when he takes the court, Young will do what he always does, and that’s be a steady double-double machine (PTS + AST).

Tyler Herro, Miami Heat

Herro did a good job of stepping up as the lead in the Heat’s offense. He and Bam Adebayo made for a great duo. However, if the Miami franchise is to progress, it appears that they need a third scoring option. Whoever they decide to sign or trade for this offseason will likely impact Herro, as there will be a lot less ball to go around. Still, it’s impressive to note that Young beat him out on this list by just a single point.

In the end, it could work out as his improved shooting of 47.2% FG could be preserved. Herro finished just inside the top 30 in 9-cat scoring, one of his best finishes yet. At 25 years of age, the scoring guard is just entering his prime and could be in for an even bigger season in 2025-26. Feel free to target him aggressively anywhere inside the top 40.

Cade Cunningham, Detroit Pistons

Cunningham is a hot, up-and-coming player. He mustered a lot of steam in 2024-25. Finally healthy, Cunningham delivered a performance that shook the fantasy basketball landscape. Thanks to his averages of 26.1 points, 2.1 treys, 6.1 rebounds, 9.1 assists, and 1.0 steals per game, Cunningham was a top-30 staple.

The writing is on the wall. He’s only going to get better. While his 4.4 turnovers per game make his appeal more inclined towards 8-cat leagues, Cunningham still does enough in the rebounds and assists categories to make him a valuable asset in 9-cat scoring formats. Can he crack first-round value? That’s the big question going into the 2025-26 season. For now, it appears that the Piston guard’s arrow is pointing straight up. GMs will need to get aggressive next season if they want to ride the “Cade Wave.”

James Harden, Los Angeles Clippers

Harden, along with Antetokounmpo, represents the last of the “old guard” among the scoring leaders. Players like Stephen Curry, LeBron James, and Kevin Durant did not play enough games to accrue enough points to make the list. In context, Harden’s 2024-25 performance was more of the exception and not the rule.

Yes, the Beard somehow delivered in fantasy thanks to his points (22.8 PPG), 3s (3.0 3PG), assists (8.7 APG), and steals (1.5 SPG), but how much longer can the 35-year-old combo guard keep this up? To err on the side of caution, Harden is best suited to be targeted outside of the top 15 next season. He should still provide at least a top-30 floor until further notice.

Fantasy Basketball: Top 10 Scorers in 2024-25

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