5 injury risk players to stay away from in early rounds of NBA fantasy drafts

#3 Chris Paul

Los Angeles Lakers v Phoenix Suns

It's funny how quickly the narrative changes in the NBA. Just over two years ago, Chris Paul was labeled as an injury-prone player who was always unavailable at the worst moment. His unfortunate injuries, while apart from the Houston Rockets, may have stopped him from securing what would have been his first NBA Championship.

Since the Rockets moved on from Paul, the Point God has played 70 games in back to back shortened seasons that were a total of 72 games a piece. His health has been immaculate during that timeframe, but years prior should not be ignored.

Chris Paul's average of 16.4 points, 8.9 assists, 4.5 rebounds and 1.4 steals per night make him a prime fantasy target. Just remember the injury concerns that surrounded Paul's name not long ago when considering taking him in the second round of your draft.

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#2 Kyrie Irving

Boston Celtics v Brooklyn Nets - Game Five

It may be cheating a bit to include Kyrie Irving on this list, because his predicted inactivity is not due to injury but he is still a major risk to select in the early rounds.

Irving's situation revolving around the COVID-19 vaccine and New York's local law prohibiting him from playing in home games is well documented. The Brooklyn Nets released a statement entailing that the team would not allow a player to only be available part-time and therefore Irving would not participate this season until further notice.

If you believe Irving and the Nets will find a workaround, or he gets vaccinated, then his previous fantasy numbers are absurd. Last year, the point guard averaged 26.9 points, 6.0 assists and 4.8 rebounds per night with the ability to catch fire at any given moment.

The outlier situation revolving around Irving this season makes him one of the more complicated players to place in NBA fantasy drafts this season. Personally, I would not be surprised if we do not see Kyrie Irving play NBA basketball this season and I plan to stay away from him in drafts.

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#1 Zion Williamson

New Orleans Pelicans Media Day

Zion Williamson's offseason foot surgery seems weirdly underreported among NBA circles. His weight has always been a polarizing topic of conversation since it contributes to his outlier strength and physical game but also is not ideal for a 82 game NBA schedule.

With likely little opportunity for physical conditioning while nursing a foot injury, pictures of Williamson have emerged that look as though he is notably bigger than years prior. On October 14th, the New Orleans Pelicans announced that their franchise cornerstone has no timetable for his return and will be re-evaluated in two weeks.

Not that he will be playing in two weeks, but that he will be re-evaluated and another update can be expected at that time. Without injuries, Zion is often found in the first round of NBA fantasy drafts for good reason. This year, though, fantasy owners should take a moment to consider the injury concerns that Williamson is dealing with having come off of foot surgery not long ago.

If he slips to the later rounds, around the third, then taking the risk is understandable, but I would be hesitant to consider him with my second round pick this fantasy season.

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