Lauri Markkanen or LeBron James?
Who to start in fantasy basketball, PFs ranked 5th and 6th at the position, compared on 2025-26 per-game production.
The call
Points leagues: LeBron James, 41.4 fantasy points per game to 41.2.
9-cat leagues: Lauri Markkanen instead, 8th overall against 43rd, because the categories reward a different mix.
Per game, side by side
| Stat | Lauri Markkanen | LeBron James |
|---|---|---|
| Fantasy points per game | 41.2 | 41.4 |
| Minutes | 34.4 | 33.1 |
| PointsPTS | 26.7 | 20.9 |
| ReboundsREB | 6.9 | 6.1 |
| AssistsAST | 2.1 | 7.2 |
| StealsSTL | 1.0 | 1.2 |
| BlocksBLK | 0.5 | 0.6 |
| Threes3PM | 2.7 | 1.3 |
| Field goal %FG% | 47.7% | 51.5% |
| Free throw %FT% | 89.6% | 73.7% |
| TurnoversTO | 1.5 | 3.0 |
Bold is the better number. Per-game lines blend last season with this one, the same numbers the rankings use.
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Other close calls
Common questions
Should I start Lauri Markkanen or LeBron James in fantasy basketball?
Points leagues: LeBron James, 41.4 fantasy points per game to 41.2. 9-cat leagues: Lauri Markkanen instead, 8th overall against 43rd, because the categories reward a different mix.
Who wins more categories, Lauri Markkanen or LeBron James?
Lauri Markkanen is ahead in 5 (points, rebounds, threes, free throw percentage, turnovers); LeBron James in 4 (assists, steals, blocks, field goal percentage), per game.
By the Parlae deskBoard updated Oct 10, 2026 at 11:27 AM ETHow this is builtReport a wrong number