LeBron James or Pascal Siakam? Week 1
Who to start in fantasy basketball in Week 1 (Oct 19-25), PFs ranked 5th and 8th at the position, compared on 2025-26 and 2026-27 per-game production.
Updated Oct 25, 10:29 AM ET. Rechecked every 30 minutes.
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- FP/G
- 41.4
- 9-cat
- #40
- Last 2 FP
- 41.9
Game-time decision (Back)
4 games in Week 1, 1 back-to-back
Week 1 pick in points and 9-cat leagues.
The Week 1 call
Points leagues, Week 1 (Oct 19-25): start LeBron James. Both have 1 game left in Week 1 (Oct 19-25), so it comes down to per game: 41.4 fantasy points to 39.3.
9-cat leagues: LeBron James again, 0.9 category value for the week to -1.8.
LeBron James has 1 back-to-back in Week 1, the nights rest days tend to land on.
LeBron James played 33.6 minutes a game over his last 2 games of 2026-27, in line with his 33.2 on the board.
Pascal Siakam played 32.1 minutes a game over his last 2 games of 2026-27, in line with his 33.0 on the board.
This is the call for one lineup slot across the week, the way weekly-lock leagues play it. In a daily-lineup league, start whichever of the two plays that night, and both when they fit.
LeBron James rookie cardsPascal Siakam rookie cards
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Week 1 (Oct 19-25), side by side
| This week | LeBron James | Pascal Siakam |
|---|---|---|
| Games, Week 1 | 4 | 3 |
| Games counted (left this week) | 1 | 1 |
| Back-to-backs | 1 | 0 |
| Games, Week 2 | 3 | 4 |
| Minutes, last games | 33.6 (last 2) | 32.1 (last 2) |
| Minutes, board | 33.2 | 33.0 |
| Shots per 36, last games | 14.5 | 20.2 |
| Injury | Game-time decision (Back) | None listed |
| Projected fantasy points | 41.4 | 39.3 |
| Projected 9-cat value | 0.9 | -1.8 |
Schedule: LeBron James Tue @NYK, Thu CLE, Sat MIL, Sun DET. Pascal Siakam Wed @NOP, Fri DAL, Sun @BKN.
Projected totals for the games counted
| Stat | LeBron James | Pascal Siakam |
|---|---|---|
| Points | 20.3 | 24.3 |
| Rebounds | 6.5 | 6.5 |
| Assists | 7.1 | 3.6 |
| Steals | 1.3 | 1.0 |
| Blocks | 0.6 | 0.4 |
| Threes | 1.2 | 1.7 |
| Turnovers | 3.0 | 2.4 |
Each projection is the board's per-game line times the games counted; a player listed Out counts none. 9-cat value is the per-game category score (z-scores against the top 156) times games. Minutes and shots per 36 come from the last 2 games of 2026-27. Schedule from the NBA's published slate via ESPN.
The season-long call
Points leagues: LeBron James, 41.4 fantasy points per game to 39.3.
9-cat leagues: LeBron James again, 40th overall against 124th.
Per game, side by side
| Stat | LeBron James | Pascal Siakam |
|---|---|---|
| Fantasy points per game | 41.4 | 39.3 |
| Minutes | 33.2 | 33.0 |
| PointsPTS | 20.3 | 24.3 |
| ReboundsREB | 6.5 | 6.5 |
| AssistsAST | 7.1 | 3.6 |
| StealsSTL | 1.3 | 1.0 |
| BlocksBLK | 0.6 | 0.4 |
| Threes3PM | 1.2 | 1.7 |
| Field goal %FG% | 50.0% | 49.5% |
| Free throw %FT% | 74.2% | 66.1% |
| TurnoversTO | 3.0 | 2.4 |
Bold is the better number. Per-game lines blend last season with this one, the same numbers the rankings use.
Other close calls
Week 1 streamers · NBA waiver wire · Games per team this week
Is LeBron James playing tonight? · Is Pascal Siakam playing tonight?
Your next move
Common questions
Should I start LeBron James or Pascal Siakam in Week 1?
Points leagues, Week 1 (Oct 19-25): start LeBron James. Both have 1 game left in Week 1 (Oct 19-25), so it comes down to per game: 41.4 fantasy points to 39.3. 9-cat leagues: LeBron James again, 0.9 category value for the week to -1.8. LeBron James has 1 back-to-back in Week 1, the nights rest days tend to land on. LeBron James played 33.6 minutes a game over his last 2 games of 2026-27, in line with his 33.2 on the board. Pascal Siakam played 32.1 minutes a game over his last 2 games of 2026-27, in line with his 33.0 on the board.
Who is better for the season, LeBron James or Pascal Siakam?
Points leagues: LeBron James, 41.4 fantasy points per game to 39.3. 9-cat leagues: LeBron James again, 40th overall against 124th.
Who wins more categories, LeBron James or Pascal Siakam?
LeBron James is ahead in 4 (assists, steals, blocks, free throw percentage); Pascal Siakam in 3 (points, threes, turnovers), per game.
By the Parlae deskBoard updated Oct 25, 2026 at 10:29 AM ETHow this is builtReport a wrong number