Who to Rank Higher in Keeper League: Holmgren, Haliburton, Thompson
In most keeper league formats, Tyrese Haliburton ranks highest due to his proven elite playmaking, scoring efficiency, and durability. Chet Holmgren comes next for his long-term upside as a shot-blocking, floor-spacing big man, while Amen Thompson ranks third based on potential but with more uncertainty in his offensive development.
The ranking may shift depending on your league’s scoring format, roster construction, and risk tolerance — but Haliburton’s established star-level production makes him the safest and smartest top choice in most scenarios.
Understanding Keeper Leagues and Player Value
Keeper leagues reward not just immediate production but also future potential. Unlike standard redraft leagues, where you only care about one season, keeper formats force you to think long-term.
When ranking players for a keeper league, fantasy managers must consider:
- Age and career trajectory
- Injury history and durability
- Statistical production across multiple categories
- Role on their team and long-term fit
- Room for skill development
In this context, evaluating Tyrese Haliburton, Chet Holmgren, and Amen Thompson requires balancing present performance with future upside.
Player Profiles and Long-Term Outlook
1. Tyrese Haliburton – The Proven Franchise Floor General
- Current Stats & Role: Haliburton is already a top-tier point guard, averaging double-digit assists while maintaining excellent shooting splits. He’s a high-efficiency playmaker who rarely turns the ball over.
- Keeper Value: In fantasy basketball, elite point guards who contribute in points, assists, threes, and steals are extremely valuable. Haliburton checks all these boxes and has a very safe floor for the next 5–7 years.
- Strengths:
- High basketball IQ and elite passing
- Excellent efficiency (FG%, FT%)
- Low injury risk compared to bigs
- Consistent across multiple categories
- Risks: Minimal — only a major injury could derail his value.
Verdict: Haliburton is your first pick in this trio for keeper leagues due to his blend of elite present-day performance and future stability.
2. Chet Holmgren – The Unicorn Big Man with Two-Way Dominance
- Current Stats & Role: Holmgren offers elite shot-blocking, floor-spacing three-point shooting, and solid rebounding. He plays in a fast-paced offense alongside Shai Gilgeous-Alexander and Jalen Williams, which boosts his scoring efficiency.
- Keeper Value: Holmgren’s fantasy ceiling is sky-high — think a modern version of Kristaps Porziņģis with better mobility and defense. His ability to contribute in blocks, threes, and FG% makes him a rare multi-category big.
- Strengths:
- Elite rim protection
- Stretch-five shooting ability
- Young and still developing
- Risks:
- Injury potential due to frame and playing style
- Dependent on team pace and usage
Verdict: Holmgren ranks second — his ceiling is enormous, but his position (big man) and body type bring slightly more injury risk than a guard like Haliburton.
3. Amen Thompson – High-Upside Wing, Still Raw Offensively
- Current Stats & Role: Amen is an explosive athlete with elite rebounding and defensive instincts for a guard/wing. His playmaking is underrated, but his jump shot is still a work in progress.
- Keeper Value: Amen’s fantasy value is built more on future projection than current production. If his shooting develops, he could become a perennial All-Star; if not, he may be more of a niche fantasy contributor.
- Strengths:
- Elite athleticism and defense
- Strong rebounding for his position
- Versatile playmaking
- Risks:
- Poor shooting efficiency
- Uncertain offensive role long-term
- Fantasy scoring limitations in 3-pointers and FG%
Verdict: Thompson is an exciting long-term lottery ticket but ranks third due to uncertainty in offensive growth and fantasy category coverage.
Head-to-Head Keeper League Comparison
| Attribute | Tyrese Haliburton | Chet Holmgren | Amen Thompson |
|---|---|---|---|
| Fantasy Floor | Very High | High | Medium |
| Fantasy Ceiling | Elite | Elite | Potentially Elite |
| Category Coverage | Multi-cat (AST, PTS, 3PM, STL, %s) | Blocks, 3PM, FG% | REB, STL, AST |
| Risk Level | Low | Medium | High |
| Long-Term Security | Excellent | Good | Moderate |
| Age | 24 | 22 | 21 |
Factors That Could Change the Rankings
Keeper league player values are not static. Here are situations that could shake things up:
- Injury Impact – A serious injury to Haliburton could close the gap with Holmgren.
- Skill Development – If Amen Thompson develops a reliable 3-point shot, his ranking could skyrocket.
- Team Changes – Trades, coaching changes, or roster shuffles can affect usage rates.
- League Scoring Settings – In punt-FT% builds or block-heavy formats, Holmgren could leapfrog Haliburton.
Strategic Draft Advice
- If You Want Safety: Pick Haliburton — he’s the most reliable star for long-term production.
- If You Want Upside: Pick Holmgren — he has the potential to be a top-5 fantasy player if healthy.
- If You Want a High-Risk, High-Reward Pick: Draft Amen Thompson late as a future breakout candidate.
Final Ranking for Most Keeper Leagues
- Tyrese Haliburton – Elite present and future value, low risk.
- Chet Holmgren – Massive upside but some durability concerns.
- Amen Thompson – Incredible potential but unproven scoring.
In keeper leagues, a balance of safety and upside wins championships. Haliburton gives you both, Holmgren adds elite category boosts, and Thompson is your developmental swing.
