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Nikola Joki\u0107 and Victor Wembanyama continue to battle for No. 1 overall player in all fantasy formats.<\/p>\n
With the start of the preseason just two weeks away, NBA basketball is rapidly approaching. Along with it comes fantasy basketball. Below are RotoWire\u2019s top 150 players for category leagues, with short analysis for each.<\/p>\n
Round 1<\/p>\n
Nikola Joki\u0107, Denver Nuggets \u2014 There is no hole in the profile. Elite field-goal percentage on enormous volume, a free-throw line he actually helps you in, 3s at a workable clip, and top-of-the-league rebounds and assists with real steal totals attached.
\n Victor Wembanyama, San Antonio Spurs \u2014 The blocks are the single most valuable individual category asset in fantasy, and he pairs them with the rare combination of 3s and rebounds.
\n Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, Oklahoma City Thunder \u2014 Better here than in points leagues by a wide margin. Elite field-goal percentage for a guard, elite free-throw percentage on massive attempt volume, and a steal rate that plays.
\n Luka Don\u010di\u0107, Los Angeles Lakers \u2014 With LeBron James in Philadelphia, the usage goes up and so does everything that comes with it. The counting stats and 3-point volume are first-round quality; the field-goal percentage drag and the league-leading turnover totals are what separate him from the three names above.
\n Cade Cunningham, Detroit Pistons \u2014 Massive assist volume and good rebounding for a guard, plus 3s. The turnovers are punishing in this format, and the field-goal percentage has never been a strength. But he\u2019s still young enough for things to improve.
\n Jayson Tatum, Boston Celtics \u2014 A year removed from the Achilles tear and back as Boston\u2019s clear No. 1 with Brown gone. Tatum is one of the most well-rounded options you can get in the first round, opening up different types of team builds.
\n Anthony Edwards, Minnesota Timberwolves \u2014 One of the league\u2019s best combinations of 3-point volume and free-throw accuracy from a high-usage scorer, with steals on top. Swapping Naz Reid and Julius Randle for LaMelo Ball should mean cleaner looks but a lower assist rate for Edwards.
\n Giannis Antetokounmpo, Miami Heat \u2014 The classic category-league puzzle. Elite field-goal percentage, elite blocks, elite steals, elite rebounds, and a free-throw percentage plus 3-point total that force you to punt or pair carefully. Build the roster around the punt and he\u2019s better than this rank would suggest.
\n Jalen Johnson, Atlanta Hawks \u2014 Steals and blocks from a forward who also puts up 20\/10\/6 on good efficiency. The free-throw line is the weak spot and the turnovers are up with the playmaking load. Games played have also been a question mark.
\n Tyrese Maxey, Philadelphia 76ers \u2014 3s at volume, a strong free-throw percentage and a sneaky-useful steal rate. The concern is that Jaylen Brown and LeBron James arriving trims the usage, and possibly minutes. Efficiency should improve with the easier looks, which partly offsets it.
\n Cooper Flagg, Dallas Mavericks \u2014 Produced an excellent rookie season, setting up a potential sophomore breakout into stardom. Steals and blocks from a forward, improving efficiency, and Kyrie Irving\u2019s return should raise the quality of his shots without eating many of them.
\n Tyrese Haliburton, Indiana Pacers \u2014 An elite assist-to-turnover ratio, which is worth a lot in category leagues, plus 3-point volume and an excellent free-throw percentage. The offense is built for him, but coming off an Achilles injury creates downside risk.<\/p>\n
Round 2<\/p>\n
Scottie Barnes, Toronto Raptors \u2014 Steals and blocks from a forward with rebounds and assists is perfect for category leagues. The free-throw percentage and the low 3-point volume are the drags, and swapping Brandon Ingram for Kawhi Leonard trims the usage further.
\n Donovan Mitchell, Cleveland Cavaliers \u2014 3-point volume, a reliable free-throw percentage and better steal totals than he gets credit for. James Harden handles the playmaking, so the assists stay modest. Durable and predictable.
\n Karl-Anthony Towns, New York Knicks \u2014 Elite free-throw shooting from a center, good field-goal percentage, 3-point volume and 12 rebounds. His lack of blocks from the center position is something managers may need to rectify later in a draft.
\n Kevin Durant, Houston Rockets \u2014 Still one of the cleanest efficiency lines in basketball, both from the field and the line, with 3s and about a block a game. He turns 38 at the end of the month, so rest days are the risk, but the per-game category profile gives him first-round upside.
\n Stephen Curry, Golden State Warriors \u2014 Much better here than in points formats. League-leading 3-point volume, a free-throw percentage near the top of the league and a real steal rate. Age and games played are a concern.
\n Jamal Murray, Denver Nuggets \u2014 3s, strong free-throw shooting and a career-best field-goal percentage next to Joki\u0107. Assists at volume with manageable turnovers. One of the safest roles in the NBA.
\n Alperen Sengun, Houston Rockets \u2014 Field-goal percentage, rebounds, assists and steals from the center spot, coming off career-high playmaking. The turnovers are heavy and he gives you nothing from 3, which is what keeps him behind Towns here.
\n Amen Thompson, Houston Rockets \u2014 Steals and blocks in combination from a wing is close to unique, and the field-goal percentage is strong. You are punting 3s and free-throw percentage to roster him, so plan the build around it.
\n Trae Young, Washington Wizards \u2014 Assists, 3s and free-throw percentage at elite levels with a useful steal rate. The field-goal percentage and the turnovers have to be leaned into or worked around.
\n Austin Reaves, Los Angeles Lakers \u2014 Elite free-throw shooting on high-attempt volume, 3s and secondary playmaking with James gone. The turnovers climb with the usage, but four of the nine categories are clear positives.
\n LaMelo Ball, Minnesota Timberwolves \u2014 3-point volume near the top of the league plus steals and assists. The field-goal percentage and turnovers are negatives, and now there\u2019s a question of how much the offense runs through Edwards instead. Games played is still a question.
\n Chet Holmgren, Oklahoma City Thunder \u2014 A category-league player. Blocks and 3s from a center, with a solid field-goal percentage and a free-throw line he helps you in. The raw counting totals are ordinary, which matters much less here compared to points formats.<\/p>\n
Round 3<\/p>\n
Josh Giddey, Chicago Bulls \u2014 Rebounds, assists and steals from a guard, with his 3-point shooting finally landing. The turnovers are the tax on a nightly triple-double threat running the offense.
\n James Harden, Cleveland Cavaliers \u2014 3s at volume, free-throw attempts at a good rate, assists and steals. The field-goal percentage and turnovers are both negatives, so he\u2019s a build-around rather than a plug-in.
\n Devin Booker, Phoenix Suns \u2014 A down shooting year means he\u2019s discounted. He\u2019s still Phoenix\u2019s primary creator with strong free-throw shooting, decent 3-point volume and assists. Positive regression on the field-goal percentage is the upside case.
\n Anthony Davis, Washington Wizards \u2014 Twenty games last year. When he plays, it\u2019s a first-round category line: field-goal percentage, double-digit boards, blocks and steals together. Pair him with durable pieces and take the swing.
\n Kawhi Leonard, Toronto Raptors \u2014 Is still capable of MVP-level two-way numbers. A clean bill of health last season cuts against a decade of evidence, and Toronto\u2019s depth gives him easy reasons to pull back on minutes and usage.
\n Trey Murphy III, New Orleans Pelicans \u2014 A major category riser. High-volume 3-point shooting at a good clip, strong free-throw percentage and low turnovers. Dejounte Murray\u2019s return trims the usage, but the shooting profile is exactly what this format pays for.
\n Evan Mobley, Cleveland Cavaliers \u2014 Blocks, steals and rebounds with an ordinarily strong field-goal percentage. Last year\u2019s shooting slump is the reason he\u2019s here rather than a round earlier, and a bounce-back is reasonable.
\n Jalen Brunson, New York Knicks \u2014 Excellent from the field and the line for a high-usage guard, with 3s and assists at volume. Zero blocks and modest steals mean you need defensive stats elsewhere.
\n Domantas Sabonis, Sacramento Kings \u2014 Field-goal percentage, huge rebounding and center-position assists. No blocks and heavy turnovers are the two holes. With Russell Westbrook retired and DeMar DeRozan in Denver, the usage should climb back toward his peak.
\n Derrick White, Boston Celtics \u2014 One of the format\u2019s signature assets. 3s and blocks and steals in the same line, plus a strong free-throw percentage and low turnovers. Fewer shots with Tatum back and Paul George added, but the category shape is unaffected.
\n Lauri Markkanen, Utah Jazz \u2014 3-point volume, a very good free-throw percentage and rebounds from a forward. Utah\u2019s win-now additions should improve his availability while costing him shots. Low steals, blocks and assists caps his upside.
\n Bam Adebayo, Miami Heat \u2014 A well-rounded line from the center position. The addition of Giannis Antetokounmpo could mean fewer boards but more 3-pointers.<\/p>\n
Round 4<\/p>\n
Jalen Williams, Oklahoma City Thunder \u2014 Balanced and efficient two-way statline. Wrist surgery and a hamstring problem wrecked last season, but he\u2019s still OKC\u2019s No. 2 option.
\n Walker Kessler, Los Angeles Lakers \u2014 Has been providing strong traditional big-man stats, and that\u2019s not expected to change now that he\u2019s in Los Angeles rather than Utah. Easy lobs from Luka Don\u010di\u0107 give him strong field-goal percentage potential.
\n Deni Avdija, Portland Trail Blazers \u2014 An All-Star breakout with 3s, rebounds and playmaking from a forward. The field-goal percentage and turnovers are the drags, and the Ja Morant and Damian Lillard additions threaten his touches.
\n Kyrie Irving, Dallas Mavericks \u2014 A strong category-league riser. Elite field-goal and free-throw percentages, 3-point volume, steals and one of the lowest turnover rates among high-usage guards. Coming off an ACL tear at 34, which is creating a discount.
\n Jaren Jackson Jr., Utah Jazz \u2014 Blocks and 3s from a big, with an unusually good free-throw percentage for the position. The field-goal percentage and the foul trouble are the recurring problems.
\n Jalen Duren, Detroit Pistons \u2014 Elite field-goal percentage and a nightly double-double, with the free-throw line improving from a very low base. Blocks are thinner than you\u2019d want and there are no 3s. Low variance, low ceiling.
\n Brandon Miller, Charlotte Hornets \u2014 Charlotte\u2019s most likely usage winner after the LaMelo trade, with 3-point volume as the main category contribution. The field-goal percentage needs to come with the shot increase for the upside case to pay off.
\n Jaylen Brown, Philadelphia 76ers \u2014 He should be Philadelphia\u2019s second scoring option given Joel Embiid\u2019s absences and LeBron\u2019s likely load management. He\u2019s typically been better in points leagues, however.
\n Kon Knueppel, Charlotte Hornets \u2014 A second-year leap candidate whose calling card is what this format rewards: efficient shooting from the field and the line with 3-point volume. Will be handed some of Charlotte\u2019s vacated usage.
\n Onyeka Okongwu, Atlanta Hawks \u2014 Field-goal percentage, rebounds and blocks from an entrenched starter playing 32 minutes. The new 3-point range is a meaningful category-league addition rather than a curiosity.
\n Desmond Bane, Orlando Magic \u2014 High-volume 3-point shooting at a strong clip, good free-throw percentage, steals and low turnovers. Role cemented as Orlando\u2019s No. 3 option.
\n Paolo Banchero, Orlando Magic \u2014 He\u2019s a stat-sheet stuffer, but the field-goal percentage is mediocre, the free-throw line is inconsistent, the steals and blocks are thin and the turnovers are heavy.<\/p>\n
Round 5<\/p>\n
Donovan Clingan, Portland Trail Blazers \u2014 Blocks and field-goal percentage with a double-double baseline in 27.2 minutes as a sophomore. Portland\u2019s frontcourt is his to claim, and more minutes would create more upside.
\n Nickeil Alexander-Walker, Atlanta Hawks \u2014 The Most Improved Player award came from a 3-and-D profile, and 3-and-D is worth a lot in category leagues. 3s, steals and clean efficiency in a defined role.
\n Darius Garland, Los Angeles Clippers \u2014 Excellent free-throw percentage, 3-point volume and assists as the clear lead playmaker in LA. Recent injury issues create some downside risk.
\n Dejounte Murray, New Orleans Pelicans \u2014 Steals in bulk plus rebounds and assists from a guard. Back from an Achilles tear into 30-plus minutes.
\n LeBron James, Philadelphia 76ers \u2014 At his age, still a nightly triple-double threat on strong efficiency. But what will his minutes, role and games played actually look like?
\n Pascal Siakam, Indiana Pacers \u2014 Good field-goal percentage, low turnovers for his usage and reliable steals. Haliburton\u2019s return means fewer possessions but the efficiency should hold. Dependable, unexciting category inventory.
\n Keyonte George, Utah Jazz \u2014 Coming off a breakout season where he produced All-Star level numbers. But will all the new additions cut his usage significantly?
\n Dyson Daniels, Atlanta Hawks \u2014 The steals are still the point even after last year\u2019s historic total didn\u2019t repeat. Solid field-goal percentage. No 3s and a weak free-throw line.
\n OG Anunoby, New York Knicks \u2014 A premier mid-round 3-and-D pick in this format. 3s, steals, blocks, a good field-goal percentage and almost no turnovers from a low-usage wing.
\n Cameron Boozer, Memphis Grizzlies \u2014 The best-positioned rookie on the board and the market is climbing toward him. The caution is that rookie inefficiency and turnovers are charged at full price here, which is not true in points formats.
\n Kel\u2019el Ware, Milwaukee Bucks \u2014 Blocks, field-goal percentage, rebounds and a bit of stretch shooting from a big. On a rebuilding Milwaukee team, the minutes should come.
\n Matas Buzelis, Chicago Bulls \u2014 Coming off a sophomore breakout and still has the potential for both more minutes and development. Provides strong two-way stats as a forward.<\/p>\n
Round 6<\/p>\n
Joel Embiid, Philadelphia 76ers \u2014 Elite free-throw shooting on heavy attempts, blocks and a strong field-goal percentage. When he plays he wins categories outright. Philadelphia\u2019s upgrades mean fewer minutes but less reason to push him. High-variance swing.
\n Franz Wagner, Orlando Magic \u2014 Provides 22\/5\/5 when healthy. The free-throw percentage and 3-point accuracy have both been erratic. Combined with injuries, that creates a discount relative to his potential.
\n Stephon Castle, San Antonio Spurs \u2014 A category-league faller. His two weaknesses, shooting efficiency and turnovers, are the two things this format punishes hardest. The steals and assists are positives, though.
\n Tyler Herro, Milwaukee Bucks \u2014 3-point volume and an excellent free-throw percentage, now with the highest usage of his career as a lead playmaker. That also means the most turnovers of his career, and he gives you nothing defensively.
\n Michael Porter Jr., Brooklyn Nets \u2014 3-point volume at a high clip, good field-goal percentage, rebounds and very few turnovers. Randle\u2019s arrival costs him shots, but the efficiency profile is a clean category fit.
\n Ivica Zubac, Indiana Pacers \u2014 Zubac provides solid center stats and should get great looks from Haliburton. A lack of consistent shot-blocking drops him to a mid-round player relative to other bigs.
\n Julius Randle, Brooklyn Nets \u2014 Rebounds, assists and a good free-throw percentage, likely leading Brooklyn in combined points and assists. However, there isn\u2019t much for defensive production.
\n Ryan Rollins, Milwaukee Bucks \u2014 Steals, 3s and efficient shooting in last year\u2019s breakout, which came with Antetokounmpo out. Herro is in town and Porter Jr. and Brayden Burries are competing for the same minutes, which makes the role murky.
\n Zach Edey, Memphis Grizzlies \u2014 Excellent per-minute rebounding, blocks and field-goal percentage, coming off a lost season with a foot injury. A 30-minute role would mean he crushes this ranking.
\n De\u2019Aaron Fox, San Antonio Spurs \u2014 Dealt with injuries, though still provided solid point-guard stats. Castle and Harper have eaten into the usage, but Fox is still a bounce-back candidate.
\n Damian Lillard, Portland Trail Blazers \u2014 Elite free-throw percentage and 3-point volume even in decline, which keeps him relevant here longer than in points formats. The bigger questions are the combination of age, injury and role in a crowded Portland backcourt.
\n Rudy Gobert, Minnesota Timberwolves \u2014 Gobert doesn\u2019t put up the volume numbers he used to, but he\u2019s been durable and his role is extremely secure.<\/p>\n
Round 7<\/p>\n
Alex Sarr, Washington Wizards \u2014 Blocks and stretch shooting are both category assets, which makes him more interesting here than in points formats. But a reshaped roster means fewer opportunities for the third-year big.
\n Naz Reid, Charlotte Hornets \u2014 3s, blocks and a good field-goal percentage from a big who should finally clear 30 minutes as a starting power forward.
\n Mikal Bridges, New York Knicks \u2014 The most durable player in basketball, which compounds over 82 games. 3s, steals, a good field-goal percentage and almost no turnovers.
\n Paul George, Boston Celtics \u2014 Absences have piled up for George recently, and he\u2019s not getting any younger. But his stats translate well to fantasy, as a low-turnover 3-and-D player who can create when needed.
\n Brandon Ingram, Los Angeles Clippers \u2014 A clear top-two option in LA after the Kawhi swap. He can easily provide 25\/5\/5, but modest 3-and-D contributions bring his category league value down.
\n Jaden McDaniels, Minnesota Timberwolves \u2014 Steals and blocks together from a forward with a solid field-goal percentage and improving 3-point shooting. LaMelo running the offense should make the looks easier.
\n Payton Pritchard, Boston Celtics \u2014 3-point volume that rivals starters, a strong free-throw percentage and almost no turnovers. Tatum\u2019s return and George\u2019s arrival mean fewer shots, but the shooting categories are what you\u2019re buying and they don\u2019t need volume the way points leagues do.
\n Ausar Thompson, Detroit Pistons \u2014 One of the best steal-plus-block combinations in the NBA on a per-minute basis. Shooting outside of the paint is a concern, but there\u2019s higher upside than this just on the potential for a bigger workload.
\n Ja Morant, Portland Trail Blazers \u2014 Morant is walking into a situation where he is no longer the franchise player, giving his role some cloudiness it didn\u2019t have previously. He\u2019s also struggled to stay healthy.
\n Immanuel Quickley, Toronto Raptors \u2014 Provides typical point guard stats in a stable role, though there\u2019s no lack of other offensive options in Toronto. A safe floor, but not much of a ceiling.
\n Jarrett Allen, Cleveland Cavaliers \u2014 Minutes and production have been on the decline, but he\u2019s still a nightly efficient double-double threat.
\n Zion Williamson, New Orleans Pelicans \u2014 A category faller. Elite field-goal percentage is the primary driver, but it\u2019s paired with a poor free-throw line, no 3s and heavy turnovers. Sixty-two games last year is encouraging but not the norm.<\/p>\n
Round 8<\/p>\n
VJ Edgecombe, Philadelphia 76ers \u2014 Steals and 3-point volume from a sophomore with secure minutes. Philadelphia\u2019s offseason makes a big usage leap unlikely, but the category contributions don\u2019t require one.
\n Coby White, Charlotte Hornets \u2014 3-point volume and a good free-throw percentage as the unambiguous starting point guard in Charlotte.
\n Myles Turner, Milwaukee Bucks \u2014 Blocks and 3s from a center with a strong free-throw percentage is a premium category identity, which makes him a clear riser relative to points formats. A rough first year in Milwaukee and an unsettled roster are the reasons drafters are split.
\n Dylan Harper, San Antonio Spurs \u2014 A playoff breakout at 22.6 minutes as a rookie, with steals and good efficiency for a first-year guard. San Antonio\u2019s backcourt logjam is the obstacle.
\n Ty Jerome, Memphis Grizzlies \u2014 Outstanding efficiency from the field and the line with 3-point volume and very few turnovers, all in 15 healthy games last year. The talent is obvious but the minutes projection is a guess.
\n Jalen Suggs, Orlando Magic \u2014 A defense-first floor general whose stats translate well to category formats. Staying healthy is the biggest hurdle.
\n Derik Queen, New Orleans Pelicans \u2014 Eighty-one games as a rookie with good field-goal percentage, rebounds and passing for a big. The turnovers are heavy. New Orleans\u2019 frontcourt minutes are the only obstacle.
\n Norman Powell, Chicago Bulls \u2014 Two straight 20-point seasons on excellent efficiency from the field, the line and behind the arc. That shooting package plays in category leagues, even though he contributes little else.
\n Caleb Wilson, Chicago Bulls \u2014 The rookie is expected to start and play 30 minutes, and he has the tools to fill steals and blocks. Rookie shooting percentages are a cost in this format, unlike in points leagues.
\n Josh Hart, New York Knicks \u2014 Rebounds, assists and steals from a wing, with his new 3-point accuracy now a category asset. The free-throw line is a weak spot, and the minutes dipped last year.
\n Isaiah Hartenstein, Oklahoma City Thunder \u2014 Field-goal percentage, rebounds, assists and steals from a center. Calf issues and Oklahoma City\u2019s depth are the limits, but the well-rounded line fills gaps.
\n Nicolas Claxton, Chicago Bulls \u2014 Elite field-goal percentage, blocks and steals. The free-throw percentage is among the worst at the position and there are no 3s. Chicago acquired him to play him, which is the case for the minutes to rise.<\/p>\n
Round 9<\/p>\n
Jabari Smith Jr., Houston Rockets \u2014 Finding shots behind Durant, Sengun, Thompson and VanVleet is the ceiling problem, but Smith has a high floor as a role player.
\n AJ Dybantsa, Washington Wizards \u2014 A category faller. The No. 1 pick\u2019s self-creation is real, but efficiency could be a first-year issue. Usage competition with Young and Davis compounds it.
\n Day\u2019Ron Sharpe, Brooklyn Nets \u2014 Elite rebounding rate, efficient interior scoring and useful steals for a big. Expected to start at center. The free-throw line and the historical minutes cap are the risks.
\n Miles Bridges, Phoenix Suns \u2014 3s and a good free-throw percentage from a secure starting forward, third in line behind Booker and Green. The defensive stats are thin and the role is modest.
\n Ayo Dosunmu, Minnesota Timberwolves \u2014 Good field-goal percentage and steals with scoring and assists in an expanded role. Earned a five-year deal.
\n Andrew Wiggins, Miami Heat \u2014 A quietly useful category line: 3s, steals, blocks and a fine field-goal percentage as the third option behind Antetokounmpo and Adebayo.
\n Collin Murray-Boyles, Toronto Raptors \u2014 Steals, blocks and a strong field-goal percentage from a versatile forward. No 3s and a shaky free-throw line. The question is how many minutes exist for him.
\n Fred VanVleet, Houston Rockets \u2014 3s at volume, a good free-throw percentage, steals and assists. He\u2019s a 32-year-old guard coming off a torn ACL into a crowded backcourt.
\n Keegan Murray, Sacramento Kings \u2014 3s, a decent field-goal percentage, blocks and very low turnovers from a forward. Twenty-three games last year. A healthy season during Sacramento\u2019s rebuild should mean shots.
\n Cedric Coward, Memphis Grizzlies \u2014 Sophomore breakout candidate with efficient 3-point shooting and steals, and more minutes coming on a young Memphis roster.
\n Kristaps Porzi\u0146\u0123is, Golden State Warriors \u2014 Should demolish this ranking on a per-game basis, but he\u2019s cleared 65 games twice in his career.
\n John Collins, Detroit Pistons \u2014 Replacing Tobias Harris should mean more minutes and touches than he had with the Clippers.<\/p>\n
Round 10<\/p>\n
Neemias Queta, Boston Celtics \u2014 Field-goal percentage, rebounds and blocks in a breakout season, now sharing the position with Mitchell Robinson. The minutes risk is the reason for the discount.
\n Kevin Porter Jr., Milwaukee Bucks \u2014 Assists and 3s with career-best numbers in 38 games. Milwaukee then added Herro and Burries while Rollins kept improving, so Porter Jr.\u2019s role is murky.
\n Khaman Maluach, Phoenix Suns \u2014 With Mark Williams out a chunk of the season, Maluach has a real path to the starting job after an impressive Summer League. Speculative, but a double-double with two blocks is a live outcome.
\n Toumani Camara, Portland Trail Blazers \u2014 A significant category riser. Steals, blocks, 3s and a solid field-goal percentage from a starting 3-and-D forward is close to the ideal late-round roster filler.
\n Darryn Peterson, Utah Jazz \u2014 The No. 2 pick starting at shooting guard means volume, but how much volume is there on a revamped Jazz roster? However, a reliable 3-pointer means his floor is fairly high.
\n Ajay Mitchell, Oklahoma City Thunder \u2014 Efficient from the field and the line in line for more usage after Oklahoma City\u2019s wing exodus. Sixth Man candidate with starter upside.
\n Cason Wallace, Oklahoma City Thunder \u2014 A steals specialist who also shoots 3s at a good clip with a strong field-goal percentage and minimal turnovers. Thin offensively, which matters less in category formats. One of the better late-round category values.
\n Zach LaVine, Sacramento Kings \u2014 He\u2019s missed 108 games in three years and could be traded into a smaller role, but for now, LaVine is a candidate to lead Sacramento in scoring and do it efficiently.
\n Peyton Watson, Cleveland Cavaliers \u2014 A breakout 3-and-D wing who now has a starting job. Usage will be hard to come by, but the category contributions don\u2019t need much of it.
\n CJ McCollum, Atlanta Hawks \u2014 3s, good percentages from the field and the line, and low turnovers in a defined backcourt role. Steady rather than interesting.
\n Brandin Podziemski, Golden State Warriors \u2014 Can provide well-rounded numbers from the shooting guard spot, and is coming off a career year. After Curry, the offense is mostly open for the taking, and Podziemski could step up.
\n Jalen Green, Phoenix Suns \u2014 A clear category faller. He scores in bursts on poor field-goal percentage with little defensive production, which is the profile this format treats worst.<\/p>\n
Round 11<\/p>\n
Jusuf Nurki\u0107, Utah Jazz \u2014 Rebounds and assists from the center spot, likely starting again with Kessler in Los Angeles. He might not close games, though, and has had issues staying healthy.
\n Kyshawn George, Washington Wizards \u2014 Broke out as a two-way threat in Year 2. Washington\u2019s roster got much busier, which makes the role hard to project.
\n RJ Barrett, Toronto Raptors \u2014 A category faller. A nightly 20-point scorer with a weak free-throw percentage, few 3s, and almost no defensive stats. Very little of what he does registers here.
\n Jaime Jaquez Jr., Milwaukee Bucks \u2014 Well-rounded offensive line in a breakout last season, with the inside track on forward minutes in a wide-open rotation. The lack of 3s is the limiter.
\n Jakob Poeltl, Toronto Raptors \u2014 Quality big-man stat profile. A back issue limited him to 46 games and 25 minutes last year.
\n Egor D\u00ebmin, Brooklyn Nets \u2014 3-point volume and assists as a rookie, offset by poor interior finishing that tanks the field-goal percentage. Mikel Brown Jr., Randle and Porter Jr. could all be ahead of him in the pecking order.
\n Reed Sheppard, Houston Rockets \u2014 Houston added Marcus Smart and got VanVleet back, so the path to minutes narrowed for Sheppard. His stats translate in category formats, though.
\n Maxime Raynaud, Sacramento Kings \u2014 Had a strong end to last season, but he\u2019s stuck behind a healthy Sabonis, which caps everything.
\n Saddiq Bey, New Orleans Pelicans \u2014 Coming off a career year and just inked a brand-new contract extension. However, New Orleans has a long line of players competing for the same possessions.
\n Sandro Mamukelashvili, Los Angeles Lakers \u2014 Efficient per-minute producer with sixth-man upside on a Lakers team with sketchy frontcourt depth.
\n Anthony Black, Orlando Magic \u2014 With Orlando healthy, the minutes and touches aren\u2019t obviously there, but Black did have a breakout campaign last year.
\n Darius Acuff Jr., Sacramento Kings \u2014 A rookie point guard expected to start on a rebuilding team. Potential turnovers and the rookie field-goal percentage are exactly what this format charges for. Better in points leagues for that reason.<\/p>\n
Round 12<\/p>\n
Jeremiah Fears, New Orleans Pelicans \u2014 Microwave scorer with high usage, but Dejounte Murray\u2019s return and Bennedict Mathurin\u2019s arrival make a leap harder.
\n Andrew Nembhard, Indiana Pacers \u2014 He posted 16.9 points and 7.7 assists with Haliburton out; treat that as a ceiling, not a baseline.
\n P.J. Washington, Dallas Mavericks \u2014 3s, steals and blocks from a dependable starting power forward with seven rebounds a night. A crowded frontcourt gives Washington some downside.
\n Ace Bailey, Utah Jazz \u2014 Scoring volume off the bench with shot-making still developing. Role isn\u2019t entirely clear on a reloaded roster.
\n DeMar DeRozan, Denver Nuggets \u2014 Elite free-throw percentage, a good field-goal percentage and very low turnovers taking clean looks from Joki\u0107. The role is somewhat cloudy on a new team, but DeRozan has the inside track to be Denver\u2019s sixth man.
\n Tari Eason, Houston Rockets \u2014 Steals, blocks and rebounds at one of the best per-minute rates in the league, trapped in a deep Houston rotation.
\n Davion Mitchell, Miami Heat \u2014 Assists with a tiny turnover rate and improved 3-point accuracy in a safe role. The turnover category alone makes him more useful here than his counting stats suggest.
\n Collin Gillespie, Phoenix Suns \u2014 3s, a strong free-throw percentage and low turnovers. With Phoenix healthy he probably comes off the bench, but a shooting specialist off the bench still moves categories.
\n Aaron Gordon, Denver Nuggets \u2014 Field-goal percentage and improving 3-point volume alongside Joki\u0107 and Murray. Safe role and good chemistry; injuries are the recurring issue.
\n Paul Reed, Detroit Pistons \u2014 Reed is one of the best per-minute bigs in the NBA and will be the primary backup behind Jalen Duren.
\n Tre Jones, Chicago Bulls \u2014 An assists and steals specialist who saw a boosted role when Josh Giddey was injured for a good chunk of last season. Role is more murky this season.
\n Devin Vassell, San Antonio Spurs \u2014 A source of late-round 3s with a good free-throw percentage, steals and low turnovers. Declining usage on a rising team is the concern.<\/p>\n
Round 13<\/p>\n
Christian Braun, Denver Nuggets \u2014 Thirty-plus minutes again next to Joki\u0107. Last year\u2019s across-the-board regression, partially due to injury, makes everything else hard to project.
\n Quentin Grimes, Los Angeles Lakers \u2014 3s, a good free-throw percentage and steals as a release valve for Don\u010di\u0107 and Reaves. Competing to be the third option, which is where the upside is.
\n Yaxel Lendeborg, Golden State Warriors \u2014 A rookie with a chance to start. Fits Golden State\u2019s gameplan as a versatile two-way player.
\n Jrue Holiday, Portland Trail Blazers \u2014 Steals, 3s, a good free-throw percentage and low turnovers, which keeps him relevant here well after the scoring has faded. Age 36 with Morant and Lillard added ahead of him.
\n Cameron Johnson, Denver Nuggets \u2014 His counting stats collapsed in Denver while the shooting held up, which is a season that grades far better here than in points leagues.
\n Pelle Larsson, Miami Heat \u2014 Larsson showed upside last season, and this Miami team will need jolts of offense.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"Nikola Joki\u0107 and Victor Wembanyama continue to battle for No. 1 overall player in all fantasy formats. With…\n","protected":false},"author":2,"featured_media":897013,"comment_status":"","ping_status":"","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[557],"tags":[64,63,590,85,465822],"class_list":["post-897012","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","category-nba","tag-au","tag-australia","tag-nba","tag-sports","tag-top-150-for-2026-27-fantasy-basketball-category-leagues"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/au\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/897012","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/au\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/au\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/au\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/2"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/au\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=897012"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/au\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/897012\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/au\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/897013"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/au\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=897012"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/au\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=897012"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/au\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=897012"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}