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If Orlando Magic star Franz Wagner\u2019s usage ticks up as a creator, there\u2019s another gear for him in fantasy basketball this season.<\/p>\n
The 2026-27 NBA season is nearly a week away, and fans are gearing up for another edition of fantasy hoops. With seismic changes around the league this summer, and some preseason action having taken place, some fantasy risers are already starting to emerge.<\/p>\n
Dan Titus of Yahoo Sports gives his observations across all 30 teams around the league, first from the Eastern Conference, then the Western Conference.<\/p>\n
Atlanta Hawks<\/p>\n
I\u2019m on the fence about Jalen Johnson as a first-round pick. The counting stats look great (22.5, points, 10.3 rebounds, 7.9 assists last season), but I think I\u2019ve been underestimating CJ McCollum\u2019s impact for 9-cat specifically. In 36 games without McCollum, Johnson was ninth in per-game value; 36 games with him, 34th. Not bad, but that\u2019s a two-round drop-off. Suffice it to say, the second round is probably more appropriate.<\/p>\n
Boston Celtics<\/p>\n
The battle that matters here is Neemias Queta versus Mitchell Robinson, because Queta was a top-75 9-cat player last season. How does Robinson affect that ceiling? They share the same profile (rebounds and blocks with minimal usage) and directly compete for minutes.<\/p>\n
I project Queta wins the job outright, but if not, that ADP could change. Robinson could offset his upside, but in a timeshare, Queta should play more games overall. Also, will Baylor Scheierman start at shooting guard?<\/p>\n
Brooklyn Nets<\/p>\n
Egor D\u0451min is rising. It\u2019s not just the 5 assists in both preseason appearances; he showed a real offensive bag against the 76ers, scoring 13 points in a variety of creative, impressive ways. The offseason bulk-up looks significant. Still waiting to see what rookie Mikel Brown Jr. has to offer.<\/p>\n
Charlotte Hornets<\/p>\n
Coby White (calf) and Kon Knueppel (hamstring) are out the entire preseason. That likely gives a short-term boost to Dennis Schr\u00f6der (starting PG) and Grayson Allen (starting SG). Both are free in most drafts and early-season steamers if their aforementioned starters aren\u2019t ready for opening night. Don\u2019t sleep on Moussa Diabat\u00e9 as a late-round big for boards and blocks.<\/p>\n
Chicago Bulls<\/p>\n
Jalen Smith is a riser: 13 points and 8 rebounds in 20 minutes during Wednesday\u2019s preseason game, and with Nic Claxton out (hamstring, will be reevaluated on Oct. 19), he\u2019s the clearest injury fill-in on the board. Caleb Wilson\u2019s points-league appeal is real: 15 points in 29 minutes with a path to 30-plus minutes per game.<\/p>\n
Cleveland Cavaliers<\/p>\n
Peyton Watson looked good in his debut: 7 points, 4 rebounds, 4 assists and 2 blocks. The hamstring issue seems behind him. He\u2019s good value after pick 100. Cavaliers coach Kenny Atkinson specifically praised Watson\u2019s wing pairing with Jaylon Tyson, who led the team with 14 points while James Harden rested against Boston.<\/p>\n
Detroit Pistons<\/p>\n
Jalen Duren signed a five-year, $200 million deal to stay in Detroit, but my top breakout here is Ausar Thompson; we know about the steals and blocks, but his offensive growth is the story. Thompson\u2019s shot profile is already changing. He\u2019s hitting more confident mid-range shots, and his playmaking is underrated. That\u2019s why his ADP is climbing.<\/p>\n
Indiana Pacers<\/p>\n
Um, Jarace Walker? He handed out 10 assists with 1 turnover in a team-high 28 minutes, easily the best playmaking game of his young career. He also posted a team-best plus-minus of 18 in the Pacers\u2019 win over the Timberwolves. He\u2019s firmly on my intrigued list.<\/p>\n
Miami Heat<\/p>\n
Point-Giannis Antetokounmpo is ridiculously good. He\u2019s a top-five player across formats and will put up serious numbers in Miami. I\u2019m moving him up in my 9-cat rankings, so don\u2019t be surprised when it happens.<\/p>\n
Milwaukee Bucks<\/p>\n
Kel\u2019el Ware is already going off. He\u2019s another player for whom it doesn\u2019t matter if he\u2019s starting or coming off the bench. When he plays, he puts numbers on the board. Jaime Jaquez Jr. moving into the starting lineup is noteworthy. He gets a bump in my rankings, too.<\/p>\n
New York Knicks<\/p>\n
Contract negotiations between the Knicks and Karl-Anthony Towns are \u201cnowhere close,\u201d per Chris Haynes. The Knicks also said they would pause on negotiations until later in the season. Not great, but also not actionable, since it\u2019s not like Towns won\u2019t play.<\/p>\n
Orlando Magic<\/p>\n
The bet is health plus a new coach. The thing I\u2019m watching: Franz Wagner on the ball more? If his usage ticks up as a creator, there\u2019s another gear here beyond last season\u2019s line. Anthony Black is the first guard off the bench with a path to 25-plus minutes per game. He\u2019s my favorite stash on the roster.<\/p>\n
Philadelphia 76ers<\/p>\n
I think the 76ers should start Dean Wade and bring VJ Edgecombe off the bench. Also, LeBron James\u2019 line (10\/4\/5, 1 field goal attempt, 8-for-8 on free throws) shows he doesn\u2019t need to be aggressive to still get the numbers.<\/p>\n
Toronto Raptors<\/p>\n
I\u2019m still bullish on Collin Murray-Boyles making a big sophomore leap. On top of that, Jamal Shead is the backup to watch. He\u2019s a great passer who handles the ball well, and his per-minute stats are solid. High assist rate with low turnovers is always preferred in 9-cat formats.<\/p>\n
Washington Wizards<\/p>\n
Trae Young and AJ Dybantsa look good. Young opened his preseason with 15 points, 4 rebounds, 4 assists and 2 steals. Dybantsa posted 11 points, 2 rebounds, 2 assists and 4 steals as a starter. Deandre Ayton could be a sleeper pickup early on for rebounds, points and blocks if Alex Sarr remains out.<\/p>\n
Dallas Mavericks<\/p>\n
Daniel Gafford will be a sleeper big. His role grew by default and he started in Macao\u2019s preseason contests. Kyrie Irving made his debut in the second of the two Macao games, and it was exciting to see him back on the court for the first time in 19 months.<\/p>\n
Denver Nuggets<\/p>\n
Nikola Joki\u0107 and Jamal Murray are the two most important pieces in Denver. The most interesting Nuggets question is whether anyone outside the top two could crack the top 150 \u2014 Aaron Gordon?<\/p>\n
Golden State Warriors<\/p>\n
Brandin Podziemski\u2019s usage in the preseason is up to 28% through two games; the breakout is coming. He just signed a five-year, $110 million extension, so the runway is his. Al Horford will likely come off the bench, giving Gui Santos and Yaxel Ledeborg 12-team appeal.<\/p>\n
Houston Rockets<\/p>\n
Fred VanVleet looked like the Fred of old in Macao: 17 points, 7 assists, 2 steals and five 3-pointers in 24 minutes, his first game since May 2025. If this is the version Houston gets, his ADP is underrated.<\/p>\n
LA Clippers<\/p>\n
The risers are Isaiah Jackson and Rui Hachimura. Jackson started the opener and Clippers coach Ty Lue reportedly likes the Jackson-Darius Garland combination. If he starts over Brook Lopez, he\u2019s worth a late-round flier.<\/p>\n
Hachimura benefits because the Clippers need another scorer while Brandon Ingram (heel) is out. He has 20-point upside early on.<\/p>\n
Los Angeles Lakers<\/p>\n
Quentin Grimes seems locked in as a starter, trending toward a rotation lock on the wing. Jake LaRavia has the early edge at power forward. Walker Kessler (finger) hasn\u2019t debuted, but it\u2019s not concerning. Not much to say about Luka Don\u010di\u0107 and Austin Reaves \u2014 elite guards no matter the format.<\/p>\n
Memphis Grizzlies<\/p>\n
Cameron Boozer looks like a beast. The Kia Rookie of the Year frontrunner has zero obstacles to volume. The passing, sneaky steals, poise and early usage (24%) make him a worthy mid-round pick. The positive Ty Jerome buzz continues. He\u2019s a steal relative to ADP.<\/p>\n
Minnesota Timberwolves<\/p>\n
Joan Beringer deserves a roster spot in 12-plus 9-cat formats. He\u2019s the only true backup big by default, and that matters on a team this thin up front. Don\u2019t sleep on Ayo Dosunmu. I think LaMelo Ball\u2019s third-round ADP is off; I\u2019m taking him in the second.<\/p>\n
New Orleans Pelicans<\/p>\n
Bennedict Mathurin starting over Herbert Jones is interesting because they\u2019re specialists in different ways. Mathurin is the scorer, and Jones offers the defense. Another thing to monitor is how the team deploys Jeremiah Fears. He started for Dejounte Murray and, over two preseason games, he\u2019s averaged 13.5 points in 18.3 minutes while shooting 50% from the field and 50% from 3-point range on eight attempts per game.<\/p>\n
Oklahoma City Thunder<\/p>\n
Aday Mara hasn\u2019t missed a field-goal attempt all preseason and looks great. Could he force a timeshare with Isaiah Hartenstein? We also need to watch Cason Wallace versus Ajay Mitchell for the other starting spot, though GM Sam Presti effectively confirmed Wallace starts. I still like both as draftable guys in 9-cat.<\/p>\n
Phoenix Suns<\/p>\n
The center spot is the battle: Oso Ighodaro has two of three starts so far, but Khaman Maluach has more minutes logged. With Mark Williams out until at least February, I\u2019m leaning toward Maluach. Miles Bridges\u2019 ankle injury is not considered serious.<\/p>\n
Portland Trail Blazers<\/p>\n
The Trail Blazers\u2019 guard situation between Damian Lillard and Ja Morant remains one of the most interesting in the NBA. Lillard\u2019s ADP seems modest.<\/p>\n
Sacramento Kings<\/p>\n
The Darius Acuff Jr. buzz is building. He is this year\u2019s rookie point guard volume bet and I\u2019m buying for points leagues. Does Nique Clifford have the edge on the sixth-man role? It\u2019s good to see that Domantas Sabonis says he\u2019s 100% post-knee surgery. I like his bounce-back discount.<\/p>\n
San Antonio Spurs<\/p>\n
Whether or not Dylan Harper starts, he\u2019s effectively a sixth starter. He has started for De\u2019Aaron Fox in San Antonio\u2019s first two preseason games, delivering an average of 15.5 points, 3.5 rebounds and four assists. He\u2019s so good, so put it on wax \u2014 Harper is seeing 28-30 minutes a night, somehow, someway. His ADP is affordable, too.<\/p>\n
Utah Jazz<\/p>\n
Jusuf Nurki\u0107 is out a month (plantar plate tear). Jaxson Hayes steps in as the likely starter, while Kyle Filipowski gets a bump in the rotation. I\u2019d expect Jaren Jackson Jr. to play more at center than initially planned as well. Shoutout to Darryn Peterson for reminding people why he was one of the top prospects in his class. He\u2019s a walking bucket who scores effortlessly. He should be an option as you approach the 100s.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"If Orlando Magic star Franz Wagner\u2019s usage ticks up as a creator, there\u2019s another gear for him in…\n","protected":false},"author":2,"featured_media":925592,"comment_status":"","ping_status":"","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[557],"tags":[64,63,590,493303,85],"class_list":["post-925591","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","category-nba","tag-au","tag-australia","tag-nba","tag-nba-fantasy-observations-on-all-30-teams-ahead-of-drafts","tag-sports"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/au\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/925591","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=925591"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/au\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/925591\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/au\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/925592"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/au\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=925591"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/au\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=925591"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/au\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=925591"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}