Uncertainties abound as we approach tip-off for a new season in the Association, so what better way to get into the fantasy basketball spirit than with a deep dive into all 30 teams?
Here’s each team’s biggest fantasy question for the 2026-27 NBA season.
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1. Atlanta Hawks: Is Jalen Johnson a first-rounder?
Johnson posted career highs in a number of categories, averaging 22.5 points, 10.3 rebounds, 7.9 assists, 1.2 steals, 0.4 blocked shots and 1.7 triples as he finished 18th in per-game fantasy value. Johnson’s ADP has him going in the first round, but can he live up to that hype?
2. Boston Celtics: Who will round out the starting five?
Jayson Tatum, Paul George, and Derrick White will start, but who will fill out the remaining two spots in the first unit? Hugo Gonzalez, Baylor Scheierman, and Payton Pritchard will compete for one of them, while Neemias Queta and Mitchell Robinson will compete for the other. Both starting spots could yield serviceable fantasy production, especially whoever ends up as the team’s starting center.
3. Brooklyn Nets: Is Day’Ron Sharpe a Top 100 player?
Nic Claxton was traded to the Bulls in June, clearing the way for Sharpe to open the season as Brooklyn’s starting center. The backup big averaged 16.8 points, 12.8 rebounds, 4.5 assists and 2.9 “stocks” per-36 minutes, and he put up solid numbers across seven starts. Will Sharpe ultimately get the starting nod and, most importantly, will he see enough minutes and usage to be a viable fantasy option while playing alongside Michael Porter Jr. and Julius Randle?
Egor Demin and Day'Ron Sharpe connect for a couple of early buckets. pic.twitter.com/mnMgBg0QA7
— Erik Slater (@ErikSlater_) October 6, 2026
4. Charlotte Hornets: Can Naz Reid crack the Top 50?
Reid finished 96 and 91 in per-game fantasy value across the last two seasons, but can he finally crack the Top 50 given a full-time starting gig? Charlotte traded LaMelo Ball to the Timberwolves and Miles Bridges to the Suns, freeing up plenty of touches for Reid. Projected starting PG Coby White suffered a calf strain that will sideline him through the preseason, and Kon Knueppel is dealing with a hamstring injury that could cost him the season opener. Reid is a capable scorer, defender and long-distance shooter who could be a fantasy monster if given big minutes.
5. Chicago Bulls: How high can Caleb Wilson fly?
The No. 4 pick in the draft is going to see as much run as he can handle for a Bulls team in need of a go-to scorer. The explosive rookie out of UNC can take over a game like no one else on the roster, and he’s an excellent defender, giving him the stat-stuffing upside that fantasy managers dream about. Wilson is going around Pick 80 in fantasy drafts, but he’s got the upside to finish multiple rounds higher. The biggest question is… how much higher?
No. 4 pick Caleb Wilson led the charge for the Bulls at NBA Summer League!
— NBA (@NBA) July 20, 2026
🔥 23.5 PPG
🔥 7.3 RPG
🔥 1.3 SPG
🔥 2.5 BPG
🔥 41.9 3P%
🔥 50.0 FG%
The Windy City has a front row seat for @CalebWilson2025's first year in the Association! pic.twitter.com/bZ3o9qF8Ff
6. Cleveland Cavaliers: Is Donovan Mitchell still a first-rounder?
James Harden will open the season with the Cavs after getting traded from the Clippers at last season’s trade deadline, and Cleveland has Peyton Watson on the roster after signing him in the offseason. Cleveland dealt with a slew of injuries last season, including Darius Garland, who missed 13 of the first 16 games of 2025-26 and Max Strus who didn’t debut until March 15. The roster is healthier heading into the 2026-27 season, and Mitchell may not see the same playing time, production and Usage.
7. Dallas Mavericks: Can Kyrie Irving return to form?
Kyrie Irving missed the entire 2025-26 campaign after suffering a torn left ACL in March, 2025, but he’s expected to be fully healthy for the start of the season and will even play in the preseason, albeit on a minutes restriction. Irving has Top-10 upside, but he hasn’t played more than 60 games in a season since 2018-19, and he carries obvious risk of missed games. Can he return to pre-injury form, and will he be able to stay on the court?
8. Denver Nuggets: What does DeMar DeRozan have left in the tank?
Nikola Jokic is the best player in the world. Jamal Murray is an early-round option. Cam Johnson, Aaron Gordon, and Christian Braun are solid late-round picks. Not a lot of intrigue here. Where things get interesting is DeMar DeRozan. The longtime NBA vet is one of the most consistent and prolific scorers of all time. He’s always available, and he’s an efficient shooter. DeRozan has been a mid-round fantasy staple for well over a decade, but how much does he have left in 2026-27?
DeMar DeRozan spins... DeMar DeRozan scores!
— NBA (@NBA) October 4, 2026
How did one of the newest @nuggets get this circus AND-1 to fall 😮 pic.twitter.com/Qtx7QzXOpK
9. Detroit Pistons: Is Ausar Thompson ready to break out?
Thompson logged a career-high 25.9 minutes per game last season, but heading into Year 4, head coach JB Bickerstaff expects Thompson to see more time on the court. More playing time could boost Thompson’s fantasy value significantly, as he averaged 13.7 points, 7.9 rebounds, 4.3 assists, 2.8 steals and 1.3 swats.
JB said the plan is for Ausar to play more next season. Averaged a career-high 26 minutes per game last year.
— Omari Sankofa II (@omarisankofa) October 1, 2026
"That’s the expectation. Because we ask him to do so much, how we manage those minutes might look different ... But I definitely see his minutes going above 26."
10. Golden State Warriors: Is anyone other than Steph Curry viable?
Golden State was one of the worst fantasy teams last season with only two players who cracked the Top 100 in per-game value. One of them, Jimmy Butler, is expected to be out to start the season. Brandin Podziemski was a fantasy bust last season, and the rest of the roster is either inexperienced or over the hill. Rookie Yaxel Lendeborg offers the most upside outside of Curry, and he makes for a fine, late-round selection.
11. Houston Rockets: Is Amen Thompson a first-rounder?
Thompson enjoyed a breakout 2025-26 campaign in Year 3, and based on his mid-second-round ADP, fantasy managers at large expect him to take another step forward and continue to ascend in Year 4. Thompson is a strong rebounder, facilitator and defender who scores efficiently and stuffs the stat sheet with assists, boards and steals. The elite, two-way talent is also a capable scorer and shot-blocker. He improved his FT% dramatically last season, and he’s been working with shooting coach Chip Engelland.
Amen Thompson working on off-the-dribble mid-range looks and free-throws with Chip Engelland and Ben Sullivan after Rockets practice. pic.twitter.com/0ht49F3FDX
— Jackson Gatlin (@JTGatlin) September 25, 2026
12. Indiana Pacers: Is Ivica Zubac worth a mid-round pick?
Zubac had the best fantasy finish of his career in 2024-25 when he finished as an early fifth-rounder. Injuries derailed a promising 2025-26 season, but he’s expected to be fully healthy heading into his first full season with the Pacers. The big man fills a clear area of need for an Indiana team whose Achilles heel has been the center position in recent seasons. Can Zubac have a bounce-back?
13. Los Angeles Clippers: Is Keaton Wagler in the mix for ROY?
Wagler’s play time was going to be substantial based on the rebuilding Clippers roster, but with Brandon Ingram and Max Strus sidelined, Wagler may see north of 30 minutes right out of the gate. He looked impressive in his first preseason game, scoring nine points in the fourth quarter and knocking down the go-ahead bucket on a long, step-back jumper. He has the upside to far exceed his 11th-round ADP, but does he have the upside to challenge Cameron Boozer, Darryn Peterson, and Caleb Wilson for Rookie of the Year honors?
KEATON WAGLER IN THE CLUTCH.
— NBA (@NBA) October 5, 2026
He puts the Clippers ahead by 1 with 12.8 to go 🍿
Watch the final seconds on NBA League Pass. pic.twitter.com/1V3ybJuL0e
14. Los Angeles Lakers: Is Walker Kessler the real deal?
Kessler was on his way to a monster fantasy finish before sustaining a shoulder injury that cut his 2025-26 campaign short. In only five games, Kessler averaged a double-double and showcased his ability to find teammates and step outside to hit a three-pointer. If he can add assists and three-pointers to his game consistently and improve his FT%, Kessler has Top-12 upside. We saw flashes last season, but can he sustain the same level of production throughout 2026-27?
15. Memphis Grizzlies: Is Ty Jerome a sneaky sleeper ?
Jerome appeared in only 15 games last season, but he averaged 19.7 points, 2.8 rebounds, 5.7 assists, 1.1 steals and 2.8 triples across 22.6 minutes. If he can keep the starting PG job and see minutes in the 28 range, he has mid-range upside. Scotty Pippen Jr. should open as the backup, and he’s the only real competition to steal minutes from Jerome.
16. Miami Heat: How will Giannis and Bam co-exist?
Bam showed that he can still be a strong fantasy option while playing alongside another talented forward/center in Kel’el Ware last season, and Giannis has shined alongside Brook Lopez and Myles Turner. Neither Giannis nor Bam, however, has played with a frontcourt partner of this caliber. Will the pair cannibalize one another’s production, or will they offer the perfect compliment?
First of many buckets for Giannis 👀 pic.twitter.com/qZXNdmMGrZ
— Miami HEAT (@MiamiHEAT) October 3, 2026
17. Milwaukee Bucks: Who will step up?
The Bucks have entered the post-Giannis era, and they haven’t yet established an identity. The roster is mostly a mix of former Heat players and rookies with Gary Trent Jr. and Myles Turner thrown in for good measure. Will Tyler Herro be a usage monster? Can Jaime Jaquez Jr. take the next step forward and make the most of newfound opportunities? Will Kel’el Ware ultimately end up with a featured role?
18. Minnesota Timberwolves: Is LaMelo Ball a value pick?
Ball will run the show in Minnesota, joining the Wolves as the true PG the team has desperately needed. He finished 44th in per-game fantasy value last season, but his worst finish prior to that was 26th. His ADP has him going in the 24-27 range, which means fantasy managers are likely drafting him at his floor.
19. New Orleans Pelicans: Can this team stay healthy?
The Pelicans have one of the most talented rosters in the Association on paper, but unfortunately for New Orleans, the game is played on a basketball court. Injuries to notable stars like Dejounte Murray, Zion Williamson, and Trey Murphy III led to another losing season, but if the trio can stay healthy, they’ve got the supporting cast around them to lead this team to the postseason.
20. New York Knicks: What will the center rotation look like?
Longtime Knick Mitchell Robinson is now with the Celtics, and the Knicks brought in Andre Drummond to back up Karl-Anthony Towns. Will Towns see a bump in rebounds and defensive stats with Drummond backing him up and potentially seeing less playing time than Robinson? Will Towns’ contract negotiations impact his on-court production?
21. Oklahoma City Thunder: Who is the next man up?
The Thunder lost Luguentz Dort and Isaiah Joe in the offseason, two players who averaged 21+ minutes per game in 2025-26. Who will be the next man up in the rotation? Ajay Mitchell and Jared McCain are candidates to see increased run, but will it be Cason Wallace that ultimately emerges as a viable fantasy option alongside Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, Jalen Williams, and Chet Holmgren? Could rookie Aday Mara be a sneaky value option?
What a find, what a finish 😮💨 pic.twitter.com/rJEZeBaDlo
— OKC THUNDER (@okcthunder) October 7, 2026
22. Orlando Magic: Anthony Black or Jalen Suggs?
Anthony Black logged career highs across all counting stats last season, and his production was even better in 40 starts. Black saw increased run because of injuries to Jalen Suggs, and Black was arguably the more effective player. He showcased his high upside with a 38/6/5 performance in a one-point win over the Nuggets on December 27. After Black’s strong showing, will Suggs remain the starter throughout the 2026-27 campaign, or will Black ultimately wrestle it away?
23. Philadelphia 76ers: How will usage be distributed?
There’s only ball, but the starting five consists of guys who like having the rock in their hands. Will Tyrese Maxey lose playmaking responsibilities to LeBron James? Who will lead the team in scoring? With the game on the line, who takes the final shot? With so many talented players sharing the ball, whose fantasy value takes the biggest hit?
24. Phoenix Suns: Who will start at center?
Oso Ighodaro filled in for Mark Williams when Williams was out last season, but second-year man Khaman Maluach appears to have the inside track to the starting center job after a strong Summer League showing. Maluach had monstrous per-minute production as a rookie, and he has tremendous upside if Phoenix gives him starter minutes.
25. Portland Trail Blazers: What will the Ja-Dame backcourt look like?
Damian Lillard will return to the court after sitting out all of last season while recovering from an Achilles injury, and Ja Morant will be back after missing time due to an elbow injury. Since 2020-21, Morant ranks seventh in Usage Rate, and Lillard ranks 16th. Two players used to having the ball in their hands will have to learn to share the court or learn to come off the bench.
26. Sacramento Kings: Will Zach LaVine and Domantas Sabonis finish the season on the team?
The Kings are ready to begin their rebuild, and LaVine and Sabonis don’t fit the timeline. The veterans are reportedly on the trade block, and Sabonis was shopped aggressively before last season’s deadline. If LaVine and Sabonis stick around, the outlooks of Darius Acuff Jr., Nique Clifford, and Maxime Raynaud are dulled.
27. San Antonio Spurs: Can Dylan Harper carve out a fantasy-relevant role?
Two’s company, but three’s a crowd. Harper logged only 22.6 minutes per game as a rookie last season, playing behind Stephon Castle and De’Aaron Fox. The 20-year-old guard was arguably the Spurs’ second-best player in the Finals behind Victor Wembanyama, but will the talented second-year man see enough run in Year 2 to be a viable contributor in standard leagues?
The rookie 😮
— ESPN (@espn) June 9, 2026
Dylan Harper showing out in the NBA Finals! pic.twitter.com/YrFVQxdkHN
28. Toronto Raptors: Is Kawhi still Him?
After seven years in LA, Leonard was traded to the Raptors and watched the Clippers franchise burn to ashes in his wake. He was slapped with a fine for his role in cap circumvention, but he won’t be suspended, and he’s reportedly healthy heading into the 2026-27 campaign. Leonard has had availability issues throughout his career, but he’s played in at least 65 games in two of the last three seasons. In his lone season with the Raptors in 2018-19, he delivered a Top-10 fantasy season en route to delivering a championship to the franchise.
29. Utah Jazz: What is Darryn Peterson’s ceiling?
Like No. 1 pick AJ Dybantsa, Peterson finds himself in a strange situation for a top pick whose team won only a handful of games a season ago. Both guys will be playing alongside talented teammates on ascending rosters, and their roles are not quite clear. Peterson is a score-first two guard who will have to share offensive responsibilities with Lauri Markkanen and Keyonte George. He’s going to be one of fantasy’s top rookies, but how high is his ceiling on such a talented roster?
#2 overall pick Darryn Peterson (game-high 23 PTS) was GETTIN' BUCKETS in his second NBA preseason game with the @utahjazz! pic.twitter.com/jjKRiz1MG3
— NBA (@NBA) October 7, 2026
30. Washington Wizards: How will roles shake out?
This is the same question we’re asking of the 76ers, albeit with a less talented roster. Trae Young and Anthony Davis should be ready to start the season, No. 1 pick AJ Dybantsa will join the roster, and the Wizards brought in Deandre Ayton and brought back Khris Middleton. Washington’s roster is suddenly crowded, so the roles of Dybantsa, Alex Sarr, and Bilal Coulibaly (among others) are yet unknown.
