Stephen Curry showed excellent production across 43 games played last season and surely has plenty left in the tank for the 2026-27 campaign.
The best fantasy basketball drafts aren’t built on safe picks alone. In 2026-27, plenty of stars are slipping past the first round even though they have the upside to deliver first-round value for weeks or months at a time.
From Tyrese Haliburton’s return and Stephen Curry’s shooting to LaMelo Ball’s ceiling and LeBron James’ all-around production, these 25 players can swing your fantasy league when they heat up, and the payoff is huge. Use Yahoo ADP and these draft targets to find the high-upside values who can separate your roster from the pack, whether you play 9-cat or points leagues.
Tyrese Haliburton, Indiana Pacers
Yahoo ADP: 13.3
Haliburton is set to return after missing all of last season due to injury. Considering he is cleared for action, he could easily return to his status as one of the most productive point guards in the game. Meanwhile, it is likely he will be available in the second round of many drafts, as managers may be hesitant to bet on him too early.
Jamal Murray, Denver Nuggets
Yahoo ADP: 20.8
Murray has quietly produced value comparable to a first-round fantasy pick for several seasons. Being somewhat hampered by injury trouble and also overshadowed by his multiple-time Kia MVP teammate, Nikola Jokić, may account for the fact that he slips under the radar of many managers.
Stephen Curry, Golden State Warriors
Yahoo ADP: 22.9
Curry is 38 years old entering the season, coming off a rough 2025-26 due to injury trouble. Still, he showed excellent production across 43 games played last season and surely has plenty left in the tank for the 2026-27 campaign.
Josh Giddey, Chicago Bulls
Yahoo ADP: 23
Giddey proved to be a legitimate stat-sheet stuffer since taking on a starting job with the Bulls. He can be expected to continue to fill it up, especially while leading a revamped, young and capable group.
Austin Reaves, Los Angeles Lakers
Yahoo ADP: 23.6
Reaves has proven to be a highly impactful scorer and facilitator over the last couple of seasons. His ability to chip in across the board, including with steals on the defensive side, and his efficient shooting put him in contention for first-round value.
Trae Young, Washington Wizards
Yahoo ADP: 24.1
Young was limited to just 15 games last season, but prior to that, he averaged over 10 assists for three straight seasons, including leading the league with 11.6 assists per game in 2024-25. He is set up to flourish amidst a talent-filled, new-look Wizards squad.
Devin Booker, Phoenix Suns
Yahoo ADP: 25.3
Booker remains the first option for the Suns’ offense and should continue to supplement his high-level scoring with a good amount of assists, as he is expected to remain in the point guard role.
LaMelo Ball, Minnesota Timberwolves
Yahoo ADP: 25.6
Ball has been one of the most productive players in the league when healthy. He would likely be a consensus first-round pick if not for the inconsistency in availability. Nonetheless, it is fair to hope for the best in his case, and his fresh start with the Timberwolves could unlock a different approach to his game.
Bam Adebayo, Miami Heat
Yahoo ADP: 26.5
Adebayo remains one of the most well-rounded big men in the league. On the other hand, he has shot below 50% from the field for two straight seasons, including just 44.2% last season, mostly due to a significant increase in 3-pointers attempted.
Domantas Sabonis, Sacramento Kings
Yahoo ADP: 28.9
Sabonis was limited to just 19 games last season and has been surrounded by trade rumors all summer. However, fantasy managers should not forget that he is one of the few centers in the league that stands as a legitimate triple-double threat on a regular basis.
Evan Mobley, Cleveland Cavaliers
Yahoo ADP: 29.3
Mobley is a steady and reliable big man with a broad skill set, including the ability to shoot from deep. His biggest weakness would be less-than-impressive free-throw shooting, but he does more than enough to stand out as one of the best at his position.
Chet Holmgren, Oklahoma City Thunder
Yahoo ADP: 30.8
Holmgren is an elite shot blocker. He is also a reliable scorer and strong on the glass. Meanwhile, it is his ability to knock down the 3-ball that brings his fantasy value up among the best.
Jaylen Brown, Philadelphia 76ers
Yahoo ADP: 31.9
Brown averaged a career-best 28.7 points last season and has been a solid contributor across the board for his whole career. He is set for a new beginning with the 76ers and should remain a leader on both ends of the floor.
Kawhi Leonard, Toronto Raptors
Yahoo ADP: 34.2
Leonard played 65 games last season and set a career-high with 27.9 points per game. He is likely to do well in his new surroundings with a well-balanced Raptors’ lineup.
James Harden, Cleveland Cavaliers
Yahoo ADP: 35.3
Harden has been a clear first-round fantasy pick for most of his career. However, at 37 years old and no longer holding the status of primary offensive option for his squad, he has begun to slip down the rankings. Nonetheless, he can still be expected to deliver highly favorable numbers.
Paolo Banchero, Orlando Magic
Yahoo ADP: 35.8
Banchero is a player who can stuff the stat sheet even on an off-night. It would be ideal to see better efficiency in his offensive game, but there is much more upside for managers to lean on, as he enters his fifth NBA season.
Trey Murphy III, New Orleans Pelicans
Yahoo ADP: 36.3
Murphy has been one of the league’s most proficient long-range shooters for a few seasons. Additionally, his rebounding, assist and steals numbers round out an impressive value proposition.
Lauri Markkanen, Utah Jazz
Yahoo ADP: 36.4
Markkanen has been held back by injury trouble over the last couple of seasons, but during that span and for a couple of seasons prior, he showed definite potential for top-tier production. He is also set up to prosper with a bolstered squad around him.
LeBron James, Philadelphia 76ers
Yahoo ADP: 38
James is 41 years old but remains one of the most well-rounded fantasy producers in the league. It is reasonable to assume that he will not play 82 games, but his ability to contribute across the board and deliver a strong field goal percentage makes him still a great fantasy option.
Deni Avdija, Portland Trail Blazers
Yahoo ADP: 40.1
Avdija is coming off a breakout season, where he shined as one of the better fantasy producers out there. Heading into his seventh NBA season, he should continue to deliver impressive numbers across the box score.
Walker Kessler, Los Angeles Lakers
Yahoo ADP: 41.9
Kessler showed flashes of growing into one of the league’s most effective big men, before being sidelined for almost all of last season. The 25-year-old could be ready to stun the league now that he is healthy and playing alongside one of the NBA’s best playmakers, Luka Dončić.
Anthony Davis, Washington Wizards
Yahoo ADP: 42.7
Davis is easily one of the most productive players in the league when healthy. However, his availability has long been an issue, including playing no more than 40 games in three of the last six seasons, going over 56 games just once in that span.
Jaren Jackson Jr., Utah Jazz
Yahoo ADP: 47.5
Jackson was limited to just 48 games in 2025-26 and saw some of his averages take a dip compared to previous seasons. Nonetheless, the downturn was more likely a result of inconsistency due to injuries and roster fluctuations while with the Grizzlies. He is in a great situation to thrive in his first full season with the Jazz.
Kyrie Irving, Dallas Mavericks
Yahoo ADP: 49
Irving has played more than 60 games just once in the last nine seasons, including missing all of the 2025-26 campaign due to injury. Nonetheless, a clean bill of health and a new-look squad by his side could mean a good chance he returns to top-tier form.
Ivica Zubac, Indiana Pacers
Yahoo ADP: 61.4
Zubac is a great under-the-radar option at center. He does not draw much attention due to his understated style of play, but he performs the essentials of the role extremely well and has shown that he can rack up major numbers if needed.
