Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, currently priced at $18.5M, has put up 55.2 fantasy points per game this season.
The All-Star Break has come and gone. With the final third of the fantasy season beginning tonight, it’s time to reflect on who has stood out most in NBA Fantasy — Salary Cap Edition.
Here are the top fantasy players so far from 2025-26:
1. Tyrese Maxey
This has been a sensational season for Tyrese Maxey — the stuff of dreams. It already qualifies as the best of his six-year career, resulting in a league-best 2844 total fantasy points (TFP). The 25-year-old has outproduced each and every well-established superstar to get here.
He’s been a steadying force for the Philadelphia 76ers (30-24) as they slowly make headway in the Eastern Conference. Although his 54.6 fantasy points per game (FPPG) rank sixth, his consistency is exemplary. Maxey has missed just two contests all season.
The price for his services is set at $15.6M, but the reliable production he offers is worth more than that. Now a two-time All-Star, he’ll continue to power the 76ers as their playoff push begins. Maxey has fully earned the title of midseason No. 1 in the salary cap fantasy game.
2. Jalen Johnson
In late January of 2025, Jalen Johnson underwent season-ending surgery for a shoulder injury. He flashed real promise beforehand, but after the midseason interruption, there was some uncertainty about whether he could truly return to form. He has — and then some.
The fifth-year forward owns 2788 TFP with the Atlanta Hawks (26-30) in 2025-26. He caught fire entering the All-Star Break with an average of 68 FPPG in his last five outings. There were three triple-doubles in that span, and this season, his 10 overall trails only Nikola Jokić.
Johnson’s well-rounded game means that his presence is felt on both ends of the floor. That translates particularly well to fantasy, where his rebound and assist numbers are more valuable than his scoring. He continues to be an excellent option at $14.3M.
3. Shai Gilgeous-Alexander
Rounding out the podium is an eighth-year guard who needs little introduction. Shai Gilgeous-Alexander has done what he did best for the Oklahoma City Thunder (42-14) en route to last year’s NBA title. He gets buckets by any means necessary.
He’s well on his way to completing another fantastic fantasy season. So far, the 27-year-old is responsible for 2707 TFP, and the only reason his total doesn’t exceed Maxey’s and Johnson’s is because of an injury-spurred, five-game absence.
The reigning MVP and Finals MVP, currently priced at $18.5M, has put up 55.2 FPPG — good for fifth-most in the Association. He’s scored 60 or more fantasy points in 34.6% of games played this season. If he maintains his numbers, fantasy general managers will be happy.
4. Cade Cunningham
What a season it’s been for the Detroit Pistons (40-13). Multiple months remain before an NBA champion is crowned, but this team already has something to celebrate. Cade Cunningham’s role in turning around the franchise is plenty visible through his fantasy production.
Still only 24 years old, the fifth-year guard has tallied 2684 TFP this season, and is in position to comfortably surpass 3000. He’s one of just 10 players league-wide to average more than 50 FPPG with a mark of 57.1 which ranks third.
Cunningham also lays claim to one of the most staggering fantasy performances yet in 2025-26. He racked up 101 fantasy points Nov. 10 with 46 points scored, 12 rebounds, 11 assists, two blocks and five steals. He’s proved to be worth every penny of his $17.4M salary.
5. Nikola Jokić
It’s a strange sight to see Nikola Jokić at the bottom of this list. His numbers have always been second-to-none in the world of fantasy basketball. But don’t think for a second that his 2682 TFP are a reflection of struggles on the court.
He sits fifth entirely because of a 16-game absence from Dec. 31 through Jan. 29 to recover from a knee injury. Beforehand, he sat atop the TFP leaderboard and was poised to enter the All-Star Break in that premier position.
Even after his time away, he never left the top five. That’s just how productive the three-time MVP has been in 2025-26 with a league-high 68.7 FPPG. Jokić is unquestionably the best fantasy option out there, and by season’s end, should be back at the top.
