Jayson Tatum should see a career-high in shot attempts with Jaylen Brown in Philadelphia.
Great fantasy players are not hard to find in the NBA. There are proven stars, rising talents and just about everything in-between.
It can be an overwhelming process to choose 10 of them in NBA Fantasy: Salary Cap Edition. But those are the decisions that can make or break your team.
Here are some names to consider:
Premium Picks
Nikola Jokić, Denver Nuggets
Nobody in the game is quite like Nikola Jokić. He has been, and very likely will remain, the hands-down best player in NBA Fantasy: Salary Cap Edition.
The three-time MVP finished last season with a league-high 4,464 total fantasy points (TFP), beating out Luka Dončić’s 4,113, and he did it despite missing 17 games. Jokić averaged a staggering 68.6 fantasy points per game (FPPG) along the way.
He produces in every major category — points, rebounds and assists. He has the highest salary of any player at a whopping $23.0M, but will be worth every penny.
Victor Wembanyama, San Antonio Spurs
The fantasy numbers are as alien-like as the on-court skills for Victor Wembanyama. More often than not, he makes a massive difference for your team when in the lineup.
Fresh off his first trip to the NBA Finals, the back-to-back All-Star is poised for another big fantasy season with his role on the Spurs unchanged. He averaged 55 FPPG in 2025-26 and excelled in blocks — a particularly valuable statistic — with a league-best 3.1 per game.
Wembanyama is still only 22 years old and has stayed relatively injury-free in his young career aside from deep vein thrombosis in 2025. He brings tremendous upside as a regular starter.
Jayson Tatum, Boston Celtics
This season will have a very different feel for Jayson Tatum. For the first time in his career, he won’t be sharing the court with Jaylen Brown.
It opens up a whole new world of possibilities for the four-time First Team All-NBA honoree. He’ll be the “main man” in Boston, and with the team relying on him, his already considerable fantasy production should become even more considerable. Last season, he averaged 47 FPPG over 16 games after returning from an Achilles injury. His salary is set at $16.0M, and for that, he’ll provide serious value.
Budget Picks
Jake LaRavia, Los Angeles Lakers
Jake LaRavia was one of the best bang-for-your-buck options in fantasy last season. The young forward averaged 20.9 FPPG with a salary which never increased to double figures.
He played in all 82 games for Los Angeles — modeling reliability. Coming off the bench, he never put up huge numbers, but that might change very soon.
LeBron James is gone. With the new-look Lakers, LaRavia could end up with a spot in the starting rotation — and at a price of just $7.0M for fantasy general managers.
Asa Newell, Atlanta Hawks
Sometimes, it pays off to take a chance on an unproven player. Asa Newell still has much to prove in Atlanta as he enters year two with the franchise.
The Georgia product appeared in 44 games as a rookie — starting only two — while averaging 5.2 points, 2.2 rebounds and 0.6 assists per game. He produced 10.6 FPPG as a result, which was far from the most among the members of his draft class.
Newell, though, should see a bump in minutes while coming off the bench to support Jalen Johnson. He was an efficient shooter last season, and for $6.5M, he’s an easy add for 2026-27.
Jarace Walker, Indiana Pacers
Last season was rough for the Pacers after reaching the 2025 NBA Finals, but Jarace Walker was a bright spot. He provided great value with 25.3 FPPG on a single-figure salary.
Tyrese Haliburton is back, and as the team’s starting point guard, will have a star-sized impact on the players around him. He can create more opportunities for Walker offensively.
Even after his terrific 2025-26, Walker is priced at just $7.0M. If his production is similar to — or greater than — what he’s done in the past, general managers will want him on their roster.
Sleeper Picks
Khaman Maluach, Phoenix Suns
Rarely did Khaman Maluach see the court as a rookie. Out of the top 10 picks in last year’s NBA Draft, he recorded the fewest minutes last season.
General managers in NBA Fantasy: Salary Cap Edition might overlook him for that reason, but Maluach’s exceptional Summer League can’t be ignored. He displayed what he can do on both ends with 19.5 points, 12.8 rebounds and 2.0 blocks per game across four games.
Maluach did what he could over the summer to earn an elevated role for 2026-27. He could very well provide real value for $8.5M and bounce back after a quiet first season.
Kel’el Ware, Milwaukee Bucks
The Miami Heat sacrificed a lot to acquire Giannis Antetokounmpo. Kel’el Ware was one of those sacrifices, and though he’s not the biggest name, he could have a big impact for the Bucks.
Across his 34 starts last season, he was excellent, averaging a 12.8-point, 10.7-rebound double-double. He also put up 1.2 blocks per game. His upside is undeniable and it can translate to some serious fantasy points.
He’ll have to fight Myles Turner for minutes in 2026-27, but when he is on the court, general managers will enjoy what he produces.
Cedric Coward, Memphis Grizzlies
There will be a lot of chatter surrounding Cameron Boozer, the No. 3 overall pick in this year’s NBA Draft, and what he does for the Grizzlies as a rookie. Don’t forget about Cedric Coward.
He put up a respectable 28.2 FPPG in his own rookie season, and is in position to start at shooting guard for Memphis as a sophomore. He averaged 13.6 points, 5.9 rebounds and 2.8 assists per game in 2025-26.
His salary is set at $11.0M. Judging by all the Grizzlies’ young, talented pieces coming together, Coward could very well lead them in fantasy production.
Breakout Picks
VJ Edgecombe, Philadelphia 76ers
Philadelphia’s starting lineup reads like an All-Star team — LeBron James, Joel Embiid, Jaylen Brown and Tyrese Maxey. VJ Edgecombe stands out as the youngest, and he’s a rising star.
The Baylor product averaged an impressive 35.8 FPPG as a newcomer to the league last season. He started 75 games and got playoff experience, to boot. On this year’s team, he’s the one who coach Nick Nurse will look to if injuries befall older players.
Edgecombe’s $12.0M salary is high for a second-year player, but he has high potential to match. He should remain productive despite all the talent around him.
Day’Ron Sharpe, Brooklyn Nets
Since stepping into the NBA for the 2021-22 season, Day’Ron Sharpe has been looking for his opportunity in a starting five. The Nets have stuck with him and he’s stuck with them.
He’s started only 21 games over his career but should surpass that number this season alone as the projected starting center for Brooklyn. He averaged 8.7 points, 6.7 rebounds, 2.3 assists and 1.1 steals per game last season off the bench.
Sharpe would usually be overpriced at $9.5M, though now, that salary seems fitting. He’s absolutely worth considering for fantasy general managers.
Austin Reaves, Los Angeles Lakers
In a way, Austin Reaves did break out for the Lakers a season ago. He averaged a career-high 23.3 points per game and played some heroic basketball in the absence of Dončić and James.
But something bigger seems imminent for him. He’s in position to be a full-time starter after starting 45 games as a fifth-year player in the league. There’s more points, rebounds and assists to be had in Los Angeles with a revamped roster.
Reaves will be worth investing in — even at a salary of $14.0M. He proved that much in 2025-26, and the future favors him.
