We’re a touch early, but we’re nevertheless excited for this upcoming NBA and Fantasy Basketball season! Most sites have not released any early ADP data, but the top ten will be reasonably predictable, with more room for deviation the further down we go. Here’s who I think are deserving of a first-round selection in this upcoming NBA season.
Nikola Jokic
Once again, Nikola Jokic finished first overall in 9-cat leagues last season. His reign has been undeniable; he’s finished in the top two in the last six seasons, and played under 70 games in just one of them, with 69 in 2022-2023. In fact, that was the only season of his career in which he’s logged fewer than 70 games. That’s a stellar bill of health.
We’ll get to runner-up Victor Wembanyama in just a second, but before you go thinking too deeply about who to take at first overall, Jokic’s combination of elite production across the board combined with his ability to stay on the floor makes him the top priority next season.
In the 2025-2026 NBA season, Jokic averaged 27.7 PPG, 12.9 RPG, and 10.7 APG on 56.9% shooting from the floor. He led the league in both rebounds and assists per game, further cementing his status as one of the best fantasy players of all time, with one of the highest floors and ceilings of all time.
Victor Wembanyama
Wemby will have a lot of hype coming into this season, and deservedly so. The third-year French phenom dazzled in the NBA playoffs while carrying his team to a Finals appearance, where they would ultimately lose at the hands of the New York Knicks. Despite the result, it was far from a failure for Wemby and the young Spurs. Wembanyama is officially here, and his 23.8 PPG in the playoffs paired with his 10.9 RPG and league-high 3.5 BPG cemented his status as a cornerstone of the NBA for the next decade, provided he can stay healthy.
His regular season was even better. He logged 64 games played with 25 PPG, 11.5 RPG, and 3.1 BPG. His block numbers have come down since his first two seasons, but that’s largely due to players avoiding him near the rim. His unique combination of scoring, three pointers, and efficiency alongside his monstrous defensive stats makes him a top-two target in this upcoming fantasy season. But he’s still a tier below Jokic, currently, due to the Spurs being careful with his minutes played.
Shai Gilgeous-Alexander
En route to a second straight MVP award, SGA impressed once again last season with 31.1 PPG, 4.3 RPG, and 6.6 APG. He’s been leading the league for three straight years in free throws made, which is a large part of why his fantasy profile is so appealing. Not only does he pour in the scoring, but his 55.3% FG and 87.9% from the line make him a player with few weaknesses in his game. He even provides 0.8 BPG, which is significant from a guard.
We could make the argument that Gilgeous-Alexander belongs in the same category as Wembanyama, but let’s not forget that SGA has had his fair share of injury concerns as well. He’s probably mostly put that behind him, as he’s now played four straight seasons with at least 68 games.
He’ll look to lead OKC to another top seed in the West again as they go for another championship. SGA brings a high floor and should be able to replicate his stellar 25-26 season.
Luka Doncic
Doncic led the league in scoring last season with 33.5 PPG and looks poised to do so again. His deficiencies are obvious, with rocky free throw shooting (78% on high volume actually is neutral) and maybe some injury concerns. When he’s on the floor, though, Doncic is a terror. His scoring near the rim is better than ever, and if his shooting from distance can stay above 36%, he’ll continue to pour in massive points alongside big rebounding and assist numbers. He’ll be another premier target for fantasy managers next season as he looks for his first MVP award and adjusts to life without LeBron James.
I’m also curious to see how his numbers change with Walker Kessler in the mix, as Doncic is a top tier pick and roll player. I can foresee some bumps to his assist rate.
Cade Cunningham
MotorCade saw his scoring regress to 23.9 PPG last season after a 26.1 PPG effort in the season before that. Luckily, this hit to his points was covered up by his impressive defensive numbers last season, which included 1.4 SPG alongside 0.8 BPG. His efficiency remained the same. We’re yet to see a truly explosive statistical leap from Cunningham, who is arguably better in real life than he is in fantasy basketball. He’ll remain the top dog in this Pistons’ offense that desperately needs Cunningham’s shooting, and for that reason alone, he’ll be worthy of a top ten pick next season.
Cunningham should put up another strong, All-Star level season in 2026-27. But we’d really like to see another statistical leap forward from the 24 year old as he looks to power Detroit to another top seed in the East.
Tyrese Maxey
The LeBron James signing is the current talk of the offseason. How will James’ presence impact Maxey? Well, probably not too much, but enough that we should be slightly concerned. Jaylen Brown’s addition to this team is also concerning, with Brown taking a ton of shots away from Maxey.
If you’re Philly’s front office, though, you’re most likely relieved in seeing Maxey take on a presumably lighter work load. The 25 year old played a league-high 38 MPG last season, which played a key role in him achieving a career-high 28.3 PPG. Maxey anchored the Sixers’ offense while adding a career-high 1.9 SPG. The Sixers are his team, and even if he’ll see reduced minutes and reduced shot attempts, he should still remain a clear focal point of their offense.
Jalen Johnson
Johnson ascended last season to a level that gave the Hawks’ front office comfort in dealing away Trae Young, their home grown floor general. The Hawks elected to put the ball in Johnson’s hands, taking full advantage of his size, athleticism, and vision in downhill transition to catalyze the Hawks’ offense. As a result, Johnson posted 22.5 PPG, 10.3 RPG, and 7.9 APG. He made his first All-Star and All-NBA appearance while playing 72 games.
I’m excited to see what this season holds for the 24 year old rising star. Johnson will now have had a full offseason to embrace his new role on this team, and his production should be at least similar, if not better, than his last. Last season, he posted career-highs in PPG, RPG, APG, FTA, FT%, and FGA.
Anthony Edwards
Last season, Edwards finished 15th in 9-cat, which is his highest finish yet. We don’t know what his role will look like exactly now that the Timberwolves have acquired LaMelo Ball, but he should be in a relatively safe spot to repeat what he did last season, with perhaps better efficiency. Edwards is somewhat of a known commodity, as the former number one overall pick has been making his impact on the league for years now, culminating in four All-Star appearances and two All-NBA teams.
Edwards put up 28.8 PPG last season on a career-best 48.9% shooting from the floor. Ever since he developed his range from beyond the arc, as evidenced by two consecutive years of shooting a touch under 40% from deep on big volume, Edwards has been a monster on offense. We’ll see how Ball’s presence will influence Edwards’ game.
Jayson Tatum
Tatum made waves last season after returning early from his right Achilles tear, a couple of months before schedule. His play was a bit rocky to start, but in the 16 games Tatum played since returning, he put up top-30 value and 21.89 PPG with 10 RPG. His FG% was poor, with him shooting only 41% from the floor, but Tatum should reclaim his spot in the first round, especially without Jaylen Brown in the picture.
Giannis Antetokounmpo
In perhaps the biggest move of this offseason, Antetokounmpo was traded to the Heat alongside Bobby Portis in exchange for Tyler Herro, Kel’El Ware, Jaime Jaquez Jr., and Kasparas Jakucionis alongside picks.
Antetokounmpo’s 2025-26 season was nothing short of disappointing. He suited up for only 36 games in the midst of trade demands and rumors, which included incessant subliminal messaging back and forth with the Bucks’ front office. On-court, he was mostly his usual self, but his limited number of games cratered his value tremendously.
In his first season with the Heat, Antetokounmpo will likely put up strong numbers. We still have to see if he’ll fit with co-star Bam Adebayo offensively. Neither of them can space the floor and Erik Spoelstra will have to find ways to make them work together. Due to Antetokounmpo’s injury-plagued season and the uncertainty surrounding his new team, he finds himself at the bottom of this list.
