We’re officially past the first two weeks of the young 2026-27 season, and there are already some moves we can make in fantasy basketball. Since we’re off with no games today, let’s take a look into some potential buy-low and sell-high targets.
Buy-Low
SG Desmond Bane, Orlando Magic (Preseason ADP: 47, 9-cat rank: 99)
Bane trails his ADP by an ugly 52 spots, creating an opportunity to acquire a player who finished 40th last season. Bane’s current numbers are especially disappointing considering the elevated role he has on offense, with Paolo Banchero sidelined due to an ankle sprain.
The sharpshooter hasn’t been so – well, sharp. He’s shooting 38.6% from the field, but still managing a respectable 37.3% from deep. His minutes and usage have increased slightly, which kind of hints at a bounce back coming soon. His assists, unfortunately, have cratered from 4.1 to 2.6 per game, so improved shooting alone won’t restore all of last season’s value.
Recent games already support a recovery. Bane made six threes against Toronto, five against Boston, and four against Washington. His dismal five-point game against Minnesota came in a 22-point loss, with his minutes falling below 27. That game disproportionately weighs on the small sample we’re using, although the subsequent production also means the cheapest buying window may have passed.
PF/C Scottie Barnes, Toronto Raptors (Preseason ADP: 14, 9-cat rank: 64)
Like Bane, Barnes trails his ADP by about 50 spots as well, despite averaging 24.4 PPG, 7.9 RPG, and 5.0 APG alongside 2.1 SPG. Statistically, it’s a monstrous season. The ranking reflects category damage rather than a disappearing role: he is shooting a woeful 69.6% at the line with 6.6 trips per game and committing 3.7 turnovers per game. Last season, he finished 13th while shooting 81.5% on free throws and averaging 2.6 turnovers. Barnes has been going to the line often because of how aggressively he’s attacking the cup; without Kawhi Leonard, the Raptors need to manufacture offense somehow, and Barnes will force the issue.
The free-throw damage is especially bad. Barnes went a combined 15-for-28 against the Lakers and Clippers on consecutive nights. His scoring average also includes a scoreless, 0-for-12 performance against Minnesota in a 23-point defeat. His limited three-point contribution means the buying case should center on free throws, turnovers, and defensive production stabilizing alongside his increased offensive volume.
If we ignore the FT%, everything’s still quite rosy. His PPG is at a career-high, and so are the 20.4 FGA. It’s nice to see the natural evolution of the 25-year-old’s offensive game as he rounds into his prime.
SF/PF Jalen Johnson, Atlanta Hawks (Preseason ADP: 9.5, 9-cat rank: 38)
Johnson is averaging 18.3 PPG, 9 RPG, and 7.9 APG while shooting just 42.1% from the field. His ranking has taken a hit due to the poor shooting and lack of defensive stats. While I’m not certain the stocks will return, I am sure that Johnson’s role on this team is absolutely secure and that his shooting should tick up eventually. However, there are workload issues beyond missed shots. Johnson’s minutes have declined from 35.2 to 32.6, and his attempts have fallen from 17.1 to 15.3 per game. His schedule includes two Houston matchups, plus games against Cleveland and Miami. He played fewer than 29 minutes in lopsided games against Charlotte and New Orleans, and an ankle injury affected the latter outing. His recent production therefore mixes poor shooting with interrupted opportunity.
Atlanta traded Trae Young in January, so Johnson’s expanded playmaking responsibilities were already developing last season. The offseason addition of Luguentz Dort supplies another complementary wing rather than an obvious replacement for Johnson as an offensive organizer. My expectation is that Johnson remains central to this team’s offense.
Sell-High
PG Ty Jerome (Aggregate Preseason ADP: 98.5, 9-cat rank: 12)
Wow, it almost hurts me to put Jerome here after the season he’s been having, especially after last night’s 40 bomb on 14-for-22 shooting. I wouldn’t necessarily dismiss Jerome’s start as a fluke; he is genuinely playing great basketball and went for 19.7 PPG and 5.7 APG in just 22.6 minutes last season. After Memphis traded away Morant, Jerome shifted into the starting point guard position. The Grizzlies are 6-1 and playing solid basketball.
Jerome’s shooting may not last. He’s hitting 50.4% of his shots from the field and 88.6% from the line. He’s going to be hyper-efficient from the line, but I’m not so sure his field-goal percentage will stay this high. Maintaining big efficiency numbers under a heavier scoring load is usually something that only superstars can manage.
Now, am I comfortable trading Jerome away for a fourth round player? Probably not. Jerome would require a decent haul back in return, but with the way he’s been playing, it shouldn’t be too difficult.
PF Zion Williamson (Aggregate Preseason ADP: 60, 9-cat rank: 21)
Williamson’s monstrous steal numbers are carrying his ranking; he’s averaging 2.7 SPG. He only averaged 1 SPG last season and 1.2 the year before. Meanwhile, his current numbers of 21.3 PPG, 5.3 RPG, and 2.7 APG look relatively similar to what he was doing before. A negative regression in his steal numbers could send his ranking down 20 or 30 spots.
His 63.6% shooting from the field is also higher than last season’s 60%, but I wouldn’t think that’s unusual. He’s always been exceptionally efficient, taking most of his shots near the rim as a paint bruiser, absorbing contact from most players without a problem. His usage, however, is an issue, dropping from 25.5% last season to 22.7% currently, leaving less offensive volume to offset a definite decline in his steal rate.
