Tier 5
Miles Bridges (SF)
Good: FT%, PTS, REB | Average: AST, BLK, 3PM | Bad: FG%, STL, TO
Despite Miles Bridges seeing a sizeable reduction in minutes, his averages and fantasy ranking remained about the same as team injuries forced him to step up. However, some new faces could eat into some of the 27-year-old’s output. He can contribute to multiple areas, but his best stats come from points, rebounds, free-throw percentage and threes.
OG Anunoby (SF)
Good: PTS, STL, BLK, 3PM | Average: REB, FG%, FT%, TO | Bad: AST
OG Anunoby’s first full season with the Knicks was much better than when he was traded there in 2023-24. Despite a star-studded lineup, he was heavily involved on both ends of the floor. The London native’s availability was another factor contributing to his strong finish, as he suited up for a career-high 74 matches. Although injuries have been a long-standing issue, which adds some risk. The biggest knock on Anunoby’s game is assists, which managers don’t rely on him for anyway.
Julius Randle (C)
Good: PTS, REB, AST, FT% | Average: FG% | Bad: TO, STL, BLK, 3PM
Julius Randle’s first season with the Timberwolves had its ups and downs. His scoring average dropped to under 20 PPG for the first time since 2019-20. The 30-year-old also finished with his lowest category ranking since 2021-22. Still, he was solid in the three main categories. Randle faces competition in the frontcourt with Rudy Gobert and Naz Reid, so not much is expected to change for him this season.
Lauri Markkanen (SF)
Good: FT%, PTS, 3PM | Average: REB, BLK, TO | Bad: FG%, AST, STL
Infamous for his silly season shenanigans, Lauri Markkanen fell even further short of expectations in 2024-25. He had one of his worst rankings in years as he appeared in his fewest games yet. That makes the Finnish forward a very risky pick. However, he’s generating plenty of trade buzz, and a move could help. His best assets are his scoring, rebounding and three-point shooting. He also offers some stocks.
Michael Porter Jr. (SF)
Good: PTS, REB, 3PM, FG% | Average: BLK, FT%, TO | Bad: AST, STL
The Nuggets traded Michael Porter Jr. to the Nets over the offseason. The 27-year-old’s staples are his three-point shooting and rebounding, with some numbers elsewhere. It’ll be an adjustment for him to be on a team where he’ll have to generate his own looks without two top-tier playmakers. Still, his shot attempts will jump. Porter Jr. could also miss games in silly season if Brooklyn has nothing to play for.
Matas Buzelis (SF)
Good: BLK, TO | Average: FG%, FT% | Bad: AST, STL, PTS, REB, 3PM
With Zach LaVine gone and the Bulls lacking star power, 2025-26 can be Matas Buzelis’ time to shine. The 2024 11th overall pick got hot near the end of last season. Now that he has a starting job and with more minutes available, managers have plenty to be excited about. Buzelis still needs to develop his game, but he flashed his potential as a scorer, rebounder and shot blocker.
Tier 6
Santi Aldama (SF, C)
Good: REB, TO | Average: PTS, AST, STL, BLK, 3PM, FG% | Bad: FT%
The Grizzlies are shorthanded for the first few weeks of the season, thrusting Santi Aldama into a bigger role. Injuries have been a common problem for Memphis, which means managers may see more of him throughout the year. He could also see more usage because of Bane’s absence. Aldama has shown that he can do a bit of everything and has continuously improved his fantasy ranking. The 24-year-old’s biggest weakness is free-throw percentage.
Tari Eason (SF)
Good: STL, REB, BLK, TO | Average: PTS, FG%, FT% | Bad: AST, 3PM
Tari Eason is coming off his best season and should be in for a heavier workload with VanVleet sidelined. His calling card is his defensive abilities, especially in steals. The 24-year-old also showed signs of growing his offensive game by averaging double-digit points for the first time. However, injuries have hindered him most over the past two years and he will still come off the bench.
John Collins (C)
Good: PTS, REB, BLK, FG%, FT% | Average: STL | Bad: AST, 3PM, TO
Despite playing only 40 games, John Collins made a huge fantasy resurgence. Some of his numbers were among the best of his career. However, he’s now playing for a Clippers team that has a lot of mouths to feed. Some of his stats should take a hit, but it also helps that he’s no longer on a tanking team. The 28-year-old is relatively versatile, but lacks most in assists and threes.
Draymond Green (C)
Good: AST, STL, BLK | Average: REB | Bad: PTS, 3PM, FG%, FT%, TO
35-year-old Draymond Green showed signs of regressing in 2024-25, yet just managed to rank inside the top 100. The long-time Warrior has consistently been a good source of assists, rebounds, steals and blocks and a triple-double threat. His numbers don’t jump off the page, and he doesn’t offer much value elsewhere, but as long as he’s healthy, he remains a decent fantasy option.
Keegan Murray (SF)
Good: REB, BLK, TO | Average: PTS, STL, 3PM, FT% | Bad: AST, FG%
The Kings are without Keegan Murray for the beginning of the season, as he recently underwent thumb surgery. Even once he returns, his ceiling is capped as he’s sharing the court with three high-usage stars. The former fourth overall pick took a step back last season because of that. He offers 3-and-D numbers.
