Tier 5
Ivica Zubac
Good: REB, FG%, PTS, BLK | Average: AST, TO | Bad: 3PM, FT%, STL
Ivica Zubac enjoyed a breakout season, stepping up due to team injuries. He won’t be able to replicate that production again, given the Clippers’ added depth and Brook Lopez backing him up. The 28-year-old will remain a steady presence in the points, rebounds, blocks and field goal percentage categories even if his minutes are slightly dialled back.
Jalen Duren
Good: FG%, REB, BLK | Average: PTS, AST, TO | Bad: 3PM, FT%, STL
Jalen Duren took a step back from his breakout sophomore year. The main culprit was the significant drop in free-throw percentage, as he went back to converting under 70% of his attempts. Also concerning was his playing time dipping to 26.1 MPG, especially as he’s yet to eclipse 30. The 21-year-old still holds a lot of promise. Duren posted a double-double for two consecutive seasons and averaged over one block for the first time in 2024-25.
Walker Kessler
Good: REB, BLK, FG% | Average: TO | Bad: 3PM, FT%, PTS, AST, STL
Walker Kessler’s elite production in rebounds, blocks and field goal percentage is enough to carry his fantasy value. The big man also made some improvements to his offensive game by increasing his output in points and assists. However, managers must determine if they are prepared for Kessler to miss time during silly season. Last year, the 24-year-old only appeared in 58 games, with the majority of those absences coming after the All-Star break.
Jarrett Allen
Good: FG%, REB, BLK, TO | Average: PTS, STL | Bad: 3PM, AST, FT%
Slight setbacks in numbers across the board were enough to knock Jarrett Allen down the rankings. His points and rebounds were the most notable drops. For the first time in his career, he also averaged under one block. The 27-year-old is playing alongside the 2024-25 DPOY, which caps his defensive upside and affects his usage. Allen’s minutes dropped below 30 for the first time in three years. The former Net is still a double-double threat, but he’s not as appealing as the other tower in the frontcourt.
Deandre Ayton
Good: REB, FG%, BLK | Average: PTS, STL, TO | Bad: 3PM, AST, FT%
The Lakers added Deandre Ayton over the offseason in a much-needed move. He hasn’t been the most exciting or reliable player, but he has the opportunity to redeem himself. He has plenty of incentive to play, given that this is a contract year and he’s no longer on a tanking team. The 27-year-old has averaged a double-double every season of his career and is an efficient shooter. He doesn’t average many blocks for a center, and durability is still a concern.
Tier 6
Rudy Gobert
Good: FG%, REB, BLK, TO | Average: PTS, STL | Bad: 3PM, FT%, AST
It was an underwhelming season for Rudy Gobert. His usually elite numbers in rebounds and blocks decreased, albeit to still good levels. This was also surprising, given Towns’ absence. The only other category he had good production in was field goal percentage, which is why the dips in his other strengths were so detrimental. Managers shouldn’t get their hopes up that the 33-year-old will return to his former DPOY level.
Jakob Poeltl
Good: FG%, REB, BLK, STL | Average: PTS, AST, TO | Bad: 3PM, FT%
2024-25 was a career season for Jakob Poeltl. He was a defensive stud and became much more disruptive with steals. The 30-year-old also stepped up his game on the offensive end by setting a new personal best in points and making a decent impact in assists. He even raised his free-throw efficiency to nearly 70%, but it was still a weak point. Injuries have been another long-standing issue.
Joel Embiid
Good: FT%, PTS, REB, AST, BLK | Bad: TO, STL, 3PM, FG%
One of the riskiest players of 2025-26 is Joel Embiid. Not long ago, he was the first-ranked fantasy player, and now injuries have significantly changed him. The 31-year-old only suited up for 19 contests last season and looked like a shell of himself. The seven-time All-Star will likely never play back-to-backs again, and the 76ers will handle him with kid gloves as needed. Embiid is such a dominant two-way force and an MVP-level player, but managers have to be prepared for the health risks.
Isaiah Hartenstein
Good: REB, FG%, BLK | Average: AST, STL, TO | Bad: 3PM, PTS, FT%
After breaking out with the Knicks, Isaiah Hartenstein took his talents to the Thunder. He managed to rank even higher in 2024-25 and increased some of his numbers. However, that should be taken with a grain of salt, considering Chet Holmgren was sidelined for most of the season. It would be reasonable to expect a dip in production. The 27-year-old offers great defensive stats.
Mark Williams
Good: FG%, REB, BLK | Average: PTS, FT%, TO | Bad: 3PM, AST, STL
After an eventful three seasons with the Hornets, Mark Williams has a fresh start with the Suns. Managers have been hungry for his production since breaking onto the scene in 2023-24. However, injuries have been a roadblock. Over the past two years, the 23-year-old has missed 101 matches. When he’s healthy, Williams is a walking double-double who also provides blocks and a high field goal percentage.
Alex Sarr
Good: BLK, REB | Average: PTS, TO | Bad: FG%, FT%, AST, STL, 3PM
Alex Sarr strung together a solid rookie season. He showcased his defensive prowess through his shot blocking and rebounding, while also flashing his ability to score and knock down threes. He would’ve ranked much higher if it weren’t for his poor shooting splits. That will be the biggest need for improvement in 2025-26. The 20-year-old should get a heavier workload as the Wizards prepare to tank again.
