Nikola Jokić, DEN — Jokić is the safest No. 1 pick in fantasy basketball regardless of league format. His combination of stat sheet stuffing, health and consistent team environment is impossible to match.

Victor Wembanyama, SAS — Wembanyama is unquestionably in contention for the No. 1 fantasy player, though more so in category leagues where the boost he gives in blocks provides a significant single-category advantage.

Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, OKC — Generally considered the clear No. 3 pick in category leagues, SGA can slip a bit farther down the board in points leagues and High Score leagues due to his game being tilted toward efficiency rather than gaudy numbers.

Luka Dončić, LAL — With LeBron James moving on to the 76ers, Dončić's already sky-high usage rate and MVP-caliber production could increase.

Cade Cunningham, DET — Cunningham has established himself as a clear first-round talent. Given his age (24) and possibility of further development, plus a similar team environment, he's generally drafted before the middle of the round.

Jayson Tatum, BOS — After returning from an Achilles tear toward the end of last season, there's confidence that Tatum will be back to full strength in 2026-27. The deck has shuffled a bit around him with Jaylen Brown being traded for Paul George, but that only serves to affirm Tatum as Boston's clear No. 1 option.

Giannis Antetokounmpo, MIA — Moving on to the Heat after spending his career with the Bucks, not much is expected to functionally change in fantasy for Antetokounmpo. Category-league players have to navigate his lack of threes and poor free-throw percentage, but that isn't a concern in points leagues or High Score formats.

Jalen Johnson, ATL — Johnson established himself as Atlanta's franchise player last year amid Trae Young's injury troubles and subsequent trade. That doesn't change this season for the young stat-stuffer.

Anthony Edwards, MIN — The Timberwolves sent out Naz Reid and Julius Randle, getting LaMelo Ball in return. There could be growing pains in the new high-usage backcourt, but Edwards should remain a first-round player.

Tyrese Maxey, PHI — Based on last season's production, Maxey should be drafted sooner than this. But with Jaylen Brown and LeBron James entering the fold, fewer touches will presumably be available, and a decrease in minutes to save Maxey for the playoffs could be in store too.

Tyrese Haliburton, IND — Unquestionably a first-round talent, it might be difficult for some managers to draft him this early coming off an Achilles tear. But there's no question the team environment is set up for him to succeed as much as ever.

Cooper Flagg, DAL — After an easy-to-forget slow start to his rookie campaign, Flagg ended on what felt like a months-long heater. MVP-caliber production doesn't feel far off as he enters his sophomore season.

Scottie Barnes, TOR — Barnes is one of the most versatile two-way players in the league and continues to develop his game. Replacing Brandon Ingram for Kawhi Leonard means there could be slightly less usage for Barnes, but he's capable of making up for it with rebounding and defense.

Donovan Mitchell, CLE — Mitchell is one of the steadiest sources of All-Star-level guard production you'll find. He remains the Cavaliers' primary scoring option as James Harden takes on much of the playmaking and passing duties.

Kevin Durant, HOU — Much like Steph Curry, Durant is still capable of better production than this draft slot, but age (37) means higher risk of injury and rest days.

Stephen Curry, GSW — Curry can unquestionably put up mid-first-round numbers, but age (38) and injury risk are enough of a concern to bump him down near the turn.

Karl-Anthony Towns, NYK — If you miss out on Nikola Jokić or Victor Wembanyama, Towns represents the start of the next tier of fantasy basketball centers. His all-around efficiency and shooting ability make him especially valuable in category formats.

Trae Young, WAS — It was a lost 2025-26 season for Young, who was bothered by injuries before being dealt to the Wizards and seeing minimal action with his new team. The ball should be in his hands plenty this year in Washington.

Alperen Sengun, HOU — Sengun is one of the few rare triple-double threats from the center position, like Nikola Jokić and Domantas Sabonis. Sengun is coming off a career-high in assists, blocks and threes.

Austin Reaves, LAL — Much like Luka Dončić, Reaves should be in store for increased usage now that LeBron James has moved on to Philadelphia. It's possible that results in decreased efficiency, but that's not as much of a concern in points and High Score formats.

James Harden, CLE — Harden's usage took a step back in Cleveland following his trade from the Clippers, but he remains one of the league's premier 20-and-10 threats. He's most valuable in High Score leagues, which boost assist value and don't count turnovers.

Chet Holmgren, OKC — Holmgren's mix of threes and blocks is rare from the center position, making him valuable in category leagues. Managers in points leagues can wait longer on him.

LaMelo Ball, MIN — After spending the first six years of his career with the Hornets, Ball was traded to the Timberwolves in the offseason and will start in the backcourt alongside Anthony Edwards. Minutes and games played hang over Ball's fantasy value, but he has upside to beat this draft slot.

Amen Thompson, HOU — Coming off a breakout season, the only real hole in Thompson's game is his shooting, with subpar percentages from deep and the charity stripe. But in points leagues and High Score formats, his box-score stuffing on both sides of the ball is what matters.

Josh Giddey, CHI — Though injuries limited him to 54 games, Giddey is coming off a career year, setting highs nearly across the board. Chicago added more firepower around Giddey, but he remains the team's go-to playmaker and triple-double threat, making him immensely valuable in High Score leagues.

Jamal Murray, DEN — Murray is coming off the best regular season of his career, partially boosted by teammates missing significant chunks of time, namely Nikola Jokić. While it's easy to project better health for the team, the offense still runs through Murray and Jokić, giving the guard an extremely high floor.

Anthony Davis, WAS — Davis' first full season in Dallas last year wasn't quite that, as he played in just 20 games. A midseason trade to the Wizards put him yet again in a new situation. What stays the same is his potential to put up first-round numbers, with health concerns dropping him down the rankings.

Devin Booker, PHX — Some nagging injuries and an inconsistent shot led to Booker having a down year. But amid the Suns' retooling, he remains the lead playmaker and franchise player.

Trey Murphy III, NOP — Murphy took small steps forward last year but continued to cement himself as an efficient 20-point scorer and two-way threat. There will be more competition for usage this year with Dejounte Murray healthy, but Murphy's role isn't at major risk of decline.

Evan Mobley, CLE — Mobley struggled with his shot last season but remained the team's third offensive option and one of the best frontcourt defenders in the NBA. Neither of those things are expected to change in 2026-27.

Jalen Brunson, NYK — Fresh off a Finals MVP, things are projected to stay the same for Brunson and the Knicks given minimal roster turnover this summer. Brunson will lead the charge as the No. 1 option.

Domantas Sabonis, SAC — Sabonis is coming off a lost season due to injury, limiting his minutes and games played. But with high-usage players like Russell Westbrook (retired) and DeMar DeRozan (with the Nuggets) gone, Sabonis could reassert himself as a bigger usage hub than over the past two seasons.

Lauri Markkanen, UTA — After spending years near the bottom of the standings, the Jazz are in win-now mode fueled by additions of Jaren Jackson Jr. and rookie Darryn Peterson, plus the breakout of Keyonte George. While that could mean more availability for Markkanen, it could come with a decrease in shot opportunities with better teammates.

Kawhi Leonard, LAC — Leonard was mostly healthy last season and ended up being one of the best players in fantasy. However, games played remain a concern as he ages. The Raptors have enough offensive weapons to let him take his foot off the gas here and there if his expected trade to Toronto goes through.

Bam Adebayo, MIA — It will be a new environment for Adebayo, who now has to share the frontcourt with Giannis Antetokounmpo. That could mean an altered playstyle – namely a potential for fewer rebounds and more three-point attempts.

Deni Avdija, POR — Avdija is coming off his first All-Star appearance in what was a breakout 2025-26 campaign. However, the offense is bound to change due to the additions of Ja Morant and Damian Lillard, giving Avdija more downside risk in fantasy.

Jalen Williams, OKC — It was close to a lost season for Williams, who got a slow start to the campaign recovering from wrist surgery, then dealt with a persistent hamstring issue.

Brandon Miller, CHA — Continued to quietly take steps forward in his third season following an injury recovery at the beginning of the year. With LaMelo Ball now in Minnesota, there's upside for Miller to take on the role as Charlotte's franchise player.

Walker Kessler, LAL — Shoulder surgery limited Kessler to five games last season, but it looked like he was on the verge of a breakout with the Jazz. Now on the Lakers, there will be more competition for usage, but he should get the easiest looks of his life off passes from Luka Dončić.

Derrick White, BOS — White was asked to do more for Boston last season while Jayson Tatum recovered from a torn Achilles. He struggled with his efficiency but delivered a well-rounded two-way stat profile – notably an excellent steals and blocks combination for a guard. He'll probably be asked to do less this season with Tatum healthy and Paul George in town but remains a key contributor on both sides of the ball.

Jaren Jackson Jr., UTA — It was an up-and-down 2025-26 with the Grizzlies for Jackson before he was dealt to the Jazz and saw limited action. However, it's full speed ahead for Utah this season, and Jackson will be a major part of it.

Kon Knueppel, CHA — Similarly to Brandon Miller, Knueppel is expected to take on more responsibility for the Hornets following the trade of LaMelo Ball. That, in addition to presumed improvement in his second season, means the wing is sought after as an upside play in all fantasy formats.

Jaylen Brown, PHI — Not many players are entering a more vastly different situation than Brown. He's going from being the clear No. 1 option on the Celtics and an MVP candidate to part of one of the most potent starting fives in the NBA.