Fantasy basketball managers who want to separate themselves need a strong draft, savvy waiver-wire moves and some foresight. Six fantasy hoops experts shared their boldest predictions for the 2026-27 NBA season, and if any of them come true, they could swing fantasy leagues in a big way. The experts are André Snellings, Eric Moody, Erik Karabell, Steve Alexander, Jim McCormick and Michael F. Florio.
Kel’el Ware finishes top 30 on the Player Rater
McCormick says Myles Turner represents real traffic for Kel’el Ware. Still, he believes the Milwaukee Bucks might feel compelled to prioritize Ware’s exposure because of his massive rebounding advantage on both sides of the court. Ware is a key frontcourt building block from the Giannis package for an otherwise undersized, wing-centric roster. He overlaps with Turner in trailing plays and protecting the rim, but McCormick is betting that talent and playing time meet in Milwaukee this season.
Someone other than Nikola Jokic leads the league in fantasy points
Nikola Jokic has led the league in total fantasy points for six straight seasons. Last season, he also led in fantasy scoring average. He produced over 500 more fantasy points than the second-place player despite appearing in just 65 games. Snellings sees three players with a reasonable chance to overtake him this year.
Luka Doncic finished second in fantasy points last season. While still a Maverick, he had a season with a higher fantasy scoring average than Jokic, though in fewer games. With LeBron James no longer with the Lakers, Doncic could be in for his biggest fantasy season.
Victor Wembanyama is coming off his best season and should keep improving at only 22 years old.
Giannis Antetokounmpo has historically produced seasons with scoring averages similar to Jokic’s. With his new role on the Miami Heat, he could put together one of his better fantasy seasons.
Julius Randle returns to the top 25 in points leagues
Florio says Julius Randle is back as the top option on an offense, just as he was in his early days with the New York Knicks. Twice in a three-year span, Randle averaged over 24 points per game. Over that time, he averaged at least 9.9 rebounds each year and twice averaged over five assists per game. Florio also expects Randle to attempt more threes with the Brooklyn Nets, as he did with the Knicks. As the focal point of an offense again, Randle’s volume should prop him up for another breakout fantasy season.
Walker Kessler finishes as a top-20 player in category leagues
Moody says the stage is set for Walker Kessler to have a career season. Shoulder surgery limited him to just five games last season, but he is back on the court entering his first year with the Los Angeles Lakers. Playing alongside Doncic should lead to more easy baskets, similar to what Dereck Lively II and Daniel Gafford enjoyed in Dallas. Kessler already gives managers excellent field goal percentage, rebounds and blocks. If he plays 30-plus minutes per game, Moody says, he could lead the league in blocked shots and crack the top 20 in nine-category leagues.
The Washington Wizards compete in the East
Alexander thinks Alex Sarr might be the odd man out in Washington. He says he has reached the point where he actually trusts Anthony Davis and Trae Young. He also finds AJ Dybantsa, Kyshawn George and Bilal Coulibaly, among others, somewhat intriguing. If Davis and Young are healthy and on the same page, Alexander says, the Wizards could shock people in the East. He calls them the ultimate risk-versus-reward team.
LeBron leads the Philadelphia 76ers in assists and finishes top 5 in the league
Karabell says LeBron James remains a wonderful passer and will likely run this talented offense when he is on the floor. He predicts James will lead his new team in assists and finish top five in the league. Karabell acknowledges that fans can debate how often James suits up and for how many minutes, and that James may shoot less than ever before. But he says James will always pass. Tyrese Maxey has always been more shooting guard than point guard, Karabell notes, so he expects James to average at least 8.0 assists per game, a figure Maxey has never approached.