Allow me to reintroduce myself.
The Blueprint for the 2025-26 fantasy basketball season has arrived. (Photo by Henry Russell/Yahoo Sports)
Welcome to the 2025-26 Fantasy Basketball Blueprint — your draft prep and in-season management playbook. Inside, you’ll find the strategies, rankings, tiers and insider tips needed to build a roster with unreasonable doubt.
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[High Score is a new way to play Fantasy Basketball on Yahoo with simple rosters and scoring. Create or join a league]
But before we stack chips, you’ve got to know the block you’re building on.
High Score Rankings
9-Category
Points
MAGNA CARTA: How to get ready for drafts
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Understand your league’s scoring system: It sounds simple, but if you’re new to this, ensure you understand the format and league settings. Each league can have its own unique scoring settings. Familiarize yourself with these rules to draft players best suited to your league’s format.
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Whether it’s High Score, standard points, categories or rotisserie, tailoring a strategy to these rules can give you a crucial edge. The default scoring for private and public free leagues on Yahoo is now High Score (points-based scoring like fantasy football) and the default scoring for public prize leagues is head-to-head categories.
👉🾠Here’s aquick overview to decide which format is right for you.
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Formulate a plan:Create a draft plan that includes multiple scenarios and backup options for each round. This flexibility enables you to adapt to unexpected player runs or surprises, ensuring you maximize the value of every pick.
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Mock Draft! You can’t come in raw and unprepared — practice makes perfect! Participate in Yahoo mock drafts to get a feel for trends and a sense of player values. It’s a battle-tested way to try strategies and see where the likeliest places are to snag your must-have players.
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Monitor preseason performance: Although preseason stats can be misleading, they often indicate players who may have increased opportunities in the upcoming season. For example, Ja Morant suffered an ankle injury in practice and is considered week-to-week, elevating Ty Jerome and Scotty Pippen Jr. into deep league consideration in the later rounds of drafts.
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Use player projections:Yahoo’s 2025-26 projections are available once you’ve signed up for a league. If you’re looking for additional resources, Hashtag Basketball and FantasyPros also offer free projection models.
HOLY GRAIL: Draft strategy — High Score, Points and 9-Cat
Points Leagues: Run the numbers up
In Points leagues, target high-usage, high-minute players who fill the box score across points, rebounds, assists, steals and blocks while limiting turnovers.
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High Score leagues differ in scoring weight — turnovers donâ€t count, and assists (2 points) are worth double that of rebounds (1 point), making guards more valuable. Bigs with guard-like versatility (e.g., Jokić, Giannis, Wembanyama) are exceptions, but traditional bigs lack the consistent upside to hit 30+ FPTS per game.
9-Cat Leagues: Building for balance
In 9-cat leagues, focus on balance and efficiency, prioritizing players who contribute without tanking percentages or turnovers. Punting categories (e.g., FT% or turnovers) can be a smart strategy, allowing you to dominate six or seven categories instead of all nine. Itâ€s a calculated approach to maximize value and simplify draft decisions.
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The availability factor
Durability is key in Points and 9-cat leagues, as missed games mean lost production. In High Score, however, only a playerâ€s best game of the week counts, making stars with injury risks (e.g., Joel Embiid, LaMelo Ball, Zion Williamson) top-15 picks due to their massive single-game ceilings.
👉🾠Here are sometips on how to manage your team in-season.
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Selecting injured players: Players who are hurt or have injury-prone labels will undoubtedly slide in drafts. Availability matters, and you’ll have a higher floor if you avoid them, leaving your draft with a player who’ll get fantasy points off the rip.
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Not setting your draft queue: Stack at least 3-5 players in your queue to save yourself from a panic or auto-pick. If you’re in shark-infested waters, make it 10 players, to account for sniping.
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Punting:Don’t overcomplicate your draft if you’re not experienced or practice the science of punting.
Dan Titus reveals his top avoids, breakouts, sleepers for 2025-26. (Photo by Henry Russell/Yahoo Sports)
Jaren Jackson Jr., Memphis Grizzlies: JJJ’s fantasy value is inflated by blocks, but his low rebounding, assists and inconsistent scoring limit his upside. Entering the season injured, he’s not worth the draft cost in points leagues — hard pass.
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Kawhi Leonard, Los Angeles Clippers: Leonard’s injury history and the Clippers’ focus on postseason health make it unlikely he plays more than 50 games. While valuable in roto or High Score leagues, he’s a risky fifth-round pick in 9-cat.
Josh Hart, New York Knicks: With Mitchell Robinson starting at center and Towns at PF, Hart is likely out of the starting lineup. His production peaked last year. In a reduced role, he won’t justify his 51.7 ADP in any format.
Paul George, Philadelphia 76ers: George had arthroscopic knee surgery in July with no firm timeline to return. I’d stay away. He just can’t seem to get it right, and even with his injury profile factored into his 7th-8th round ADP, the numbers are declining.
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Ausar Thompson— G/F, Detroit Pistons:Ausar enters the season healthy and ready to dominate after averaging 1.12 fantasy points per minute last year. With elite defense and potential growth in scoring and rebounding, he’s poised to outperform his ADP of 90.
Andrew Nembhard – G, Indiana Pacers:Nembhard will take on a key playmaking role for the Pacers, averaging 11 points, 6 assists and 3 rebounds in 26 minutes without Haliburton last year. With over 30 minutes expected this season, he’s a solid mid-round fantasy target.
Shaedon Sharpe — G/F, Portland Trail Blazers:Sharpe steps into a bigger role with Anfernee Simons gone, averaging 27.6 points, 5.8 rebounds and 3.7 assists in 10 games without him last year. Year 4 looks promising for Sharpe and the Blazers.
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Nikola Jović — F, Miami Heat:With a new contract and two preseason starts, Jović seems to have the edge over Kel’el Ware, offering more playmaking, floor spacing and shotmaking. He’s currently going 141st in Yahoo drafts. I still like Ware’s upside, but Jović is right there with him.
Matas Buzelis – F, Chicago Bulls:The Bulls’ commitment to Buzelis signals his importance, and he’ll start in Year 2 after averaging 13 points, 4 rebounds and 1 block in under 27 minutes as a rookie. With increased minutes, he’ll easily justify his 96th overall ADP.
Here are theguardsandfrontcourt players whom I like in High Score, and below are a few other players in deep leagues I’m targeting across formats.
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Kyshawn George – G/F, Washington Wizards:George is earning high praise for his offseason development, as evident in his play at the AmeriCup and Summer League. His growing playmaking and defensive versatility will have him emerge as a starter by midseason. In the meantime, he’s a guy I’m targeting in the later rounds of 9-cat leagues.
Jaylen Wells – G/F, Memphis Grizzlies: The Grizzlies’ injuries are piling up. Even before that, Desmond Bane’s trade opened up more minutes and opportunities for the second-year pro. His defense and 3-point shooting are already solid; now, we’re about to see him level up in fantasy as well.
Jay Huff – C, Indiana Pacers: Huff’s efficiency stands out — he posted 1.15 High Score FPPM in just 750 minutes last season. He’ll be in a timeshare with Isaiah Jackson, but with Jackson coming off an Achilles injury, Huff will still prove valuable in 20-25 minutes. He can be more than just a late-round block specialist.
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Teams to buy:
Oklahoma City Thunder
Some championship hangover is expected, but OKC remains a fantasy powerhouse. The Thunder’s pace, explosive offense, strong defense and high-efficiency system provide value in every format.
Denver Nuggets
Having Nikola Jokić on your team elevates everyone around him. Players like Cam Johnson, Jamal Murray and Aaron Gordon thrive alongside the best player and passer in the game.
Houston Rockets
The Rockets may lack efficiency, but their youth, tempo and tenacity make them a fantasy goldmine. Expect plenty of counting stats on both ends of the floor despite losing Fred VanVleet.
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Orlando Magic
Adding Desmond Bane elevates the Magicâ€s offense from bottom-tier to mid-pack, improving their fantasy floor. His shooting creates space for Paolo Banchero and Franz Wagner to thrive in a more fluid system.
Indiana Pacers
The Pacers†system of ball movement, spacing and pace has become a league model. Even without Tyrese Haliburton, their depth and physicality keep them a fantasy-friendly team.
Other teams I like:
Teams to sell:
Philadelphia 76ers
Injuries are piling up with Jared McCain (thumb) out and no timeline for Paul George or Joel Embiid. Tyrese Maxey benefits, but the rest of the team is risky, especially after ranking bottom 10 in offensive efficiency last year.
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New York Knicks
The Knicks revamped their bench to reduce starter dependency, which was a fantasy goldmine under former head coach Tom Thibodeau. With Mike Brown now coaching, expect minute adjustments that could lower starter production.
Brooklyn Nets
Michael Porter Jr. and Cam Thomas are the only fantasy targets here. With tanking, deep rotations and bottom-three offensive efficiency last year, the Nets are a risky fantasy investment.
Other teams I don’t like:
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Phoenix Suns (Devin Booker and Jalen Green only)
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Milwaukee Bucks (Giannis is cool)
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Toronto Raptors (too many wings)
YOUNG FOREVER: Rookies who could make an impact
Hoping for the best — but expecting the worst — from this rookie class.
How will Cooper Flagg do in his first year at fantasy basketball? (Photo by Henry Russell/Yahoo Sports)
Cooper Flagg – F, Dallas Mavericks
Flagg enters the league as the top-ranked rookie, backed by an impressive collegiate career, USA Select team performances and a strong Summer League showing. While his third- or fourth-round ADP feels steep, his scoring, defense and underrated playmaking make him a valuable fantasy asset. His preseason debut? A solid 10 points, 6 rebounds, 3 assists and 1 block in just 14 minutes.
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Ace Bailey – F, Utah Jazz
Bailey has a chance to start immediately, making him a great late-round flier in points leagues, especially High Score formats. As a volume shooter with the ability to contribute rebounds and blocks, he offers intriguing upside right out of the gate.
Tre Johnson – G, Washington Wizards
Johnsonâ€s shot-creation and scoring ability make him a solid late-round bench option in points leagues. Heâ€s especially appealing in High Score formats, though his rookie season will likely feature some boom-or-bust performances.
Ryan Kalkbrenner – C, Charlotte Hornets
Kalkbrenner faces competition from Moussa Diabate and Mason Plumlee, but has the size and skill to become a reliable rim protector and rebounder. While it may take time to climb the depth chart, heâ€s a long-term solution for the Hornets with Mark Williams now in Phoenix.
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Yang Hansen – C, Portland Trail Blazers
With Robert Williams IIIâ€s health in question, Hansen could step into backup minutes behind Donovan Clingan. Though more of a waiver option for now, his strong Summer League play shows he can generate fantasy points quickly on a per-minute basis.
Players on my fantasy basketball rosters after Draft Day.
Guards
Amen Thompson – G/F, Houston Rockets:Amen flashed elite rebounding and defensive instincts last season, averaging roughly 1.15 fantasy points per minute. Playing alongside Kevin Durant should open up lanes for drives and assist opportunities. The lack of 3s and forgettable FT percentage are the only two knocks on an otherwise elite fantasy profile. No Fred VanVleet means Amen and Reed Sheppard will be running the show.
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Tyrese Maxey – G, Philadelphia 76ers:The undisputed No. 1 option in Philadelphia, Maxeyâ€s efficiency and scoring volume make him a safe bet in all formats. His usage spike ensures multiple 40-plus-point fantasy nights, even with the health concerns surrounding the Sixers’ roster.
Jalen Green – G, Phoenix Suns:Greenâ€s move to Phoenix gives him the green light to score at will. With Booker drawing defensive gravity, he’s always available and has a clean slate to fire away — the exact kind of highly explosive player you’ll want for High Score.
Kyshawn George – G/F, Washington Wizards:One of the more intriguing deep sleepers, Georgeâ€s size and floor spacing give him multi-position upside. If he cracks the starting lineup, his length and shooting could push him into must-roster territory.
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Forwards
Paolo Banchero – F, Orlando Magic:The Magic finally have spacing, and that means more playmaking for Banchero. I’m in the minority, but I think we’ll see the best version of Paolo yet. With Desmond Bane in town, expect upticks in assists and field-goal efficiency and fewer turnovers. I still prefer him in points over 9-cat leagues, but I’d still get him in 9-cat.
Trey Murphy III, F, New Orleans Pelicans:Murphy is one of the leagueâ€s best breakout bets for 2025–26. When healthy last season, he averaged 0.98 fantasy points per minute. His combination of athleticism, 3-point volume, and efficiency gives him a real shot at making an All-Star-like leap — both in real life and fantasy.
Deni Avdija – F, Portland Trail Blazers:Avdijaâ€s game has always hinted at versatility, and in Portland, heâ€ll finally be unleashed. After the All-Star break last year, Avdija averaged 23-10-5. Handling the ball more and attacking mismatches, heâ€s a glue guy with the stat diversity to post strong all-around lines.
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Bennedict Mathurin – G/F, Indiana Pacers:Mathurinâ€s aggressiveness is finally being matched with opportunity. He can get hot quickly, and as long as he locks in on defense, he’ll be one of those boom players who’s ideal for High Score. He’ll also be solid for 9-cat leagues.
Santi Aldama – C, Memphis Grizzlies:Aldama remains under the radar but continues to produce whenever given minutes. His shooting and rebounding profile make him a sneaky floor-spacer who can hit double-digit points and boards in under 25 minutes. Aldama will play heavy minutes to start the year and is still being picked outside of the top 100 on Yahoo.
Tari Eason – F, Houston Rockets:Eason ranked in the 91st percentile in fantasy points per minute among frontcourt players. His energy translates directly into rebounds, steals and buckets. If his minutes climb, heâ€s one of the most efficient stat-stuffers available after Round 10.
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Centers
Jalen Duren – C, Detroit Pistons:Durenâ€s double-double consistency anchors Detroitâ€s frontcourt. He’s in a contract year and has shown growth as a short-roll playmaker. He averaged an impressive 1.23 fantasy points per minute last season, and as his rim protection improves, that number should only climb in his fourth season.
Isaiah Hartenstein – C, Oklahoma City Thunder:Always a per-minute beast (~1.10 fantasy points per minute), Hartenstein is being undervalued in the market across formats. He does everything but shoot 3s and make free throws at a high clip. However, I love him as a sixth- or seventh-round pick if I don’t nab bigs earlier in the draft.
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Kelâ€el Ware – C, Miami Heat:Jović’s hype is building, but I’m still targeting more shares of Ware. He averaged over 1.0 fantasy points per minute last season and has so much potential as a rim runner. His ADP is falling because he came off the bench in the Heat’s past two preseason games; I would buy the dip.
Thanks for vibing with The Fantasy Basketball Blueprint. You have my tips, strategies and my favorite targets; now it’s time to take the throne. Good luck this season!
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