Welcome to RotoWire's official Top 200 fantasy basketball rankings for the 2025-26 NBA season. This comprehensive guide is your essential resource for draft day success. We've analyzed NBA Average Draft Position (ADP), injury news, and player potential to identify key sleepers and potential busts. Whether you're in a standard category league or a points-based format, these rankings provide the expert foundation you need to build a championship-winning roster. Let's get started.
Fantasy Basketball Rankings 2025-26
| RANK | PLAYER | TEAM |
| 1 | Jokic, Nikola | DEN |
| 2 | Wembanyama, Victor | SA |
| 3 | Gilgeous-Alexander, Shai | OKC |
| 4 | Doncic, Luka | LAL |
| 5 | Cunningham, Cade | DET |
| 6 | Edwards, Anthony | MIN |
| 7 | Antetokounmpo, Giannis | MIL |
| 8 | Davis, Anthony | DAL |
| 9 | Young, Trae | ATL |
| 10 | Towns, Karl-Anthony | NY |
| 11 | Booker, Devin | PHO |
| 12 | Harden, James | LAC |
| 13 | Maxey, Tyrese | PHI |
| 14 | Durant, Kevin | HOU |
| 15 | Sabonis, Domantas | SAC |
| 16 | Curry, Stephen | GS |
| 17 | Giddey, Josh | CHI |
| 18 | Thompson, Amen | HOU |
| 19 | Mobley, Evan | CLE |
| 20 | Mitchell, Donovan | CLE |
| 21 | Johnson, Jalen | ATL |
| 22 | Sengun, Alperen | HOU |
| 23 | Holmgren, Chet | OKC |
| 24 | Banchero, Paolo | ORL |
| 25 | Brunson, Jalen | NY |
| 26 | Adebayo, Bam | MIA |
| 27 | Barnes, Scottie | TOR |
| 28 | Williams, Jalen | OKC |
| 29 | Brown, Jaylen | BOS |
| 30 | Ball, LaMelo | CHA |
| 31 | Wagner, Franz | ORL |
| 32 | Siakam, Pascal | IND |
| 33 | Murray, Jamal | DEN |
| 34 | Reaves, Austin | LAL |
| 35 | Avdija, Deni | POR |
| 36 | Jackson, Jaren | MEM |
| 37 | White, Derrick | BOS |
| 38 | James, LeBron | LAL |
| 39 | Zubac, Ivica | LAC |
| 40 | Fox, De'Aaron | SA |
| 41 | Turner, Myles | MIL |
| 42 | Duren, Jalen | DET |
| 43 | Leonard, Kawhi | LAC |
| 44 | Morant, Ja | MEM |
| 45 | Murphy, Trey | NO |
| 46 | Flagg, Cooper | DAL |
| 47 | Vucevic, Nikola | CHI |
| 48 | Miller, Brandon | CHA |
| 49 | Williamson, Zion | NO |
| 50 | Bane, Desmond | ORL |
| 51 | White, Coby | CHI |
| 52 | Kessler, Walker | UTH |
| 53 | Daniels, Dyson | ATL |
| 54 | Embiid, Joel | PHI |
| 55 | Randle, Julius | MIN |
| 56 | Allen, Jarrett | CLE |
| 57 | Butler, Jimmy | GS |
| 58 | Poeltl, Jakob | TOR |
| 59 | Porzingis, Kristaps | ATL |
| 60 | Pritchard, Payton | BOS |
| 61 | Williams, Mark | PHO |
| 62 | Gobert, Rudy | MIN |
| 63 | Anunoby, OG | NY |
| 64 | Buzelis, Matas | CHI |
| 65 | Ayton, Deandre | LAL |
| 66 | Sarr, Alex | WAS |
| 67 | LaVine, Zach | SAC |
| 68 | Clingan, Donovan | POR |
| 69 | Quickley, Immanuel | TOR |
| 70 | Markkanen, Lauri | UTH |
| 71 | Okongwu, Onyeka | ATL |
| 72 | Garland, Darius | CLE |
| 73 | Bridges, Mikal | NY |
| 74 | Hartenstein, Isaiah | OKC |
| 75 | Green, Jalen | PHO |
| 76 | Poole, Jordan | NO |
| 77 | Hart, Josh | NY |
| 78 | Nembhard, Andrew | IND |
| 79 | DeRozan, DeMar | SAC |
| 80 | Sharpe, Shaedon | POR |
| 81 | Thompson, Ausar | DET |
| 82 | Herro, Tyler | MIA |
| 83 | Ware, Kel'el | MIA |
| 84 | Bridges, Miles | CHA |
| 85 | Porter, Kevin | MIL |
| 86 | Thomas, Cam | BKN |
| 87 | George, Paul | PHI |
| 88 | Ingram, Brandon | TOR |
| 89 | Porter, Michael | BKN |
| 90 | Camara, Toumani | POR |
| 91 | Reid, Naz | MIN |
| 92 | Braun, Christian | DEN |
| 93 | Johnson, Cameron | DEN |
| 94 | Mathurin, Bennedict | IND |
| 95 | Simons, Anfernee | BOS |
| 96 | McDaniels, Jaden | MIN |
| 97 | Lively, Dereck | DAL |
| 98 | Collins, John | LAC |
| 99 | Castle, Stephon | SA |
| 100 | Powell, Norman | MIA |
| 101 | Barrett, RJ | TOR |
| 102 | Aldama, Santi | MEM |
| 103 | Sheppard, Reed | HOU |
| 104 | Claxton, Nic | BKN |
| 105 | Edey, Zach | MEM |
| 106 | Ivey, Jaden | DET |
| 107 | Wiggins, Andrew | MIA |
| 108 | Beal, Bradley | LAC |
| 109 | McCollum, CJ | WAS |
| 110 | Monk, Malik | SAC |
| 111 | Suggs, Jalen | ORL |
| 112 | Green, Draymond | GS |
| 113 | Jones, Herbert | NO |
| 114 | Harris, Tobias | DET |
| 115 | Portis, Bobby | MIL |
| 116 | Eason, Tari | HOU |
| 117 | Holiday, Jrue | POR |
| 118 | Russell, D'Angelo | DAL |
| 119 | Vassell, Devin | SA |
| 120 | Gordon, Aaron | DEN |
| 121 | George, Keyonte | UTH |
| 122 | Jovic, Nikola | MIA |
| 123 | Podziemski, Brandin | GS |
| 124 | Bailey, Ace | UTH |
| 125 | Gafford, Daniel | DAL |
| 126 | DiVincenzo, Donte | MIN |
| 127 | Bona, Adem | PHI |
| 128 | Washington, P.J. | DAL |
| 129 | Nesmith, Aaron | IND |
| 130 | Hunter, De'Andre | CLE |
| 131 | Smith, Jabari | HOU |
| 132 | Filipowski, Kyle | UTH |
| 133 | Schroder, Dennis | SAC |
| 134 | Queta, Neemias | BOS |
| 135 | Risacher, Zaccharie | ATL |
| 136 | Edgecombe, VJ | PHI |
| 137 | Kuminga, Jonathan | GS |
| 138 | Henderson, Scoot | POR |
| 139 | Carter, Wendell | ORL |
| 140 | Carrington, Bub | WAS |
| 141 | Huff, Jay | IND |
| 142 | Mitchell, Davion | MIA |
| 143 | Jackson, Isaiah | IND |
| 144 | Robinson, Mitchell | NY |
| 145 | Murray, Keegan | SAC |
| 146 | Oubre, Kelly | PHI |
| 147 | George, Kyshawn | WAS |
| 148 | Collier, Isaiah | UTH |
| 149 | Jerome, Ty | MEM |
| 150 | Missi, Yves | NO |
| 151 | Grimes, Quentin | PHI |
| 152 | Wells, Jaylen | MEM |
| 153 | McConnell, T.J. | IND |
| 154 | Diabate, Moussa | CHA |
| 155 | Pippen, Scotty | MEM |
| 156 | Knueppel, Kon | CHA |
| 157 | Whitmore, Cam | WAS |
| 158 | Harper, Dylan | SA |
| 159 | Sexton, Collin | CHA |
| 160 | Kuzma, Kyle | MIL |
| 161 | Wallace, Cason | OKC |
| 162 | Sensabaugh, Brice | UTH |
| 163 | Johnson, Tre | WAS |
| 164 | Demin, Egor | BKN |
| 165 | Boucher, Chris | BOS |
| 166 | Hauser, Sam | BOS |
| 167 | Hachimura, Rui | LAL |
| 168 | Lopez, Brook | LAC |
| 169 | Coulibaly, Bilal | WAS |
| 170 | Hendricks, Taylor | UTH |
| 171 | Toppin, Obi | IND |
| 172 | Kalkbrenner, Ryan | CHA |
| 173 | Dosunmu, Ayo | CHI |
| 174 | Middleton, Khris | WAS |
| 175 | Murray, Dejounte | NO |
| 176 | Horford, Al | GS |
| 177 | Thompson, Klay | DAL |
| 178 | Allen, Grayson | PHO |
| 179 | Wiggins, Aaron | OKC |
| 180 | Stewart, Isaiah | DET |
| 181 | Brooks, Dillon | PHO |
| 182 | Sharpe, Day'Ron | BKN |
| 183 | Hansen, Yang | POR |
| 184 | LeVert, Caris | DET |
| 185 | Hield, Buddy | GS |
| 186 | Sochan, Jeremy | SA |
| 187 | Dunn, Ryan | PHO |
| 188 | Queen, Derik | NO |
| 189 | Westbrook, Russell | SAC |
| 190 | Williams, Jaylin | OKC |
| 191 | Clarkson, Jordan | NY |
| 192 | Trent, Gary | MIL |
| 193 | Richards, Nick | PHO |
| 194 | Irving, Kyrie | DAL |
| 195 | Clayton, Walter | UTH |
| 196 | Ellis, Keon | SAC |
| 197 | Dillingham, Rob | MIN |
| 198 | Grant, Jerami | POR |
| 199 | McCain, Jared | PHI |
| 200 | Johnson, Keldon | SA |
Elite Tier (Ranks 1-20)
The Best of the Best
- Nikola Jokic, Nuggets
: Jokic has been the best fantasy player of the past half-decade, and that's not expected to change in 2025-26. - Victor Wembanyama, Spurs
: Wemby will be No. 1 in some people's fantasy basketball rankings, as his dominant blocks production combined with an expanding offensive game make him a massive upside play. - Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, Thunder
: Coming off an MVP season, SGA remains one of the league's top NBA Fantasy draft picks. - Luka Doncic, Lakers
: Doncic should continue producing elite numbers alongside LeBron James in LA, but health and conditioning issues place him below SGA. - Cade Cunningham, Pistons
: Cunningham emerged as a first-round fantasy value last season. His volume may not increase in 2025-26, but he could take steps forward in efficiency. - Anthony Edwards, Timberwolves
: Rarely missing games, Edwards is durable and continues to make strides as the No. 1 option in Minnesota. - Giannis Antetokounmpo, Bucks
: Fantasy managers in category leagues may need to work around The Greek Freak's poor FT%, but his overall statistical profile is elite. - Anthony Davis, Mavericks
: Davis can flirt with top-3 value, but his inability to stay healthy drops him to the bottom of this tier.
Fringe Elites (Ranks 9-20)
The next group of players, essentially second-rounders, are players who are either extremely safe or have first-round upside with a catch. How you choose to order them is heavily influenced by risk tolerance and league settings. It includes veterans with injury trouble, like Steph Curry and Kevin Durant. It also includes rising young players like Josh Giddey and Amen Thompson.
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Core Players (21-125)
Strong Contributors (21-50)
- Points League Risers
- Paolo Banchero, Magic
- Cooper Flagg, Mavericks
- Jaylen Brown, Celtics
- Paolo Banchero, Magic
- Category-League Standouts
- Jalen Johnson, Hawks
- Jalen Williams, Thunder
- Myles Turner, Bucks
- Jalen Johnson, Hawks
Reliable Options (51-100)
- Category Specialists
- BLK: Walker Kessler, Jazz
- STL: Dyson Daniels, Hawks
- 3s: Payton Pritchard, Boston
- BLK: Walker Kessler, Jazz
- Injury Comeback Candidates
- Joel Embiid, 76ers
- Kristaps Porzingis, Hawks
- Mark Williams, Suns
- Joel Embiid, 76ers
Value Targets (101-125)
- Fantasy Basketball Sleepers
- Santi Aldama, Grizzlies
- Reed Sheppard, Rockets
- Keyonte George, Jazz
- Santi Aldama, Grizzlies
- Safe Veterans
- Andrew Wiggins, Heat
- Draymond Green, Warriors
- Aaron Gordon, Nuggets
- Andrew Wiggins, Heat
Deep Sleepers and Flyers (125+)
- Upside Stashes
- Kyle Filipowski, Jazz
- Kyshawn George, Wizards
- Dejounte Murray, Pelicans
- Kyle Filipowski, Jazz
- Per-Minute Monsters
- Daniel Gafford, Mavericks
- Jay Huff, Pacers
- Mitchell Robinson, Knicks
- Daniel Gafford, Mavericks
- Injury Replacement Targets
- Adem Bona, 76ers
- Collin Sexton, Hornets
- Ty Jerome, Grizzlies
- Adem Bona, 76ers
Format-Specific Notes
Points Leagues: High-usage players benefit the most, with efficiency usually going out the window. This can benefit volume scorers like Ja Morant, Jalen Green and Brandon Ingram, who aren't elite in the percentage categories.
Yahoo High Score: Rewards players who rack up points, assists, rebounds and defense with no benefit for threes or efficiency, and no penalty for turnovers. Players with high game-to-game ceilings also become more value. This includes Trae Young, Zion Williamson, LaMelo Ball and Cooper Flagg.
9-Category Strategy: Fantasy managers in roto leagues will want to build a balanced squad. In H2H formats, punting multiple categories is often a way to raise your competitive floor. When punting, you'll want to find players with similar weaknesses or similar strengths.
ADP Risers & Fallers
Risers
- Ausar Thompson, Pistons
- Matas Buzelis, Bulls
- Payton Pritchard, Celtics
Fallers
- Tyler Herro, Heat
- De'Aaron Fox, Spurs
- LeBron James, Lakers
Frequently Asked Questions
Q: What is the best fantasy basketball draft strategy? Draft best player available in early rounds, target position scarcity (elite centers) by round 3, build category strengths in middle rounds, and keep late-round flexibility for streaming. Avoid reaching for needs too early. Draft day is just the beginning. Over the course of the season, NBA starting lineups shift, breakout players emerge, and matchups create short-term value plays. Staying competitive means paying attention daily.
Q: How do fantasy basketball points leagues differ from category leagues? Points leagues reward volume and usage over efficiency, making high-minute scorers more valuable. Category (9-cat) leagues require consideration of production across all stats, whether that be for balance or punting.
Q: What does punting mean in fantasy basketball? Punting means intentionally sacrificing multiple categories (like FG% or assists) to dominate others. This strategy allows you to draft high-value players who hurt specific stats while winning the majority of categories weekly.
Q: When should I draft rookies in fantasy basketball? Most rookies belong in rounds 8-12 or later. Only elite prospects with guaranteed starting roles (top-3 picks) deserve consideration before round 7. Monitor summer league and preseason for usage clarity.
Q: What are the most important categories in 9-cat fantasy basketball? Steals and blocks are hardest to find on the waiver wire due to position scarcity. Points, rebounds, and assists have deeper pools. RotoWire's constantly updated NBA projections keep you one step ahead, whether you're analyzing your roster or hunting for waiver wire adds.
Q: What is ADP in fantasy basketball and why does it matter? Average Draft Position (ADP) shows where players are typically selected across leagues. Use ADP to identify value picks (players ranked higher than their ADP) and avoid reaching for players available later.
Q: What's the difference between snake and auction drafts? Snake drafts alternate pick order each round (fair but position-dependent). Auction drafts give everyone a budget to bid on players (more control but requires valuation knowledge). Both benefit from pre-draft rankings and tier preparation.
Essential Fantasy Basketball Resources
Check out RotoWire's How to Play Fantasy Basketball guide for a complete walkthrough, but here is some basic advice:
- Check out custom NBA Fantasy Projections
- Look into Fantasy Basketball Mock Drafts
- Listen to a Fantasy Basketball Podcast
- Check in on Fantasy Basketball Player News
- Read Fantasy Basketball Articles
- Dive into RotoWire's Fantasy Basketball Draft Kit
- Study NBA Depth Charts
- See RotoWire's Fantasy Basketball Dynasty Rankings
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