Navigating a dynasty fantasy basketball league can be a challenge. How do you balance veteran stars who produce now with the young prospects who could become the next big thing? RotoWire's fantasy experts break down the Top 50 keeper options for the upcoming season.

Check out our free Top 100 Keeper Rankings and our complete Fantasy Basketball Keeper Rankings for RotoWire subscribers.

Top Fantasy Basketball Keepers for Dynasty Leagues

1. Victor Wembanyama, Spurs: Wembanyama is one of the greatest prospects of all time, and he's already established himself as arguably the most impactful defensive player in the NBA. The sky is the limit for the young big.
2. Nikola Jokic, Nuggets: Jokic is one of the most established players in the Top 50, but he's been dominant over the past five years, and his playstyle shouldn't be affected by age dramatically.
3. Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, Thunder: Last season's MVP, Gilgeous-Alexander is one of the league's best guards. He may not get any better, but he's only now entering his prime.
4. Luka Doncic, Lakers: It feels overdue for Doncic to win an MVP award, which tells you the level of play he's already achieved in his mid-20s. There are few players who can take on his offensive role with the level of efficiency that he does.
5. Cooper Flagg, Mavericks: Flagg enters the NBA as one of the most well-rounded prospects we've seen in a long time. For dynasty managers with an extremely long lens, there's arguably not a better option outside of Victor Wembanyama.
6. Cade Cunningham, Pistons: After struggling with injuries, Cunningham fulfilled his potential last season for the surging Pistons. It won't take much more for Cunningham to become a true superstar.
7. Anthony Edwards, Timberwolves: Edwards is entering his prime and has been one of the most durable young stars in the league.
8. Karl-Anthony Towns, Knicks: Towns is nearing 30 years old but is still one of the league's best fantasy centers. He's an easy target for managers trying to win now.
9. Giannis Antetokounmpo, Bucks: Antetokounmpo could rank higher for managers playing in points formats, but his poor FT% still holds him back a bit for category dynasty leagues.
10. Chet Holmgren, Thunder: Injuries have dampened Holmgren's first two seasons, but he's coming off an NBA title and remains a high-level prospect with excellent two-way upside.
11. Scottie Barnes, Raptors: The Raptors have been a little directionless, but Barnes still projects as the team's No. 1 option in their newly-revamped squad. He's one of the NBA's most versatile young players on both ends of the floor.
12. Trae Young, Hawks: Young quietly turned 27 years old in September, but still has room to grow as a player in terms of efficiency and defense. Either way, there aren't many safer sources of 20-and-10 games.
13. Paolo Banchero, Magic: The lead option for a Magic team with aspirations of 50 wins this season, Banchero is on track for a long and successful career.
14. Amen Thompson, Rockets: One of the best athletes to ever play in the NBA. Thompson is already an All-Defensive player with a versatile and expanding offensive repertoire.
15. LaMelo Ball, Hornets: Injuries have derailed what has been a young career filled with All-Star numbers. If he can get his health back on track, Ball has the upside to be one of the best guards in the league.
16. Jayson Tatum, Celtics: Tatum is right in the middle of his prime, but a torn Achilles in the playoffs last season nulls out this upcoming season and could dampen his 2026-27 production.
17. Evan Mobley, Cavaliers: Mobley's development has been slower than some hoped, but he remains on track to be one of the Association's best two-way players sooner than later.
18. Jalen Johnson, Hawks: Johnson's rise has been meteoric given where he was drafted. He looks like one of the league's best up-and-coming forwards.
19. Jalen Williams, Thunder: At 24 years old, Williams has already been the second-best player on a title team. There's still room for him to develop his game further.
20. Devin Booker, Suns: Booker is in his late-20s and continues to prove himself as one of the league's best shooting guards.
21. Tyrese Haliburton, Pacers: A torn Achilles in Game 7 of last season's Finals renders Haliburton out for this season and possibly less than 100% next season. But he's recently established himself as a first-round fantasy talent.
22. Donovan Mitchell, Cavaliers: Constantly in contention for All-Star nods, Mitchell is a fantastic two-way shooting guard who is approaching 30 years old.
23. Domantas Sabonis, Kings: One of the league's best triple-double threats from the center position, even if it doesn't come with many blocks.
24. Jaylen Brown, Celtics: Brown will be Boston's lead option this season with Tatum out, and he should have plenty of strong fantasy seasons left.
25. De'Aaron Fox, Spurs: Fox is in his prime and should make an excellent pairing with Victor Wembanyama.
26. Tyrese Maxey, 76ers: Turning 25 years old shortly after the start of 2025-26, Maxey has become Philly's most reliable player and continues to develop.
27. Franz Wagner, Magic: An inconsistent 3-pointer makes Wagner's long-term potential a little cloudier than it otherwise would be, but he looks like a perennial All-Star in the making.
28. Bam Adebayo, Heat: Adebayo is a reliable center who can do a little of everything on both sides of the ball.
29. Tyler Herro, Heat: Herro will miss the beginning of this season due to foot surgery. However, he improved his efficiency dramatically last season and has proven to be able to handle a large role.
30. Jaren Jackson, Grizzlies: Jackson is always in contention for Defensive Player of the Year and continues to develop his offensive game.
31. Alperen Sengun, Rockets: Possibly the closest thing we have to Nikola Jokic, Sengun's path to elite fantasy value starts with better 3-point shooting and defense.
32. Anthony Davis, Mavericks: Davis is a clear first-round talent when healthy, but injuries and age (32) make him slip down keeper league rankings.
33. Jalen Brunson, Knicks: Brunson is quietly already 29 years old. He will be New York's No. 1 option for the foreseeable future, but he's not a top-tier keeper asset.
34. Dyson Daniels, Hawks: Last season proved Daniels can reach his potential. Only 22 years old, further development of his offensive game could take him to the next level.
35. Josh Giddey, Bulls: Questions remain about Giddey's long-term potential as a lead option for a great team. But he's young and will have the opportunity to prove himself this year.
36. Desmond Bane, Magic: A fringe All-Star, Bane will settle into a new role with the Magic this season but will be the No. 3 option at worst.
37. Darius Garland, Cavaliers: Garland is a threat for 20-and-10 anytime he steps on the court and is still just 25 years old.
38. Jamal Murray, Nuggets: Injuries have diminished Murray's past few seasons, but he remains a fringe All-Star operating one of the league's best two-man games with Nikola Jokic.
39. Brandon Miller, Hornets: Miller broke out last season before a wrist injury cut his campaign short. He projects as Charlotte's No. 2 option this season and could grow into a bigger role over the long haul.
40. Dylan Harper, Spurs: The rookie may come off the bench this season but projects as a strong guard prospect going forward.
41. Ausar Thompson, Pistons: A blood clot issue delayed Thompson's development for about six months, but he came on strong toward the end of last season. He may not have the upside of his brother Amen, but could easily have a breakout campaign in 2025-26.
42. Trey Murphy, Pelicans: Murphy has improved year over year and is now one of the league's most interesting up-and-coming two-way wings.
43. Ja Morant, Grizzlies: Injuries have cut into Morant's career, but he's only now entering his prime.
44. James Harden, Clippers: Harden is on the wrong side of 35, but he still has first-round fantasy potential as LA's No. 1 option.
45. Kevin Durant, Rockets: It's yet another new team for Durant, but he remains someone with first-round upside.
46. Stephen Curry, Warriors: Curry started slow last season but ended strong and can still produce truly elite fantasy numbers.
47. Pascal Siakam, Pacers: Siakam has been one of the steadiest fantasy producers over the past half-decade. This season, he projects as Indiana's lead offensive option.
48. Derrick White, Celtics: White is having a late-career breakout with the Celtics and is poised to have his best season yet. But how will things look in 2-3 years?
49. Zion Williamson, Pelicans: Despite the injuries, Williamson still has undeniable potential. But the risk/reward gamble is one of the most difficult to make of anyone in keeper formats.
50. LeBron James, Lakers: He may be 40 years old, but LeBron still has years to give.

Essential Resources for Fantasy Basketball Success

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

New to basketball betting? Check out the best basketball betting promos to find the sportsbook and sign-up bonus that's right for you!