Podcasts · Locked On Fantasy Basketball – Daily NBA Fantasy Basketball Podcast

The ULTIMATE 2026-27 Fantasy Basketball Draft Cheat Sheet

· 34 min · Episode 3335

Episode The ULTIMATE 2026-27 Fantasy Basketball Draft Cheat Sheet

0:00 34:16

OVERVIEW

This episode is your ultimate fantasy basketball draft guide: I lay out my top player ranks, break down my favorite and least favorite draft targets, and cover draft-day strategy so you can confidently approach any league format. Expect direct advice on handling injured players, exploiting value, and maximizing your fun and upside late in drafts.

KEY TAKEAWAYS

• Nikola Jokic, Victor Wembanyama, Luka Dončić, and Shai Gilgeous-Alexander are my clear top four fantasy basketball picks regardless of format. It’s hard to go wrong with any order within this group. • Don’t overthink “pairings” or “builds” in early rounds—just take the best player available. You can make just about any combination work, and the rest of your core comes together in rounds 5–8. • Draft for upside first—grab players who have a real chance to beat their draft slot substantially. If no one jumps out, settle for the safer, high-floor option. • Fade players with preseason injuries or heavy injury risk (like Joel Embiid, Kawhi Leonard, and Brandon Ingram) far past their ranked value. Most are being drafted too early compared to the likely missed games and re-injury risk. • My favorite values across all formats at current ADP are Darius Garland, Dyson Daniels, Paul George, Milk Jerome, and Jeremiah Fears—each is priced below realistic upside or expected opportunity. • Avoid at current ADP: Donovan Mitchell (declining situation), Mikal Bridges (fantasy production has cratered despite durability), Josh Hart (boring, limited upside at his price), and highly-drafted rookies like AJ Dybantsa without established fantasy floors. • Late-round flyers should be all about upside and opportunity—consider names like Adae Mara, Kaman Malwach, Yaxel Lendeborg, Kevin Porter Jr., Rui Hachimura, and Darius Acuff, especially if their roles expand early. • Preseason standouts like Keishaun George, Lennon Miller, Sandro Mamukelashvili, Franz Wagner, Collin Murray-Boyles, and Da'Ron Sharpe may be worth aggressive drafting depending on your league size and risk tolerance.

RESOURCES

• Must-draft lists, sleepers, busts, and mock drafts can be found on previous Locked On Fantasy Basketball episodes.

NEXT STEP

Apply these draft strategies and value targets to your upcoming fantasy basketball drafts for the best shot at both upside and fun.

CHAPTERS

0:00 Introduction 0:35 Fantasy draft overview and top 9 rankings 3:31 Draft-day strategy and philosophy 6:07 Injured player approach 12:08 Players I’m targeting at ADP 19:57 Players I’m fading at ADP 24:33 Late-round flyer picks 29:21 Preseason standouts with breakout potential 32:54 Quick-hit cheat sheet and closing thoughts

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