2026-27 Fantasy Basketball: Tyrese Haliburton, Anthony Davis, more among ADP risers, fallers
With the 2026-27 NBA regular season just around the corner, fantasy basketball draft boards are shifting fast. Training camp and the first preseason games have brought position battles, injury updates and rotation news, and average draft position (ADP) has moved with them.
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Below, we break down the biggest fantasy basketball ADP risers and fallers from Sept. 20 through Oct. 4, including Tyrese Haliburton, Damian Lillard, Anthony Davis and Kon Knueppel. We also round up the latest preseason news, starting lineup battles and late-round sleepers like Ty Jerome to help sharpen your draft strategy for points and category fantasy hoops leagues.
ADP Changes from 9/20 to 10/4Ticking UpDamian Lillard, Portland Trail BlazersADP: 69.7 to 67.6
Lillard is set to return from an Achilles tear, one of the most devastating injuries in basketball. While we have seen some recent success from guys like Kevin Durant and Jayson Tatum, there's a much larger list of players who did not regain their form. Still, Lillard showed he still has his shooting touch when he won the 3-point competition at last year's All-Star weekend, so maybe he'll be another success story. For what it's worth, he's never finished outside the top 60 in his career.
Tyrese Haliburton, Indiana PacersADP: 18.7 to 14.9
The other superstar who is coming back from a devastating injury. A first-round pick is a risky investment given the history of the injury.
Jrue Holiday, Portland Trail BlazersADP: 118.3 to 115.5
It's unclear if Holiday will start in Portland, but if he's able to flirt with 30 minutes a night, he's capable of posting top-100 value.
Andrew Wiggins, Miami HeatADP: 115.9 to 99.1
Wiggins was a sneaky sixth-round producer last season, and he might be a bit more involved in the offense this upcoming season with the departures of Norman Powell and Tyler Herro.
DeMar DeRozan, Denver NuggetsADP: 116.5 to 110
It's unclear to me why DeRozan has been ticking up the draft board. He's 37 years old and will be operating in a reserve role in Denver. I'd rather look for value elsewhere.
Jalen Suggs, Orlando MagicADP: 111.1 to 108.5
Suggs showed last season he's capable of producing top-50 value, but through five years of NBA experience he's only had one healthy season, and that was two years ago. Still, he's a solid upside pick in the 100-pick range.
Jalen Williams, Oklahoma City ThunderADP: 43.6 to 41
Williams will look to bounce back after an injury-ravaged season, in which he only posted top-90 value. He's healthy now and could be in for a career year as he enters his age-25 season.
LeBron James, Philadelphia 76ersADP: 39.9 to 37
The G.O.A.T. will be 42 years old this upcoming season, and he only made it through 60 games last year. He'll be playing on a stacked team in the Eastern Conference, which could translate to a lot of maintenance days.
Ausar Thompson, Detroit PistonsADP: 89.7 to 86
Thompson provides elite defensive stats, above-average rebounding and solid playmaking for a wing. However, it remains to be seen if he can truly become an offensive threat.
Lauri Markkanen, Utah JazzADP: 40.8 to 37.7
Statistically, Markkanen was incredible last season, returning first-round value on a per-game basis behind averages of 26.7 points, 6.9 rebounds, 2.1 assists, 2.7 triples, 1.0 steals and just 1.5 turnovers per contest on 48/36/90 shooting splits. However, he was limited to just 42 games as Utah tanked the season. That said, the Jazz appear to have completed their rebuild and should be competitive this year, which should help Markkanen's availability.
Jusuf Nurkic, Utah JazzADP: 114 to 111.8
Across 36 starts last season, Nurkic averaged 11.3 points, 10.8 rebounds, 5.1 assists, 1.3 steals and 0.6 blocks per game on 51.1 percent shooting from the field and 53.4% at the stripe. He's locked in as Utah's starting center and should be a reliable source of boards and out-of-position dimes.
Josh Giddey, Chicago BullsADP: 25.7 to 23
Giddey's ADP keeps ticking up as he could be headed for a career year entering his age-24 season. He'll cost you an early-round pick but should be a triple-double threat on a nightly basis.
Domantas Sabonis, Sacramento KingsADP: 30.6 to 26.3
A torn left meniscus limited Sabonis to just 19 games last season, but he's healthy and looking to bounce back from a lost season. He has been relatively healthy throughout his career, but I am concerned about what his second-half production might look like if the Kings are unable to escape relegation — particularly with Maxime Raynaud and Dylan Cardwell nipping at his heels for developmental minutes.
Jarrett Allen, Cleveland CavaliersADP: 72.7 to 69.2
Allen is a reliable double-double threat who will boost your team's field goal percentage while tanking your free throws. Just don't expect him to help you in the shot blocking category.
Cedric Coward, Memphis GrizzliesADP: 91.9 to 87.2
Coward should take another step forward in Year 2, as he figures to be a key cog on Memphis' offense. He should get all the minutes and shots he can handle.
Zach LaVine, Sacramento KingsADP: 107.5 to 101.7
LaVine scored fewer than 20 points per game for the first time since his injury-riddled 2017-18 campaign, in what was also an injury-plagued 2025-26 season. He should have an easier time asserting himself on offense with Russell Westbrook and DeMar DeRozan no longer around, making him an intriguing option in this range as he offers top-50 upside.
Trending downAnthony Davis, Washington WizardsADP: 36 to 42.5
The talent is undeniable, but so is the injury history. He's only made it through 70-plus games three times in his career, and he'll be 33 years old this season.
Ty Jerome, Memphis GrizzliesADP: 106.4 to 114.5
I wouldn't expect Jerome to trend down for too long. He's making waves at training camp and reportedly has the inside track to open the year as Memphis' starting point guard.
Jaden McDaniels, Minnesota TimberwolvesADP: 86.7 to 90.9
McDaniels isn't the most exciting player to roster, but he can give you a little bit of everything without hurting you anywhere. He might be a bit more involved in the offense this season with Julius Randle no longer around.
Neemias Queta, Boston CelticsADP: 111.8 to 117.3
Queta is entering his NBA prime as he comes into his age-27 season and will look to build off the 2025-26 campaign, in which he was a contender for Most Improved Player. He's a solid big you can get late.
Kawhi Leonard, LA ClippersADP: 25.8 to 31.4
Leonard had a career year last season in Los Angeles, but it's unlikely he'll replicate the robust scoring (27.9) he had last season, playing on a much more talented team in Toronto. He also still only made it through 65 games last year, and he hasn't made it through 70-plus games since 2016-17.
Walker Kessler, Los Angeles LakersADP: 34.8 to 40.1
Kessler is a major injury risk, but he could lead the NBA in blocks as the Lakers' starting center.
Tyler Herro, Milwaukee BucksADP: 66.6 to 69.2
Herro should be headed for a career year as the main man in Milwaukee, and if he can just manage to stay healthy, he could offer league-winning upside in this range.
Kon Knueppel, Charlotte HornetsADP: 38.7 to 44.9
Knueppel will miss the preseason with a hamstring injury, and it's unclear if he'll be ready by opening night. Without knowing the severity of the hamstring injury, Knueppel is a very risky pick, as we've seen hamstring injuries derail seasons in the past.
Matas Buzelis, Chicago BullsADP: 59.1 to 65.5
The 65-range feels about right for Buzelis, who should take another step forward in Year 3. He ranked No. 74 overall last season with averages of 16.3 points, 5.8 rebounds, 2.1 assists, 2.2 triples, 0.7 steals and 1.5 blocks per contest on 46.3% shooting from the field and 78.6% at the stripe.
Jaime Jaquez Jr., Milwaukee BucksADP: 103.9 to 110.4
Jaquez should start for the Bucks, and he figures to see a significant role in the offense. Per 36 minutes last season, Jaquez averaged 19.6 points, 6.4 rebounds, 6.0 assists, 1.0 3-pointers and 0.9 steals per game. It's surprising that he's dropping, but I'm fine with it.
Derik Queen, New Orleans PelicansADP: 78.2 to 83.1
Queen is an elite playmaker, and if he can get the minutes, he could be a fun player to roster. However, it's unclear at the moment if he'll open the year as a starter.
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