2026-27 Fantasy Basketball: Dan Titi’s observations on all 30 teams ahead of your draft

I’m on the fence about Jalen Johnson as a first round pick. Stats look great (22.5/10.3/7.9 last year), but CJ McCollum’s underrated impact looks like 9 cat. In 36 games without CJ, Johnson was 9th in per-game value; 36 games with him, 34th. Not bad, but it’s a round drop. Suffice it to say, a second round is more likely.

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The battle that matters here is Nehemiah Queta versus Mitchell Robinson, because Queta was a top-75 9-cat guy last year. How much does Mitchell threaten that ceiling? A lot, potentially. They direct the same profile (boards, blocks with minimal use) and matches minute by minute; Projection Queta clearly wins the job, but if not, that ADP could be suspected. Nonummy is Robinson himself. Always banged up, so even in the season Queta should play more games overall. Oh — and will Baylor Scheierman start at shooting guard?

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Egor Dёmin rose. Not only does he have five assists in both preseasons; He showed a real heavy bag against the Sixers, scoring 13 points in a variety of creative, impressive ways. The bulk of the offseason looks way more significant than Chet Holmgren’s (ha). I’m still waiting to see what rookie Mikel Brown Jr. does. has to offer

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Injuries tell the story: Coby White (calf) and Kon Knueppel (nerve) have been out all preseason. That likely gives a short-term boost to Dennis Schröder (starting PG) and Grayson Allen (starting SG). Both book in most drafts and early season steamers if the aforementioned starters aren’t ready for opening night. Don’t sleep on Moussa Diabaté as recently around the big boards and blocks.

Jalen Smith is a riser: 13 and 8 in 20 minutes in Wednesday’s preseason game, and with Nic Claxton out (nerve, he will be evaluated on Oct. 19), he is the most definite injury on the board.

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Caleb Wilson will probably hurt your efficiency, but the appeal of the league points is real: 15 points in 29 minutes on the way to 30-plus mpg.

Peyton Watson looked good in his debut: 7 points with 4 rebounds, 4 assists with 2 blocks. The nerve issue seems to be behind him. It’s good after they collect 100. HC Kenny Atkinson specifically praised the wing Jaylon Tyson-Watson and Tyson led the team with 14 points while James Harden rested against Boston.

Jalen Duren was signed (five years, $200 million, thankfully), and the guard was over. But for me the top breakout here is Ausar Thompson; We know about stocks, but the story is unpleasant. His shot profile was already changing; The bolder hit the middys, and play idle. As a result, his ADP went up.

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Um, Jarace Walker? He handed out 10 assists and one turnover in a team-high 28 minutes, easily the best game of his young career. His +18 team also beat Wolves. I researched the list firmly because I don’t know what to take from it.

It’s a funny point—Giannis and I don’t care about free throws and missing 3s. He is a top five player across formats and will put up serious numbers in Miami. I move it to my default settings so you won’t be surprised when it happens.

Kel’el Ware is already leaving. He is another player for whom it does not matter if he starts or comes from the council. When he plays, he puts the numbers on the board. Kyle Kuzma continues to be hot trash, while Jaime Jaquez Jr. moving on the starting line is significant. I didn’t expect it to happen so quickly, so there is no hump in mine either.

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It was about KAT getting paid. The negatives are “nowhere near” by Chris Haynes. The Knicks have also said they will stay on business later in the season. Not big, but not active, since I don’t like to play towns.

The smallest movement; bet is health plus a new coach. I look at the matter: Franz Wagner in the ball more? If his use as a creator ticks, there is another gear here beyond last year. Anthony Black is the first to watch the bench with the road to 25-plus mpg. This is my favorite latex on the list.

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Joel Embiid: 8 turnovers. Ugly Abomination. He looked bad, like he hadn’t played 5-on-5 in a long time. I saw everyone else in the beginning vs. a decent lineup, and they played five in the first half vs. Brooklyn, so they were the starters. That said, I think he should bring VJ Edgecombe off the bench for Dean Wade. LeBron’s line (10/4/5, one FG attempt, 8-8 FT) shows he doesn’t need to put up offensive numbers yet.

I’m still bullish on Collin Murray-Boyles making a big leap as a sophomore. If anything happens to Immanuel Quickley, Jamal Shead is back to watch. He’s a big passer who handles the ball well, and his per-minute stats are solid. A high assist rate with low turnovers is always preferred in 9-cat formations.

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Trae Young and AJ Dybantsa look good. Trae opened his preseason with 15/4/4/ with 2 passes; Dybantsa sneaks with 11/2/2/4 while starting. Anthony Davis probably won’t get the extension he wants. Deandre Ayton could be a sleeper early pickup in boards, points and shutouts if Alex Sarr remains.

Daniel Gafford will be a big sleeper; Santi Aldama had knee surgery, Dereck Lively II is still shelved (foot not running), and Morez Johnson Jr. His office grew by default and he went to Macao. Kyrie Irving will make his debut in exactly one of two games in Macao, and we are excited to see him, 19 months post-ACL.

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DeMar DeRozan is the sixth man, his first bench role after his rookie year. I’m not interested in him for fantasy, and I’m not interested in Christian Braun or Cam Johnson either. It’s Nikola Jokić, Jamal Murray or nothing. Honestly, Denver’s most interesting question is whether anyone outside of the top two cracks the top 150 — maybe Aaron Gordon?

Brandin Podziemski’s usage in the preseason is up to 28% through two games; the eruption came. He’s extension-eligible, and the Warriors haven’t confirmed any backups beyond Brandon Williams, which is where his bridge is. Al Horford is likely to come to the bench, giving Gui Santos and Yaxel Ledenborg 12 horse appeal.

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I saw Fred VanVleet like Fred once in Macao: 17 points, 7 assists, 2 steals and five 3s in 24 minutes, the first game since September 2025 ACL score. I’m not overreacting to one preseason game, but if Houston gets this version, his ADP is too low.

Rising are Isaiah Jackson and Rui Hachimura. Jackson started to get open and HC Ty Lue reportedly likes the Dare Garland-Jackson combination. If he starts over Brook Lopez, he’s worth a late round of flying.

Hachimura credits the Clippers with desperately needing another scorer while Brandon Ingram (heel) is out. He has 20 ppg in the first half.

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Quintini Grimes appears to be locked in as a starter; He has started three preseason games and is leaning into the wing rotation. Jake LaRavia has PF on the edge of old. Walker Kessler outlined, but not about. I won’t say much about Luka Dončić and Austin Reaves – elite guards by any means.

Cam Boozer looks like a beast: the front-runner for ROY has no volume obstacles. Passing, daring steals, vibration and old usage (24%) make him worthy of a mid-round pick. Positive Ty Hieronymus continues the vocals. He stole the relative ADP.

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Johanna Beringer deserves a spot on the roster in the 12+ 9-cat format. He is the only real big back by default, and the thing in this thin front team. I don’t like Jonathan Kuminga, but this team will be fun. You will not sleep on Ayo Dosunmu having more importance than Kuminga. Sim is too high on LaMelo Ball, but the third-round ADP was rejected; I take the other one.

Benedict Mathurin’s start over Herb Jones is somewhat interesting. Or I don’t like it, because they are experienced in different ways. Mathurin is the scorer, and Herba provides the defense. The problem is Herb can’t stay healthy. Another thing to monitor is how the team develops Jeremiah Fears. He started Dejounte Murray and, through two preseason games, averaged 13.5 points in 18.3 minutes while shooting 50% from the field and 50 from three in eight attempts per game.

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Aday Mara – I don’t know what’s going on, but he shot and didn’t miss a big shot. Could it be time to force Isaiah Hartenstein? We also need to look at Cason Wallace vs. Ajay Mitchell for the second starting spot, though Sam Presti has solidified Wallace’s effective starts. I still like both of those guys to type in the 9-cat.

The middle position is a battle: Oso Ighodaro starts both, but Khaman Maluach plays more minutes (21 mpg versus 16 mpg) despite coming off the bench. With Mark Williams until at least February, I close my Maluach Bets. Milos Pontius’ ankle injury is not considered serious.

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I have seen the rusted Morant; It is not yet lifted. who knows, could be known. The Blazers guard situation remains one of the most unsolvable in the NBA and I’m making the clearest move from it. However, Damian Lillard’s ADP seems modest.

Darius Acuff Jr. the buzz builds. This year’s rookie PG bet roll, and I’ll buy it for league points. Does Nique Clifford have the part of the sixth man? Good to see that Domantas Sabonis says he is 100% behind the knee. I like the bounce-back discount. Ben Simmons don’t talk to me.

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Whether Dylan Harper starts or not, he effectively starts the sixth. De’Aaron Fox started on Thursday and delivered 16/4/4. That’s how he put the wax – he sees 28-30 minutes, somehow, somehow. These ADP are also important.

Jusuf Nurkić from the month (to plant tears in the streets). What will you pay? Hayes is inspiring Jaxson to step in as the likely starter, but he’s not the one who appeals to fantasy. Kyle Filipowski gets a bump in the rotation, but I expected JJJ to play more center than he initially planned. Shout out to Darryn Peterson for reminding people why he was one of the top prospects in his class. A walking bucket is those who perish without effort. Should be opting to go to 100s.

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