Fantasy basketball analyst Dan Titus reveals all the players he hopes will be on his rosters after Draft Day. For more fantasy basketball draft tips, check out his Blueprint.
[High Score is a new way to play Fantasy Basketball on Yahoo with simple rosters and scoring. Create or join a league]
Guards
Amen Thompson – G/F, Houston Rockets: Amen flashed elite rebounding and defensive instincts last season, averaging roughly 1.15 fantasy points per minute. Playing alongside Kevin Durant should open up lanes for drives and assist opportunities. The lack of 3s and forgettable FT percentage are the only two knocks on an otherwise elite fantasy profile. No Fred VanVleet means Amen and Reed Sheppard will be running the show.
Tyrese Maxey – G, Philadelphia 76ers: The undisputed No. 1 option in Philadelphia, Maxey’s efficiency and scoring volume make him a safe bet in all formats. His usage spike ensures multiple 40-plus-point fantasy nights, even with the health concerns surrounding the Sixers’ roster.
Jalen Green – G, Phoenix Suns: Green’s move to Phoenix gives him the green light to score at will. With Devin Booker drawing defensive gravity, he’s always available and has a clean slate to fire away — the exact kind of highly explosive player you’ll want for High Score.
Kyshawn George – G/F, Washington Wizards: One of the more intriguing deep sleepers, George’s size and floor spacing give him multi-position upside. If he cracks the starting lineup, his length and shooting could push him into must-roster territory.
Shaedon Sharpe – G, Portland Trail Blazers: With Anfernee Simons gone, Sharpe steps into a larger offensive role after averaging 27.6 points, 5.8 rebounds and 3.7 assists in 10 games without him last year. Although he averaged under 1.0 FPPM in 2024-25 (0.93), he looks primed to anchor Portland’s scoring alongside Deni Avdija. With high usage and expanding playmaking, Sharpe’s a breakout bet who will eclipse the 30+ fantasy-point mark per game in High Score and points leagues.
Isaiah Collier – G, Utah Jazz: Now Utah’s starting point guard, Collier has averaged 6.3 assists and 0.9 steals per game through his first 71 games, solidifying his role as the team’s primary facilitator. He’s my prime late-round selection for High Score and he could finish top-10 in assists this season.
Jaden Ivey – G, Detroit Pistons: Ivey’s return from injury has reignited his breakout path. He averaged 17/4/4 last year and he’ll be the secondary scoring and facilitating option alongside Cade Cunningham. His blend of pace, scoring and playmaking makes him a High Score steal outside the top 100. With increased usage and a 30-point floor when hot, Ivey’s poised to deliver the breakout season Detroit’s been waiting for.
Forwards
Paolo Banchero – F, Orlando Magic: The Magic finally have spacing, and that means more playmaking for Banchero. I’m in the minority, but I think we’ll see the best version of Paolo yet. With Desmond Bane in town, expect upticks in assists and field-goal efficiency with fewer turnovers. I still prefer him in points over 9-cat leagues, but I’d still get him in 9-cat.
Trey Murphy III, F, New Orleans Pelicans: Murphy is one of the league’s best breakout bets for 2025–26. When healthy last season, he averaged 0.98 fantasy points per minute. His combination of athleticism, 3-point volume, and efficiency gives him a real shot at making an All-Star-like leap — both in real life and fantasy.
Deni Avdija – F, Portland Trail Blazers: Avdija’s game has always hinted at versatility, and in Portland, he’ll finally be unleashed. After the All-Star break last year, Avdija averaged 23-10-5. Handling the ball more and attacking mismatches, he’s a glue guy with the stat diversity to post strong all-around lines.
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Bennedict Mathurin – G/F, Indiana Pacers: Mathurin’s aggressiveness is finally being matched with opportunity. He can get hot quickly, and as long as he locks in on defense, he’ll be one of those boom players who’s ideal for High Score. He’ll also be solid for 9-cat leagues.
Zion Williamson – F, New Orleans Pelicans: Zion enters 2025-26 in the best shape of his career, motivated by a contract fitness clause and New Orleans’ push to compete before their 2026 pick goes to Atlanta. He averaged 1.56 FPPM in 30 games last year and remains one of the league’s most efficient interior scorers, producing elite per-minute output. Since turnovers don’t count and ceiling games are the north star in High Score, Zion’s a top-15 lock whenever he’s active.
Brandon Miller – F, Charlotte Hornets: Before his wrist injury, Miller averaged 21.0 points, 4.9 rebounds and 3.6 assists while commanding a larger offensive load. His 1.01 FPPM pace shows growth as a shot-creator and secondary playmaker next to LaMelo Ball. He profiles as a multi-category wing with top-60 upside across all formats, especially High Score.
Tari Eason – F, Houston Rockets: Eason ranked in the 91st percentile in fantasy points per minute among frontcourt players. His energy translates directly into rebounds, steals and buckets. If his minutes climb, he’s one of the most efficient stat-stuffers available after Round 10.
Centers
Jalen Duren – C, Detroit Pistons: Duren’s double-double consistency anchors Detroit’s frontcourt. He’s in a contract year and has shown growth as a short-roll playmaker. He averaged an impressive 1.23 fantasy points per minute last season, and as his rim protection improves, that number should only climb in his fourth season.
Santi Aldama – C, Memphis Grizzlies: Aldama remains under the radar but continues to produce whenever given minutes. His shooting and rebounding profile make him a sneaky floor-spacer who can hit double-digit points and boards in under 25 minutes. Aldama will play heavy minutes to start the year and is still being picked outside of the top 100 on Yahoo.
Isaiah Hartenstein – C, Oklahoma City Thunder: Always a per-minute beast (~1.10 fantasy points per minute), Hartenstein is being undervalued in the market across formats. He does everything but shoot 3s and make free throws at a high clip. However, I love him as a sixth- or seventh-round pick if I don’t nab bigs earlier in the draft.
Kel’el Ware – C, Miami Heat: Nikola Jović’s hype is building, but I’m still targeting more shares of Ware. He averaged over 1.0 fantasy points per minute last season and has so much potential as a rim runner. His ADP is falling because he came off the bench in the Heat’s past two preseason games; I would buy the dip.
Dereck Lively II – C, Dallas Mavericks: Daniel Gafford is already hurt and Lively’s ADP is at a very affordable price at 116th overall. With 30 minutes a night potentially on the horizon, Dallas’ primary defensive anchor is trending up after a season where he posted 1.19 FPPM. Although his usage is low, he’s a cheap double-double big man with boom potential on the defensive end.
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