Fantasy Basketball 2026-27: Here are Dan Titus’ favorite picks in each round of a 12-team league

October 16, 2026 6 Min Read

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I’ve been through a lot of picks this preseason (more than I’d like to admit), and some names keep showing up on my lists no matter where I pick. These are my favorite targets in each round, based on Yahoo ADP as of October 15 in 12-team leagues.

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Round 1: Tyrese Maxey, PG, 76ers (ADP 9.4)

Maxey is asleep because of the crowds in Philadelphia. With LeBron James and Jaylen Brown now sharing the floor with Joel Embiid, many Fantasy managers are concerned that Maxey’s usage and production will decline.

This is a valid concern. I just don’t think it’s enough to leave it out.

Maxey is one of the most efficient two-way guards in the NBA. Last season, he averaged 28.3 points, 4.1 rebounds, 6.6 assists, 3.1 3s and 2.7 stocks on 46/37/89 shooting over 70 games. We’ve also seen him play with the ball before, thriving alongside James Harden. Make no mistake, he remains the Sixers’ primary option. Even with a dip, I expect at least 25 points, 4 rebounds and 6 assists with good percentages and lots of value.

I like him everywhere from picks 6 to 8, and when I’m in that range I almost always end up with him.

Round 2: Austin Reaves, PG/SG/SF, Lakers (ADP 23.3)

Reaves is essentially Maxey with slightly higher turnover per night and less inventory. But offensively, they are there. Reaves averaged 23.3 points, 4.7 rebounds and 5.5 assists on 49% shooting last season, and that was with LeBron still in Los Angeles. Now that LeBron is in Philly, I expect another offensive leap.

It’s important to get another highly effective bucket-getter with early passes, regardless of the format. Reaves is that guy, and he’s eligible for three positions.

Round 3: LaMelo Ball, PG, Timberwolves (ADP 25.4)

I am concerned about the risk of injury. But LaMelo played in 72 games last season, and he’s now on the best team he’s ever played on. The Timberwolves have made a drastic change in identity and LaMelo’s new energy has been contagious since arriving in Minnesota.

The numbers will speak for themselves. Last season in Charlotte, he averaged 20.1 points, 7.1 assists, 1.2 steals and 3.8 3s while shooting 90 percent from the line, and that was in just 28 minutes per night. This combination of points, assists, steals, 3s and free throw percentage more than makes up for the turnovers and inconsistent field goal percentage. The volume in its main categories will be worth it.

His ADP slips into the second round for good reason. Over the last seven days, it has fallen to 24.3. Him, Anthony Edwards and the Timberwolves as a whole are going to be a problem, so I’m buying Melo stock.

Round 4: Brandon Miller, SF/PF, Hornets (ADP 43.5)

Miller is one of my favorite forwards this season. Coby White (calf) and Kon Knueppel (hamstring) are both injured, so Miller will likely start the season without them. He too has already gotten rid of his little fright. He missed the preseason opener with a shin contusion, then returned to average 17 points, 4 rebounds, 3.5 assists and 1.5 actions per game in 25 minutes. As you might expect, usage was elite level, at 33% on these two plays.

Even when Charlotte returns to full health, Miller will be the primary option. He averaged 20.2 points and 3.1 3s while shooting 89% from the line last season, and he brings a young PG-like skill set that Fantasy managers will appreciate. He should be a candidate for Most Improved Player and could compete for an All-Star title.

Round 5: Onyeka Okongwu, C, Hawks (ADP 55.1)

Okongwu is one of the most underrated players in the league, and he doesn’t hurt you anywhere. Last season, he averaged 15.2 points, 7.6 rebounds, 3.1 assists, 1.1 steals, 1.1 blocks and 1.9 3s, and he played in 74 games in each of the last two seasons.

At this point in the draft, I’m usually looking to build my stocks and bounce back. Okongwu has the minutes, the job security and the opportunity to give me both without dragging down my percentages or racking up turnovers. Sometimes high-floor options like Okongwu are the right choice.

Round 6: Matas Buzelis, SF/PF, Bulls (ADP 64.4)

Strengthen that front area with another one of my favorite choices. Buzelis is one of the few forwards capable of surpassing a block per game. He averaged 1.5 last season, with 16.3 points, 5.8 rebounds and 2.2 3s in 29 minutes.

I think the offensive growth is just scratching the surface. He is a good rebounder for his position who will thrive in a fast-paced offense where he can show off his athleticism on both ends of the court.

Round 7: Kel’el Ware, C, Bucks (ADP 75.7)

Ware could start slowly behind Myles Turner. Don’t worry, Ware will get his own.

Last season in Miami, he averaged 11.1 points, 9.0 rebounds, 1.9 stocks and 1.2 3s in just 22 minutes per night. That’s almost a double-double with two stocks and a 3 in a reserve role, which is absurd production at the minute. The Bucks are rebuilding after the Giannis Antetokounmpo trade, and that production should only increase as his minutes continue. Write it here and enjoy it later.

Round 8: Jaden McDaniels, SF, Timberwolves (ADP 91)

Did you see him in pre-season? Yeah, I’m all in. McDaniels said this week he wants to be an All-Star, and he’s playing like it. Over four preseason games, he averaged 14.8 points, 4.2 rebounds, 1.5 assists and 2.5 3s in 20.7 minutes per game. His shooting splits are ridiculous – 61/71/100. It’s obviously not sustainable, but it’s less about that and more about his confidence and control. He has been the defensive guard thus far in his career and now we are seeing the work he has done in the offseason as an offensive threat. The defense is still there and he could still register a block and a steal per game during the regular season.

He is coming off an efficient season (51.5% from the field and 41.2% from 3) and should be a good source of stocks, 3s and percentages without turning the ball over too much. He will be the third option on one of the best offenses in the league. This is a very good price for what it will provide.

Round 9: Ty Jérôme, PG/SG, Grizzlies (ADP 104.9)

Jerome is another gem at the minute, and is extremely poorly priced. A calf and then ankle injury limited him to 15 games last season, but when he did play, he averaged 19.7 points, 5.7 assists and 2.8 3s on 47/42/88 shooting in just 22.5 minutes. In 2024-25, his breakout year in Cleveland, he scored 12.5 points per game on 52% shooting and 44% from deep in less than 20 minutes per night.

The preseason looked like this. He started the first game at point guard and scored 12, 17 and 16 points in his three games, shooting 16 of 30 with 13 assists to just 3 turnovers in about 16 minutes per game. Jerome is the favorite to start at point guard and he will crush his ADP in 9-cat formats thanks to his efficiency and production at all levels.

Round 10: Brandin Podziemski, PG/SG, Warriors (ADP 114.3)

Podziemski just signed a five-year extension worth $110 million, and he’s on pace to surpass every season of his career as a starting goaltender for the Dubs. He’s one of the best rebounders at the guard position (5.1 rebounds per game in each of the last two seasons) and he played in all 82 games last year.

With Draymond Green expected to slide to center and Kristaps Porziņģis not likely to return, the Warriors will play small and spread the court. This allows Podz to shoot from 3 while also serving as a necessary ball handler and creator. Golden State has few scoring options outside of Steph Curry, so expect a considerable increase in volume.

I like him at this draft price, with Raptors great Collin Murray-Boyles going in the same range (ADP 110.0).

Gn sports

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