Fantasy basketball managers are preparing for the 2026-27 season with mock drafts and updated cheat sheets as of September 28, 2026. Strategy varies by format, with Nikola Jokic and Victor Wembanyama emerging as the top overall picks, while points league managers prioritize box-score volume over efficiency.
Drafting for the 2026-27 season requires a sharp distinction between category-based leagues and points formats. In points leagues, the goal is simple: maximize the total sum of points, rebounds, assists, steals, and blocks. Efficiency is irrelevant in this format, making box-score stuffers the most valuable targets.
Jokic and Wembanyama Battle for the No. 1 Spot
For managers with the first overall pick, the choice typically boils down to two superstars. Nikola Jokic remains the safest foundation across all formats, coming off a season where he averaged 27.7 points, 12.9 rebounds, and 10.7 assists. He is described as the rare player without a meaningful fantasy weakness, and his combination of scoring, rebounding, assists and elite efficiency gives managers complete freedom with their second-round pick.
Victor Wembanyama offers a different, more specialized advantage. He has a legitimate case for the No. 1 pick, particularly in category leagues because of his extraordinary shot-blocking.
Beyond these two, managers must decide whether to grab Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, who is coming off back-to-back MVP seasons, or consider how far Giannis Antetokounmpo should slide in category leagues.
Yahoo Points League Position Strategy
Meeting Yahoo's specific roster requirements—which include PG, SG, G, SF, PF, F, C, C, 2 UTIL, and 3 BN—demands a disciplined approach. Making sure a team is not short on one position is critical and should be a major part of the draft plan. Because forwards and centers typically dry up fast, targeting these positions early is a recommended strategy. Players who are multi-position eligible, especially those listed as SG/SF and PF/C, are considered extra valuable.
In a 12-team, 13-round Yahoo points league mock draft picking from the No. 11 spot, the strategy focused on targeting box-score stuffers. The full roster results were as follows:
- Round 1 (Pick 11): Jalen Johnson, Atlanta Hawks
- Round 2: Alperen Sengun, Houston Rockets
- Round 3: James Harden, Cleveland Cavaliers
- Round 4: Jalen Duren, Detroit Pistons
- Round 5: Pascal Siakam, Indiana Pacers
- Round 6: Ivica Zubac, Indiana Pacers
- Round 7: Payton Pritchard, Boston Celtics
- Round 8: Norman Powell, Chicago Bulls
- Round 9: Jaime Jaquez Jr., Milwaukee Bucks
- Round 10: Anthony Black, Orlando Magic
- Round 11: Kyshawn George, Washington Wizards
- Round 12: DeMar DeRozan, Denver Nuggets
- Round 13: Quentin Grimes, Los Angeles Lakers
Sleeper Forwards and ADP Discrepancies
Some of the best value in the middle rounds comes from familiar names whose draft prices do not match their expected production. Brian Dailisan identifies these as proven contributors who can be just as valuable as taking a late chance on an unproven player. Analysis for these sleepers uses a standard 12-team league covering both nine-category formats and eight-category leagues without turnovers.
OG Anunoby (SF/PF – NY) is highlighted as a mid-round forward sleeper. Despite finishing 32nd in nine-category value last season, his Yahoo ADP is 62.8, placing him near the start of Round 6. In the 2025-2026 season, Anunoby averaged 16.7 points, 5.2 rebounds, 2.2 assists, 1.6 steals, and 0.7 blocks, while converting 48.4% from the field and averaging 2.3 threes. He committed 1.8 turnovers per game last season and played 67 regular-season games.
Community Tools and Cheat Sheets
To assist managers, Robbin Marx has released a September edition of a Points League Cheat Sheet. This Top 156 ranking was created by blending data from community mock drafts, personal rankings, Underdog ADP, Hashtag Basketball projections, and industry mock draft data. The cheat sheet provides 13 full rounds for a 12-team league and utilizes three specific labels to categorize players:
- Must Draft: Players being actively targeted at their current price.
- Sleeper: Players believed to be capable of outperforming where they are being selected.
- Do Not Draft: Players whose situation or current price suggests staying away.
The goal of this research-backed foundation is to allow managers to adjust the rankings for their specific league, scoring system, and personal strategy.