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Zach's top 70 rookie fantasy basketball rankings for dynasty leagues as of July 2026. He ranks the top 2026 NBA Draft rookies for dynasty rookie fantasy drafts.
Happy dynasty basketball draft season! We're in full swing of the 2026-2027 offseason, and for many of us, it's time to kick off rookie drafts and stock up on one of the most exciting rookie classes we've seen in the past 20 years. We've got a loaded Big Three comprising Cameron Boozer, AJ Dybantsa, and Darryn Peterson, and a wealth of high-end talent up and down the board. The question is, who should you be looking at most closely?
Today, I'm proud to present my top 70 dynasty basketball rookie rankings, by way of our friends at RotoBaller. Below, you will see my master list of rookie rankings from both a categories and points league perspective that ranks this class out in different tiers. Each player will be featured in a different tier, complete with a full profile on them that includes their basic information, ages, a brief write-up about the player, their rookie contract situation and their 2025-2026 counting stats.
Along with my rankings, I've prepared some more detailed write-ups you'll find below that will take you through some of the big names to know in this class. Let's get right into it.
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Dynasty Rookie Fantasy Basketball Rankings: July
Scroll down to the bottom for the expanded color-coded rankings spreadsheet with more stats and data
| Rank | Player | Pos. | Team | Notes/Outlook (Updated 7/7/2026) |
| 1 | Cameron Boozer | PF | MEM | As expected, Cam Boozer is now in Memphis and has been given the keys to the franchise. Boozer turned in one of the statistical best freshmen seasons in modern NCAA history. To me, this is the clearcut "don't overthink it" pick at 1st overall in every league type, and if you can get him any lower, that's a massive win. He's a fantasy superstar and immediately enters the NBA as a top 15 dynasty asset. |
| 2 | Darryn Peterson | SG/PG | UTA | 1.02 will be a toss-up between Dybantsa and Peterson in dynasty leagues. Peterson's lingering injuries that hurt his play and lackluster playmaking at Kansas will concern some, but I remain of the opinion that he's an elite guard prospect. The playmaking will improve. I'm not worried about how loaded Utah is and I heavily buy the talent. Will Hardy will turn him into a real weapon. |
| 3 | AJ Dybantsa | SG/SF/PF | WAS | Dybantsa may not have as strong of a theoretical fantasy game as Peterson or Boozer, but he is still an elite prospect all the same. He's a big-time shotmaker, slasher and scorer with all of the tools and potential to be an All-NBA player one day like the guys above him. The defense is the big point of improvement. Washington has given him the keys. |
| 4 | Caleb Wilson | PF/C | CHI | Caleb Wilson has the potential to be the best player from this class. For fantasy, the steals and blocks will be a big sell for him. He also could really get you points and rebounds on solid efficiency. There is a case to be made that you could take him over Darryn or AJ, but there's a significantly lower floor than all three of these players if they hit their low end outcomes. Caleb is a psychotic competitor who we fullyexpect to exceed his lower end outcomes. |
| 5 | Keaton Wagler | SG/PG | LAC | There are some concerns about Wagler that many believe should bump him down from a top spot, but make no mistake: This is the closest thing to an Austin Reaves or Tyrese Haliburton type of prospect we've seen. High-end shooting, playmaking and great positional size. When he bulks up more, he could be special. I love the landing spot in LAC even though I know people may be skeptical of him as a prospect. |
| 6 | Mikel Brown Jr. | PG/SG | BKN | Mikel Brown has had a disappointing year on the whole, but I remain high on him and his range of outcomes with that combination of size, shotmaking and bounciness as a lead guard at about 6'5 in shoes. His fantasy profile off this year is sketchy and he is a polarizing prospect, but I'm willing to believe he'll shoot much better at the NBA level. He's the future for the Nets and is comfortably their best prospect. |
| 7 | Darius Acuff Jr. | PG/SG | SAC | Acuff has been playing like a straight-up star for Arkansas. He has looked the part of a possible offensive engine and fantasy star, but can he be one in the modern NBA? The Kings are wide open, it's certainly possible and the fantasy upside is solid. The defensive concerns are massive but his size (6'2, 6'7 WS) was better than expected. He is the biggest risk-reward of this entire class. |
| 8 | Kingston Flemings | PG/SG | ATL | Kingston Flemings should be able to come in and be solid across the board early on in his career. There could be a real potential jump with the shooting. There could be an upside swing with the scoring given that he has an elite first step. He'll likely have some good steals and block numbers. It might take a year with CJ McCollum there but should be solid long term. |
| 9 | Morez Johnson Jr. | PF/C | DAL | Dallas went out and got one of new HC Dusty May's guys. The rate of improvement for Morez over the past few years is impressive. There's a growing offensive game and 3PT shot, a motor that never turns off, standout athleticism, and he's a high level defender. He's going to be a really good fantasy player and the IRL and fantasy upside is higher than you might think. |
| 10 | Aday Mara | C | OKC | Aday Mara is going to be a hot topic in your dynasty drafts. The fantasy game is rock-solid and the overall talent is obvious, but being drafted to OKC is going to scare people off. Personally, I'm not all that concerned. You may have to be patient for the rotation to shake out, but when he gets the minutes, he's going to make an impact. I'm staying put here and trusting the talent will shine through. |
| 11 | Brayden Burries | SG/PG | MIL | The first of Milwaukee's draft picks in the post-Giannis era is Brayden Burries, a high-floor prospect with a higher ceiling than many might believe. Burries has a good complementary skillset and off-ball appeal, and with more on-ball reps in Milwaukee, he could absolutely explode. Big fan of this fit and as him being a long-term building block next to Ryan Rollins. |
| 12 | Yaxel Lendeborg | PF | GSW | There's going to be a lot of people that are iffy about drafting a rookie turning 24 before his regular season debut, but Yaxel is really like that. Great do-it-all glue guy who can stuff the sheets like crazy and should be a worthwhile piece for Golden State. I think it will take a little time to work his way up as a bench piece and may not come immediately, but there are routes to being a very good starter in this league. |
| 13 | Ebuka Okorie | PG/SG | DET | Boy, am I high on this fit. Despite not playing against a ton of impressive competition at Stanford, there is a great deal to like with Okorie's profile. If you're looking for possible star indicators, Okorie definitely has one of those with his high-caliber slashing. Cade Cunningham has badly needed a secondary creator and slasher next to him, so this could be a match made in heaven. |
| 14 | Dailyn Swain | SG/SF | CHI | Bryson Graham was in New Orleans when they unlocked Naji Marshall. He hired Tiago Splitter who coached Deni Avdija. Those are the outcomes we can see for Dailyn Swain. Now, he's not as good of a passer as the raw assist numbers would indicate. There's a lot of messy turnovers. The shot is a massive work in progress. This is a real boom or bust swing. If he hits, you've got a real prize on your hands. |
| 15 | Hannes Steinbach | C | CHA | Steinbach is the best rebounder in the class and has flashed some fantasy juice. Some of my size concerns were quelled with his Combine measurements, but I really need to see improvement on defense. I think Charlotte is a good spot for him to maximize his skillset and improve. He and Moussa Diabate should be able to balance each other really well, especially if Hannes can shoot. |
| 16 | Bennett Stirtz | PG/SG | OKC | This is one of the most OKC-coded picks you can imagine. Dribble-pass-shoot archetype, can make quick decisions, wins and dominates wherever he's gone, and is a great human being and leader. The fantasy game is very strong. It might take a bit for him given OKC's depth, but I don't think it takes as long as some others may think. Some ideal outcomes for him: Malcolm Brogdon and Ty Jerome. |
| 17 | Christian Anderson Jr. | PG/SG | CHA | This LaMelo Ball trade could make things interesting for Anderson. He is a great shooter and playmaker who offers a lot of solid skills from a fantasy perspective. The concerns here are his size, defense and whether he's capped as a backup guard or not. There could be a good role with him and Coby White in the mix. Don't overreact too hard and overdraft Anderson yet. Stock is up, but let's see what happens. |
| 18 | Cameron Carr | SG/SF | LAL | Cameron Carr ended up falling further in the draft than what many people were expecting. This was partly due to frame and weight, but there's no denying that the fantasy skillset is enticing. There's a real upside swing if he can put on more weight (think something like Isaiah Joe or Devin Vassell-ish). The fit with Luka and the Lakers is exceptional and he may be asked to take up a decent sized role as a rookie. |
| 19 | Allen Graves | PF | TOR | Most of you following our work know our team is incredibly skeptical of Allen Graves. He is an analytical darling and with more development, he could really be something. I have my share of concerns, but if there's one team that could use him effectively, it's Toronto. Darko Rajakovic is going to have a lot of fun with him. The range probably starts in the early 10s and this is likely the lowest end for him. |
| 20 | LaBaron Philon | PG/SG | PHI | Philon took a big leap as a sophomore. Very good guard profile for fantasy and shows a lot of capability if he can play well off-ball. The landing spot in Philadelphia caps the long term upside behind Maxey and Edgecombe, but I’m willing to bet on the talent with bench scoring being a key need. He'll have some bottleneck with Jaylen Brown and Anfernee Simons now here as well. |
| 21 | Nate Ament | SF/PF | MIL | The Milwaukee Bucks get their guy at 13. If you're drafting Nate Ament, I would be very hesitant on expecting much high level production as the fantasy game isn't too strong. While he will likely get some run as one of the key pieces in the Giannis trade, this is a risk if you take him too high. While he is good with points and rebounds, everything else can be a little lackluster. Draft him at your own risk and level of patience. |
| 22 | Karim Lopez | SF/PF | MEM | Karim Lopez doesn't have the most appealing fantasy skillset, but he was a productive player in Australia the past couple seasons. He is pretty theoretical with his current abilities, but if Memphis thinks they can utilize his strengths as a cutter, he could be someone that has a solid statline while not doing anything at a high level. Could be a great buy next offseason if he starts out slow. |
| 23 | Sergio de Larrea | PG/SG | DAL | Sergio de Larrea was one of the best players on one of the best teams in Europe. He enters into a situation in Dallas with a coach who really values positional size and quick decision makers. Sergio could become a core piece quicker than you might think. He can play on and off the ball. He can shoot 3's. The defense and off-ball play will need some work, but the upside is very strong here. |
| 24 | Jayden Quaintance | C | SAS | It's no secret that Quaintance is an elite defender, but his knee issues have made him tumble down boards. It's going to be a bit concerning that San Antonio added two bigs with him and Tarris Reed, but I think there's worlds for both to exist. I'm expecting JQ will miss most of, if not all of this season. He's a risky pick, so if you worry about the injuries or are an impatient manager, STAY AWAY. |
| 25 | Tarris Reed Jr. | C | SAS | Tarris Reed is a different style of big man, and as I said above, there are worlds where he and Quaintance can coexist. Reed is your more traditional, albeit technically skilled, big man and is built like a bowling ball. The stats reflect that. Long term, this is going to be a depth chart to heavily monitor depending on Quaintance's health, but early on, expect Reed to take on a role early as Luke Kornet is phased out. |
| 26 | Koa Peat | PF | PHO | Koa Peat fits a lot of what Matt Ishbia's desired culture is. He plays hard, he's physical, and he's willing to buy into a role. Phoenix has a handful of these interesting forwards that are works in progress to some degree. Koa is a better decision maker than all of them, but he could possibly end up as a worse shooter than Dunn. Ultimately, it will come down to the shot for the hometown kid. |
| 27 | Bruce Thornton | PG | HOU | Thornton was a high octane offensive player at Ohio State. He's a strong driver and rebounder. Ultimately, the biggest concerns are that he probably needs to slim down to play in the NBA, and he's reliant on having the ball. If he can learn how to play off the ball, it will work very well. I expect Ime Udoka will like him as a player as well. We love this fit in Houston. |
| 28 | Chris Cenac Jr. | PF/C | BOS | Chris Cenac Jr. is your prototypical modern-day big in the mold of an Alex Sarr or Evan Mobley type of player. He's very raw and has a lot of growing to do on both sides of the ball, but the flashes suggest he's got a lot to build on at the NBA level that teams will like and fantasy managers should be patient with. Boston is certainly an ideal landing spot, but he's going to need a lot of time to earn Mazzulla's trust. |
| 29 | Zuby Ejiofor | PF/C | ATL | Zuby's got some real juice to his fantasy game that may make him an appealing target in your fantasy drafts. Real junkyard dog, scrappy energy guy type. The fantasy profile is solid, no doubt about it, but frankly, I'm just not a big fan of the fit in Atlanta. I need to see more to really be more convinced on his outlook playing with Onyeka Okongwu. |
| 30 | Joshua Jefferson | SF/PF | BKN | It makes perfect sense that Sean Marks and Jordi Fernandez really like Joshua Jefferson. He's a malleable role player who checks their boxes as a solid passer and has shown he can be an offensive hub on a good Iowa State team. The fantasy profile could be very good, even for a young rebuilder like Brooklyn despite the landing spot not being super ideal. |
| 31 | Meleek Thomas | SG | CLE | Meleek Thomas's AST/TO would indicate he's a fine decision maker. Frankly, he might be the absolute worst decision maker in this draft. He's a very good shooter with potential to have the ball in his hands and score. The defense was really bad at times this year even though he's got the tools. Do not expect him to play much in Year 1 and maybe not even in Year 2 unless there's rapid improvement in his weaknesses. |
| 32 | Richie Saunders | SG/SF | MEM | Look, Richie Saunders might be on the older side and has a torn ACL that likely forces him out for most if not the whole year, but Memphis spending an early 2nd round pick on him should tell you everything. He was a real first round talent at BYU and has a very complete profile. I'm confident he's going to yield very good ROI in this range. |
| 33 | Alex Karaban | SF/PF | SAC | Karaban is a jack-of-all-trades forward that has some interesting fantasy appeal as a connective piece and shooter. There are no star outcomes here and the upside is not super high, but there are good role player outcomes and it really speaks volumes that Sacramento has to spend first round capital to ensure they got him. Good leader, winning player and is a key part of Sacramento aiming to bolster their culture. |
| 34 | Henri Veesaar | C | ATL | Henri Veesaar's draft capital might make some people worry, but this was pretty clearly agent manipulation to get him to a desired landing spot. He ends up in Atlanta and his rank ends up largely the same. Despite being 7 feet tall, he's very skinny and could get pushed around at the next level. Still, he can shoot and bigs like him are worth the fantasy gamble. |
| 35 | Baba Miller | PF | LAC | The Sheep lands in LA! Baba Miller has been on draft radars for a while and had a nice breakout season. Very good rebounder, lanky, good defender, can pass. The fantasy appeal is all there. The biggest thing is the shooting and how he will score at the NBA level. Getting a similar player to John Collins on that development track on a cost-controlled contract should be fun. |
| 36 | Isaiah Evans | SG/SF | MIN | I'm skeptical of Isaiah Evans' fantasy upside. He may ultimately project as a one-dimensional shooting specialist, but the landing spot is certainly interesting in Minnesota to inject some 3&D juice into the rotation. We know Chris Finch doesn't trust young guys easily, so if Evans can improve as a defender and make the most of his Year 1 opportunities, there could be something here. |
| 37 | Ryan Conwell | SG | MIA | Ryan Conwell heading to Miami is interesting on a lot of levels. Their depth is depleted after the Giannis trade. They have made these tweener, hard working guards work before. There is a bit of Kendrick Nunn to his game. The question is whether or not he can create his on shot in the NBA. As of right now, the projection just looks like a slightly undersized spot shooter. |
| 38 | Emanuel Sharp | SG | SAC | Much like the Alex Karaban pick, Emanuel Sharp is another one of Sacramento's types of guys this front office is seeking: Off-ball players who are unselfish with good BBIQ. High motor and character guys who lead and keep their heads up. 3&D skills. With Sharp, they're getting an off-ball 2 that can come off the bench and hit from range. Can he do much else in the NBA? We'll see. |
| 39 | Ugonna Onyenso | C | DET | Ugonna Onyenso is a high-level shot blocker with some good defensive skills to build on. Despite the draft capital, he comes into Detroit following the Isaiah Stewart trade and could end up as the 3rd string big man behind Jalen Duren and Paul Reed. Keep an eye on Onyenso here. There could be a sneaky add here, especially if he does get a guaranteed deal. |
| 40 | Braden Smith | PG | IND | It's not going to be easy for a guard at 5'10.25 barefoot to work in the NBA. Luckily, Braden Smith ends up in possibly the best team situation that could make him work. He's a fiery competitor and one of the top point guards coming out of Purdue last season. It's going to be tough for him, but if it works, the fantasy game is there as a pass-first type of player. |
| 41 | Izaiyah Nelson | PF/C | ORL | I'm a big, big fan of Izaiyah Nelson staying in Florida and thought Orlando made a great choice in taking him in the late 2nd even if he wasn't a primary need. Despite being slightly undersized for a big man, he more than makes up for it on defense with length, physicality and a very high motor. I think this is a player that could really make a splash and surprise people this year. |
| 42 | Ja'Kobi Gillespie | PG | SAS | The biggest riser on my first post-draft ranks is Ja'Kobi Gillespie, who I was admittedly lower on IRL/in dynasty. San Antonio isn't exactly a great place for a deep rotation guard to find a role, but Gillespie is a blistering scorer, shooter and passer who doesn't make many mistakes. I'm interested in seeing if he could ever find a role. He could end up being a G League star. |
| 43 | Dillon Mitchell | PF | BOS | I've come around a lot more on Dillon Mitchell, and it's encouraging to see him end up in an interesting situation with Boston. He's got some appeal in the fantasy game and has a handful of NBA-worthy skills that could make him a lot of money. Big time hustle guy and defender. It really just comes down to the 3-point shot for the ideal outcomes, but I'm willing to take a flier on the full package here. |
| 44 | Trevon Brazile | PF/C | DEN | After multiple disappointing seasons with Arkansas where he struggled to find consistency, Brazile had the best season of his career and got himself an early 2nd round selection. The fantasy profile is interesting if the shooting can be expanded on at this level. I question how much he's able to get on the court with such low feel but Nikola Jokic and Jamal Murray as your creators does help make life easy. |
| 45 | Jaden Bradley | PG | TOR | The Raptors really like this archetype of glue guards (see: Jamal Shead, Alijah Martin). Toronto is getting good at finding these players that are scrappy defenders and using them effectively. Bradley is not a shooter but he can pass, set the table for teams like he did at Arizona and plays really tough. He’s a great locker room guy at worst and that absolutely matters. |
| 46 | Nick Martinelli | SF/PF | LAC | Nick Martinelli is tough as nails and put Northwestern on his back this year. He's a solid scorer that's been efficient on both 2s and 3s and can do the little things role players need to do. Without much defense and lackluster athleticism, it's not an easy sell at the NBA level, but the Clippers are good at making funky players like him work. There could definitely be something here. |
| 47 | Maliq Brown | PF | SAS | It's hard to really know what to do with pure defensive bets like Maliq Brown. The defense is excellent and he's a wickedly smart, super high-motor player. He's a very valuable asset for San Antonio and could fit into some terrifying defensive rotations. The lack of offense is a big-time concern, but if it can ever come around, this could be a good fantasy player. |
| 48 | Otega Oweh | SG/SF | OKC | Fitting that the Thunder drafted the guy whose ideal outcome is Lu Dort. Oweh's calling card is going to be his defense, and while we're not likely to see him play much if at all this year with OKC, he is a good piece to have in the system to see if he sticks. He was disappointing on the whole this year with Kentucky despite looking sharp in SEC play. |
| 49 | Bryce Hopkins | SG/SF | DEN | There's some definite appeal here for Denver and Hopkins. He's got some do-it-all wing stuff in his profile that I tend to like in late-round fliers. He can handle the ball, rebound, defend, has some good size for his position. The biggest swing to making this all work is the shooting with more volume, and as he showed at times that he can shoot a bit. Keep an eye on him. |
| 50 | Aaron Nkrumah | SG/SF | DEN | The reporting on Nkrumah as an early second rounder was way off, as he went completely undrafted. I'm far from out, though. At 6'6 with a 6'10 WS, Nkrumah has a lot to like as a do-it-all wing with great defense, a balanced fantasy game and positive shooting indicators. He gets an Exhibit 10 contract with Denver, but personally, I firmly believe he's walking away from Summer League with a two-way contract. |
| 51 | Jack Kayil | PG/SG | NYK | Jack Kayil was a stash for the New York Knicks as one of their many draft rights they own, but this is definitely the most notable one. Kayil projects to be a real-deal shooter, and considering he's still only 19, he has plenty of time to stay overseas and grow his game if New York ever decides to bring him stateside. This is a deep-league only pickup if you have the roster space to hold him. |
| 52 | Lajae Jones | SG/SF | GSW | If the standout thing that gets later 2nd round players' feet in the door is defense, Lajae Jones has got something to unlock here at Golden State. Jones is a strong, phyiscal and tenacious wing. The rebounding, defense and athleticism are definitely NBA-caliber, but can he be a positive shooter at the next level? Worth noting: He holds an Israeli passport, so we may see him get stashed. |
| 53 | Felix Okpara | C | WAS | Okpara is a very offensively limited big man and I don't think he's going to shine much for fantasy at the moment. He is purely a bet on the defense and a hot-running motor that can get him on the floor in the NBA. I do think there are routes to minutes in Washington, but there's a lot of names for Okpara to work around in that depth chart to become relevant. |
| 54 | Tyler Bilodeau | PF | BKN | Tyler Bilodeau is the newest Brooklyn Net and is a bit different from what they usually target in this rebuild. Bilodeau is a scorer who's got some old and new school mash-up to his game. The athleticism and defense could very likely hold him back, but there is definitely enough here with high-level shooting to find possible rotation roles in the NBA. |
| 55 | Tyler Nickel | SF/PF | NYK | Nickel was one of the most important pieces to Vanderbilt's success. He's your quintessential high-feel shooting specialist. He has a lot of real-life skills to get him on the floor in the NBA. He shoots well, moves well off the ball, good frame at 6'7", and has sound mechanics. It makes perfect sense why the Knicks would be looking for a guy like him coming off a championship. You can never have too much shooting. |
| 56 | Tobi Lawal | PF | DAL | There's never been a question that Tobi Lawal is a fantastic athlete with tons of verticality and flair, but he has some real concerns elsewhere. At 6'8, he's limited as a power forward who just wasn't made for these times. Without an outside shot, it may never work, but there are worlds where he can be a plug-and-play energy spark. Maybe the big man whisperer, Dusty May, knows how to use him. |
| 57 | Rafael Castro | C | MIL | I was a bit surprised to see Rafael Castro go undrafted, as I thought he would warrant a late swing considering how many bigs went in Round 2. Castro's got really standout athleticism and hops plus the defensive tools that could make him an intriguing 2-way contract guy in the NBA. I like the fit in Milwaukee as a more traditional deep bench piece with some bulk. |
| 58 | Vsevolod Ishchenko | SG/SF | DAL | Word on the street is Ishchenko wants to jump into the NBA immediately. Despite not getting a ton of pre-draft hype, there is a lot to like with Ishchenko as a big, wiry 6'8 wing. He's got some plus skills to like as a passer and some shooting that may come along well. Dallas and Dusty May will likely play pretty big, so I can see the vision here. Very intriguing player that I will likely push higher if he signs a two-way deal. |
| 59 | Quadir Copeland | PG/SG | HOU | The Quad God came away as an undrafted free agent, but ends up in a good spot on a two-way in Houston. He's a junkyard dog with a lot to like with his 6'6", 200-pound stature that passes the ball and defends well. The shooting will hold him back if it doesn't end up being real, but he's someone who can really create rim pressure effectively. |
| 60 | Duke Miles | SG | N/A | Another one of my mid 2nd round sleepers that went undrafted. Don't be like the NBA teams that slept on Duke Miles if he shows out this summer. He's got a solid connective profile and has a lot to like in his profile as a tenacious defender. Very good piece for Vanderbilt this year. Could he be a Keon Ellis sort of player in the NBA? I think it's possible, for sure. |
| 61 | Trey Kaufman-Renn | PF | MIN | TKR has a lot of that old school big to him as a post-up heavy undersized center. I don't really see his style translating to the NBA, but the numbers are certainly interesting. He's got some passing to his game and the rebounding is good, but he's basically a cone on D. If the shooting proves to be anything, there are possible NBA player outcomes here, but don't get your hopes up. |
| 62 | Jaron Pierre Jr. | SG | NOP | Jaron Pierre Jr. is not going to be everyone's cup of tea. He's very Caris LeVert-coded. He is a good scorer with some solid athleticism that gives him some above the rim flash. I think he may have something here that could help him become an NBA player one day, if he becomes much more efficient and buys in more on defense. |
| 63 | Nate Bittle | C | TOR | The fact that Nate Bittle went undrafted with his skillset and profile must mean the medicals were not pretty. However, there is something here fantasy wise and he could have a chance to show out for Toronto to get a contract. 7-footers who play like he does on offense with a 7'5 wingspan aren't exactly easy to find. He was disappointing at Oregon this year. |
| 64 | Keyshawn Hall | SG/SF | MIA | The Keyshawn Hall-Miami pairing just makes too much sense. Keyshawn Hall has a lot of intriguing role player skills in his repitoire that could make him a big riser post-Summer League. He's got scability both on and off the ball, and when called upon like he was at Auburn, he showed a lot of flash. Miami needs some depth and they always seem to conjure role players out of thin air. Is Hall the next one? |
| 65 | Peter Suder | SG | LAL | Suder might be a bit undersized and have some athletic limitations, but he's got a lot of flash and connective skills that make me think he could have a chance. He had a ton of predraft workouts and I'm wondering if he passed on being drafted so LAL could pick him up. If he can prove to be a good, sustainable shooter like he was as a senior, there are plug-and-play rotation player outcomes here. |
| 66 | Kylan Boswell | PG | CHA | Kylan Boswell was a key piece for Illinois this year next to Keaton Wagler. He doesn't boast a clearcut elite NBA skill, but he is a good defender and ballhandler that can play a complementary role. He's not afraid to get physical on either end of the floor. The swing for him to become a full-time NBA player is the shooting. Him going to CHA following the LaMelo trade is notable if you're looking at undrafted pickups. |
| 67 | Jaylin Sellers | SG | CHI | Sellers is a lights-out shooter and can get to the rim effectively. He's going to have some key areas to improve on if he's really going to translate at the next level, especially on defense. The scoring and shooting is certainly worthy of banking on higher. He got a two-way contract with Chicago. Will have an eye on him for Summer League. |
| 68 | Nick Boyd | PG | GSW | Nick Boyd is a quality shotmaker who may not be solid enough to hang on D at 6'1, but he can handle the ball and play the point pretty well to be worth a real look. Golden State secured him on an Exhibit-10 deal following the draft and I hope to see him thrive this summer. Could he find a way to break the mold here and secure himself a two-way deal? |
| 69 | Tamin Lipsey | PG | IND | In theory, Tamin Lipsey could be an NBA player, and his measurements from Portsmouth coming back OK help his case. He's a great table setter that doesn't turn the ball over and a tenacious defender. I'm not sure about the translation, but could this be a potential Jamal Shead-like surge if he hits for Indiana at Summer League? This team is way deep at point guard, so it'll be tough. |
| 70 | Donovan Atwell | SG/SF | CHI | Atwell is a real-deal shooter out of Texas Tech whose sole job was to knock down 3s. Spot-up shooting, transition, off screens, off handoffs, doesn't matter, he makes them efficiently (45.8% on the year). The fundamental flaw is he absolutely cannot create his own shot and needs a point guard to set him up, and he doesn't attempt shots at the rim. The shooting might still be good enough for there to be a path. |
Who to Take at 1.01: Cam Boozer, AJ Dybantsa, or Darryn Peterson?
I have a clear-cut opinion on who I feel you should take at 1.01, and a lot of us fantasy/dynasty basketball analysts do too. A lot of us are in the camp of taking Cam Boozer and calling it a day. I’m here to tell you that, while I also would be taking Boozer, you don’t have to take Boozer. The important thing is to draft who you like. There is star power with each of the Big 3 here, and there’s really no wrong answer.
Like Cam Boozer, buying the upside, liking the landing spot, and larger-than-life fantasy profile? Take Cam Boozer. Like AJ Dybantsa’s star-level scoring, physical prowess and all-around game? Take AJ Dybantsa. Like Darryn Peterson’s eye-popping shotmaking, multi-level scoring and buying the playmaking at the next level? Take Darryn Peterson. Everyone here has a good sell for why you should take them that I present in my rankings, and the bottom line is that each one has something good they can offer.
Now, that being said, my personal answer is Cam Boozer. He now has a wide-open role with Memphis; he has a complete game profile built in a lab for fantasy basketball; he posted one of the strongest statistical season performances in modern NCAA history; and he’s a super high-percentile player across the board in the counting and advanced numbers. I know there are concerns about Boozer, and I agree that he is far from a bust-proof prospect, but if we’re purely going by the numbers in a fantasy context, this is about as close to a bust-proof fantasy player as you’ll find. He’s going to be good.
However, there are worlds where I'd be perfectly willing to swing on Dybantsa or Peterson in the right fit and environment. As I said, each of them has legitimate star power that's worth building around, and it's no secret that each of the Big 3 is widely viewed as top 10-25 level assets in all of dynasty basketball.
Picking the Right Guard Outside The Big Four
Probably the handful of players I’m asked about the most are the guards within this 5-8 region, wherein you’re going to see the following players going in the most: Keaton Wagler, Mikel Brown Jr., Darius Acuff Jr., and Kingston Flemings. The question is, who are you supposed to choose at which spots?
There are a lot of factors to consider here, as each guard comes with a handful of concerns and questions to think about when analyzing their games. Here is how I would rank them for category leagues.
My favorite player of the group is Keaton Wagler, arguably the best pure shooter of this entire draft class. With a parking lot range, good size at 6 '6, and on- and off-ball scalability and an all-around strong fantasy game, Wagler has some of the highest upside of his entire class in real life and in fantasy.
However, there are a fair number of concerns that have me higher on Wagler than many dynasty analysts out there. With concerns around his athleticism, how will he get separation at the next level, and can he finish at the rim effectively? Will he have to live off tough shots and lose that efficiency as a result? Will he begin to add weight so he can hold his own on defense, and will the suppressed defensive stats as a result of Illinois coach Brad Underwood’s system come at the NBA level?
I’ve remained a believer in Mikel Brown Jr. from the very beginning of this draft class until he went 6th overall. Like Wagler, Brown is a fiery scorer, shotmaker, and playmaker who looks every part the franchise lead guard teams want. However, how concerned (if at all) should we be about his health after missing time with a back injury at Louisville? I’m not worried, but could that have led to lost time that will put him behind the curve? Will his field goal percentage and shooting come around at the NBA level after displaying poor numbers as a freshman?
The most publicly discussed concern of this entire group is Darius Acuff’s defense. For all of his high-end scoring and offensive skill in his profile, Acuff is arguably the worst defender in this draft class and has a lot of ground to cover. Is his scoring good enough to make up for that?
Darius Acuff Jr. EXCELLED tonight 🙌
22 PTS
3 REB
3 AST
4 3PM
2 BLKThe 7th overall pick led the @SacramentoKings to victory at the California Classic 🔥 pic.twitter.com/AwpZZ4ro0C
— NBA (@NBA) July 7, 2026
For fantasy, is he able to stay on the floor enough and survive on defense so he can put up numbers? Can he shoot and score effectively at the next level? Is his lackluster athleticism, size, and frame going to limit him from finishing at the rim? If you’re comfortable with Acuff’s limitations and his scoring just being that good, he could be your guy, but he is comfortably the most boom-bust player of this entire class.
With Kingston Flemings, he’s the best athlete of this group with great burst, a quick first step, and finishes well at the rim. As a lead guard, he’s comfortable playing a passing or scoring role and excelling at both. He’s also the best defender of this group, but with concerns around size at 6 '2.5 without shoes and only a 6' 3.5 wingspan, can that defense hold up at the next level?
Kingston Flemings (14p, 9a, 4s) had a near double-double in his Salt Lake City Summer League debut for the @ATLHawks 💪 pic.twitter.com/C7iCHr3LJy
— NBA (@NBA) July 4, 2026
Can he still finish at the rim at the next level? Despite his aptitude to shoot, can he shoot enough with volume to weaponize it and stay efficient?
For points leagues, I would select them in the following order: Acuff, Wagler, Brown, and Flemings. Again, this is really just picking your poison and who you’re liking the most.
Aday Mara, Bennett Stirtz, and Oklahoma City’s Depth
Probably the biggest piece of criticism I’ve heard in my rankings after the NBA Draft is my placements of Aday Mara and Bennett Stirtz given the state of the Oklahoma City Thunder. I know people are particularly skeptical of Aday Mara in this context, so I want to lead off with him, my thoughts on the landing spot and why I’m still comfortable drafting him higher.
In the days after the draft, the Thunder have now extended Isaiah Hartenstein on a 3-year, $75 million extension. Now, a lot of the hope was that Hartenstein’s option would be declined and he would either be moved elsewhere or end up elsewhere via sign-and-trade. Obviously, that did not happen, and his center competition is now cut up into Chet Holmgren, Hartenstein, and redshirt rookie Thomas Sorber.
Even still, it doesn’t bother me as much because I do anticipate there being a point where moving on from Hartenstein might still need to happen in the not-too-distant future given their cap situation. In the short term, it’s an issue. Long term, there are very good outcomes here that involve him playing 20-ish minutes per game at center next to Chet Holmgren with output similar to that of Donovan Clingan: rebounds, blocks, plus good field goal percentage and more assists to boot. It all just depends on how patient you are when he gets to that point. I remain of the opinion that the talent is greater than the situation, and he’s a very ideal 5 to play next to Chet Holmgren, so I’m hopeful he’ll make it work.
Here’s the other thing: Some people criticize both the placement and the landing spot because there isn’t much hope for Mara becoming a starter right now. Logically, I can understand the desire to play a lot of minutes early, but between his capabilities shown at Michigan, his conditioning issues at his size and weight, and considering the center rotations of all the teams most interested in him, it wasn’t really in the cards as a Year 1 guy.
ADAY MARA TOUGH BUCKET 🔥 pic.twitter.com/xQQ3bvu3XU
— HOOPS NATION (@_HoopsNation) July 6, 2026
Even still, I’ve considered that and my thoughts and placing him in my top 10 since well before the pre-draft process have been very positive. That’s with consideration to his well-rounded fantasy game, two-way prowess and his solid per-minute play. For all of the above reasons, I’m pretty comfortable keeping Mara at the top of my drafts, and I don’t think he should be falling past the 15th pick in your drafts.
Now, onto Stirtz. Admittedly, in the short term, it’s a lot easier to see Stirtz finding minutes early on. Why? Oklahoma City struggled in the playoffs with ball handling beyond Shai-Gilgeous Alexander. Yes, that might’ve been because of injuries, but without other reliable options outside of SGA and Ajay Mitchell, the need to pay the latter a hefty contract soon, and the likelihood of losing other core guard pieces like Cason Wallace, they need more options. Bennett Stirtz should be exactly the kind of dribble-pass-shoot player this team needs on cost-controlled rookie contracts that can play now. Stirtz has very ideal malleability for this team as a player who can play on or off the ball in whatever role he’s put in.
Stirtz has a strong fantasy game as well, like Mara. He’s a very efficient and effective scorer who can scale well depending on usage; he can shoot, pass, rebound, hit shots at all three levels, and doesn't turn the ball over much. He’s very well-rounded for his position and despite his athleticism. There’s just no reason Stirtz should be falling into the mid-20s or lower, simply put. He’s just too darn good.
Cameron Carr: Ready for a Role?
Cameron Carr is going to become one of the most discussed rookies by virtue of joining the Los Angeles Lakers. Going at 24th overall, well below where many expected him to be selected, Carr is now in a situation where he might be ready to suit up and play minutes sooner than expected with the Lakers’ lackluster depth. As of now, Carr is listed as the team’s 2nd small forward and 3rd at shooting guard behind Austin Reaves and Collin Sexton (who is also listed as the 2nd point guard). Given that, and, in my opinion, the bad fit of Collin Sexton with the Lakers, there is a real shot we see Carr playing good minutes this year. The question is, is he ready?
Cameron Carr starred for Los Angeles!
26 PTS
8 REB
4 3PM@Lakers secure the victory in sudden death OT at the California Classic 🔥 pic.twitter.com/wuRIkY8PD7— NBA (@NBA) July 5, 2026
Carr boasts a good "Three and D" set of skills that the Lakers may need to lean on this year. With good shooting, strong length at 6 '4.5 without shoes, with a 7-foot-plus wingspan, and the tools to be a solid defender, he’ll need time to get there as a core piece. I don’t think he’s quite there as a defender and needs to become better as a point-of-attack player, but the scoring and how he’s going to make his bread should be of little question. The big question and worry for me is his frame and weight, as he’s extremely slight and skinny at 184 pounds and can be pushed around on both ends of the floor.
Still, Carr’s aptitude to be a good role player is all there. He’s got a lot of work to do, and the lack of good handles and ball-handling is going to limit his outcomes, but again, there are worlds where he plays a steady role as a rookie and succeeds with it. There isn’t a ton of talent he needs to outplay to get there. With some development, who’s to say how far he could go? Given his skillset, I’d probably be looking at him in the mid to late 10s, but expect him to go early in most drafts with the Lakers tax.
My Guys and Other Sleepers I’m Drafting Later
To close things out, I wanted to touch on a handful of players I really like and will be taking some fliers on later in the draft to see what sticks. Many have criticized this draft’s depth following the pre-draft withdrawal deadline that saw many players return to school, but personally, I think this depth is a lot better than people give it credit for. There are some worthy selections up and down the board, and if you play things right, you could have some real hits on your hands. I'll touch on each player along with where I have them ranked in my categories board.
Ebuka Okorie, DET (13th)
The way things sit right now, Cade Cunningham is going to have some questions about the shooting guard position next to him. Likely to start is Duncan Robinson to bolster their shooting, but Isaiah Joe, Caris LeVert, and Kevin Huerter are all here and can play either the 2 or 3. Even behind Cunningham as the backup point guard is Daniss Jenkins, who emerged as a second-year undrafted player. Long-term, though, I believe Detroit has the secondary ballhandler and scorer this team has needed in Ebuka Okorie.
I think this is arguably one of my favorite fits of this draft, and the two’s pairing should work very well once Okorie is ready to play. Okorie gives Detroit a lot to like as a secondary playmaker, a multi-level scorer who can shoot and can really shine more with spacing around him, and a real star-level skill as an elite slasher. I’m going to be heavily invested in Okorie finding a role and giving this team a real run.
Allen Graves, TOR (19th)
I’ve been an Allen Graves skeptic throughout this draft cycle. I could write a whole other article just on him and my thoughts on a player who’s been some of the draft community’s statistical darling, but the Toronto landing spot gives me hope. Raptors head coach Darko Rajakovic is really good at making players with funky skill sets work well, like Scottie Barnes and Collin Murray-Boyles.
Despite my questions and concerns around Graves, he has a lot to like as a spacer at the 4 who can defend at a high level, much like the two other forwards I named. His numbers are solid, he has plug-and-play skills, and I trust he can find his way here. One big question is what the upside looks like, and I hope we get some flashes of what that could look like at the next level.
Bruce Thornton, HOU (28th)
Arguably one of the cleanest fits in the second round, Bruce Thornton should give Houston a solid scoring guard off the bench when called upon. He was the heart and soul for Ohio State basketball as an engine and high-octane scorer, and despite standing at about 6 '1 in shoes, he’s a solid rebounder and driver. I have questions about how all that translates, but if he can continue scoring effectively and play well off the ball, I think there’s a very, very good shot that he’s going to be a good NBA player.
He’s exactly the kind of player Ime Udoka loves and will want to play, and I’m hoping Thornton will force his hand to get minutes sooner rather than later. Right now, he'll face some competition behind Fred VanVleet and Amen Thompson with Reed Sheppard, Marcus Smart, and Bogdan Bogdanovic coming off the bench at both guard spots. As you might've expected, I trust the talent rises to the top eventually and will be the case here. It's also worth noting that Thornton's contract status is a question mark right now, but my hunch with Houston moving up to 31st for him says he's getting a 3-4 year contract.
Richie Saunders, MEM (32nd)
An old injury stash with a pick in the 30s isn’t an easy sell, nor is it an ideal pick for every manager to make. But if you can select Richie Saunders and have a way to stash him on IR until he’s ready to go, I highly suggest you do so. Richie Saunders has been a massively important piece for BYU in the last 2 years and has a lot of intriguing fantasy translation to his game. Many are going to peg him just as a 3-point specialist, and he definitely can knock down 3s, but there’s a lot more to his game to like.
He can handle the ball a little, he can get to the rim and finish well through contact, he can defend, and he has a high motor. Now comes the negative: he’s turning 25 this September, he’s never been much of an athlete, and he tore his ACL in February. Some may be concerned, but I think he’s going to recover just fine. Again, this is not a pick everyone will feel comfortable making, but personally, I have a hard time believing he won’t deliver a positive return on investment. When healthy, he should be going well above a pick in the 30s in rookie drafts.
I’m stashing and seeing what happens when he gets healthy, hopefully towards the end of the 2026-2027 season. Memphis is doing the same and was comfortable investing in him like this. You should be, too. I'm assuming Saunders will be handed a two-way contract as he recovers from the ACL tear, but I do expect he'll get converted to a standard deal pretty quickly.
Ryan Conwell, MIA (37th)
Ryan Conwell is the type of shooting guard Miami will really like having post-Giannis trade. Their depth is pretty concerning after trading away a lot of pieces to get to this point, and they’re going to need younger players who can step up when called upon. I think Ryan Conwell has a good chance at playing immediately, depending on the summer and preseason he has. As a prime example of a college journeyman in the NIL era, he’s a solid 3-point shooter, he can pass, and he uses his body and physicality effectively.
He didn’t shoot quite as well as I hoped with Louisville (40.5% FG, 34.5% 3PT on 9.6 attempts), but I do think he’ll shoot better at the next level in a more contained role. One big thing to note is that Conwell got a guaranteed contract and roster spot at $6.5 million over 3 years. These days, if second-rounders are getting guaranteed money, that matters and should tell you a lot about how players are valued. To me, it’s clear Miami will like Conwell in fit and in the locker room.
Ugonna Onyenso, DET (39th)
Onyenso’s in a very interesting position with Detroit. The expectation with Detroit before his selection would’ve been as a third-string or fourth-string big who largely just plays for the Motor City Cruise (Detroit’s G League affiliate). Now, Isaiah Stewart is in Memphis, Jalen Duren is in a contract standoff that may force a sign-and-trade situation, and the Pistons' presumed starter is Paul Reed with very little competition after him. Onyenso could rise very quickly if he impresses at Summer League or in the preseason and easily snatch a role.
He’s a solid defender and shot blocker who led the ACC in total blocks (105) and blocks per game (2.9) despite zero starts and only playing a total of 669 minutes all year. There is absolutely a role here as a change-of-pace big with so much up in the air with Detroit. Onyenso is on a two-year, two-way deal for Detroit and should really pop when he gets minutes this year.
Izaiyah Nelson, ORL (41st)
As a USF alumnus, I’m pretty excited to see Izaiyah Nelson get a shot at the NBA and get to stay in Florida. He’s a bit of an undersized 5 that’s fairly limited as a scorer, but he is a standout athlete, rebounder, defender and high-motor big that could find a real role as a versatile defensive specialist.
Everything I’ve heard and that you’ll hear from scouts across the industry is that Nelson is a high-character player and was a very vocal communicator and leader on the court during scrimmages. That absolutely matters. His offensive game is almost exclusively going to be limited to play finishing, but is there any chance he could develop more of a 3-ball on lower volume? It’s definitely possible. The keyword here for fantasy is stocks, which he'll likely get in droves in the G League. Nelson could be a worthy swing here if you want to bet on Orlando’s big man situation thinning out over the next two years on his two-way deal.
Dillon Mitchell, BOS (43rd)
The name of the game this deep into your drafts is finding players with NBA-caliber skills that can get them on the court and how their skills intersect with fantasy basketball. In Dillon Mitchell’s case, we see someone with a couple of NBA-caliber skills. He’s a strong defender, rebounder and passer who only scores in the paint right now.
Mitchell will be asked to do basically everything but score at the next level by Joe Mazzulla, and I have an inkling that the team will like the skills he brings. There’s a lot of spice here in the fantasy game if you want to swing on hoping the offensive end could come around. Mark my words: If Dillon Mitchell could ever consistently hit 3s, there is a decade-long NBA career in his future.
Nick Martinelli, LAC (46th)
There are a few throughlines on this list of players that I really like. There’s one piece I want to specifically highlight with Northwestern’s Nick Martinelli, and that’s focusing on high-motor, high-character players. Why does that matter? Well, in a new-age NBA where it’s harder than ever to secure a firm roster spot, there are three things you’re going to notice about recent players that broke the mold and got converted from two-way contracts to standard deals. Identifiable NBA-caliber skills outside of scoring, effectiveness off the ball, and good motor and locker room presence.
It’s these things that will get players in the building and impact their teams on and off live courts that build trust. Energy sparks off the bench can be so important, and it’s things like that that will allow players to get minutes, shine when called on, and can lead to more. Now, with Nick Martinelli, all accounts and scouting reports tell us that he is an absolute psycho in the gym and works his tail off all the time. His energy is high, he’s extremely vocal and passionate, and he’s a guy coaches and fans will love.
In terms of NBA-caliber skills, Martinelli is a solid shooter who can score in droves and gets to the rack well. He’s also a very good rebounder who grabs a lot of offensive boards (which, again, speaks to the high motor). The biggest concern is the lack of athleticism and the defense, as he’s really not much of a positive defender. There are worlds where he becomes one, and if he does, there is a very good role player here.
Maliq Brown, SAS (48th)
When it comes to these defensive specialist players like Ryan Dunn or Matisse Thybulle, it’s hard to know exactly where to come in and what their fantasy game will amount to. By nearly all accounts, Maliq Brown is a very offensively limited player, and the shooting is purely theoretical at this point. However, it can be argued that Brown is among the absolute best defenders in this class with good length, physicality, ridiculously high basketball IQ, and impressive defensive instincts. Brown can/will rack up stocks, and he can legitimately guard all five positions.
You watch him with Duke over the last two years, and you’d be hard-pressed to find enough mistakes on defense to count on more than one hand. That’s not an exaggeration, either. He’s just that good. I’m willing to take a flier on Brown just off the strength of the defense and hoping the offensive end can lead to something here. The shooting is what could really allow him to shoot up boards, much like Dillon Mitchell.
Aaron Nkrumah, DEN (50th)
I want to be clear here: Aaron Nkrumah is likely going to be available in basically any draft in the 50s and maybe even as a pickup in deep leagues after the fact. There is definite risk here, as Nkrumah only went on to sign an Exhibit-10 contract to play with Denver this summer.
However, I have high hopes that Nkrumah can emerge as a potential bench player if he plays well. Despite coming out of a small school (Tennessee State), Nkrumah looks every bit of a 3&D player you could want with good size and length, great defensive play and technique, scalability, an ability to create his own shot, and nice physical attributes. This is my sneaky stash I’m planning to add to my deeper 30-team leagues to see if he can emerge. The fantasy game is solid without question.
Rafael Castro, MIL (58th)
Rounding things out is George Washington’s finest, Rafael Castro. He’s a very athletic big man who went undrafted and immediately signed a two-way contract with Milwaukee. The implication based on the reporting around Castro is declined being drafted in the second round to go to a more interesting situation with the Bucks. If he can really shine at Summer League this year and if Myles Turner is traded, it’s not impossible to see Castro in a backup role behind Kel’el Ware.
Color-Coded Fantasy Basketball Rookie Rankings
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