Fantasy Basketball Draft Strategy for 2025-26 Season
When it comes to drafting for fantasy basketball, the first two rounds play a crucial role in setting the tone for your entire team, even though championships aren’t won in their early stages. It’s essential to consider player compatibility to establish an effective strategy in category leagues. This analysis uses Yahoo’s Average Draft Position (ADP) to explore ideal pairings for the top 12 picks, providing alternatives as well. Here’s a detailed breakdown of the recommended pairings for the 2025-26 fantasy basketball season.
Top Picks and Ideal Pairings
Select 1: Nikola Jokic, Denver Nuggets
Ideal Pairing: Paolo Banchero, Orlando Magic
Beginning your draft with Jokic is an excellent choice due to his all-around brilliance on the court. While Banchero may not typically rank as high in your draft order, he could serve as a beneficial partner for Jokic. His weaknesses in shooting percentages are offset by Jokic’s strengths, allowing you to dominate in points, rebounds, and assists.
Alternative Considerations: Jalen Williams, Alperen Sengun
Select 2: Victor Wembanyama, San Antonio Spurs
Ideal Pairing: Chet Holmgren, Oklahoma City Thunder
Pairing Wembanyama with Holmgren creates a formidable duo that excels in blocking statistics, while both players can contribute across several categories without significant weaknesses. Their unique skill sets complement each other effectively.
Alternative Considerations: Evan Mobley, Jalen Williams
Select 3: Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, Oklahoma City Thunder
Ideal Pairing: Jalen Williams, Oklahoma City Thunder
SGA is a fantasy powerhouse, and teaming him with Williams enhances your team’s flexibility while providing solid contributions in various stats. Both players thrive together, maintaining strong shooting percentages and overall efficiency.
Alternative Considerations: Tyrese Maxey, Jalen Johnson
Select 4: Luka Doncic, Los Angeles Lakers
Ideal Pairing: Alperen Sengun, Houston Rockets
Doncic’s diverse skill set allows flexibility in the draft, and pairing him with Sengun allows you to tap into strong contributions across several categories, though both struggle with free throws. This partnership is geared for a balanced approach.
Alternative Considerations: Jalen Williams, Paolo Banchero
Select 5: Giannis Antetokounmpo, Milwaukee Bucks
Ideal Pairing: Jalen Johnson, Atlanta Hawks
Giannis shines with his dominant presence, particularly in scoring and rebounding. Pairing him with Johnson, who has burgeoning talent, allows you to navigate around Giannis’s weaknesses in three-point shooting and free throws.
Alternative Considerations: Amen Thompson, Domantas Sabonis
Select 6: Anthony Edwards, Minnesota Timberwolves
Ideal Pairing: Tyrese Maxey, Philadelphia 76ers
Edwards has developed into an excellent shooter over the seasons, and teaming with Maxey, who also scores effectively, sets the foundation for a high-scoring backcourt.
Alternative Considerations: Stephen Curry, Donovan Mitchell
Select 7: Cade Cunningham, Detroit Pistons
Ideal Pairing: Donovan Mitchell, Cleveland Cavaliers
Building around Cunningham, who had a breakout previous season, alongside Mitchell mitigates Cunningham’s turnover issues while enhancing strengths in scoring and facilitating.
Alternative Considerations: Domantas Sabonis, Jalen Williams
Select 8: Anthony Davis, Dallas Mavericks
Ideal Pairing: Evan Mobley, Cleveland Cavaliers
Davis offers tremendous value without needing to be a three-point threat, and pairing him with Mobley consolidates your presence both offensively and defensively.
Alternative Considerations: Chet Holmgren, Amen Thompson
Select 9: Karl-Anthony Towns, New York Knicks
Ideal Pairing: Stephen Curry, Golden State Warriors
While Towns’s rebounding might be impacted by playing alongside Robinson, pairing him with sharpshooter Curry bolsters your team’s three-point capabilities significantly.
Alternative Considerations: Kevin Durant, Donovan Mitchell
Select 10: Trae Young, Atlanta Hawks
Ideal Pairing: James Harden, Los Angeles Clippers
Young is known for his prolific scoring and passing, while Harden complements that with his own scoring prowess. Be mindful of turnovers; focusing on other categories can lead to a dominating strategy.
Alternative Considerations: Donovan Mitchell, Domantas Sabonis
Select 11: Domantas Sabonis, Sacramento Kings
Ideal Pairing: Amen Thompson, Houston Rockets
Though Sabonis may not be everyone’s first choice in the first round, combining him with Thompson creates a strong foundation emphasizing rebounds and assists, while balancing scoring adequately.
Alternative Considerations: Alperen Sengun, Paolo Banchero
Select 12: Devin Booker, Phoenix Suns
Ideal Pairing: Kevin Durant, Houston Rockets
While these players faced hurdles as teammates, separately they create a formidable fantasy pairing, especially with both becoming primary scorers for their respective teams.
Alternative Considerations: Donovan Mitchell, Stephen Curry
Conclusion
Utilizing these strategic pairings as you approach your draft will help lay the groundwork for a successful fantasy basketball season. Adjust according to player values as your draft unfolds for optimum results.
