The ULTIMATE 2026-27 Fantasy Basketball Draft Cheat Sheet

OVERVIEW
This episode is your ultimate fantasy basketball draft guide: I lay out my top player ranks, break down my favorite and least favorite draft targets, and cover draft-day strategy so you can confidently approach any league format. Expect direct advice on handling injured players, exploiting value, and maximizing your fun and upside late in drafts.
KEY TAKEAWAYS
• Nikola Jokic, Victor Wembanyama, Luka Dončić, and Shai Gilgeous-Alexander are my clear top four fantasy basketball picks regardless of format. It’s hard to go wrong with any order within this group.
• Don’t overthink “pairings” or “builds” in early rounds—just take the best player available. You can make just about any combination work, and the rest of your core comes together in rounds 5–8.
• Draft for upside first—grab players who have a real chance to beat their draft slot substantially. If no one jumps out, settle for the safer, high-floor option.
• Fade players with preseason injuries or heavy injury risk (like Joel Embiid, Kawhi Leonard, and Brandon Ingram) far past their ranked value. Most are being drafted too early compared to the likely missed games and re-injury risk.
• My favorite values across all formats at current ADP are Darius Garland, Dyson Daniels, Paul George, Milk Jerome, and Jeremiah Fears—each is priced below realistic upside or expected opportunity.
• Avoid at current ADP: Donovan Mitchell (declining situation), Mikal Bridges (fantasy production has cratered despite durability), Josh Hart (boring, limited upside at his price), and highly-drafted rookies like AJ Dybantsa without established fantasy floors.
• Late-round flyers should be all about upside and opportunity—consider names like Adae Mara, Kaman Malwach, Yaxel Lendeborg, Kevin Porter Jr., Rui Hachimura, and Darius Acuff, especially if their roles expand early.
• Preseason standouts like Keishaun George, Lennon Miller, Sandro Mamukelashvili, Franz Wagner, Collin Murray-Boyles, and Da'Ron Sharpe may be worth aggressive drafting depending on your league size and risk tolerance.
RESOURCES
• Must-draft lists, sleepers, busts, and mock drafts can be found on previous Locked On Fantasy Basketball episodes.
NEXT STEP
Apply these draft strategies and value targets to your upcoming fantasy basketball drafts for the best shot at both upside and fun.
CHAPTERS
0:00 Introduction
0:35 Fantasy draft overview and top 9 rankings
3:31 Draft-day strategy and philosophy
6:07 Injured player approach
12:08 Players I’m targeting at ADP
19:57 Players I’m fading at ADP
24:33 Late-round flyer picks
29:21 Preseason standouts with breakout potential
32:54 Quick-hit cheat sheet and closing thoughts

Support Us By Supporting Our Sponsors!
Indeed
Listeners of this show get a $75 Sponsored Job Credit to help give your job the premium placement it deserves at Indeed.com/podcast (indeed.com/podcast).

Betterhelp
This episode is sponsored by BetterHelp. Sign up and get 10% off at BetterHelp.com/LOCKEDONNBA (betterhelp.com/get-started/?go=true&slug=l…).

KALSHI
Today's episode is brought to you by Kalshi. For a limited time, Download Kalshi and use code Locked On to get $25 when you trade $25. Kalshi. Trade what’s next.
PrizePicks
Visit (prizepicks.onelink.me/LME0/XXX)prizepicks.onelink.me/LME0/LOCKEDONNBA (prizepicks.onelink.me/LME0/LOCKEDONNBA)and use code LOCKEDONNBA and get $150 if you win your first $5 lineup!

Gametime
Today's episode is brought to you by Gametime. Download the Gametime app, create an account, and use code LOCKEDON for $20 off your first purchase. Terms and conditions apply.
FanDuel
This season, FanDuel is making the excitement go beyond what happens on the field with the all-new FanDuel Rewards Club, featuring exclusive offers, surprises, and more. Every week, check the FanDuel app to see what’s waiting for you or visit FANDUEL.COM (fanduel.com) to get started.

FANDUEL DISCLAIMER: 21+ in select states. First online real money wager only. Bonus issued as nonwithdrawable free bets that expires in 14 days. Restrictions apply. See terms at sportsbook.fanduel.com. Gambling Problem? Call 1-800-GAMBLER or visit FanDuel.com/RG (CO, IA, MD, MI, NJ, PA, IL, VA, WV), 1-800-NEXT-STEP or text NEXTSTEP to 53342 (AZ), 1-888-789-7777 or visit ccpg.org/chat (CT), 1-800-9-WITH-IT (IN), 1-800-522-4700 (WY, KS) or visit ksgamblinghelp.com (KS), 1-877-770-STOP (LA), 1-877-8-HOPENY or text HOPENY (467369) (NY), TN REDLINE 1-800-889-9789 (TN)

Visit Josh Lloyd Fantasy (joshlloydfantasy.com) for more

Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.