Erik's Elite 80
Welcome to Erik's Elite 80, a collection of studs, breakouts, value picks, sleepers, and players who I have my eye on because they can pop in the second half of the season. These are players whom I personally see as winning plays, the players I find myself targeting in drafts. Think of it as an expanded "My Guys" list, along with the theses behind my preferences.
This is not a traditional rankings list. It's a conviction or preference list. The order reflects how strongly I believe in each player's fantasy value relative to the market, not simply where I project them to finish the season. ADP, projections, talent, role, risk, and 9-cat fit all matter, but ultimately, this is about the players I want on my fantasy teams.
Disclaimer: I do think every player in complete rankings lists can produce fantasy value, but that doesn't necessarily mean I like them at their current ADP. Do I think Steph Curry will be a "bad player" this season? No. But I am fading him because of his age, injury risk, and my concerns about the Warriors' competitiveness this season.
That's what this list is about: context.
A player's fantasy value isn't determined by talent alone. It's about his production, his situation, his risk, and what you're paying to get him.
How to Read the Elite 80
The category beneath each player explains why I’m buying them, not simply what type of player they are.
- NO-BRAINER: Elite players I would take without hesitation.
- SOLID PICK: Established players I’m comfortable drafting at their current price.
- VALUE: Players whose ADP gives me more upside than the market is accounting for.
- SLEEPER: Players I believe the market is overlooking.
- BREAKOUT: Players I expect to take a significant leap in fantasy production.
- BOUNCE-BACK: Established players I expect to return to a previous level of production.
- SECOND-HALF UNLOCK: Players whose fantasy value could explode once opportunity opens up later in the season.
These categories can overlap. A player might technically be a breakout, but if the market is already paying for that breakout, I may categorize him differently. The category reflects the reason I'm targeting him.
01
Nikola Jokic, C
NO-BRAINER
Elite in so many categories, Jokic makes the game unfair.
02
Victor Wembanyama, C
NO-BRAINER
Wemby is not the future. He’s the present, and the present is looking bright.
03
Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, PG
NO-BRAINER
High-volume scoring, elite %s, strong peripherals, and no drawbacks.
04
Luka Doncic, PG
NO-BRAINER
Luka is a basketball wizard, and the Lakers gave him a great supporting cast.
05
Cade Cunningham, PG/SG
SOLID PICK
Cade exploded last season. There’s likely a next level to his game.
06
Giannis Antetokounmpo, PF/C
SOLID PICK
Giannis is on a new team and should be motivated to win again.
07
Jayson Tatum, SF/PF
SOLID PICK
Tatum is back from his Achilles injury and ready to lead the Celtics into a new era.
08
Jalen Johnson, SF/PF
SOLID PICK
Johnson had a great breakout season, and now he’s a nightly triple-double threat.
09
Cooper Flagg, SG/SF/PF
BREAKOUT
Flagg is primed for stardom. His time is now.
10
Donovan Mitchell, PG/SG
SOLID PICK
Mitchell can score, hit 3s, and chip in 1.5 steals, balancing offense and defense.
11
Scottie Barnes, SF/PF/C
SOLID PICK
Barnes had a breakout season in 2025-26, and we’re ready for more.
12
Kevin Durant, SF/PF
SOLID PICK
KD is an efficiency anchor, and his game has aged like a fine wine.
13
Jamal Murray, PG
SOLID PICK
Murray is coming off a career season. His fantasy floor is just money.
14
Austin Reaves, PG/SG
SOLID PICK
As the Lakers’ No. 2 option, Reaves should kill it every night.
15
Karl-Anthony Towns, PF/C
SOLID PICK
KAT is an efficient-scoring double-double machine you can count on.
16
Trey Murphy III, SG/SF
SOLID PICK
Murphy is an easy 3s anchor who protects FG% while chipping in elsewhere.
17
Amen Thompson, PG/SG
BREAKOUT
Last season’s improvement was just a trailer for this season’s movie premiere.
18
James Harden, PG/SG
VALUE
Harden's decline is inevitable, but the market is over-correcting.
19
Anthony Davis, PF/C
VALUE
Finally, AD’s risk might just be properly priced into his ADP.
20
Jalen Williams, SF/PF
BOUNCE-BACK
J-Dub has recovered from his hamstring issue and is in line for larger roles on both ends.
21
Chet Holmgren, PF/C
VALUE
People have stopped reaching for Chet. At his current price, he’s unlikely to disappoint.
22
Lauri Markkanen, SF/PF
BOUNCE-BACK
The Jazz are expected to compete this season; no more shutting Lauri down.
23
Darius Garland, PG
SLEEPER
Garland’s toe injury is fully healed. He’s going to go bonkers leading the Clippers.
24
Evan Mobley, PF/C
SOLID PICK
Mobley's defense is dependable. We just need to see him grow offensively.
25
Jaren Jackson Jr., PF/C
BOUNCE-BACK
Jackson is a perfect fit for the Jazz and should thrive now that they’re competitive.
26
Walker Kessler, C
BOUNCE-BACK
Injury derailed last season’s breakout. Kessler should shine as the Lakers’ primary big man.
27
Jalen Duren, C
SOLID PICK
The contract drama was just noise; Duren should take another step in the right direction.
28
Dejounte Murray, PG
SLEEPER
Dejounte is coming back with a vengeance this season, and no one sees it coming.
29
Bam Adebayo, C
SOLID PICK
Pairing Bam with Giannis is more positive than anything. As a duo, they're scary on both ends.
30
Brandon Miller, SF/PF
BREAKOUT
Miller’s recovered from offseason surgery and is ready to lead the Hornets post-LaMelo.
31
Matas Buzelis, SF/PF
BREAKOUT
A larger offensive role is in the cards, and his stat versatility is fantasy gold.
32
Kyrie Irving, PG
BOUNCE-BACK
Kyrie is healthy and could post near his top-10 value form, a value pick at his ADP.
33
Franz Wagner, SF/PF
BOUNCE-BACK
Wagner had an injury-plagued 2025-26, but is now healthy.
34
Nickeil Alexander-Walker, PG/SG
SOLID PICK
That MIP breakout was legit. Expect it to be the new normal.
35
OG Anunoby, SF/PF
SOLID PICK
OG found a new gear last season and became a lethal assassin. Don’t sleep on him.
36
Kel’el Ware, C
BREAKOUT
Ware is too good to rot on the Bucks’ bench. The minutes should come.
37
Cameron Boozer, PF
BREAKOUT
Boozer’s game is tailor-made for 9-cat fantasy. ROY is his to lose.
38
Onyeka Okongwu, C
SOLID PICK
The Hawks unleashed Okongwu last season, and the result was marvelous.
39
Donovan Clingan, C
BREAKOUT
After a slow start last season, Clingan found his groove, and that's the tip of his fantasy iceberg.
40
Ryan Rollins, PG/SG
SOLID PICK
Rollins was a stellar breakout player last season. Now, he’s earned fantasy darling status.
41
Dyson Daniels, SG/SF
SOLID PICK
The market prices him at his floor, but playmaking and shooting growth are possibilities.
42
Naz Reid, PF/C
BREAKOUT
Reid should thrive as a starter for the Hornets. Period.
43
Jaden McDaniels, SF/PF
SOLID PICK
Always underrated, often over-delivers.
44
Ivica Zubac, C
SLEEPER
He will bounce back playing alongside Haliburton, but the market is behind.
45
Kon Knueppel, SG/SF
BREAKOUT
The preseason injury sucks, but he should still see a breakout season overall.
46
Keyonte George, PG/SG
SOLID PICK
George maintains some upward trajectory despite usage concerns.
47
Zach Edey, C
BREAKOUT
Health is the only roadblock. Edey has the per-game profile to be a beast in 9-cat.
48
Michael Porter Jr., SF/PF
SOLID PICK
Yes, some regression from last season is expected, but that’s already priced into his ADP.
49
Ty Jerome, PG/SG
SLEEPER
The Grizzlies’ backcourt is crowded, but Jerome has the chops to separate himself from that pack.
50
Damian Lillard, PG
BOUNCE-BACK
Lillard still has it. Well, most of it. The discount is worth what he’s got left.
51
Caleb Wilson, SF/PF
BREAKOUT
The stats, opportunity, and work ethic all make a perfect storm for fantasy stardom.
52
Paul George, SF/PF
VALUE
The gap between his per-game value and his ADP is too wide.
53
Ausar Thompson, SG/SF/PF
BREAKOUT
His steals and blocks carry his value, so improvements anywhere else will be gravy.
54
Payton Pritchard, PG
SOLID PICK
People overreached for him last season. The market has learned its lesson.
55
Immanuel Quickley, PG
VALUE
The market is almost sleeping on him at his ADP.
56
Cedric Coward, SG/SF
BREAKOUT
His profile screams superstar, but he has to live up to those expectations.
57
Keegan Murray, SF/PF
BOUNCE-BACK
DeRozan is gone, LaVine is on borrowed time, and Murray is about to get the opportunity we’ve been waiting for.
58
Dylan Harper, PG/SG
BREAKOUT
Harper is a star in the making. His arrow is pointing straight up.
59
Derik Queen, PF/C
BREAKOUT
The potential is there. Queen just needs the playing time.
60Ajay Mitchell, PG/SGSLEEPERHe was a riser last season, but the Thunder cleaned house, and now he’s ready for more.
61
Day’Ron Sharpe, C
BREAKOUT
A per-minute monster has been unleashed and is now starting. Go figure.
62
Norman Powell, SG/SF
SLEEPER
The market overcorrected on Powell. His floor is way better than what his ADP suggests.
63
Collin Murray-Boyles, PF/C
BREAKOUT
CMB is a perfect fit for the Raptors’ current setup; a versatile defender with two-way upside.
64
John Collins, PF/C
VALUE
He’s in a better spot than in LAC, and his role is guaranteed.
65
Peyton Watson, SF/PF
BREAKOUT
Watson won’t score much, but his 3-and-D game will carry his value as a full-time starter.
66
Cason Wallace, PG/SG/SF
BREAKOUT
Wallace’s steals and low turnovers are already solid, but more 3s could make him pop this season.
67
Yaxel Lendeborg, SF/PF
SECOND-HALF UNLOCK
Lendeborg might start the season slow, but he will be crazy-good once the Warriors’ season is lost.
68
Darius Acuff Jr., PG
BREAKOUT
The Kings can’t hand this offensive dynamo the keys to their backcourt fast enough.
69
Reed Sheppard, PG/SG
BREAKOUT
Sheppard’s breakout has barriers, but his combo of 3s and steals is just too good.
70
Zach LaVine, PG/SG
VALUE
His injury risk is priced appropriately into his ADP.
71
Pelle Larsson, SG/SF
SLEEPER
Larsson is set for a leap, and the market is unprepared.
72
Jaime Jaquez Jr., SG/SF/PF
BREAKOUT
As a starter on a bad Bucks roster, Jaquez will surprise a lot of people.
73
Khaman Maluach, C
BREAKOUT
He’s put in the work, and now, Mark Williams’ injury opens the door for Maluach.
74
Kyshawn George, SG/SF/PF
VALUE
Usage will be an issue, but George doesn’t need much to deliver value.
75
Joan Beringer, C
BREAKOUT
Naz Reid is gone; it's now Beringer's time to shine.
76
Keaton Wagler, SG
BREAKOUT
The Clippers are too bad and too injured for Wagler not to shine.
77
Cam Spencer, PG/SG
SLEEPER
Spencer’s stat set is too fantasy-friendly to ignore. Even the Grizzlies will see it.
78
Maxime Raynaud, C
SECOND-HALF UNLOCK
Raynaud needs Sabonis to be dealt to have value, but that’s hopefully the plan.
79
Hannes Steinbach, PF
SECOND-HALF UNLOCK
Steinbach has potential to be a great 9-cat player. The Hornets just need to let him play.
80
Brayden Burries, SG
SECOND-HALF UNLOCK
Burries is NBA-ready, but Milwaukee has a guard logjam at the moment.
That's the Elite 80. These are my guys. Let's see what happens.
