The 2026 NBA draft class is special. It's one that we have been anticipating with high expectations for quite a while, and early indications are that this class will live up to those lofty expectations.
That translates to fantasy hoops as well. In a typical season, there are a small number of rookies discussed for fantasy drafts, but this season there are six currently with Average Draft Positions (ADPs) in the top 130 (meaning they are being picked in typical fantasy drafts). In addition, there are several others on the fringe that are either being drafted in deeper leagues or that will be on the radar as free agents of interest as soon as the season begins.
Let's take a closer look at the rookie class as the season approaches and discuss when you should consider taking them in your fantasy drafts.
Middle-round prospects
Bulls rookie Caleb Wilson added the 3-pointer to his repertoire and has impressed this summer. Daniel Bartel/Getty Images Caleb Wilson (ADP 75.2), Cameron Boozer (ADP 75.3) and AJ Dybantsa (ADP 76.1) are coming off fantasy draft boards in a similar range, around the seventh round. All three seem poised to start for their respective teams and contribute significantly out the gate.
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AJ Dybantsa, F, Washington Wizards: Dybantsa was the top overall pick in the 2026 NBA draft and was the leading scorer in college basketball as a freshman last season. He continued his scoring ways at the Las Vegas Summer League, averaging 25.0 PPG and 7.0 RPG in two games. He has started the first two preseason games for the Wizards and played a total of 46 minutes, notching an impressive combined stat line of 25 points, nine rebounds, five steals and four assists. Dybantsa is a strong candidate to lead the rookie class in scoring this season. He is good at drawing free throws and shoots a good percentage, but it should be noted that Dybantsa doesn't hit many 3-pointers for a volume scorer, and he may not have (m)any strong fantasy categories outside of scoring. Overall, Dybantsa is worthy of fantasy draft consideration in the middle rounds, but I have him ranked slightly lower than his ADP -- more top 85 than top 75 -- in both points and category leagues.