Fantasy Basketball: Luka Dončić and James Harden among the ‘successes’ of the pre-season rankings
Earlier this week, we took a look at some of the players whose preseason rankings fell short, some of which were more egregious than others. This article focuses on the “successes,” some of which met high expectations and others proved the skeptics right. Rankings are an exact science to say the least, but it’s fun to look back on them. Leading the way are two dominant guards who began the 2025-26 season in Los Angeles County.
NBA: Washington Wizards vs. Los Angeles Lakers
Fantasy Basketball: Anthony Davis and Giannis among the ‘missed’ in the pre-season rankings
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A look at some of the players whose placement in our 2025-26 preseason Top-200 rankings missed the mark.
Preseason Rank: 4
The fact that Dončić was as productive as he has been this season was certainly no surprise given his career history. However, he finished as the league champion for the second time in his NBA career, averaging 33.5 points along with 7.7 rebounds, 8.3 assists, 1.6 steals and 4.0 three-pointers per game. Also leading the league in field goals, three-pointers, free throws and three-pointers per game, Dončić shot nearly 48 percent from the field.
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Even averaging four turnovers per game, the Lakers star provided top-5 scoring in 8-point leagues. Depending on what happens with LeBron James in free agency this summer, it’s fair to wonder if Dončić will be able to break up the trio Nikola Jokić, Shai Gilgeous-Alexander AND Victor Wembanyama top 9 Cats in 2026-27.
Preseason rank: 17
Of course, the preseason rankings were compiled when Harden was still with the LA Clippers. Although his scoring average dropped by nearly five points after the trade from the Clippers to the Cavaliers, his efficiency improved. Harden shot 46.6% from the field post-trade and his turnover average dropped.
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As a result, Harden’s offensive rating improved, which led to him finishing the regular season as a top-25 player in the 8-cat, 9-cat, and points league formats. A productive run in the postseason could be all Harden needs to solidify his future in Cleveland, with the front office potentially willing to offer him an extension that doesn’t appear to come from the Clippers.
Preseason Rank: 49
We really appreciated Flagg’s fantasy potential at the start of the season and the rookie forward didn’t disappoint. Appearing in 70 games, the Rookie of the Year favorite averaged 21.0 points, 6.7 rebounds, 4.5 assists, 1.2 steals, 0.9 blocks and 1.0 3-pointers, shooting 46.8 percent from the field and 82.7 percent from the foul line.
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Coach Jason Kidd’s decision to start Flagg at point guard has paid dividends for fantasy managers, especially with Kyrie Irving (knee) not playing and several other rotation players limited due to their injuries. Even with Irving back in the fold next season, Flagg has top-25 fantasy potential.
Preseason Rank: 57
Like many, we expected Porter’s fantasy value to receive a boost with his move to Brooklyn, even if it meant he had no chance to play in the postseason. The only downside for fantasy managers was the veteran forward’s availability, or lack thereof, after the All-Star break. However, that doesn’t erase what Porter did when available. In 52 appearances, he averaged 24.2 points, 7.1 rebounds, 3.0 assists, 1.1 steals and 3.4 3-pointers, shooting 46.3 percent from the field and 85.9 percent from the foul line.
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Porter finished with career-best averages in points, assists and three-pointers. Hopefully the Nets are in a position next season where the front office is willing to compete throughout the season instead of prioritizing his draft position, as Porter can be incredibly valuable to fantasy managers.
Preseason Rank: 76
The move from New Orleans to Toronto paid off for Ingram and those who had faith in him, as availability was no longer an issue. The 77 games were the most in a season for him since his rookie season, and the Raptors wing earned his second All-Star Game appearance. Ingram averaged 21.5 points, 5.6 rebounds, 3.7 assists, 0.8 steals, 0.7 blocks and 1.8 3-pointers per game, shooting 47.7 percent from the field and 82.0 percent from the foul line. Providing sixth-round value in 8-cat formats, Ingram was a top-50 player in points leagues.
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Preseason Rank: 82
After a season in which he won NBA Sixth Man of the Year honors, Pritchard was well positioned to provide more value this season. Jayson Tatum (Achilles) was unavailable and the Celtics said goodbye to several veterans in free agency or via trade. Pritchard began the season as a starter, but returned to the reserve role in early February and his production never suffered.
He finished the regular season with career-high points, rebounds and assists averages, and Pritchard appeared in at least 79 games in each of his final three seasons. With Tatum, Jaylen Brown AND Derrick White all under contract for next season, Pritchard’s ADP is unlikely to reach the top-50, but he has shown that he is capable of meeting top-75 expectations.
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G/F RJ Barrett, Toronto Raptors
Preseason Rank: 159
Barrett has long been a better option for points leagues than category leagues, and our pre-season rankings were based on the latter. Although the Raptors winger finished the season as a top-100 option in points leagues, he once again failed to crack the top-150 in category formats. Barrett’s points, rebounds and assists are down from his 2024-25 averages, a level too high to be outweighed by improvements in his field goal and free throw percentages.
With the Raptors having the aforementioned Ingram and Scottie Barnes with lucrative contracts, it will be interesting to see how this affects Barrett’s position in the final season of his contract.
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Preseason Rank: 152
Given Utah’s priorities heading into the season, even with the front office insisting they wouldn’t tank, it would have been easy for some fantasy managers to be seduced by Filipowski’s potential. However, playing time proved harder to come by than some expected, even afterward Walker Kessler he went down with an injury late in the season. Appearing in 77 games, Filipowski averaged 23.4 minutes per game and totaled 11.4 points, 7.2 rebounds, 2.6 assists, 0.9 steals, 0.5 blocks and 1.0 3-pointers.
And in March, Filipowski averaged 26.3 minutes per game, not enough of a boost for coaches hoping to benefit from his inclusion in their fantasy playoff lineups. Regardless of what happens with Kessler, who will be a restricted free agent this summer, the Jazz still have it Lauri Markkanen AND Jaren Jackson Jr. under contract for next season. This doesn’t bode well for Filipowski’s fantasy outlook.