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ADP can be a funny thing. It doesn’t always catch up to the latest trends and totals right away, which can leave a player undervalued ahead of a potentially big season.
Such is the case for several NBA players heading into the 2026-27 season. Their season outlooks promise regular play and a ton of fantasy gains. But ADP works slower in the offseason, and there are role changes, usage risers, and efficiency trends that the market just hasn’t fully priced in yet.
Fantasy managers don’t have to wait for these numbers to adjust before curating their fantasy basketball draft boards. Instead, they can draft emerging role-players at a lower price before the rest of the league catches on.
Here are five players ready to outplay their ADP in 2026-27.
Franz Wagner, Orlando Magic
Wagner only played 34 games last season due to a lingering ankle injury, which kicks his ADP down the ladder. When he was healthy, though, he scored the second-most points (20.6 PPG) on the team while shooting 48.1% from the floor and was top five in rebounds (5.2 RPG) and assists (3.3 APG). The seasoned small forward garners high usage because of his primary playmaking abilities, making him a sneaky fantasy target in the early middle rounds of fantasy drafts.
Toumani Camara, Portland Trail Blazers
The spotlight is understandably on Ja Morant and Damian Lillard heading into the 2026-27 season, but Camara is the fantasy target managers can get at a good price. He’s an iron man, starting in all 82 games last season. He’s a well-rounded wing who can fulfill rebounds, steals, and three-pointers categories and could thrive with more talent balancing out Portland’s rotation.
Alex Sarr, Washington Wizards
In another case of being overshadowed, all the offseason chatter in D.C. is focused on Trae Young, Anthony Davis, and first-overall draftee AJ Dybantsa. But Dybantsa’s arrival will actually take pressure off of Sarr and open him up to space, defend, and finish more cleanly. The soon-to-be third-year center is a top-notch rebounder (7.4 RPG) and efficient shooter (48.2% from the field, 33.3% from beyond the arc).
Brandin Podziemski, Golden State Warriors
Podziemski proved his worth last season by shouldering an injury-riddled Warriors backcourt. He will get plenty of opportunities to start off the 2026-27 season as well since Jimmy Butler is still recovering from an ACL injury he sustained in January. The 23-year-old guard flexes 9-cat muscle, combining efficient shooting and spacing with minimal turnover worry. Starting the season in a starting role will allow Podziemski to easily outplay his ADP.
Jalen Green, Phoenix Suns
The hamstring injury that held Green to just 34 games last season has suppressed his ADP, so the sky’s the limit for him to have a rebound campaign. Green regularly shot around 50% from the field when he was healthy at the end of last season and posted back-to-back 30-plus point games in the play-in tournament. He’s the ultimate points league player and is due for a bounce-back in the upcoming season.
Questions About What Makes Players Likely To Beat Their ADP, Answered
What makes a player likely to beat their fantasy basketball ADP in 2026-27?
A player is more likely to outperform their ADP when injuries or offseason market lag suppress draft value despite a strong outlook. Regular playing time, increased usage, improved efficiency, or an expanded role can all create value before fantasy draft prices fully adjust.
Do these players need to be on contending teams to have ADP value?
No. Fantasy value is driven more by opportunity and production than by team success. Players on rebuilding or playoff-caliber teams alike can outperform their draft position if they receive consistent minutes and contribute across multiple statistical categories.
How is this different from other ADP-focused fantasy basketball coverage?
This group highlights players whose current draft cost appears lower than their projected production because of injuries, changing roles, or overlooked development. The focus is on identifying value before average draft position catches up.
When should I target these players in my draft?
These players are best targeted once their draft position reflects a discount rather than their expected production. Managers who identify value before the broader fantasy market adjusts can gain an advantage without spending an early-round pick.
