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The summer’s biggest deals didn’t just move stars to new NBA teams. The NBA offseason has also created five pairs that fantasy managers need to watch for in 2026-27.
These twosomes promise to be complementary in a way that boosts their value in category leagues, making them must-haves across fantasy rosters. Spacing, screening, and secondary playmaking all come into focus as these duos prepare for major fantasy basketball gains.
Owners should take note and add these players to their fantasy basketball draft boards before the rest of the league catches on.
Giannis Antetokounmpo and Bam Adebayo, Miami Heat
Both players possess elite defensive skills that will make Miami’s frontcourt so scary. (They had a combined 19.8 RPG on separate teams last season.) But Adebayo’s top-tier passing game will also come in handy in 2026-27, setting his new frontcourt partner up for shots on the move and in the paint. The veteran center has developed into quite the shooter himself (44.2% from the field), which can help pull attention and pressure so Antetokounmpo has room to cook.
LaMelo Ball and Anthony Edwards, Minnesota Timberwolves
To echo an Athlon piece from late June, the Ball trade does more than take pressure off Edwards in the backcourt. Ball’s playmaking abilities can create more transition opportunities and allow for more creativity, and his already-high assist numbers (a team-leading 7.1 APG last year) could get a boost from playing alongside such a high-volume scorer. Both players should be more efficient since they are spreading out their responsibilities.
Jaylen Brown and Joel Embiid, Philadelphia 76ers
Injuries are a regular topic when it comes to Embiid, but Brown will do more than step up for the frontcourt if the center needs a night off. Brown’s two-way playmaking abilities can take the offensive burden off Embiid and make him more efficient on defense, and maybe get back to averaging double-digit rebounds on the regular. Embiid can also focus on rim protection while Brown mans the perimeter, helping to avoid double-teams on either player.
Kawhi Leonard and Scottie Barnes, Toronto Raptors
Both wings are 9-cat fantasy assets. That created some immediate concerns that one or both players could see a decrease in usage in 2026-27. (That would be a major bummer for managers who leaned on Barnes’ 5.9 APG and 50.7% shooting from the field last season.) But the reduced offensive burden should make both Barnes and Leonard more efficient across the board. Plus, Leonard can help the young forward fine-tune his defensive skill set, making Barnes a sneakier fantasy threat.
Ja Morant and Damian Lillard, Portland Trail Blazers
Perhaps the most intriguing twosome on our list. The diversity each guard brings to the backcourt (Morant likes scoring downhill, Lillard likes pulling up for threes) gives new head coach Micah Nori a lot of flexibility. It also puts usage into question for two guys accustomed to being the primary playmaker. All of that being said, Lillard is coming off of a long layoff from Achilles surgery, so having Morant’s explosiveness can relieve some pressure. Morant doesn’t have the hold on three-pointers and free-throw efficiency that Lillard does, so letting the veteran take over those duties could make him more efficient and less turnover-prone. Of course, that could all be contingent on the backcourt being a 50/50 split from Day 1.
Fantasy managers won’t know until preseason how these duos will truly shape up. But they can keep track of all the latest roster news with Athlon’s ongoing 2026-27 Fantasy Basketball offseason coverage.
Questions About Fantasy Duos That Could Rule Category Leagues, Answered
Which new NBA duos matter most for fantasy basketball in 2026-27?
The five featured pairings are Giannis Antetokounmpo and Bam Adebayo in Miami, LaMelo Ball and Anthony Edwards in Minnesota, Jaylen Brown and Joel Embiid in Philadelphia, Kawhi Leonard and Scottie Barnes in Toronto, and Ja Morant with Damian Lillard in Portland. Each pairing has the potential to affect category-league value through changes in usage, efficiency, and complementary skill sets.
Is Damian Lillard confirmed to play in 2026-27?
No. Damian Lillard is returning from Achilles surgery, and the outlook for Portland’s new backcourt depends on when he is ready to resume full-time play. The balance between Lillard and Ja Morant could vary significantly if Lillard is eased into action rather than handling a full workload immediately.
Is the Kawhi Leonard trade to Toronto final?
The story treats Kawhi Leonard as a member of the Raptors, but also notes that managers should monitor the situation before preseason. Fantasy expectations for Leonard and Scottie Barnes depend on the roster remaining intact and both players entering the season together.
Do new teammates always help fantasy value?
No. While talented teammates can improve efficiency and create better scoring opportunities, they can also reduce usage or overlap in key statistical categories. Fantasy managers should weigh how each partnership affects opportunity instead of assuming every star pairing increases value.
