We gathered our fantasy basketball experts together and asked each of them which five players they wanted to make sure they drafted this season.
The findings give an indication of who some of the most coveted fantasy players and value picks might be in your drafts.
Those players you see on numerous lists below? That could be a sign that the demand is high and you might need to go at least a round higher to land them.
Andre Snellings' five guys (actually ... six)
Josh Giddey, PG/SG, Chicago Bulls: Giddey improved significantly in each of his first two seasons with the Bulls, and is the only true team-offense creator in the starting lineup, giving him a good chance to surpass last season's career-bests of 17.0 PPG and 9.1 APG.
Derrick White, PG/SG, Boston Celtics: White had the worst shooting percentage of his career last season, but still turned in career-bests in points (16.5 PPG), assists (5.4 APG), steals (1.1 SPG), blocks (1.3 BPG) and free throw percentage (90.2 FT%). He is particularly valuable in category leagues because he contributes positively to almost every category without any major negatives.
Stephon Castle, PG/SG, and Dylan Harper, PG/SG, San Antonio Spurs: Castle was the Rookie of the Year two seasons ago then improved his numbers across the board last season, teasing major fantasy impact upside. Harper came off the bench for most of his rookie season, but showed during the playoffs that he is one of the better young guards in the league and needs starter minutes. Both are potential steals at their respective draft slots.
Nickeil Alexander-Walker, PG/SG, Atlanta Hawks: Alexander-Walker had a breakout campaign in his first with the Hawks last season, and his numbers were even better after Trae Young was traded. In those 40 games, Alexander-Walker averaged 21.2 PPG and 4.0 APG. In addition, he has been an iron man with only four total games missed out of 246 opportunities over the last three seasons.
Caleb Wilson, SF, Chicago Bulls: Wilson was the most exciting rookie I saw play during the Summer League this summer. He has athletic ability for a big forward that translates into strong rebounding and defensive potential, and in Las Veags he unveiled the ability to take and make 3-pointers at good volume and efficiency, both from the spot up and off the dribble.
Eric Karabell's five guys
James Harden, PG/SG, Cleveland Cavaliers: Now 37, potential investors keep believing he is too old, which is fine with me because he keeps outproducing his ADP. The numbers will always be there.
Evan Mobley, PF/C, Cleveland Cavaliers: Perhaps the true statistical breakout is not coming, but these consistent numbers remain well worth it after the first few rounds.
Darius Garland, PG, LA Clippers: Solid point guard who shoots well and always seems to go too late in drafts. Watch his usage go way up in his first full Clippers campaign.
Julius Randle, PF, Brooklyn Nets: Perhaps he is not a winning player in the real world, but in our world, he piles on numbers. Watch the points and boards return to former levels.
Stephon Castle, PG/SG, San Antonio Spurs: He took a big statistical leap in Year 2, and there remains room for more improvement. The best part is his ADP remains far too low.
Steve Alexander's five guys
Luka Doncic, PG, Los Angeles Lakers: Luka still hasn't won either the championship or MVP that I expected him to by now, and while I'm not sure Austin Reaves and Walker Kessler are enough to get him there, LeBron is gone and the Lakers are now officially Luka's team.
Cooper Flagg, SF/PF, Dallas Mavericks: Last year's Rookie of the Year campaign gives Flagg a very promising foundation and it should be fun to see him playing alongside Kyrie Irving. Flagg's usage rate will be sky high, but then again, so will his Average Draft Position (ADP).
Matas Buzelis, SF/PF, Chicago Bulls: Buzelis was my pick to become a breakout star last season and he came through, nearly doubling his production in scoring, rebounds and assists, while also showing great improvement across the board. He'll be just 22 years old when the season starts and a full breakout could be coming.
Dylan Harper, PG/SG, San Antonio Spurs: I'm not sure Harper has a great path to fantasy superstardom this year, but we all saw how great he looked in the playoffs last year. If Harper were guaranteed a starting job in San Antonio, I'd be drafting him incredibly early. As it stands, I'll draft him in the middle rounds, despite the uncertainty surrounding his role.
Caleb Wilson, SF, Chicago Bulls: Wilson looked amazing in Summer League and should have a starting role for the Bulls. His Vegas numbers (23.5 ppg, 7.3 rpg, 1.3 spg, 2.5 bpg) were eye-popping and he potentially looks like the most talented rookie in the league this season. Sign me up.
Jim McCormick's five guys
Alex Sarr, PF/C, Washington Wizards: Only Victor Wembanyama averaged at least two blocks and one steal per game last season. Sarr, to his crejdit, was just shy of both thresholds in a quietly strong second season. Now set to be a roll man and lob threat for Trae Young in a deeper and more dynamic Washington offense, Sarr's emergence as a statistical star could come sooner than you'd guess.
Nickiel Alexander-Walker, PG/SG, Atlanta Hawks: No longer merely Shai Gilgeous-Alexander's gifted cousin, Alexander-Walker is a rising two-way star who finished fourth in the entire league in made 3-pointers while tying for 20th steals last season. I don't buy the premise Alexander-Walker will merely settle into this new phase of his career, but rather continue to grow in a role that seems likely to expand.
Ty Jerome, PG/SG, Memphis Grizzlies: Likely lost in a messy year in Memphis is how well Jerome played in his debut season with the team. Sure, he was limited to just 15 games, but Jerome's production screams leap; career-best 19.7 points in just 22 minutes per game, good for an awesome 31.3 points per 36 minutes. Set with some special pick and roll partners in Cameron Boozer and Zach Edey, Jerome's steady ascent as an offensive force should continue in Tennessee this season.
Kel'el Ware, C, Milwaukee Bucks: As a snapshot of his statistical upside when empowered, Ware flirted with a rare triple-double last April against the Wizards, with seven blocks to go with 24 points and 19 boards. Gaudy numbers could unfold given the the Bucks will feature Ware as the primary roll man on offense and rim protector on defense.
Cameron Boozer, PF, Memphis Grizzlies: I think back to Chris Paul's epic rookie season that saw him deliver a top-20 overall fantasy line. Nearly 20 years later, Boozer is primed to deliver across multiple categories at outlier efficiency as the offensive hub for a rejuvenated, if young, Memphis roster.
Michael F. Florio's five guys
Amen Thompson, SG/SF, Houston Rockets: Thompson contributes in all categories and can swing defensive categories on his own. His scoring and shooting improved down the stretch last year, showing there is potentially another level he can reach.
Austin Reaves, PG/SG, Los Angeles Lakers: Reaves averaged 24.9 points, 7.0 assist and 5.3 rebounds in 17 games with Doncic and without LeBron James. He should thrive in the Robin role to Luka's Batman.
OG Anunoby, SF/PF, New York Knicks: Anunoby is capable of contributing across the board. We also saw in the playoffs that he can take his scoring to a higher level. He reached star status with the tip in in the Finals but reaches All-Star level in 2026-2027.
Dylan Harper, PG/SG, San Antonio Spurs: Harper showed out as a rookie in a limited role. He took his game to the next level in the NBA Finals. I believe he is the Spurs' best offensive player and will quickly reach star status in a larger role.
Cameron Boozer, PF, Memphis Grizzlies: The prized rookie should play plenty and get a lot of usage even as a rookie. He can contribute as a scorer, rebounder and brings sneaky defensive upside. His current ADP of 114 overall could be the lowest it will be for years to come.