The rookies to target in drafts this season

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 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. 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. Cameron Boozer, PF, Memphis Grizzlies: The third overall pick in the NBA draft has been the betting favorite to win NBA Rookie of the Year since draft night and sits at +300 to win at DraftKings. He was a 20-10 big man in college, but he is also a strong passer who scores efficiently and can knock down the 3-pointer. In his first three NBA preseason games, Boozer scored double-figures and produced strong per-minute rebound and assist totals in all three outings. The Grizzlies traded former franchise player Ja Morant this offseason, opening the way for Boozer to be the centerpiece of their rebuilding efforts. Boozer currently ranks top 70 in points leagues and top 80 in categories, just above his ADP in points leagues and right on his ADP in categories. Caleb Wilson, PF, Chicago Bulls: Wilson was among four rookies in consideration for the top overall pick in the NBA draft and went fourth overall. Coming out of college, Wilson was considered an elite athlete at power forward who would be a strong defender, rebounder and finisher at the next level. But he showed up at the Las Vegas Summer League with an entirely new skill set that changes his ceiling: 3-point shooting. Wilson opened eyes by knocking down seven 3-pointers in his summer league debut against Boozer's Grizzlies, and he has continued to show that the 3-pointer will be a strong part of his game moving forward. In his first three NBA preseason games, Wilson has averaged 17.7 PPG and 2.0 3PG in 28.7 MPG. Wilson's strong projections in the defensive and 3-point shooting categories have him slightly higher in the category rankings than points (top 60 versus top 80), with Wilson ranking as the top rookie in both scoring formats. Late-round prospects Darius Acuff Jr. (ADP 105.2), Darryn Peterson (ADP 108.4) and Yaxel Lendeborg (ADP 129.1) have been getting drafted in the later rounds of fantasy leagues. Darryn Peterson, SG, Utah Jazz: Peterson was considered by many to be the best prospect in this NBA draft and was in the debate with Dybantsa for the No. 1 pick before going second overall. Peterson is an electric scoring combo guard with the size and skill set that hint at potential superstardom if his game matures. Of the top four picks, Peterson may have both the highest ceiling and the lowest floor. In his first two preseason games, both starts, Peterson popped for 23 points in 30 minutes of a game with Lauri Markkanen out and both Keyonte George and Jaren Jackson Jr. playing monitored minutes, but managed only three points in 22 minutes in the other game when Markkanen played. Peterson's wider range of expected outcomes, in addition to his inefficiency as a volume scorer, contribute to him having lower fantasy projections than his other top-four classmates. He ranks top 110 in points leagues, right at his ADP, and top 130 in category leagues. He is a late-round fantasy draft prospect with the upside to provide fantasy starter numbers in the best-case scenario. Darius Acuff Jr., PG, Sacramento Kings: Acuff was a high-volume lead guard in a unipolar offense in college and was drafted into a similar situation in the NBA. Acuff is slated to be the starting point guard for a Kings squad in full rebuild mode and should have plenty of opportunities to produce points, assists and 3-pointers in quantity from opening tip. Acuff struggled a bit with his efficiency and turnovers in the Las Vegas Summer League, leading to some questions about how his game might initially translate to the pro level. But he has had an impressive preseason so far, dropping 19 points in 27 minutes in his debut and following that up with a 25-point, eight-assist explosion in his third game. Acuff ranks in the top 100 in points leagues, slightly above his current ADP, while the efficiency questions have him more like top 130 in category rankings. But if Acuff's game translates to the pros quicker than expected, he also has fantasy starter upside. Yaxel Lendeborg, F, Golden State Warriors: Identified early as a potential Day 1 starter for the Golden State Warriors, Lendeborg consistently impressed this offseason to lock down that role. He is a do-everything combo forward who was the main offensive option for last season's NCAA National Champion Michigan Wolverines. He brings youthful energy and production to an otherwise veteran Warriors starting lineup. Lendeborg grabbed at least nine rebounds in each of his first three NBA preseason games, and after notching only four points in his debut he scored 17 and 23 in the subsequent two games. That volume is higher than his offseason projections, which is why his preseason rankings in both points and category leagues reflect more of a "prospect to watch" than "fantasy draft pick." Based on his preseason performance, I consider him worth strong consideration in the later rounds of fantasy drafts. Worthy of draft consideration/free agents to watch There are several other members of this rookie class worth either fantasy draft consideration or a prime slot on the "free agents to watch" list. Some other names to consider: Mikel Brown Jr was the fifth overall pick and showed flashes of strong play at the Las Vegas Summer League. He has missed the preseason so far due to an ankle injury, but he still projects to start next to Egor Demin in the Brooklyn Nets' backcourt. Keaton Wagler was the sixth overall pick and is one of the elite shooters from this draft. He has been coming off the bench in the preseason for the LA Clippers, but this is a team in full rebuild mode, so I wouldn't be surprised if he shoots himself into a larger role as the season goes along. Kingston Flemings is a highly thought of point guard who was drafted to an Atlanta Hawks squad with playoffs aspirations and a veteran three-guard starting rotation. It is hard to see where Flemings could get enough minutes to be a fantasy impact player to start his career, but if the situation arises where he gets starter minutes, he has fantasy impact upside. Dallas Mavericks PF Morez Johnson Jr. and Milwaukee Bucks SG Brayden Burries are both lottery rookies who have been dealing with injuries and currently have roles off the bench for their respective teams. Oklahoma City Thunder C Aday Mara and Charlotte Hornets PF Hannes Steinbach are bigs that seem poised to be the main backups on their new teams, though Mara has played well enough in the preseason to generate some attention. Cleveland Cavaliers SG Meleek Thomas, a second-round pick, led the Las Vegas Summer League in scoring at 27.3 PPG and has played a lot in the preseason as he fights for a rotation role.