Sports

Five Players I'm Letting Someone Else Draft This Season

By Sam Amico Athlon Sports

Updated July 14, 2026 5:49 AM

Every fantasy draft has that moment. An NBA player you used to love is sitting there.

The clock is ticking. Everyone in the room is waiting to see if you'll pull the trigger. Sometimes I do.

But these five guys? I'm letting someone else make that pick.

That doesn't mean I think they're bad players. It doesn't mean they won't have good nights. It simply means their situations have changed enough that I don't love where they're likely to be drafted.

Here are five players I'm fading heading into the 2026-27 fantasy season.

Deandre Ayton

The Walker Kessler Trade Changed Everything

This one feels pretty straightforward.

The Lakers didn't trade for Walker Kessler to have him come off the bench.

They brought him in because Luka Doncic thrives with rim-running, shot-blocking centers, and Kessler checks every box.

So Deandre Ayton was shipped out, again, this time to the Wizards. Now he'll be battling Alex Sarr and even Anthony Davis for frontcourt minutes.

Maybe he starts the season in a timeshare. Maybe the Wizards eventually move him.

Either way, I don't see a path back to consistent fantasy production unless something changes.

Someone in your league will remember the old Ayton. I'm remembering him landing in a spot where minutes could be scarce.

Gradey Dick

I Just Don't See Enough Minutes

I've always liked Gradey Dick's shooting. I'm just not sure I like his opportunity anymore.

Landing with the Clippers sounds good until you start looking at the depth chart.

Darius Garland is going to have the ball. Bennedict Mathurin is going to play (assuming he re-signs, and I believe he will).

The Clippers also have other young players they want to develop.

That doesn't leave many easy minutes for Dick.

Yes, injuries could change everything, and perhaps quickly. Dick has been pretty good when given the chance.

But I'm drafting based on today's roster, not the roster I hope exists in February.

RJ Barrett

Somebody Has to Give Up Touches

Here's the problem with adding Kawhi Leonard: He's going to have the ball. A lot.

Toronto didn't bring him back to stand in the corner. That means somebody else's opportunities are going away.

When I look at the Raptors, RJ Barrett is the player I'm most worried about.

He'll still score. He'll still have some really nice nights. I just don't think he'll see enough volume to justify where I expect him to be drafted.

In deeper leagues? Sure.

As one of my primary wings? I'll pass.

Scoot Henderson

Too Many Guards, Not Enough Basketball

I actually feel for Scoot Henderson. This isn't really about him. It's about the situation.

Portland now has Ja Morant. Damian Lillard is back. Jrue Holiday is still around. That's a crowded backcourt.

Scoot may eventually become an excellent fantasy player. I just don't think this is the year.

In dynasty leagues, I'd still be interested.

In redraft? I'm letting somebody else take the gamble.

Bobby Portis

The Minutes Just Aren't There

I've won fantasy leagues with Bobby Portis on my roster.

He's one of those players who always seems to produce whenever he's given enough minutes.

That's the issue. I'm not sure those minutes exist anymore.

Miami now has Giannis Antetokounmpo and Bam Adebayo occupying most of the frontcourt. Unless one of them misses time, Portis is looking at a bench role.

Could he still give you points and rebounds in limited action? Absolutely.

Would I spend a middle-round pick to find out? No thanks.

If he falls to the very late rounds, I'm interested. Before then, somebody else can have him.

My Biggest Fade

If I had to pick just one name from this list, it'd be Ayton. The Wizards told us exactly what they think when they gave up next to nothing to get him.

Fantasy managers should listen.

That doesn't mean Ayton can't bounce back somewhere else if he's traded again.

As things stand today, though, I'm not drafting based on trades that haven't happened. I'm drafting the situation in front of me.

It's All About Today

One thing I've learned playing fantasy basketball is this:

Don't draft yesterday's opportunity. Draft today's.

Deandre Ayton, Gradey Dick, RJ Barrett, Scoot Henderson and Bobby Portis all have enough talent to help fantasy teams.

I'm just not convinced they'll have enough opportunity.

Could one of them prove me wrong? Absolutely.

That's part of fantasy sports.

But if I'm sitting in my draft room and these names come up, I'm perfectly comfortable letting someone else make the pick while I look elsewhere.

Sometimes the best draft decision is the player you don't take.

Questions About Players To Fade, Answered

Which fantasy basketball players should I avoid drafting in 2026-27?

The five players featured as fades are Deandre Ayton, Gradey Dick, RJ Barrett, Scoot Henderson and Bobby Portis. Each is facing a situation where expected opportunity, minutes or touches appear less favorable than their perceived fantasy value, making them players to let another manager select instead.

Why is Deandre Ayton a fade for 2026-27 fantasy basketball?

Deandre Ayton lands in a situation where consistent minutes are difficult to project. After being moved to the Wizards, he is expected to compete for frontcourt playing time, and there is no clear path back to dependable fantasy production unless his situation changes significantly.

Does the Kawhi Leonard trade hurt RJ Barrett's fantasy value?

Yes. Kawhi Leonard's arrival creates additional competition for offensive opportunities in Toronto. With Leonard expected to handle a large share of possessions, RJ Barrett is viewed as the player most likely to lose enough volume to reduce his fantasy appeal at his expected draft cost.

Is Scoot Henderson still a good fantasy basketball pick after the Ja Morant trade?

Scoot Henderson remains an intriguing long-term player, especially in dynasty formats, but his short-term fantasy outlook is much less appealing. Portland's crowded backcourt makes it difficult to project enough playing time and opportunity for him to justify being selected in typical redraft leagues.

This story was originally published July 14, 2026 at 5:30 AM.