NBA Fantasy: Players Poised to Break Out With Their New Teams

Basketball News 02-Sep-2026
Basketball

Fantasy NBA Fantasy: Players Ready to Take a Leap on New Teams

Players who switched teams during the NBA offseason and are primed for breakout seasons in fantasy basketball.

Steve Inman, NBA.com
September 1, 2026 8:21 PM

Both Tyler Herro and Julius Randle should see plenty of shot attempts as the No. 1 options on their new teams. Play Yahoo Fantasy High Score Today!

Itā€™s been another busy offseason, with stars moving across the NBA. There has been extensive discussion about the fits of players like Giannis Antetokounmpo in Miami and Jaylen Brown and LeBron James in Philadelphia, but for a moment, letā€™s shift focus to the next tier of players who changed teams this summer. Selecting a few from this group could deliver you the 2026-27 fantasy championship if their roles expand as expected.

Tyler Herro ā€“ MIL
Weā€™ve already seen Tyler Herro as an All-Star, but this could be his best statistical season yet. Herro is clearly the No. 1 option on this rebuilding Bucks squad. Even lottery teams produce fantasy-relevant players, and Herro has plenty of motivation for a career year. Heā€™s entering the final season of his contract and will be highly motivated to earn a lucrative new deal. The sharpshooter is also from Milwaukee, making this a homecoming. Herro has averaged over 20 points per game in each of the last five seasons, but with more shots likely available, approaching 25 PPG is certainly possible. A career high in assists and three-pointers is also on the table, making Herro a priority target in category leaguesā€”while still offering strong value in High Score and standard points formats.

Julius Randle ā€“ BKN
After splitting the offensive load with Anthony Edwards in Minnesota over the past two seasons and averaging just 14.5 shot attempts per game, expect Randle to return to his Knicks-era workload in Brooklyn. In his final four seasons in New York, Randle averaged 23.3 PPG on 18.2 shot attempts per game, earning three All-Star selections. With a nearly clear path as a top offensive option alongside Michael Porter Jr., Randle should easily reclaim that usage. He stuffs the stat sheet in points, rebounds, and assists but remains turnover-proneā€”making him a perfect fit for High Score formats.

Kelā€™el Ware ā€“ MIL
Ware averaged 12.8 PPG and 10.7 RPG in 34 starts last season with the Heat. With the Bucks prioritizing young player development, itā€™s very plausible Ware wins the starting power forward job over Kyle Kuzma. Regardless of who starts opening night, expect Ware to see a career-high in minutes after averaging just 22.2 MPG in his first two seasons in Miami. Ware is also extension-eligible after 2026-27, adding extra incentive for a breakout third season.

Walker Kessler ā€“ LAL
Kessler was on the verge of a breakout in Utah last season before a shoulder injury cut his campaign short after just five games. Now in Los Angeles, he faces little competition for minutes in the frontcourt, and with a new long-term extension, the Lakers clearly believe heā€™s ready to deliver an All-Star-caliber season. Add in the fact that Kessler is exactly the type of rim-running center Luka Dončić loves to throw lobs to, and this could be the perfect landing spot for the 25-year-old big man.

Norman Powell ā€“ CHI
Powellā€™s two best fantasy seasons have come over the past two years with the Clippers and Heat. Now 33, he lands a prime role on a rebuilding Bulls team with plenty of shot volume available. With Josh Giddey running the point, expect Powell to feast on open looks from beyond the arc. He should operate as the No. 1 option in this young offense and has been one of the leagueā€™s most efficient guards in recent seasonsā€”making him an ideal target in category leagues.

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