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

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 with their new squads in fantasy basketball.

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

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

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

Tyler Herro – MIL
We’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 team. Even lottery teams generate production, and Herro has plenty of motivation for a big year. He’s entering free agency at the end of the 2026-27 season and should be highly driven to secure a lucrative new contract. The sharpshooter is also from Milwaukee, making this a true homecoming. Herro has averaged over 20 points per game in each of the last five seasons, but with more shot opportunities likely, approaching 25 points per game is certainly within reach. A career high in assists and 3-pointers is also on the table, making Herro a player to target especially in category league drafts—though he should also deliver strong value in High Score and standard points leagues.

Julius Randle – BKN
After sharing the offensive load with Anthony Edwards in Minnesota over the last two seasons and averaging just 14.5 shot attempts per game, expect Randle to return to his Knicks-era workload in Brooklyn. Over his final four seasons in New York, Randle averaged 23.3 PPG on 18.2 shot attempts per game. The durable big man earned All-Star honors three times in that span. Randle can easily reclaim that volume with a nearly clear path as a top offensive option alongside Michael Porter Jr. With his ability to fill the stat sheet in points, rebounds, and assists—while still being prone to turnovers—he is the perfect fit for High Score formats.

Kel’el Ware – MIL
Ware averaged 12.8 PPG and 10.7 RPG in 34 starts with the Heat last season. With the Bucks prioritizing evaluation of their young core, it’s very conceivable that Ware could win the starting power forward job over Kyle Kuzma. Regardless of who starts the season in the lineup, expect Ware to see career-high minutes after averaging just 22.2 MPG over his first two seasons in Miami. Ware also becomes extension-eligible after 2026-27, with this being his third NBA season—adding extra incentive for a standout year.

Walker Kessler – LAL
Kessler was on the verge of a breakout in Utah last season before a shoulder injury cut things short after just five games. Now in Los Angeles, he faces no real competition for minutes in the frontcourt, and with a new long-term contract extension, the Lakers clearly believe he’s ready to deliver an All-Star-caliber season in the purple and gold. Add in the fact that Kessler is exactly the type of roll-and-dive center Luka Dončić loves to throw lobs to, and this could be the perfect situation for the 25-year-old big man.

Norman Powell – CHI
Powell’s two best fantasy seasons have come in the last two years, split between the Clippers and Heat. Now at 33, he lands a fresh opportunity 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. Powell should operate as the No. 1 option in this young offense, and he’s been one of the league’s most efficient guards over the past couple of seasons—making him an ideal target in category leagues.

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