From Giannis to Ja Morant, Worst Fantasy Basketball Picks by Round

These players sank fantasy basketball teams in the 2025-26 NBA season

Apr. 9, 2026 at 2:35pm

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A fractured, geometric painting depicting various NBA players in action, their forms broken down into sharp, overlapping planes of vibrant colors representing the teams mentioned in the story.A cubist interpretation of the fantasy basketball season's biggest disappointments, deconstructing the struggles of top-drafted players.Today in Milwaukee

Dan Titus reviews the single worst fantasy basketball pick from each of the first 10 rounds of the 2025-26 NBA season, based on Yahoo Fantasy Basketball ADP. Players like Giannis Antetokounmpo, Domantas Sabonis, Ja Morant, and more failed to live up to their draft position, sinking many fantasy teams.

Why it matters

Knowing which players to avoid in fantasy basketball drafts is crucial to building a competitive team. This analysis highlights the biggest busts by round, helping fantasy managers learn from the mistakes of the past season and make more informed picks going forward.

The details

Titus breaks down the disappointing seasons of top fantasy picks like Giannis Antetokounmpo, Domantas Sabonis, Jalen Williams, Franz Wagner, Ja Morant, Myles Turner, Walker Kessler, Jordan Poole, Cam Thomas, and Bradley Beal. Issues like injuries, poor team fit, and lack of production plagued these players, causing them to drastically underperform their average draft position.

  • The 2025-26 NBA season just concluded.

The players

Giannis Antetokounmpo

A star player for the Milwaukee Bucks who struggled with injuries, trade rumors, and a decline in production this past season.

Domantas Sabonis

A forward for the Sacramento Kings who missed significant time due to a torn meniscus and ineffective team fit.

Jalen Williams

A young guard for the Oklahoma City Thunder who missed extended time with wrist and hamstring injuries.

Franz Wagner

A forward for the Orlando Magic who was limited to just 38% of games due to lingering ankle issues.

Ja Morant

A star guard for the Memphis Grizzlies whose production and efficiency declined amidst trade rumors and the team's offensive scheme.

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What they’re saying

“Between the front office drama, never-ending trade rumors and injuries, Giannis was a bust this season.”

— Dan Titus, Fantasy Basketball Analyst

“Sabonis isn't used as effectively as he was under Mike Brown in recent years.”

— Dan Titus, Fantasy Basketball Analyst

What’s next

With the 2025-26 season in the books, fantasy managers will need to carefully evaluate these busts and adjust their draft strategies accordingly for the upcoming year. Monitoring player movement, team fit, and injury history will be crucial to avoiding these types of high-profile letdowns.

The takeaway

This analysis provides valuable lessons for fantasy basketball managers, highlighting the importance of thoroughly researching players, considering team context, and being willing to pivot away from high-profile names that fail to meet expectations. Avoiding these types of busts can make the difference between a successful fantasy season and one that falls short of expectations.