While we’re still a few weeks away from NBA training camps opening, it’s never too early to begin the fantasy draft process. With that in mind, we’ll be taking a weekly look at some of the changes to the average draft position (ADP) of players. The data used comes from Yahoo! Sports, and we’ll kick things off with players whose draft positions have increased over the last seven days.
📈 ADP Risers
G Davion Mitchell, Miami Heat (+15)
A look at the projected Heat depth chart helps explain why Mitchell has moved up draft boards over the last week. The trade that sent Giannis Antetokounmpo to Miami required the franchise to give up Jaime Jaquez Jr., Tyler Herro and Kasparas Jakučionis, players who ranked second, third and seventh on the team in assists last season. That leaves Mitchell and Dru Smith, who averaged 16.3 minutes per game last season, as the point guards on the Heat roster. It’s possible that Miami looks to get another low-cost veteran to add depth to the position, but Mitchell may need to play more than the 28.6 minutes he averaged in 2025-26. Also, playing in a lineup that includes Giannis and Bam Adebayo could boost Mitchell’s defensive value.
G/F Cason Wallace, Oklahoma City Thunder (+13)
Like Mitchell, Wallace’s ADP has been impacted by roster changes. This offseason, the Thunder bid farewell to starter Luguentz Dort (Atlanta) and reserves Isaiah Joe (Detroit) and Aaron Wiggins. That leaves Wallace, who started 58 games last season, and Ajay Mitchell to absorb many of those minutes. Given how many games he’s started over the last two years (101), Wallace is the likely fifth starter, thus raising his fantasy ceiling.
G Tyrese Haliburton, Indiana Pacers (+8)
Players coming off of significant injuries are always worth keeping an eye on during the early stages of draft season. Haliburton did not play at all in 2025-26 after rupturing his Achilles during Game 7 of the 2025 NBA Finals, robbing the league of an exciting player and fantasy managers of someone who could offer consistent first-round value. Haliburton has a clean bill of health, and despite any potential early-season injury management, he’s worth investing in heavily.
G Anthony Edwards, Minnesota Timberwolves (+8)
To create a new backcourt partnership, the Timberwolves had to give up some key pieces this offseason. LaMelo Ball was acquired from the Hornets, while Naz Reid (Charlotte) and Julius Randle (Brooklyn) were moved via trade. Even with Ball’s strengths, Reid and Randle’s departures mean Minnesota will need even more from Edwards. Also, Ball’s injury history may be affecting Ant-Man’s ADP. LaMelo appeared in 65 games or more just twice in his first six seasons, playing 72 in 2025-26. The need to account for a potential extended absence for Ball at some point boosts Edwards’ fantasy value.
C Donovan Clingan, Portland Trail Blazers (+4)
The Trail Blazers have a lot of bodies on the perimeter, but Jrue Holiday and Toumani Camara may be the lone “plus” defenders of the group. As a result, more may be required of their rim protectors, most notably Clingan, in 2026-27. He’s averaged 1.7 blocks per game through two seasons, and Clingan led the NBA in offensive rebounds per game in 2025-26 (4.5). With guys like Damian Lillard, Ja Morant and Deni Avdija dominating the ball, Clingan (8.9 FGA per game last season) will likely need that rebounding prowess to keep his scoring up, and he’s capable.
Competing in a bigger league comes with unique challenges, including deciding when to reach for a player.
📉 ADP Fallers
C Ryan Kalkbrenner, Charlotte Hornets (-7)
While Kalkbrenner had a solid rookie season overall, his production and playing time decreased after the All-Star break. Moussa Diabaté making the starting center job his own played a big role, but changes to the Hornets roster may also be affecting Kalkbrenner’s early ADP. Charlotte acquired Naz Reid as part of the LaMelo Ball trade and used one of their first-round picks on former Washington center Hannes Steinbach, the best rebounder in the incoming rookie class. Kalkbrenner’s shot-blocking and field-goal percentage will keep him in the conversation, but the fantasy ceiling has been lowered.
F Julian Champagnie, San Antonio Spurs (-7)
A major topic of conversation after the Spurs’ run to the NBA Finals was Dylan Harper‘s role, and how it may expand in the years to come. De’Aaron Fox, who struggled during the Finals, is on a max deal, and Stephon Castle has quickly established himself as one of the best perimeter defenders in the NBA. So, if the Spurs are to get Harper more minutes, who may pay the price? Champagnie, who started 68 games last season, could see his opportunities decrease after averaging 27.6 minutes per game. Another factor is the Spurs’ signing of Tobias Harris, which gives the team another option at forward.
G/F Deni Avdija, Portland Trail Blazers (-6)
Avdija is coming off the best season of his NBA career, having established new highs in points, assists and three-pointers. However, fantasy managers have to consider that Portland did not have Damian Lillard (Achilles) at all, and Scoot Henderson (hamstring) did not make his season debut until early February. Add in the offseason acquisition of Ja Morant, and there will be at least three on-ball playmakers for new head coach Micah Nori to account for. Shaedon Sharpe‘s knee injury frees up perimeter minutes, but Avdija’s usage will likely take a hit, and his ADP may reflect that anticipation.
G Tyler Herro, Milwaukee Bucks (-5)
This is an interesting one. While Herro is a proven scorer, he’s coming off a season in which he played 33 games and is joining a new team after spending his first seven years in Miami. With no Giannis Antetokounmpo, this could be a spot where Herro gets to establish himself as a franchise cornerstone in the final year of his contract. However, the Bucks welcome back Ryan Rollins, Kevin Porter Jr. and Gary Trent Jr., and they used one of their two lottery picks on Arizona guard Brayden Burries. That may explain why Herro’s ADP has decreased over the last week.
C Jalen Duren, Detroit Pistons* (-3)
The asterisk is next to Duren because he and the Pistons still haven’t agreed to a new deal. Recent reports say the center is more open to signing his $9.6 million qualifying offer, which would make him an unrestricted free agent next summer, but that comes with significant risk. And if the two sides do agree to an extension, will the hard feelings linger? Fantasy-wise, Duren was excellent last season, and the path to maintain that level of production (top-50 value in eight- and nine-cat formats, as well as points leagues) is certainly there. But uncertainty around Duren makes him challenging for some fantasy managers to evaluate right now.
Read the full article here
