Can This Edwards and Johnson-Led Fantasy Basketball Roster Compete for a Championship?

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Here, I wanted to do another startup draft, and explain my reasoning as I make picks. I joined an actual Yahoo league for this one, so this draft includes real people, not a draft simulator.

I got the eighth pick in this 10-team points setup. The roster consists of the following starters: one point guard, shooting guard, guard, small forward, power forward, forward and two centers and utility spots. There are just three bench slots.

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Round 1 - Anthony Edwards

I like a lot of the players near the end of Round 1, but landed on Edwards.

He is a big-time scorer, but also takes on a handful of rebounds, assists, steals and blocks per game, so Edwards is a pretty well-rounded asset. I like him leading my fantasy guard room.

Round 2 - Jalen Johnson

I was stoked to get Johnson in Round 2, after considering him with my first pick.

Johnson is coming off a career season, and I believe another one is coming in 2026-27. He's a nightly double-double threat with points and rebounds, and with nearly eight assists per game, plus some steals and blocks, Johnson is a stellar fantasy forward to also build around.

Round 3 - Domantas Sabonis

I was hoping for a big man in this set of picks, and was happy to see Sabonis available here in Round 3.

He's looking to bounce back this coming season after only getting in 19 contests a year ago. When healthy, Sabonis is a triple-double threat, so that's obviously very appealing to a fantasy owner. I see him bouncing back and delivering great fantasy results, so in time, I expect this to be a value pick.

Round 4 - James Harden

I continued landing big names early on by selecting Harden here in Round 4.

His career might be winding down, but he's still a big-time fantasy asset, with points and assists being his top statistics. Harden adds enough rebounds, steals and blocks to provide good nightly results, and that's what you want from early draft picks.

Round 5 - Jaylen Brown

Brown remains a very good fantasy asset, even on a loaded Sixers' roster.

He's eligible at the 2/3/4 positions on Yahoo, which is also a nice bonus. Brown stuffs the stat sheet with points, rebounds and assists, and throwing in some occasional blocks and steals, he's a very well-rounded asset. While his fantasy outlook dips a bit on his new team, I still love his value here in Round 5.

Round 6 - Franz Wagner

Wagner is another draft pick I really like, but like Sabonis, he's looking for a bounceback campaign.

He played in just 34 games a season ago. If he can get back to the player he even was during the 2024-25 season, I'd be thrilled. Wagner averaged 24.2 points, 5.7 rebounds, 4.7 assists, 1.3 steals and 0.4 blocks per game in that season, which would add another really well-rounded player to my roster.

Round 7 - Zion Williamson

I continued adding well-rounded players by grabbing Williamson in Round 7.

He's coming off a season in which he played 62 games, but it seems he misses significant time every other year, so hopefully he bucks that trend in 2026-27. Anyways, Williamson is a solid source for points, and with several combined rebounds, assists, steals and blocks per game, he could be another good value pick for me.

Round 8 - De'Aaron Fox

Fox was a player I had my eyes on for a few rounds, and I finally selected him here in Round 8.

Between points and assists, Fox is a good fantasy asset, and he adds enough boards, steals and blocks to add more value to his name. He dropped way past his ADP, and I thought it was finally far past the time to take him, so I grabbed another guard for my squad.

Round 9 - AJ Dybantsa

I wanted to take a gamble on a rookie, and Dybantsa was the perfect one to select here in Round 9.

The top pick in the 2026 NBA Draft landed with the Wizards, which was a good landing spot. There's talent around him to take some of the pressure off, and I think it leads to a successful rookie campaign for Dybantsa

Round 10 - Josh Hart

I needed another forward so that I could give my roster some versatility, and Hart was the best option for that in Round 10.

He might not be the scorer that a lot of my other players are, but between points, rebounds, assists, steals and blocks, Hart can put up meaningful fantasy points on a nightly basis. Hart is usually a pretty healthy player too, but is coming off a year in which he only played 66 games, so I'm hoping he stays healthier in 2026-27.

Round 11 - Myles Turner

I needed another center, and Turner offered the most upside of anyone I was seeing.

Turner struggled in his first season with Milwaukee, but he could fair better this coming year with no Giannis Antetokounmpo around now. Even if he's unable to bounce back, Turner was a late enough pick that I wouldn't feel too bad dropping him, even early on.

Round 12 - Darryn Peterson

I grabbed another rookie here in Round 12 with Peterson. He was the No. 2 pick this offseason - how often do fantasy teams land the top-two picks the following season?

Anyways, I like his landing spot in Utah because there's some talent around him. It likely means his fantasy results, especially early on, are inconsistent, but I don't mind using one of my final picks to grab a potential high-upside pick. Now we wait and see if it's a gamble that will pay off big for me.

Round 13 - Wendell Carter Jr.

I decided to take another center in Round 13, as that was the position that I had the least amount of players at.

Carter isn't a huge fantasy asset, but who is at this point of a draft? He can provide some scoring and rebounding, while also tacking on some assists, steals and blocks here and there. He gives me another center option, but could be the first player I drop if there's a waiver wire option that catches my eye.

Final Thoughts

I really liked how this draft started for me, but felt that things faded late. Still, I really like my overall roster and believe I'm set up to compete for not only a playoff spot, but the title.

At point guard, I have Edwards, Harden, Fox as eligible options. There's plenty there to be excited for the season to come.

Edwards and Harden are also eligible at shooting guard, with Hart and Peterson as additional options. Again, I like the top-two options there, and the depth pieces are good options too.

I'm stacked with potential small forwards with Brown, Johnson, Wagner, Dybantsa and Hart. I think that could be my top position, if everyone stays pretty healthy.

Power forward is also loaded with Brown, Johnson, Sabonis, Wagner and Williamson as options. If there were positions to trade excess talent from, it'd likely be one of the forward spots.

Center is solid too with Sabonis, Williamson, Turner and Carter as options to start the season. That's where I feel weakest though, but a bounceback season from Turner could change my outlook there in a hurry.

I feel really good about that initial roster, and see some players on the waiver wire who I could turn to immediately if some of my later picks aren't delivering much early on. Of course, injuries will determine how strong this team could be, but I feel prepared to overcome a few ailments, at least.

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