2026-27 Fantasy Basketball Draft: Building a High Score Team Around Cooper Flagg

With the NBA regular season starting up next week, let's do another fantasy basketball draft today!

This time, we are doing a High Score League setup from Yahoo. There are 10 teams and I was randomly given pick No. 9. 

Each fantasy team gets 10 players, and each owner picks six players to start each week. You receive points for each starter's single highest-scoring game of the week.

There are six roster positions to fill: two guard spots, three forward/center slots and a utility spot. Let's see what we can come up with!

Get ready for the next fantasy basketball season by conducting mock drafts through FantasySP! Fantasy basketball ADP rankings are live for the 2026-27 season! 

Round 1 - Cooper Flagg

With my first pick, I went with the young star Flagg.

His rookie season saw him play in 70 games and average 21 points, 6.7 rebounds, 4.5 assists, 1.2 steals and 0.9 blocks. I see him improving in 2026-27, and that should lead to him being a top-end fantasy basketball asset, so I like getting him to lead my squad.

Round 2 - Tyrese Maxey

Maxey is a fun option in this type of league because of his big-game prowess.

He averaged 28.3 points, 6.6 assists, 4.1 rebounds, 1.9 steals and 0.8 blocks per game a season ago, so if he's healthy, he should be in my starting lineup all year. Maxey can erupt in any game, and despite more talent around him now, I still expect Maxey to thrive as a fantasy asset in 2026-27.

Round 3 - Evan Mobley

In Round 3, I started getting some non-guard help, and it started with Mobley.

Over 65 contests last year, he averaged 18.2 points, 9 rebounds, 3.6 assists, 1.7 blocks and 0.7 steals per contest. Mobley might not be a proficient scorer, but that double-double upside is super appealing, and gives him a strong floor. I like that kind of production in this type of format.

Round 4 - Bam Adebayo

Adebayo was another big man selected here in Round 4.

Across 73 games last season, he averaged 20.1 points, 10 rebounds, 3.2 assists, 1.2 steals and 0.7 blocks. For similar reasons to Mobley, I like drafting/rostering Bam in this kind of format. That double-double nightly upside is a big boost to this team, and I expect similar production despite the addition of Giannis Antetokounmpo in Miami.

Round 5 - Derrick White

I was looking for a forward or center here, but the value didn't feel great, so I landed on White instead.

The veteran guard appeared in 77 contests last season, averaging 16.5 points, 5.4 assists, 4.4 rebounds, 1.3 blocks and 1.1 steals per contest. That well-rounded stat sheet is perfect for him to possibly be my utility starter all season. I think he could improve his averages a bit with Jaylen Brown no longer around.

Round 6 - Desmond Bane

Bane is someone I considered with my last pick, so I was happy he fell a couple more spots.

Across 82 contests last season, Bane averaged 20.1 points, 4.1 rebounds and assists, 1 steal and 0.5 blocks per game. His averages could dip a bit with Orlando being healthier this year, but that daily availability is great to see, and I figure he'll slot into my lineup weekly.

Round 7 - Matas Buzelis

The Round 7 pick of Buzelis added another forward to my squad.

He broke out in his second NBA season, averaging 16.3 points, 5.8 rebounds, 2.1 assists, 1.5 blocks and 0.7 steals per game over 77 contests. I expect him to keep improving in 2026-27, and this could end up being one of the best value picks in the draft, while also becoming a weekly starter for me.

Round 8 - Michael Porter Jr.

Porter gave me another forward option to possibly use this coming season.

He only got in 52 games last year, but I'm not too worried about his availability going forward. 

Round 9 - Ja Morant

I wanted to take a swing on some high-upside guys late, and Morant is definitely that type of player.

He only has played 79 games over the past three seasons combined, but he can be an elite fantasy basketball asset when healthy, so why not take a chance on him with a later pick? I'm not counting on him to do much early on, but if he regains his old form, he could become a weekly starter, and one of the biggest draft steals in 2026-27.

Round 10 - Miles Bridges

Bridges is kind of a wild card as he prepares for his first season with Phoenix.

I think he has a solid outlook there. He averaged 17.1 points, 5.8 rebounds, 3.2 assists, 0.6 steals and 0.4 blocks over 77 games last year, and I'd be pretty happy with similar production in 2026-27. He is dealing with a right ankle injury, but again, I don't need him early on, so we'll see if this pick pays off for me down the line.

Final Thoughts

For never playing this fantasy format before, I feel pretty strong with my final roster.

Flagg and Maxey should be locked-in guard starters for me, and if they stay healthy, I like my team's chances overall. Bane, White and Morant are additional guard options on my roster, so I feel very strong in filling those two spots all season.

Flagg, Mobley, Adebayo, Bane, Buzelis, Porter and Bridges are all forward/center options, so I got plenty of options there too. I lack the elite talent after skipping those positions early, but I think I have a good group rostered.

Overall, this feels like a very strong team, and again, if I can stay pretty healthy, I like my chances with these players.