Fantasy Basketball Risers and Fallers: Lendeborg, Bailey, Buzelis, and More

A little over a week into the NBA regular season, it's a good time to discuss some rising and falling fantasy basketball players.

We have six players to go over, so let's dive into things!

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Players Rising

Yaxel Lendeborg - Golden State Warriors

Lendeborg is a big riser after the first week-plus of his career. He's now owned in all fantasy leagues.

Over his first five games, he's averaging 22.6 points, 9.2 rebounds, 4 assists, 1 steal and 0.6 blocks. That's really good fantasy production, and he's just getting started.

The rookie already looks pretty comfortable, and his value could grow from here, so he's definitely a good trade target. He will cost a bit, but he could still improve from here, so I think it's a move worth making.

Ace Bailey - Utah Jazz

Bailey is owned in 94.74% of leagues right now and is now a top-100 fantasy player on the trade chart. 

Across five games (four starts), Bailey is averaging 14.2 points, 8 rebounds, 2.4 assists and 1.6 blocks per contest. He's played 29.8 minutes per game, giving him ample time to produce for fantasy owners.

He had a pretty good rookie year in 2025-26 and has improved his numbers pretty much across the board so far. He'll be owned in all leagues shortly and he's a candidate to keep producing all season. Utah is also dealing with some early-season injuries, which ups Bailey's fantasy outlook.

He's another player who will cost a bit to trade for today, but I think his value could keep rising, so it's another move I'd be interested in making.

Davion Mitchell - Miami Heat

Mitchell is almost inside the top 100 after a hot start to the season. He's rostered in 96.99% of leagues right now.

Across five games this season, Mitchell is averaging 34 minutes, 16.4 points, 7.6 assists, 1.2 steals, 0.8 rebounds and 0.6 blocks. Those are easily the best numbers of his six-year career, so he was a big-time waiver wire add early on - now he's nearly owned in all leagues.

If he keeps producing, his trade value will keep rising, so he's another one to go after now before it costs even more to acquire him. Mitchell should keep things rolling since Miami isn't dealing with many notable injuries, so look to buy into Mitchell instead of trying to sell him high.

Players Dropping

Matas Buzelis - Chicago Bulls

Buzelis is falling down the trade chart after a bit of a slow start to the 2026-27 season. He's owned in 97.24% of leagues now.

He's started all five of the team's games, but his minutes have varied wildly. Buzelis is averaging 26.4 minutes a night, along with 14.6 points, 4.4 rebounds, 2 assists, 0.8 blocks and 0.6 steals.

He's actually regressed a bit from last season, so it makes sense to see him trending down as a fantasy asset. I still believe in Buzelis, so I see him as a buy-low candidate.

It will still cost quite a bit to acquire Buzelis, but you could trade a player who started the season hot for him. In time, I expect Buzelis' numbers to rise, so buy into him before that actually happens.

Payton Pritchard - Boston Celtics

Pritchard is down to 95.99% owned after a sluggish start to the season.

He's come off the bench, but averaged 26 minutes a night over the team's first four games, so he's playing enough for fantasy relevance. Pritchard is averaging 13.3 points, 3.8 assists, 2 rebounds, 0.5 steals and 0.3 blocks.

The points are at a good mark for fantasy owners, but he's not providing much else, so I understand why he's falling as a fantasy asset. His numbers have regressed from last season, but it's his role/minutes that should alarm you most.

Pritchard's usage and role could improve in time, but with some doubt in my mind, I'd not target him as a buy-low player. If you were looking to trade for Pritchard, I'd let several more games go by, so his value has a chance to solidify, potentially making it easier for you to acquire him for cheap.

DeMar DeRozan - Denver Nuggets

DeRozan has fallen outside the top-100 players on the trade chart. He's way down to 84.21% owned at the moment.

He's come off the bench and logged 26.5 minutes a night, so he too is playing enough to be a decent fantasy asset. DeRozan is averaging 13 points, 2.8 rebounds, 2.5 assists, 1 steal and 0.3 blocks per contest.

His role on his new team is something he's not used to, and it's drained most of his fantasy value. DeRozan might stick as a deep-league fantasy asset only this season, especially if he keeps coming off the bench.

That means now isn't the time to buy low on DeRozan - again, I'd wait longer for his numbers to solidify, so that you can get the veteran for a lower price. He's likely to be a better deep-league asset, so don't look into acquiring him in standard leagues at this time.