Age and injury eventually catch up to everyone in the NBA, and this group of veteran players is no exception. Their 2025-26 Yahoo ADPs are out of sync with their current outlooks heading into next season. Whether it’s persistent health issues, reduced roles or contract situations that could land them in less favorable spots, all 12 of these players are likely to be drafted much later — or not at all — in 2026-27 fantasy basketball leagues. Here’s why.
Anthony Davis — Washington Wizards, Yahoo ADP: 10
Anthony Davis was drafted eighth overall on Yahoo this season, but he turned out to be one of the most disappointing picks in fantasy basketball. With uncertainty about whether he’ll play for Washington or request a trade, and having played at least 60 games only once in the past six seasons at age 33, managers can no longer depend on him.
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He’s no longer a first-round option, and I expect him to drop into the mid-to-late second round moving forward.
Domantas Sabonis — Sacramento Kings, Yahoo ADP: 18
A perennial top-20 pick heading into this season, Sabonis was on pace to put up the lowest number of points, rebounds and assists in seven seasons. While I’m not concerned about Sabonis’s health, it’s more about the situation. Sacramento’s crowded offensive ecosystem — with Zach LaVine, DeMar DeRozan, Keegan Murray and Malik Monk all demanding touches — was already compressing Sabonis’s usage before a knee injury cost him 63 games.
He’s on an expensive $48 million expiring contract, so he’s unlikely to get traded and coming off a torn meniscus at 29 years old, Sabonis’ fantasy value won’t be worthy of a top-20 pick. Still, he’s one of the best passing bigs in the league, so I expect he’ll slide into the fourth round at least.
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Joel Embiid — Philadelphia 76ers, Yahoo ADP: 47
At this point, drafting Joel Embiid is simply a bet on luck. His Yahoo ADP of 47 already reflects several years of discounting, and it’s only going to continue to fall as he finished this past season playing in just 38 games.
Missing almost 50 games per year has become his baseline, so trusting Embiid is probably the most high-risk, high-reward move in fantasy. I don’t expect him to be drafted before the sixth round.
Kristaps Porziņģis — Free agent, Yahoo ADP: 52
Porziņģis is an unrestricted free agent. Between lower-extremity injuries and POTS, availability has been Porziņģis’ biggest issue in recent years. A return to the Warriors would be a good outcome for his fantasy value, but it appears unlikely, as they will prioritize getting younger.
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He can still provide blocks, 3s and scoring at under 25 minutes per game, but he’s far from a fifth-round grade. KP should be an eighth- or ninth-round guy at best.
Myles Turner — Milwaukee Bucks, Yahoo ADP: 52.8
I’m concerned about Turner. Even with Giannis Antetokounmpo on his way out of Milwaukee, Turner’s on/off splits with Giannis were nearly the same. Turner wasn’t productive offensively, and both his rebounding and defensive numbers tapered off compared to his time with the Pacers.
Turner finished outside the top-100 across High Score and 9-cat, so while he’s not that old (30), he could be nearing that decline phase of his career. I’m passing on Turner and expect him to go after the seventh round.
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Nikola Vučević — Free agent, Yahoo ADP: 53
Another unrestricted free-agent center clearly in decline, Vučević will have to land with a team willing to give him 30 minutes per night to regain even mid-round fantasy value. That scenario seems unlikely, making another timeshare — like his stint in Boston — the probable outcome.
No longer the reliable double-double machine, expect Vuč to slip outside the top-100 picks next season.
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Zach LaVine — Sacramento Kings, Yahoo ADP: 61.7
Much like Sabonis, LaVine faces stiff competition for touches in the Kings’ offense. Reaching a typical 20-4-4 stat line will be a challenge, making a sixth- or seventh-round ROI unlikely. While a trade would be ideal, his hefty contract — even in its final year — remains a significant obstacle.
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Deandre Ayton — Los Angeles Lakers, Yahoo ADP: 66
Ayton shot efficiently with the Lakers, but there are too many warning signs to trust him in fantasy drafts. Despite having an $8 million player option he’ll likely decline, his playoff benching for Jaxson Hayes exposed ongoing concerns about his effort and defensive commitment; issues also seen in Phoenix and Portland.
When Ayton isn’t involved offensively, he tends to check out. Given his track record, I’m steering clear of him in all formats.
Paul George — Philadelphia 76ers, Yahoo ADP: 79.3
PG is the hardest one to rank in this list of vets. I still think he has something in the tank. However, admitting that he needed to regain his explosion is concerning, coming from a 35-year-old who missed 25 games for violating the league’s anti-drug policy.
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I won’t be drafting him in the top-80, but even in a complementary role, he can still help fantasy managers in scoring, 3s and steals. Just don’t pay for the “PG of old” because he’s not that guy.
Jakob Pöeltl — Toronto Raptors, Yahoo ADP: 83.6
A lingering back injury hampered Pöeltl’s production much of the year, affecting his consistency and minutes. Pöeltl has been a dependable source of blocks, rebounds, field-goal percentage and low-end assists at center. Still, rookie Collin Murray-Boyle’s impressive postseason raises doubts about Pöeltl’s long-term role.
While I’m not writing him off entirely (especially with a healthy offseason), I’m not interested in his current ADP. If he slides in drafts and I need a big, he’s worth considering as a value pick.
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Draymond Green — Golden State Warriors, Yahoo ADP: 100
Green’s value is tied to Stephen Curry. When Curry gets hurt, Green’s value suffers. Green was far better in High Score (129th) than 9-cat (220th) because High Score didn’t factor in Draymond’s poor FG percentage and turnovers.
His defensive numbers are declining, too, making Green’s best asset his ability to generate assists. Golden State will endure some changes, but as it stands, Green won’t be a player I’m interested in drafting next year.
Klay Thompson — Dallas Mavericks, Yahoo ADP: 115.6
With Dallas ushering in a new front office and parting ways with Jason Kidd, significant changes are on the horizon. Given Thompson’s age and the team’s rebuilding direction, his tenure in Dallas is coming to an end. Thompson’s fantasy appeal has faded and outside of 3s, he offers little value. There’s no reason to draft him in any format.
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