As the 2025-26 NBA season nears its midpoint, the stakes are rising for fantasy basketball managers nationwide. With millions participating in the popular pastime, optimizing rosters requires staying ahead of player performance and strategic trends. Headlinez.news spoke with two analysts from the Yahoo NBA High Score Creator League to break down current top performers and offer insights into building a winning fantasy team.
Nikola Jokić and Shai Gilgeous-Alexander are currently ranked No. 1 and No. 6, respectively, in Yahoo fantasy basketball this season.
With the 2025-26 NBA season approaching its midpoint, fantasy basketball managers are locked in a fierce battle for supremacy. Two experts from the Yahoo NBA High Score Creator League weighed in on key questions from fans looking to optimize their rosters, offering insights into the hottest players and strategic team building.
Who is the ultimate fantasy cheat code this season?
Dan Titus, Yahoo Fantasy Analyst: Shai Gilgeous-Alexander stands out. While Nikola Jokić is the obvious choice, SGA is a force. The reigning MVP consistently delivers a 30-5-6 stat line and is a disruptive defensive presence, averaging 2.2 stocks per game. His efficiency and all-around production make him a top-3 pick in any format.
Lucas Burns, NBA In Depth: No matter the league or settings, Nikola Jokić is the only answer. Every year, I anticipate a slight decline with age and workload, but he continues to defy expectations. He still boasts the highest PER of all time and can put up a staggering 26-12-12 in just 25 minutes without raising an eyebrow.
What’s your take on stacking multiple players from the same team?
Dan Titus, Yahoo Fantasy Analyst: I’m all for pairing players from the same team. I often look to combine guards with centers, targeting teams with strong assist duos. This year, I stacked Cade Cunningham and Jalen Duren. Last year, I successfully paired James Harden and Ivica Zubac. A strong pick-and-roll point guard alongside an efficient finisher near the rim can be a winning strategy in fantasy basketball.
Lucas Burns, NBA In Depth: I tend to approach fantasy as a way to deepen my fandom, so I prefer having representation from as many teams as possible to stay engaged with the league. However, in the High Score format, it likely doesn’t matter much, as later-round picks rarely crack your starting lineup. The goal is to consistently have your starters outperform those selections or discover a hidden gem on the waiver wire.
Bonus question: If you could add any retired player to your fantasy squad, who would it be?
Dan Titus, Yahoo Fantasy Analyst: Everyone would want Michael Jordan, but I’m going with Hakeem Olajuwon. His prime mirrored the modern game, particularly with players like Victor Wembanyama, making him a fantasy powerhouse.
Lucas Burns, NBA In Depth: Wilt Chamberlain is the clear choice. A seven-year peak averaging 40 points and 25 rebounds per game would be game-changing and would undoubtedly make him the No. 1 overall pick in any fantasy league.
