Pair two players with chemistry in mind, then let the rest of your draft fall into place. This fantasy basketball guide uses Yahoo ADP to map the first 12 picks and identifies the best two-man fits to anchor your build in category leagues. Each pick comes with a dedicated pairing that amplifies scoring, rebounds, assists, and efficiency while planning for punted categories to maximize weekly upside.

From Booker with Durant to Jokic with Banchero, the article sketches a path where early duos shape the rest of the draft. It emphasizes balancing risk (FT% or three-pointers) against value across multiple categories, offering concrete pairings and viable alternates to keep your strategy flexible across different drafts.

Nick Nurse is installing a free-flowing offense for the 2025-26 season, aiming for more ball movement and off-ball action rather than heavy Embiid-Maxey pick-and-rolls. Through three preseason games, Philly emphasizes reps, buy-in, and a broader offensive palette as new pieces learn the system, with Grimes back and Embiid's health still a variable. A final tune-up versus Minnesota awaits before the regular season.

Maxey already notes progress in cohesion, crediting extra practice and Abu Dhabi camp reps for the growing chemistry. The win over Orlando and the depth questions highlighted as VJ Edgecombe sat show depth will test the system’s versatility. The early signals are promising: a more fluid, shared offense with a growing capability across the lineup as the team readies for the opener.

Kennedy Chandler sparked chatter for Philadelphia as he logged 16 points, 5 assists and 4 steals, his third straight double-digit preseason game. His pace, defense, and playmaking have made him a notable pulse in the Sixers’ rotation conversations, even as the team stumbles in games.

Chandler’s winding road—Memphis to Toronto’s G League affiliate, then Philly—frames him as a high-energy challenger for a roster spot. With the preseason wrapping against Minnesota before a season opener in Boston, his stock is climbing for fantasy managers eyeing late-round guard options.

His ascent could hinge on minutes and matchup usage; if he continues to flash multi-positional defense and secondary ball handling, he may carve out a niche in deeper leagues even if he isn’t a regular starter.

Andre Drummond rediscovered the joy of basketball after a brutal 2024-25 season defined by injuries and overthinking. He embraced a reset, focusing on serving the team and letting the game come to him instead of forcing production.

With a healthier Sixers roster and a renewed mindset, he’s happier, ready to do whatever helps the group win, and committed to playing the kid’s game with less pressure.

Philly pivots from last season’s chaos toward youth and athleticism. Embiid’s health and minutes loom as the defining risk, while a reshaped supporting cast—Edgecombe, Broome, Edwards—adds upside alongside Maxey’s growing two-way impact. Re-signings and shrewd, cheap adds hint at a faster, deeper rotation. If Embiid returns to form and health cooperates, the 2025-26 Sixers could contend, but durability remains the big question mark.

The fallout is a real fantasy pivot: younger wings with two-way potential, a better defensive profile, and a path to bigger minutes for Edgecombe and the two-way guards. The plan hinges on health and consistency, turning a nightmare season into a springboard for a more versatile, playoff-ready roster.