Fantasy Basketball: 5 Bounce-Back Candidates to Draft (2026)

The term “buy low” can mean so many different things in fantasy basketball. You can buy low on players who project to outperform their average draft position (ADP), young players being slept on or players everyone seems to be looking down on — or overlooked entirely

In this article, we’re focusing on a group of five players who experienced various hiccups last season, but possess the talent or opportunity to either return to their previous form or reach entirely new heights.

Let’s get started.

Fantasy Basketball Bounce-Back Candidates

Jalen Duren (C – DET)

Despite enjoying an All-NBA Third Team honors campaign, Jalen Duren’s abysmal postseason is reason enough to qualify him for this list.

Through Detroit’s 14 playoff games, Duren averaged just 10.2 points, 8.5 rebounds and 1.2 blocks across 30.1 minutes per game. For an ascending player who was poised to cash in this offseason, Duren remains engaged in a staring contest with Detroit brass as a restricted free agent.

You’d have to think that Duren will be hell-bent on improving in the coming season, considering Detroit’s refusal to commit to whatever figure he and his management are pitching. Whether it’s adding a perimeter shot or further developing his self-creation skills, Duren must make positive strides somewhere. The need to do so is mutually shared by both Duren and the Pistons.

Detroit’s roster is simultaneously filled with young talent and plagued by poor shooting. While Duren’s ascent — and pockets — rely on him taking a step forward, so too does Detroit’s offensive environment.

There’s no denying that Duren needs to bounce back.

Paolo Banchero (F – ORL)

A surface-level look at Paolo Banchero’s numbers from last season suggests he could’ve been an All-Star. In reality, it was an imbalanced year, sometimes marred by a blatantly bad scoring process. Banchero graded out as one of the worst volume shooters in the league. In response, Banchero’s PR has taken a pretty serious hit.

Now headed into his fifth season, the former first overall pick will play under new head coach Sean Sweeney after Jamahl Mosley was fired. A common critique of Mosley was his inability to produce a functional offense despite being well equipped with talent. Sweeney, albeit a defensive specialist himself, will bring a new voice and system to an Orlando squad in desperate need of both.

Of course, it won’t take just a head coaching change for Banchero to reshape his playstyle. Banchero must adjust his game to better suit his frame and inconsistent jumper.

As far as buy-low fantasy players go, Banchero presents a compelling case. There’s no denying his strength, athleticism and talent, but he needs to consistently apply those aspects of his game on a larger scale.

Jaren Jackson Jr. (F, C – UTA)

Jaren Jackson Jr.’s career has been rather quiet since being named the Defensive Player of the Year in 2023. In the seasons since, the 26-year-old has averaged 21.6 points, 5.6 rebounds and 2.7 stocks (steals plus blocks) through 188 games.

Oh, and Jackson is now a member of the Utah Jazz, in case you forgot. And no one would blame you if you did; he appeared in just three games for Utah last season before undergoing season-ending knee surgery.

The acquisition of Jackson in early February means Utah’s front office views him as a pillar of the team alongside Ace Bailey, Keyonte George, Lauri Markkanen and Darryn Peterson.

With Walker Kessler out of the picture following his move to L.A., Jackson is positioned to be Utah’s primary rim protector, a versatile defender and stretch big on offense. Should his injury recovery continue nicely, expect Jackson to return to his All-Star-caliber production in a hopefully healthy campaign.

Kel’el Ware (F, C – MIL)

What’s the best way to get out of Erik Spoelstra’s doghouse? Stop playing for Erik Spoelstra, of course.

Kel’el Ware experienced a volatile two seasons in Miami headlined by thunderous dunks, vicious rejections and the occasional slash to his minutes.

Part of the Giannis Antetokounmpo trade, Ware projects to compete with Myles Turner for the starting center job in Milwaukee. Though there could be a world in which both start. Ware, just 22, may have the upper hand in the battle considering he fits better within the Bucks’ timeline.

The flashes Ware showed in his 141 games with the Heat suggest he can become a solid starter in the NBA. However, that can only happen with more playing time, which results from greater effort—often cited as the reason for those doghouse visits.

The Indiana product has averaged 10.3 points, 8.3 rebounds, 1.8 stocks and 26 fantasy points per game in his career. Perhaps a change of scenery becomes the spark that ignites Ware’s motor. If not, it’s unclear what ever would.

Anthony Davis (F, C – WSH)

Along the same lines as Jaren Jackson in Utah, here’s your friendly reminder that Anthony Davis is a Washington Wizard. Even more shockingly, he may remain in Washington through the upcoming season, and could even sign an extension.

Davis was shipped to the nation’s capital in February in what could easily be described as a salary dump. A true fall from grace for a player who still flirts with being in top-15-player conversations when healthy. To that end, Davis has played 147 games of a possible 246 during the past three seasons. None of which have been for the Wizards.

Now that the bad is out of the way, here’s some good: Davis averaged 51.7 fantasy points per game in 2024 and 44 fantasy points per game last season. Davis will be fully entrusted with guiding and mentoring his new, younger Wizards teammates (preferably on the court rather than on the bench), and he’ll be playing in what should be his final major contract.

Using projected responsibility and financial motivations as primary reasons for forecasting a bounce back aren’t particularly sexy, but the future Hall-of-Famer will have had nine months to heal from his ailments by the time late October rolls around — and we know that Davis is still an effective player.