As we reach the midpoint of the 2025-26 NBA season, it’s time to hand out some hardware to the players who’ve delivered massive value to fantasy basketball managers. Whether they were early-round investments who paid off in spades or late-round fliers who turned into league-winners, these are the guys who’ve exceeded expectations and transformed fantasy rosters into championship contenders.
Fantasy Basketball MVP: Tyrese Maxey, Philadelphia 76ers
Let’s cut right to it — Tyrese Maxey is having an MVP-caliber season. The 76ers guard is the second-most rostered player on the top H2H public teams, and there’s a damn good reason why. With a preseason ADP of 17.6, Maxey has absolutely obliterated expectations by performing as a top-four player in fantasy. He’s averaging 30.2 points, 6.7 assists and 4.4 rebounds per game on 48/40/88 shooting splits while putting up All-NBA, career-best numbers across the board.
But quietly, here’s what’s been setting Maxey apart: his defense. Most haven’t realized that Maxey leads the league in total stocks, averaging 2.1 steals and 1.0 blocks per game. The dude is having a career year at the perfect time, and fantasy managers who snagged him in the second round are likely enjoying the view from the top.
Fantasy Rookie of the Year: Cooper Flagg, Dallas Mavericks
Cooper Flagg is doing exactly what everyone expected from the first overall pick — ballin’. The Duke product is the highest-ranked rookie across all fantasy league formats, averaging 18.8 points, 6.3 rebounds, and 4.1 assists per game. Yes, Dallas stinks, but that hasn’t mattered one bit for Flagg’s fantasy production.
The kid does everything. The stocks (2+ per game) and rebounding numbers are solid for his position and he ranks fourth in assists per game in his draft class. After Victor Wembanyama, it’s refreshing to see another No. 1 pick immediately translate to NBA success. Flagg has been a home run for fantasy managers who invested early-round capital in the rookie, and he’s only getting better as he adjusts to the NBA game.
Fantasy Breakout Player of the Year: Keyonte George, Utah Jazz
George came into the season with a 116 preseason ADP. Now, the Jazz guard is currently performing as a top-35 player in both 9-cat and points leagues, and he’s cracked the top-25 in High Score formats. The third-year breakout is real, as George ranked outside the top 200 as a rookie, hovered near 150 last season and now, he’s sitting pretty in the top 30 — just ridiculous growth from the dynamic combo guard.
George is posting career-highs in literally every major statistical category, averaging 23.8 points, 6.8 assists, 4.1 rebounds, 1.0 steals and 2.5 3s per game. His efficiency has improved dramatically and he’s become one of Utah’s most reliable offensive weapons. The 22-year-old guard deserves serious All-Star consideration, but even if he doesn’t make it, he’s already been a massive value for fantasy managers who took a chance on him in the double-digit rounds. This is the kind of breakout season that wins leagues.
Fantasy Defensive Player of the Year: Tyrese Maxey, Philadelphia 76ers
Hot take! While Victor Wembanyama and Alex Sarr certainly have cases for this award with their rim protection, I’m going off script and giving it to Maxey because of his availability and all-around defensive production at the season’s midpoint. He’s the only player in the league averaging at least two steals and one block per game. His defensive versatility for a guard has become genuinely special and an outlier for his position— doing Derrick White and SGA-type things on the defensive end of the floor.
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Robert Covington was the last player to average 2+ steals and 1+ blocks per game back in 2018-19 and Maxey is on pace to join that exclusive club. For fantasy purposes, these defensive stats elevate Maxey into one of the most complete fantasy assets in the game.
Top Waiver Wire Pickup: Kon Knueppel, Charlotte Hornets
Knueppel went undrafted in 72% of leagues before the season began and he’s been one of the most valuable commodities from free agency. The Hornets’ rookie is currently leading all first-year players in scoring at 19.1 points per game while shooting an absurd 49/44/89 shooting split.
But it’s the 3-point shooting that’s truly historic. Knueppel has already made 143 3s through 42 games and is on pace for a top-15 3-point season ever — let alone shattering Keegan Murray’s rookie record of 206. He reached 100 made 3s faster than any player in NBA history, doing it in just 29 games (12 games faster than the previous record holder).
Yes, Ryan Rollins deserves a mention here for his strong play with the Bucks, but Knueppel’s been the more consistent producer throughout the season. Plus, with Kevin Porter Jr. healthy and back in Milwaukee’s rotation, Rollins’ production has suffered. Meanwhile, Knueppel keeps getting better.
Beyond the shooting, he’s contributing decent rebounding numbers and underrated playmaking at 3.5 assists per game. He’s a solid contributor across most categories (except steals and blocks), and happens to be the sixth-most rostered player on the top public H2H teams in fantasy this season.
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