Basketball Fantasy Analysis
NBL and EuroLeague fantasy analysis, SuperCoach, waivers, rankings and player insight.
More Fantasy insights coverage · Page 7
More Fantasy insights stories
NBL27 Fantasy Draft Waiver Wire Round 5: Johnson, Armstrong and the PJC Replacement Trap
Round 5 waivers should focus on repeatable roles, not one spectacular shooting night. David Johnson, Taran Armstrong and selected New Zealand guards deserve checks, while the Parker Jackson-Cartwright injury creates a trap for managers chasing an unproven replacement.
NBL27 Round 5 Captaincy Rankings: Magnay vs Davis, With a Mennenga Wildcard
Four teams play twice in NBL27 Round 5, but the armband is not simply a fixture-count decision. Will Magnay and Kendric Davis lead Buckets’ rankings, with Josh Bannan and Sam Mennenga offering different risks.
NBL27 SuperCoach Round 5 Buy, Hold & Sell: Davis Is the Pivot, Not the Panic Button
Parker Jackson-Cartwright and Arnas Velička have forced two major trade decisions. Kendric Davis, Will Magnay and Tasmania’s double-game core headline a Round 5 plan that balances immediate points with the next three rounds.
NBL27 Fantasy Round 4 Review: Cotton, Oduro and the Double-Game Lesson
Bryce Cotton led Round 4 SuperCoach scoring, Josh Oduro erupted across the stat sheet and Sam Mennenga dominated in one game. Here's what the results actually mean before the Round 5 fixture swing.
NBL27 SuperCoach Round 5 Injury Report: PJC, Velička and the Double-Game Trap
Sydney's Matthew Dellavedova is out for both Round 5 games, with Round 7 now listed as his return estimate. Jackson-Cartwright remains sidelined for Wednesday, while Velička faces an early-December return. Buckets updates the existing injury report with verified fantasy implications.
Dylan Windler’s 32-Point Night Powers Perth Past New Zealand
Windler scored 18 points in the fourth quarter of Perth’s 100–84 win, while Sam Mennenga’s 40 points and 18 rebounds and Brandon Knight’s debut offered distinct fantasy takeaways.
Arnas Velicka Expected to Miss Eight Weeks as Brisbane Adds Mawot Mag
Brisbane faces an extended absence for its lead playmaker, with Arnas Velicka reportedly targeting a return after the November FIBA window. Mawot Mag joins as Sam McDaniel’s injury replacement.
Parker Jackson-Cartwright Ruled Out of Perth Clash, Could Miss Up to Three Weeks
A lower-leg injury has sidelined the Breakers’ star guard for Perth, with his return uncertain as New Zealand begins a demanding road trip.
Fred VanVleet Returns From ACL Injury With 17 Points and Seven Assists
Fred VanVleet scored 17 points with seven assists and two steals in Houston’s preseason win over Dallas, giving the Rockets a productive first look at their returning starting point guard.
Isaiah Stewart Out at Least Two Weeks With Left Ankle Sprain
Memphis will reevaluate Isaiah Stewart in two weeks after a moderate left ankle sprain, leaving him unlikely to face Utah in the season opener and opening centre minutes for Zach Edey and Quinten Post.
David Johnson Scores 32 in Under 18 Minutes as Tasmania Set Club Record
David Johnson’s 32-point bench burst powered Tasmania to a club-record 122 points against Illawarra. For fantasy managers, the shooting was exceptional — but the night does not yet prove a bigger role.
Mason Peatling to Miss Rest of NBL27 After Foot Surgery Decision
Illawarra has ruled Mason Peatling out for the remainder of NBL27 after deciding on foot surgery. An import replacement is reportedly being considered, but no signing has been confirmed.
Luke Paul Debuts as Cairns Survive Nate Hinton’s 30-Point Night
Duke-bound teenager Luke Paul scored his first professional basket as Cairns beat Brisbane 97-91, despite Nate Hinton’s NBL career-high 30 points and Tyrell Harrison’s 23 points and 18 rebounds.
Aday Mara Is 15-for-15 in Preseason. Is a Bigger Thunder Role Next?
Aday Mara scored 22 points without missing a field goal against Milwaukee. His perfect preseason start deserves attention, but Oklahoma City’s available centre minutes remain the key fantasy question.
Brandon Knight Expected for Wildcats Debut, but Minutes Will Be Restricted
John Rillie has Brandon Knight on track to face New Zealand on Saturday, but the Perth import is expected to play restricted minutes as he builds match fitness.
Fred VanVleet’s Expected Return Gives Houston’s Backcourt a Real Preseason Test
Fred VanVleet is expected to play in one of Houston’s two Macao exhibitions against Dallas after missing the 2025–26 season. His return puts the Rockets’ guard roles in focus, but does not yet establish a full workload.
Panathinaikos’ 4–0 EuroLeague Start: What Is Driving Its Best Opening in 19 Years?
A 92–74 win over previously unbeaten Fenerbahçe gave Panathinaikos a fourth straight victory. Lessort’s interior production, Francisco’s creation and a tightening defence offer more useful signals than the record alone.
NBL27 Fantasy Lab: Round 4 Role Changes — What Two Games Actually Tell Us
Adelaide leaned heavily on Cotton and Rakocevic, Luke Paul finally debuted, and Bolden delivered off the bench. The early Round 4 evidence matters — but it does not yet establish lasting fantasy roles.
NBL27 SuperCoach Round 4 Injury Report
Flynn Cameron faces another four to six weeks out, Isaac Humphries has no firm return date and Corey Webster has made his Adelaide debut. Goulding, JLA and Knight remain key availability checks as Round 4 continues.
Jalen Williams Looks Sharp in Thunder Preseason Return
Jalen Williams delivered 16 points and six assists in 19 minutes against Milwaukee, an encouraging return after an injury-hit season — but not a promise of his regular-season workload.
Damian Lillard Returns With 15 Points as Portland Tests New Backcourt
Damian Lillard scored 15 points in 19 minutes in his first game since tearing his Achilles, starting alongside Ja Morant in Portland’s preseason win over Golden State.
Tyrese Haliburton Returns From Achilles Injury With 16-Minute Preseason Outing
Tyrese Haliburton recorded seven points and six assists in Indiana’s preseason win over Minnesota, his first NBA appearance since the 2025 Finals.
Jusuf Nurkic Out at Least Four Weeks, Opening Utah’s Centre Rotation
Jusuf Nurkic’s reported toe injury leaves Utah without its projected starting centre. Jaxson Hayes has the clearest early opportunity, but the Jazz’s minutes split remains unsettled.
Yaxel Lendeborg’s Preseason Surge Gives Warriors Fantasy Managers a Role to Watch
Yaxel Lendeborg posted 17 points and nine rebounds against the Lakers, but Steve Kerr’s demand for more scoring is the stronger fantasy signal. He belongs on watchlists, not in guaranteed-breakout territory.