Raphielle JohnsonMon, November 24, 2025 at 3:00 PM UTC·9 min readThere have been some significant returns to the court over the past week that will significantly impact fantasy basketball moving forward. LA Clippers forward Kawhi Leonard made his return on Sunday after a 10-game absence, and Cleveland Cavaliers point guard Darius Garland was back on the court after missing five games. Add in the season debuts of Philadelphia 76ers forward Paul George and Los Angeles Lakers forward LeBron James, and some managers had to shuffle around their rosters to make room for stars they were stashing in IL+ slots.
One player who hasn't had any availability concerns so far, but could later this season, is Utah Jazz forward Lauri Markkanen. Due to his being shut down in each of the previous two seasons as the front office looked to maximize its draft lottery odds, the talented scorer had a Yahoo! ADP of 56, shockingly low for a player of Markkanen's caliber. However, it wasn't difficult to comprehend why this was the case, even with Utah's front office insisting during the offseason that they did not plan to tank this season.
AdvertisementAdvertisementAdvertisementSo far, Markkanen has done nothing to lose the trust of fantasy managers, as he has been a first-round level player thus far. In 16 appearances, he's averaging 29.3 points, 6.1 rebounds, 2.1 assists, 1.1 steals, 0.5 blocks and 3.5 three-pointers while shooting 48.2 percent from the field and 89.7 percent from the foul line. The concern regarding Markkanen isn't the possibility of his numbers dropping sharply, but rather how the Jazz front office will approach this season.
With the projected 2026 NBA Draft class expected to be one of the deepest and most talented in recent history, will there come a point where Utah decides to cut the minutes of its proven veterans under the guise that the younger players need minutes? Will a move be made at the trade deadline that would impact Markkanen's role? Those questions impacted how many fantasy managers evaluated him during draft season, and that's likely the case now as well. Sell high, or trust that Markkanen will be able to continue on his current path? That's a difficult question to answer right now.
Below are the updated Top 200 rankings, with Denver Nuggets center Nikola Jokić remaining in the top spot.
NBA: Phoenix Suns at Los Angeles ClippersFantasy Basketball Week 6 Schedule Primer: How much will Kawhi Leonard play?
AdvertisementAdvertisementAdvertisementThe Clippers star will reportedly return from injury on Sunday, which is great news for fantasy managers.
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Raphielle Johnson
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Rank
Position(s)
Player
Team
1
C
Nikola Jokić
Denver Nuggets
2
PG
Shai Gilgeous-Alexander
Oklahoma City Thunder
3
C
Victor Wembanyama
San Antonio Spurs
4
PG
Tyrese Maxey
Philadelphia 76ers
5
PG, SG
Luka Dončić
Los Angeles Lakers
6
SF, PF
Kawhi Leonard
LA Clippers
7
SF, PF
Lauri Markkanen
Utah Jazz
8
SF, PF
Mikal Bridges
New York Knicks
9
SG, SF, PF
Scottie Barnes
Toronto Raptors
10
PG, SG
Donovan Mitchell
Cleveland Cavaliers
11
PG, SG
James Harden
LA Clippers
12
PG
Stephen Curry
Golden State Warriors
13
SF, PF
Jalen Johnson
Atlanta Hawks
14
PG, SG
Austin Reaves
Los Angeles Lakers
15
SF, PF
Jimmy Butler III
Golden State Warriors
16
SF, PF
Trey Murphy
New Orleans Pelicans
17
PG, SG
Cade Cunningham
Detroit Pistons
18
SG, SF
Norman Powell
Miami Heat
19
PF, C
Giannis Antetokounmpo
Milwaukee Bucks
20
PG, SG
Jamal Murray
Denver Nuggets
21
PF, C
Julius Randle
Minnesota Timberwolves
22
C
Zach Edey
Memphis Grizzlies
23
C
Jalen Duren
Detroit Pistons
24
PG, SG
Anthony Edwards
Minnesota Timberwolves
25
PF, C
Karl-Anthony Towns
New York Knicks
26
SF, PF
Michael Porter Jr.
Brooklyn Nets
27
C
Kristaps Porziņģis
Atlanta Hawks
28
PF, C
Anthony Davis
Dallas Mavericks
29
PF, C
Kel'El Ware
Miami Heat
30
PG
Jalen Brunson
New York Knicks
31
SG, SF
Grayson Allen
Phoenix Suns
32
SF, PF
Jaden McDaniels
Minnesota Timberwolves
33
SF, PF
Miles Bridges
Charlotte Hornets
34
C
Alperen Şengün
Houston Rockets
35
PG, SG
Josh Giddey
Chicago Bulls
36
PG
Ryan Rollins
Milwaukee Bucks
37
SF, PF
OG Anunoby
New York Knicks
38
PG, SG
Derrick White
Boston Celtics
39
PF, C
Chet Holmgren
Oklahoma City Thunder
40
PG, SG
Jrue Holiday
Portland Trail Blazers
41
C
Bam Adebayo
Miami Heat
42
C
Ivica Zubac
LA Clippers
43
PF, C
Alex Sarr
Washington Wizards
44
C
Donovan Clingan
Portland Trail Blazers
45
C
Mark Williams
Phoenix Suns
46
SF, PF
Franz Wagner
Orlando Magic
47
C
Isaiah Hartenstein
Oklahoma City Thunder
48
PG, SG
De'Aaron Fox
San Antonio Spurs
49
C
Myles Turner
Milwaukee Bucks
50
PG, SG
Keyonte George
Utah Jazz
51
C
Onyeka Okongwu
Atlanta Hawks
52
SF, PF
Dillon Brooks
Phoenix Suns
53
SF
Kon Knueppel
Charlotte Hornets
54
SF, PF
Deni Avdija
Portland Trail Blazers
55
C
Nikola Vučević
Chicago Bulls
56
SF, PF
Kevin Durant
Houston Rockets
57
PG, SG
Devin Booker
Phoenix Suns
58
PG, SG
Immanuel Quickley
Toronto Raptors
59
PG, SG
LaMelo Ball
Charlotte Hornets
60
PG, SG
Coby White
Chicago Bulls
61
PG, SG
Reed Sheppard
Houston Rockets
62
C
Ryan Kalkbrenner
Charlotte Hornets
63
SG, SF, PF
Brandon Ingram
Toronto Raptors
64
PF, C
Aaron Gordon
Denver Nuggets
65
PG, SG, SF
Dyson Daniels
Atlanta Hawks
66
PG, SG
Ajay Mitchell
Oklahoma City Thunder
67
PG
Jalen Suggs
Orlando Magic
68
SG, SF
Bennedict Mathurin
Indiana Pacers
69
SG, SF
Donte DiVincenzo
Minnesota Timberwolves
70
C
Joel Embiid
Philadelphia 76ers
71
SF
DeMar DeRozan
Sacramento Kings
72
C
Nicolas Claxton
Brooklyn Nets
73
C
Domantas Sabonis
Sacramento Kings
74
SG, SF
Kyshawn George
Washington Wizards
75
SG, SF
Nickeil Alexander-Walker
Atlanta Hawks
76
PG, SG
Tre Jones
Chicago Bulls
77
SF, PF
Kelly Oubre Jr.
Philadelphia 76ers
78
PG, SG
Cason Wallace
Oklahoma City Thunder
79
SF
Jaylon Tyson
Cleveland Cavaliers
80
PG, SG, SF
Amen Thompson
Houston Rockets
81
C
Daniel Gafford
Dallas Mavericks
82
C
Jarrett Allen
Cleveland Cavaliers
83
SG, SF
Jaylen Brown
Boston Celtics
84
SG
Cedric Coward
Memphis Grizzlies
85
PF, C
Jabari Smith Jr.
Houston Rockets
86
PG, SG
Zach LaVine
Sacramento Kings
87
C
Neemias Queta
Boston Celtics
88
PF, C
Naz Reid
Minnesota Timberwolves
89
SF, PF
Harrison Barnes
San Antonio Spurs
90
SF, PF
Royce O'Neale
Phoenix Suns
91
C
Deandre Ayton
Los Angeles Lakers
92
SG, SF
Matisse Thybulle
Portland Trail Blazers
93
PG
Collin Gillespie
Phoenix Suns
94
PG
Payton Pritchard
Boston Celtics
95
PF, C
Evan Mobley
Cleveland Cavaliers
96
C
Isaiah Stewart
Detroit Pistons
97
C
Andre Drummond
Philadelphia 76ers
98
SF
Cooper Flagg
Dallas Mavericks
99
SG, SF
Duncan Robinson
Detroit Pistons
100
SF, PF
Keegan Murray
Sacramento Kings
101
PG, SG
Kevin Porter Jr.
Milwaukee Bucks
102
SF, PF
Matas Buzelis
Chicago Bulls
103
PF, C
Pascal Siakam
Indiana Pacers
104
SG, SF
Sam Merrill
Cleveland Cavaliers
105
PF, C
Santi Aldama
Memphis Grizzlies
106
SF, PF
Andrew Wiggins
Miami Heat
107
SF, PF
Jerami Grant
Portland Trail Blazers
108
SG, SF
Quentin Grimes
Philadelphia 76ers
109
C
Wendell Carter Jr.
Orlando Magic
110
SF, PF
RJ Barrett
Toronto Raptors
111
PF, C
Paolo Banchero
Orlando Magic
112
C
Moussa Diabaté
Charlotte Hornets
113
SG, SF
Ayo Dosunmu
Chicago Bulls
114
SG, SF
Jaime Jaquez Jr.
Miami Heat
115
SF, PF
De'Andre Hunter
Cleveland Cavaliers
116
SG
Isaiah Joe
Oklahoma City Thunder
117
SG
VJ Edgecombe
Philadelphia 76ers
118
SF, PF
Keldon Johnson
San Antonio Spurs
119
C
Rudy Gobert
Minnesota Timberwolves
120
SG, SF
Kevin Huerter
Chicago Bulls
121
SG, SF
Moses Moody
Golden State Warriors
122
SG, SF
Aaron Wiggins
Oklahoma City Thunder
123
SG, SF
Desmond Bane
Orlando Magic
124
PF
Tobias Harris
Detroit Pistons
125
SF, PF
Ryan Dunn
Phoenix Suns
126
SG, SF
Devin Vassell
San Antonio Spurs
127
PG, SG
Brandin Podziemski
Golden State Warriors
128
SF, PF
Ausar Thompson
Detroit Pistons
129
PF, C
Jaren Jackson Jr.
Memphis Grizzlies
130
PG, SG
Stephon Castle
San Antonio Spurs
131
PG, SG
Davion Mitchell
Miami Heat
132
SF, PF
Tari Eason
Houston Rockets
133
SF, PF
Derrick Jones Jr.
LA Clippers
134
PG, SG
Andrew Nembhard
Indiana Pacers
135
SF, PF
Rui Hachimura
Los Angeles Lakers
136
SG, SF
Max Christie
Dallas Mavericks
137
C
Goga Bitadze
Orlando Magic
138
SG, SF
Shaedon Sharpe
Portland Trail Blazers
139
C
Derik Queen
New Orleans Pelicans
140
SF, PF
Peyton Watson
Denver Nuggets
141
SG, SF, PF
Josh Hart
New York Knicks
142
PG, SG
Russell Westbrook
Sacramento Kings
143
PG, SG
Marcus Smart
Los Angeles Lakers
144
PG
Daniss Jenkins
Detroit Pistons
145
SF, PF
Tristan da Silva
Orlando Magic
146
SF, PF
Josh Minott
Boston Celtics
147
SG, SF
Alex Caruso
Oklahoma City Thunder
148
SF, PF
Toumani Camara
Portland Trail Blazers
149
SF, PF
Jake LaRavia
Los Angeles Lakers
150
C
Luke Kornet
San Antonio Spurs
151
SF
Aaron Nesmith
Indiana Pacers
152
SF, PF
Naji Marshall
Dallas Mavericks
153
PG, SG
Quenton Jackson
Indiana Pacers
154
PG, SG
Jordan Goodwin
Phoenix Suns
155
SG
Malik Monk
Sacramento Kings
156
SF, PF
PJ Washington
Dallas Mavericks
157
PF
Obi Toppin
Indiana Pacers
158
SF, PF
Kyle Kuzma
Milwaukee Bucks
159
PG, SG
AJ Green
Milwaukee Bucks
160
C
Jakob Poeltl
Toronto Raptors
161
PG, SG
CJ McCollum
Washington Wizards
162
C
Paul Reed
Detroit Pistons
163
C
Jalen Smith
Chicago Bulls
164
PF, C
Sandro Mamukelashvili
Toronto Raptors
165
SG, SF
Bilal Coulibaly
Washington Wizards
166
PG, SG
Dru Smith
Miami Heat
167
PG, SG
Jalen Green
Phoenix Suns
168
PG
Jeremiah Fears
New Orleans Pelicans
169
SG, SF
Julian Champagnie
San Antonio Spurs
170
SG, SF
Vit Krejčí
Atlanta Hawks
171
C
Dereck Lively II
Dallas Mavericks
172
PG, SG
Anfernee Simons
Boston Celtics
173
SG, SF
Josh Okogie
Houston Rockets
174
SF, PF
LeBron James
Los Angeles Lakers
175
C
Steven Adams
Houston Rockets
176
SG
Cam Spencer
Memphis Grizzlies
177
SG, SF
Christian Braun
Denver Nuggets
178
C
Jusuf Nurkić
Utah Jazz
179
PF, C
Al Horford
Golden State Warriors
180
C
Jock Landale
Memphis Grizzlies
181
SG, SF
Tim Hardaway Jr.
Denver Nuggets
182
PG, SG
Kris Dunn
LA Clippers
183
PG, SG
Anthony Black
Orlando Magic
184
PG
Dennis Schröder
Sacramento Kings
185
PG, SG
Luke Kennard
Atlanta Hawks
186
SG
Dylan Harper
San Antonio Spurs
187
SF, PF
Paul George
Philadelphia 76ers
188
SF, PF, C
Zion Williamson
New Orleans Pelicans
189
PG
Trae Young
Atlanta Hawks
190
PG, SG
Craig Porter Jr.
Cleveland Cavaliers
191
C
Isaiah Jackson
Indiana Pacers
192
SF, PF
Zaccharie Risacher
Atlanta Hawks
193
PG, SG
Keon Ellis
Sacramento Kings
194
SG, SF
Svi Mykhailuk
Utah Jazz
195
SF, PF
Herbert Jones
New Orleans Pelicans
196
PF, C
Dominick Barlow
Philadelphia 76ers
197
SF, PF
Saddiq Bey
New Orleans Pelicans
198
SG, SF
Vince Williams Jr.
Memphis Grizzlies
199
SG, SF
Terance Mann
Brooklyn Nets
200
PF, C
Draymond Green
Golden State Warriors
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