Fantasy NBA: Maxey Leads Sixers to 50-Point Weekly Average
Philadelphia's guard defied preseason concerns about role reduction, while injuries and roster shifts are already upending value in other franchises.
By Javier Sanders ·
The 2026-27 NBA season began on October 23, and early results have already contradicted several widely held preseason expectations. Fantasy analysts noted that player production and playing time have diverged sharply from their pre-season projections after just one week of games.
Tyrese Maxey of the Philadelphia 76ers is averaging 50 fantasy points per game across four contests. This output has held steady despite the addition of LeBron James and Jaylen Brown to a roster that already featured Joel Embiid. Maxey’s team stands 3-1. Jaylen Brown is contributing 36.0 fantasy points per game, and Embiid recorded a 28-point triple-double against the Milwaukee Bucks on October 24.
Michael F. Florio stated that fading Maxey, Embiid, and Brown in fantasy leagues is an early season regret. He noted that Embiid and Brown are each averaging over 20 points per game, while James continues to contribute across statistical categories. Both James and Embiid have missed a game each, but their performance levels remain high.
In Miami, Giannis Antetokoumpo’s arrival is affecting Bam Adebayo’s numbers. Adebayo is averaging 11.8 points and 7.3 rebounds per game. These figures represent a drop from his 20.1 points and 10 rebounds per game last season. His field goal percentage sits at 40 percent, and his free throw percentage is 61.5 percent. The Heat are winless this season. Eric Karabell questioned whether Adebayo remains a top 50 fantasy option given these early statistics.
The Washington Wizards are seeing a reduced role for Alex Sarr. He is averaging 8.8 points, 5.3 rebounds, and 1.3 blocks per game. Those numbers are down from his 16.3 points, 7.4 rebounds, and 2.0 blocks per game last season. Andre Snellings attributed the decline to Anthony Davis occupying similar spaces on the court. Sarr is attempting only 6.5 field goals per game, down from 13.7 last year. First overall pick AJ Dybantsa has not yet played this season.
Orlando Magic center Wendell Carter Jr. is averaging 30.7 minutes per game. Nikola Vucevic is playing only 8.0 minutes per game. Snellings observed that Carter’s playing time aligns better with the career arcs of other Magic stars than Vucevic’s does. Vucevic is 36 years old, while Carter is 27. Barring injury, Vucevic’s role is unlikely to expand.
Injuries have also disrupted rosters immediately. Anthony Edwards, Jalen Williams, Jaren Jackson Jr., Kawhi Leonard, Cason Wallace, Lauri Markkanen, Kristaps Porzingis, Kon Knueppel, Ivica Zubac, and Yves Missi are all out with major injuries. Steve Alexander noted that some of these players may not return this season. Fantasy managers face difficult decisions regarding bench spots with 24 weeks remaining in the regular season.
