Fantasy basketball players in points leagues now face big changes in player rankings. Trae Young has slid after a trade to the Washington Wizards, Anthony Davis has fallen due to ongoing issues, and Domantas Sabonis is back near the top after recovery. These updates come as the 2025-26 NBA season hits its midpoint, forcing managers to rethink their teams.
Background
The NBA season started in October 2025 with high hopes for stars like Trae Young and Anthony Davis. Young led the Atlanta Hawks with strong scoring and assists, making him a top pick in points leagues where every point, rebound, and assist counts toward totals. Davis powered the Lakers with blocks and points, but injuries slowed him early on.
Sabonis, playing for the Sacramento Kings, missed time with a minor injury but was steady before that. Points leagues reward total production, so players who play heavy minutes and fill stat sheets rise fast. As games piled up through December and into January 2026, performances shifted. A major trade sent Young to Washington, opening doors for others in Atlanta. Davis struggled with health, missing games and lowering his per-game output. Sabonis returned strong, posting double-doubles regularly.
League-wide, young players like Jalen Johnson in Atlanta and Keyonte George in Utah have jumped up. Johnson now gets more shots without Young, averaging close to triple-doubles. George has become a scoring threat next to Lauri Markkanen, hitting 24 points per game on good efficiency. These moves reflect how trades and injuries reshape fantasy value halfway through the season.
Key Details
Trae Young and Anthony Davis Slides
Trae Young dropped from top-10 status after the trade. In Atlanta, he averaged 25 points and 10 assists, but now in Washington, his role adjusts with new teammates. Managers report his points per game dipped slightly as he shares the ball more. The trade happened mid-January 2026, part of Hawks' rebuild around forwards.
Anthony Davis fell further due to a nagging ankle problem. He played only 20 games before January, averaging 28 points but with too many absences. In points leagues, consistency matters, and Davis's missed time hurt totals. Lakers coaches limited his minutes to keep him healthy for playoffs, dropping his ranking below several big men.
Domantas Sabonis Returns Strong
Sabonis climbed back into the top five after sitting out two weeks. Back on the court since early January, he averages 18 points, 13 rebounds, and eight assists per game. His all-around game fits points formats perfectly. Kings' coach praised his conditioning, saying he looks better than before the injury.
"Sabonis is our engine. He's back and playing like an All-Star again." – Mike Brown, Sacramento Kings coach
Other risers include Jalen Johnson, now a top-10 dynasty asset. Without Young, Johnson posts 22 points, 10 rebounds, and nine assists. Keyonte George in Utah jumped to top-30 value with better shooting and drives. Anthony Black in Orlando has risen over 60 spots in recent months, playing top-80 level as injuries hit teammates.
Full Top 10 Shifts
The latest points rankings as of January 15, 2026, look like this:
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- Nikola Jokic (Denver Nuggets)
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- Luka Doncic (Los Angeles Lakers)
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- Giannis Antetokounmpo (Milwaukee Bucks)
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- Shai Gilgeous-Alexander (Oklahoma City Thunder)
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- Domantas Sabonis (Sacramento Kings)
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- Jalen Johnson (Atlanta Hawks)
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- Victor Wembanyama (San Antonio Spurs)
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- Keyonte George (Utah Jazz)
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- Anthony Davis (Los Angeles Lakers)
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- Trae Young (Washington Wizards)
These spots come from combining per-game fantasy points, injury risk, and remaining schedule. Jokic holds steady with triple-doubles every night. Doncic thrives in LA after a midseason move.
What This Means
Fantasy managers must act fast on these changes. Dropping Young or Davis for risers like Johnson or George could boost weekly totals. Waiver wires now feature players like Ryan Rollins and Anthony Black, who fill gaps left by stars. In points leagues, trading down from injured players for volume scorers makes sense with 30 games left.
Teams with Young face lower ceilings if Washington spreads minutes. Hawks owners gain from Johnson, but overall production might dip short-term. Davis's fall warns of injury risks for big men; managers pair him with backups. Sabonis's rise helps Kings fans lock in playoff spots.
Rookies and second-year players dominate risers lists. Names like Alex Sarr in Washington benefit from Young's arrival, getting better passes. Prospect Cameron Boozer tops 2026 draft boards, signaling future shifts. Dynasty players eye long-term holds on Johnson and George.
Trades like Young's reshape entire rosters. Atlanta focuses on youth, boosting Johnson long-term. Washington adds scoring punch, but Young's efficiency might stabilize lower. Davis needs health to climb back; recent practices show promise.
Points league players track minutes and matchups closely. Strong schedules for Utah and Sacramento favor George and Sabonis. Denver's Jokic faces tough defenses but keeps producing. These rankings update weekly, so check back as All-Star break nears in February.
League commissioners note more trades since January 1, with 20% of rosters shuffled. Forums buzz with debates on Young's trade value—some say hold, others sell low. Davis owners wait for confirmation on his next start.
Young talents like Black prove depth matters. Orlando's injuries opened doors, and Black grabbed them with efficient play. Utah's George worked on his game offseason, now paying off nightly. These stories show how persistence changes fortunes in fantasy and NBA alike.
