NBA Fantasy Basketball Busts 2025-26: Players to Fade in 9-Category Leagues

Drafting the right players can make or break your fantasy basketball season, but knowing who to avoid is equally crucial. As we head into the 2025-26 NBA season, several big-name players carry significant bust potential despite their attractive ADPs. From injury concerns to reduced roles, these five NBA stars could derail your fantasy roster if you're not careful.

2025 Fantasy Basketball Busts

LeBron James, Los Angeles Lakers (ADP 22)

News broke Thursday that James (sciatica) is going to miss the start of the regular season. It will mark the first time in his career that he will not be ready for a season opener. Injuries weren't a major issue for him last season, with him playing 70 games and averaging 35 minutes. He turned that hefty workload into averages of 24.4 points, 7.8 rebounds, 8.2 assists, 1.0 steals and 2.1 three-pointers per game.

It's not a decline in production that makes James someone to consider fading. He will turn 41 years old in December and is coming off back-to-back seasons in which he appeared in at least 70 games. The Lakers have needed him to play a ton based on their past roster construction, but they don't have the same issues this year. Luka Doncic can carry the load whenever James is out, and the Lakers have a good overall supporting cast that includes Austin Reaves and Deandre Ayton. They also improved their depth with the additions of Marcus Smart and Jake LaRavia. James' main goal is to be healthy for what he hopes will be a deep playoff run. Given his age, expect him to be very cautious with any injuries that come up. Even when he's healthy, he could see added rest days, especially down the stretch. He's too risky to be a second or third round pick in fantasy. 

Josh Hart, New York Knicks (ADP 55)

Hart was a breakout star for those who drafted him last season. He provided excellent all-around production, averaging 13.6 points, 9.6 rebounds, 5.9 assists, 1.5 steals and 1.1 three-pointers. He also shot 52.5% from the field, which was up from 43.4% the season prior. Many fantasy managers were able to select him outside the top 100 in their leagues, making him one of the best values of the season.

Things could be very different for Hart this season. Tom Thibodeau was a very fantasy-friendly coach, often riding his starters heavy minutes. Hart was no exception, as he averaged 38 minutes while playing 77 games. Thibodeau is gone and has been replaced by Mike Brown. The Knicks have also improved their bench, bringing in Jordan Clarkson, Guerschon Yabusele and Malcolm Brogdon. Hart could even lose his starting job to Mitchell Robinson, who missed most of last season while battling injury. In what could end up being a drastic decline in playing time, Hart is difficult to justify selecting this early in drafts.

Michael Porter Jr., Brooklyn Nets (ADP 67)

The Nuggets needed to make some moves to improve their cap situation and add depth. Their lack of talent on the bench was a big problem last season and contributed to them being ousted from the playoffs. In order to make bench additions, the Nuggets traded Porter to the Nets in a deal that landed them Cameron Johnson. Denver then used their cap flexibility to add Bruce Brown, Tim Hardaway Jr. and Jonas Valanciunas.

Porter goes from being the number three or four option on the Nuggets to being a leading man with Cam Thomas on the Nets. An increased usage rate should help his scoring upside. However, Porter now finds himself on a rebuilding team that is filled with rookies. The Nets aren't likely to make a run for a playoff spot, so we could see Porter rested down the stretch. Even if Porter gets off to a hot start with his new squad, he might not be able to maintain it.

Jordan Poole, New Orleans Pelicans (ADP 73)

After struggling in his first campaign with the Wizards, Poole bounced back to average 20.5 points, 3.0 rebounds, 4.5 assists, 1.3 steals and 3.5 three-pointers last season. On the downside, he shot just 43.2% from the field and averaged 3.0 turnovers. He changed teams yet again this offseason, being moved to the Pelicans in a trade that sent C.J. McCollum to the Wizards.

Poole now finds himself part of a much more talented roster that includes Zion Williamson and Trey Murphy III. That might make it difficult to maintain his 29.0% usage rate from last year. Dejounte Murray (Achilles) could also return around January, which could throw a wrinkle into Poole's playing time. Don't be surprised if Poole's scoring numbers take a significant hit this season.

Paul George, Philadelphia 76ers (ADP 77)

It couldn't have gone much worse for George during his first season with the 76ers. Injuries limited him to just 41 games. When he was on the floor, he wasn't very effective. He averaged only 16.2 points, breaking his streak of nine straight seasons in which he averaged at least 21.5 points. He also shot just 43.0% from the field. On the bright side, he did chip in 5.3 rebounds, 4.3 assists, 1.8 steals and 2.3 three-pointers per game.

While George is generally being drafted outside the top 75 this season, he's still someone to consider fading. His injury concerns are nothing new, as he has played more than 56 games in a season just one time since he left the Thunder following the 2018-19 campaign. He is currently dealing with a knee injury that could impact him at the start of the season. It's difficult to have much faith in the 35-year-old remaining healthy.