Mid-January is a pivotal point in the fantasy basketball season, when preseason projections are tossed out and current play speaks to fantasy value. Expanded roles and production surges have allowed some unexpected players to make big leaps in the rest-of-season rankings. Meanwhile, surprising struggles have led to some familiar faces being trade bait ahead of the NBA deadline. And then there is fantasy specialist Nikola Jokic, whose late-December knee injury has thrown rest-of-season outlooks for a loop.
So, who’s up and who’s down? And who’s the big fish in the fantasy pond while Jokic is sidelined? Let’s take a look at the biggest movers and shakers in the 2026 ROS rankings.
Top Risers in ROS Rankings
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Players don’t necessarily have to be on good teams to have career seasons, and there are a select few who have made the most of their current roles and seen their fantasy stock rise. Here are the top three.
Trey Murphy III, Pelicans (+10 to ~43)
The forward has been on a tear and has become a top producer for fantasy managers in January. That includes a six-game stretch when he averaged over 30 points per game with 6.3 rebounds, 4.1 assists, and 1.3 steals. Plus, his shooting efficiency has been top-notch both from the field and from three-point range. Despite New Orleans’ overall woes, Murphy continues to thrive in multiple categories and is an asset across different league formats.
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Nickeil Alexander-Walker, Hawks (+9 to ~65)
The guard was already having a solid first season in Atlanta, but his role for the Hawks truly expanded once Trae Young departed for the Washington Wizards. He has broken out for 4.1 assists and 1.6 steals in January, and he offers an offensive boost with improved shooting efficiency. Even though he was held to just 11 points against the Trail Blazers on Jan. 15, NAW is a defensive specialist whose fantasy stock is rising fast.
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Michael Porter Jr., Nets (+8 to ~31)
Porter’s first season in Brooklyn is producing career highs, and he is averaging north of 30 minutes played per night while posting 25.9 points, 7.4 rebounds, and 3.4 assists. One point we discussed in a previous Athlon piece: Porter is at the center of some trade rumors, so he is a sell-high candidate ahead of the Feb. 5 deadline. Nevertheless, Porter is a high-volume shooter who satisfies multiple categories right now.
Top Fallers in ROS Rankings
Unfortunately, not everyone can have an “up” season, and slumps, inefficiency, and health concerns can have an impact. Here are two players who have underwhelmed, and what that means for their ROS outlooks.
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Bam Adebayo, Heat (-11 to ~69)
Nagging injuries have had a very noticeable impact on the Heat captain’s 2025–26 campaign. While his defense remains solid, his scoring efficiency has taken a mighty dip. Adebayo did eclipse 20 points in three straight games in mid-January, so perhaps his offense is catching up to his defense. His fantasy stock is down in ROS rankings, but keep an eye out for a potential late-season rebound.
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Zach LaVine, Kings (-7 to ~92)
Sure, Sacramento just isn’t very good this season. The same could be said about LaVine, whose scoring efficiency is down and turnover rate can give fantasy managers pause. LaVine is linked to multiple other teams in current trade rumors, so maybe a change of scenery will do him some good? He’s a potential buy-low candidate who could clean up his game on a different team.
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Notable Movers: Nikola Jokic and Victor Wembanyama
Even novice managers will tell you Nikola Jokic is the complete package in fantasy basketball, which was highlighted in his historic 56-point triple-double on Christmas Day. However, his late-December knee injury has sidelined him for almost a month now, and the fantasy impact has shaken up the ROS rankings.
Jokic has dropped to third among centers on many ROS rankings, including CBS Sports. Not a massive tumble down the standings, but his injury caused a dip nonetheless. As Athlon breaks down in a recent article, owners should stash Jokic on IR and focus on waiver-wire pickups until he returns.
Meanwhile, Victor Wembanyama’s fantasy stock has shot through the roof as he has produced in both offensive and defensive categories. As such, the towering Frenchman now possesses the top spot in ROS rankings. (Athlon discusses Wemby’s fantasy boost here.)
Jokic’s absence has also paved the way for a rise in the rankings for Alperen Sengun, whose balanced play makes him a fantasy asset on both ends of the court.
Conclusion
Now is the best time of the season for looking at updated ROS rankings. With just a couple of weeks remaining before the NBA trade deadline on Feb. 5, this is when managers should sell high on surprising producers like Murphy and buy low on underwhelming players like Adebayo. Monitor player health (ahem, Jokic), trade rumors (ahem, Porter), and playing time, and you’ll master this crucial time for shaping your fantasy roster.
Which players are you buying low and selling high before the trade deadline? Feel free to share in the comments below.
People Also Ask
Who are the biggest risers in fantasy basketball ROS rankings January 2026?
Trey Murphy III (+10), Nickeil Alexander-Walker (+9), and Michael Porter Jr. (+8) are climbing fast thanks to expanded roles and sustained January production.
Why is Bam Adebayo falling in ROS rankings?
January has been uneven, with reduced scoring efficiency and ongoing durability concerns dragging down his fantasy outlook.
Who is No. 1 in rest-of-season fantasy rankings now?
Victor Wembanyama holds the top spot while Nikola Jokic remains sidelined by a knee injury.
How do ROS rankings change mid-January?
Health, locked-in roles, and actual production begin to outweigh preseason expectations.
Should I trade risers like Trey Murphy III?
Selling high makes sense if you need balance, but his role and category impact support holding for upside.