For some NBA players, having a “career year” isn’t about being a standout rookie or a young breakout candidate.
Having a fully healthy summer. Signing a contract extension. Or returning to a solidified rotation with established chemistry. These are the offseason factors that can confidently set a veteran player up to have an impactful 2026-27 season.
The following five players may not be the flashiest names. But their offseasons are setting them up for big campaigns, and fantasy managers need to take note as they curate their 2026-27 fantasy basketball draft strategies.
Jalen Williams, Oklahoma City Thunder
A wrist injury and strains to both of his hamstrings limited Williams to just 33 regular-season games in 2025-26. The truncated playing time didn’t just cut into his stats and opportunities, but wrecked his shooting efficiency. (His three-point shooting dropped to a below-average 29.9%.) The table is set for the versatile OKC wing to have a bounce-back year after having a relatively long offseason to recuperate and rehab. It doesn’t hurt that the Thunder kept almost all of their starting rotation intact, so the chemistry is already in place for Williams to start the season.
Jamal Murray, Denver Nuggets
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Murray actually hit career highs in 2025-26. He finished the regular season with 25.4 points per game on 48.3% shooting from the field and 43.5% from beyond the arc with 7.1 assists, 4.4 rebounds, and 1.3 stocks. What’s more impressive is Murray did this while the Nuggets starting rotation was constantly depleted by injuries. Denver has maintained its contending core with Nikola Jokic and Aaron Gordon, who are both projected to start the season fully healthy. This sets Murray up to continue his upward trajectory.
Darius Garland, Los Angeles Clippers
Never-ending toe issues and a midseason trade from Cleveland to LA held Garland to just 45 games in 2025-26. He showed promise for the future in the Clippers’ lone play-in tournament appearance, though, when he posted 21 points on 53.3% from the field, 50.0% from three-point range, and 100% from the charity stripe. Garland will also emerge from a full offseason of rest and recovery to a larger offensive role. (Well, once the Kawhi Leonard trade to Toronto is finalized.)
Jaren Jackson Jr., Utah Jazz
JJJ was set for a fresh start with the Jazz after a trade from the Grizzlies at the 2026 deadline, until season-ending knee surgery sidelined him in February. In his only three games played with Utah, though, he averaged 22.3 points on 49% shooting from the field and 33.3% shooting from three-point range with 5.7 rebounds, 2.2 assists, and 2.3 stocks. The Jazz’s offseason moves have created a better team for Jackson to return to, with second-overall draft pick Darryn Peterson joining the club. Utah is projected to make big strides in 2026-27, and Jackson could lead the way with a big bounce-back campaign.
Zach LaVine, Sacramento Kings
Hear us out. Yes, we know LaVine was sidelined with a laundry list of injuries last season, which makes him a fantasy risk heading into 2026-27. But he wasn’t bad in the 39 games he actually played, averaging 19.2 points on 47.9% shooting from the field. There will be less outside chatter to distract LaVine since he opted into his $49 million player option back in June. And incoming rookie Darius Acuff Jr. is in a prime position to help boost LaVine’s production. Even with the injury red flag, the offseason sets LaVine up for a rebound 2026-27 campaign.
Questions About Players Who Could Have Big Seasons, Answered
Which NBA players could be set up for big 2026-27 seasons?
Jalen Williams, Jamal Murray, Darius Garland, Jaren Jackson Jr. and Zach LaVine each enter 2026-27 with offseason circumstances that could support strong campaigns.
Why could Jalen Williams have a bounce-back season?
Williams enters the season after a relatively long offseason to recuperate and rehab following wrist and hamstring injuries that limited him to 33 regular-season games.
Can Jamal Murray build on his career-best 2025-26 season?
Murray returns after hitting career highs in 2025-26, with Denver maintaining its contending core of Murray, Nikola Jokic and Aaron Gordon.
Why is Zach LaVine still a fantasy risk?
LaVine was limited by multiple injuries last season, but he averaged 19.2 points on 47.9% shooting in the 39 games he played and returns to Sacramento after opting into his player option.
