Stephen Defries
NBA Fantasy expert, Supercoach veteran
NBA Supercoach | Mid-Range Analysis
NBA Supercoach expert gives his in-depth analysis for all the best mid-range picks in NBA Supercoach
NBA
October 15, 2026
Guns and cheapies or a team built on balance? Same question as last year, but this time the offseason has done a lot of the work for us. Giannis is in Miami, LaMelo is in Minnesota, Trae and AD are in Washington, Kawhi is back in Toronto, and Jaylen Brown and LeBron have both landed in Philly. Prices are built on last season’s roles. A lot of those roles no longer exist, and that’s where the value is.
My strategy hasn’t changed. Two guns max, build as much team value as quickly as possible through midrange players with a role uptick, and own the relevant cheapies. The South Florida Anglers head into week 1 with an eye on plenty of the below players.
Preseason has added a few twists. Kawhi dropped 21 in 17 minutes in his Raptors return, and Haliburton was dropping bombs like it was the 25 playoffs. I’ve added a preseason note under every player, and it’s changed a few calls.
For this piece, I’m calling midrange anything priced up to $17.5m, with Jaylen Brown sneaking in at $17.58m because of that 4-game week.
Time to rip in.
The midrange players
Jaylen Brown PHI – $17,580,000 (10.3% owned) – Weeks 1–3: 11 of 11 games
Now he’s in Philly alongside Embiid, Maxey, LeBron, and Edgecombe after averaging 28.7 in Boston. His 36.1% usage was the third-highest in the league, behind only Luka and Giannis. Embiid ran at 33.3% and Maxey at 29.4%. They can’t all keep that, and I think it comes out of Brown’s pocket.
So is he a buy with a 4-game week? A one-week rental at most, but it’s a hard pass from me.
Preseason: Followed the 22 in 17 minutes with 18 in 24 against Brooklyn, then sat the Boston game. He’s the Sixer most willing to hunt his shot. Embiid has looked rusty (6 points on 1 of 5), and Maxey went 2 of 10 against Boston.
Watch
Deni Avdija POR – $17,220,000 (0.9% owned) – Weeks 1–3: 9 of 11 games
All-Star nod, 24.2 points and 6.7 assists as the leading scorer on a playoff team. His 29.1% usage ranked 23rd in the league. But the ball now has to be shared with Ja Morant and a returning Damian Lillard. Deni says he’s 99.9% after his back issues and is actually looking forward to running more off the ball.
That’s exactly what worries me from a SuperCoach perspective. Only 2 games in week 1 as well. Under 1% owned (0.9%). A genuine POD if the Ja bench role sticks.
Preseason: This changes things. 26 points, 9 rebounds, and 4 assists on 9 of 13 in 25 minutes against the Kings, and Ja Morant has slid to the second unit. Deni is starting alongside Lillard with the ball in his hands. My usage concerns have eased.
Buy Week 2
Jayson Tatum BOS – $17,190,000 (16.8% owned) – Weeks 1–3: 10 of 11 games
Here it is. 17 months after the Achilles, and Tatum says he can play back-to-backs and wants to. Jaylen Brown is gone, and this is Tatum’s team with only Derrick White and a 36-year-old Paul George to share the touches. Last year we asked where his 31.1% usage would go.
Brown soaked up a league-high 36.1% in his absence. Tatum ran at 30% in his 16 games back, and now the No.1 option tag is his alone. The only knock is a 2-game first week. I’ll be pouncing in week 2.
Preseason: 23 points, 5 rebounds, and 4 assists in 27 minutes in a blowout of the Sixers. No restrictions, no limp. Paul George started next to him and was all over the passing lanes. Tatum looks like Tatum.
Strong Buy Week 2
Lauri Markkanen UTA – $17,070,000 (0.5% owned) – Weeks 1–3: 10 of 11 games
He averaged 26.7 but only played 42 games, and the back and wrist issues keep coming back. There are more mouths to feed in Utah now with Jaren Jackson Jr., Keyonte George, and No.2 pick Darryn Peterson. Let him prove he’s healthy first.
Preseason: Missed a game with neck soreness, then 11 points in 19 minutes against the Spurs. Peterson scored 23 in his debut and led Utah again with 14 and 5 assists. Another niggle for Lauri. More reason to wait.
Watch
Josh Giddey CHI – $16,710,000 (6.7% owned) – Weeks 1–3: 9 of 11 games
The Aussie had a career year with 17 points, 8.3 rebounds, and 9.1 assists. Chicago are in full rebuild mode under new coach Tiago Splitter, and Giddey is running the show with Nic Claxton as a lob target and Norman Powell spacing the floor. The only question is durability after ankle surgery. Triple-double upside any night of the week.
Preseason: 13 points in 23 minutes against Memphis, then 7 points and 8 assists in 24 against Denver. No-look passes to rookie Caleb Wilson, who has 21 and 17 in his last two, are going to be a feature. Giddey is running the show.
Buy
Walker Kessler LAL – $16,470,000 (4.4% owned) – Weeks 1–3: 11 of 11 games
Don’t buy him for usage. He’s at 13.7% to 16.4%. The Lakers paid a mountain of picks and $130m over four years to get him. Shoulder surgery limited him to 5 games last season, but he played 58 the year before and owns a career 2.4 blocks per game. Now he’s the starting centre catching lobs from Luka.
The jammed finger that kept him out of the preseason opener isn’t a concern. Blocks and boards with a Luka assist bump. I like it! 4.4% owned. An edge that won’t last.
Preseason: The jammed finger kept him out early, but he debuted against the Warriors and had 11 points and 9 rebounds in the first half alone. Starting and cleared. Green light.
Strong Buy
Austin Reaves LAL – $16,360,000 (4.3% owned) – Weeks 1–3: 11 of 11 games
My first picked. We saw what Reaves does without LeBron last season, and now LeBron is gone for good. He’s the clear No.2 to Luka, just signed a $185m deal, and was named NBA.com’s breakout candidate for the Lakers. The pair posted a +11.6 net rating together last season.
Sat the preseason opener with a tweaked ankle, so monitor, but he’s a lock for me. Only 4.3% owned, which makes him a cheap edge as well as a lock.
Preseason: 8 assists in his preseason debut, then 28 points (25 in the first half), 7 assists, and 4 rebounds in 25 minutes with Luka resting. That’s what a No.2 option looks like. The tweaked ankle is behind him.
Strong Buy
Paolo Banchero ORL – $16,250,000 (2.8% owned) – Weeks 1–3: 9 of 11 games
New coach Sean Sweeney flew to Seattle in the off-season to build the relationship, which I like. But Franz Wagner is back healthy, and one of the storylines is Franz getting more time on the ball. When Franz was out in the playoffs, Paolo dropped 45 and 38. With Franz in, the turnovers and shooting efficiency remain concerns.
Preseason: 11 points on 2 of 7 with 5 assists in 15 minutes, then 10 points on 1 of 10, then 24 and 8. The shooting is still streaky. Franz had 8 assists in the same game, which backs up the Franz-on-the-ball storyline.
Watch
Domantas Sabonis SAC – $16,030,000 (2.2% owned) – Weeks 1–3: 9 of 11 games
A torn meniscus wrecked his season, and he only managed 19 games. He says he’s 100% post-knee surgery. He’s the hub on a bad Kings team and is priced at a discount to what he’s done historically. Rebounding machine with assists. Trade chatter is the only concern.
Preseason: Hasn’t been seen in a game yet. Listed questionable with an undisclosed issue, then ruled out against Portland despite practising fully. Coming off knee surgery, that’s enough for me to wait.
Watch
Stephen Curry GSW – $15,760,000 (4.3% owned) – Weeks 1–3: 10 of 11 games
Steph only played 43 games last season, but his 32.5% usage was fourth in the league. With Butler and Moody both out to start the year, Curry will be carrying heavy minutes early, and he looked sharp in his preseason opener. The catch is Brandin Podziemski, whose usage is up to 28% in the preseason after his new extension, and I’m only expecting around 60 games from Steph.
Preseason: Started against the Kings and had 11 against the Lakers. Podziemski had 17 points, 5 boards and 3 threes in the same game. Kerr is also starting Gui Santos and rookie Yaxel Lendeborg. Steph is still the first option, with more help around him.
Watch
Donovan Clingan POR – $15,720,000 (0.3% owned) – Weeks 1–3: 9 of 11 games
Led the league with 4.5 offensive rebounds a game in just over 27 minutes. More drivers in Portland with Ja Morant means more misses at the rim to clean up. His role doesn’t change with the guard logjam. Only 2 games in week 1, so I’ll wait a week. 0.3% owned. Barely anyone has him.
Preseason: 3 points on 1 of 7 with 10 rebounds in 20 minutes in the opener. The boards are reliable, and the offense will come and go. Deni and Lillard starting, with Ja potentially on the bench, means more misses for him to clean up.
Buy Week 2
Cooper Flagg DAL – $15,620,000 (27.3% owned) – Weeks 1–3: 10 of 11 games
Rookie of the Year, and the whole franchise is built around him. Kyrie’s return takes the best perimeter defender off Flagg and creates easier buckets, but also takes some ball. I still think year two Flagg is a bigger SuperCoach player than year one Flagg. At 27.3% owned, he’ll be in plenty of teams.
Preseason: 19 points in 19 minutes in the first Macao game, then 14 points, 7 assists, 2 steals, and a block in 25 minutes with Kyrie back. Playmaking with Kyrie on the floor is a great sign for his SuperCoach floor.
Buy
Jalen Brunson NYK – $15,500,000 (8.8% owned) – Weeks 1–3: 9 of 11 games
Finals MVP and the King of New York. The Knicks have the depth with Clarkson and Alvarado to manage his minutes after a long playoff run, and KAT is now more of a hub. That’s the risk. But Brunson is capable of a 35 average in any given week, and at $15.5m I think he’s slightly undervalued.
Preseason: 13 points in 20 minutes, then 20 points, 5 rebounds, and 3 steals in 22, then rested along with the whole Knicks starting five. Business as usual.
Watch
Devin Booker PHX – $15,450,000 (1.9% owned) – Weeks 1–3: 8 of 11 games
Still the unquestioned centrepiece in Phoenix with 26 points and 18.7 shots a game last season. Miles Bridges arrives to take some on-ball duties, and Jalen Green is healthy. Light on stocks for a guy at this price, and the 2-game week 1 is the main reason to wait.
Preseason: 11 points on 3 of 14 and 0 of 8 from three in 23 minutes, then rested. Bridges hurt his ankle (X-rays negative), so there may be extra touches early. A rusty start.
Watch
Julius Randle BKN – $15,290,000 (1.4% owned) – Weeks 1–3: 10 of 11 games
Salary dumped to a Brooklyn team that won 20 games last year. That’s exactly where you want a high-usage scorer for SuperCoach. He ran at 26.4% usage as the second option in Minnesota. In Brooklyn, he’s the focal point of the half-court offense, so expect that to climb. His playoffs were ugly, but this is the regular season, and I had him averaging 31 at one stage last year. Volume, volume, volume. Only 1.4% of coaches own him.
Preseason: 14 points, 4 rebounds, and 9 assists in 23 minutes against Washington. Brooklyn are running offense through him as a point forward, and the assists are the bonus I didn’t factor in. Love it.
Strong Buy
Ivica Zubac IND – $14,620,000 (0.9% owned) – Weeks 1–3: 10 of 11 games
10.6 rebounds on 60% shooting. Only played 118 minutes for Indiana after the deadline trade and none alongside Haliburton or Siakam, so we haven’t seen it yet. Haliburton’s lobs should suit him, and he had 12 and 9 in the preseason opener. Only 0.9% owned. A real POD option.
Preseason: 11 and 5 in 21 minutes, then 13 points and 13 rebounds against OKC with Haliburton back. The partnership is starting to click.
Watch
LaMelo Ball MIN – $14,140,000 (11.8% owned) – Weeks 1–3: 11 of 11 games
New home in Minnesota, and he looked sharp in his preseason debut. Four threes a game and more minutes than he was playing in Charlotte. His 32.1% usage in Charlotte was 11th in the league. Next to Ant (31.4%), that has to come down. He’s also only played 75-plus games once in six seasons and now shares the ball with Ant. Still rocks or diamonds. Need to catch him at the right time. 11.8% of coaches are taking the punt.
Preseason: 10 points and 7 assists in 22 minutes against the Knicks, leading the Wolves at 5 assists a game. He’s the facilitator next to Ant. More floor, less ceiling than the Charlotte version.
Avoid
Dejounte Murray NOP – $14,140,000 (0.4% owned) – Weeks 1–3: 10 of 11 games
Back from the Achilles after only 14 games last season. When healthy, he’s a steals-and-assists guard at a discount. But Jeremiah Fears started in his place in the preseason, and Mathurin has arrived, so the role is uncertain.
Preseason: 6 points and 6 assists in 19 minutes, then ruled out with a toe injury. Fears started in his place and looked confident. Not the start Dejounte needed.
Watch
Tyler Herro MIL – $13,930,000 (3.0% owned) – Weeks 1–3: 10 of 11 games
The hometown kid gets the keys to the post-Giannis Bucks. 20.5 points on 24.8% usage in Miami alongside Bam. With no Giannis or Bam in Milwaukee, that number is going up, and he’s the main piece of the new-look starting five. The only risk is health; he played just 33 games last season, so watch the ankle. As the No.1 option on a team that needs his shots, $13.9m feels like a steal. Only 3% owned for the No.1 option in Milwaukee.
Preseason: 13 points with 3 threes in 23 minutes against OKC, then 18 points and 7 rebounds against Charlotte. He’s the first option every night. Exactly what we’re paying for.
Strong Buy
Damian Lillard POR – $13,900,000 (1.0% owned) – Weeks 1–3: 9 of 11 games
Will have gone 542 days between games if he plays the opener. He’s 36, coming off an Achilles injury, and the coach has floated him or Ja coming off the bench. 2 games in week 1 as well. Great story, not a SuperCoach play yet.
Preseason: 15 points in his first game back, then 14 points, 4 assists, and 2 steals in 23 minutes against the Kings. He’s starting, while Ja came off the bench. Encouraging for Dame. His price is the issue, not his health.
Avoid
Franz Wagner ORL – $13,820,000 (1.0% owned) – Weeks 1–3: 9 of 11 games
Only managed 34 games last season after a lower-leg injury, but scored 20.6 when he played. The new coach looks set to put the ball in his hands more. Good across the board, great in no one area, and health is still the question.
Preseason: 7 assists in 14 minutes, then 10 points, then 20 points and 8 assists against Cleveland. He’s getting the ball as a creator, as the new coach promised.
Watch
Ty Jerome MEM – $13,720,000 (0.4% owned) – Weeks 1–3: 9 of 11 games
With Ja gone, Jerome is the starting point guard for the rebuilt Grizzlies, and the positive buzz hasn’t stopped all camp. His 32.7% usage in 15 games would have ranked top ten in the league if he’d qualified. That’s a small sample, and Memphis has plenty of guards, with rookie Cameron Boozer taking his share. Upside play at the price. Just 0.4% owned. The best POD in this article.
Preseason: 12 points and 5 assists in 15 minutes, 17 points in 19 minutes, and 16 points with 4 threes in just 14 minutes. That’s huge production per minute as the starting point guard. Boozer is good, but Jerome has the ball.
Buy
Jaren Jackson Jr. UTA – $13,620,000 (2.1% owned) – Weeks 1–3: 10 of 11 games
Played only three games for Utah after the February trade. With Nurkic out for a month, JJJ should play more centre than first planned, which is great for blocks and boards. The injury history is the risk, but at $13.6m he’s a buy for me.
Preseason: 7 points in 16 minutes, then 13 on 6 of 8 in 18. Efficient in short stints. With Nurkic out, the centre minutes are there for him.
Buy
Tyrese Haliburton IND – $13,610,000 (42.7% owned) – Weeks 1–3: 10 of 11 games
Missed all of last season with his Achilles, and the Pacers won 19 games without him. He says he’s 100% with no restrictions and played with the starters in the preseason opener. His usage was only 21.6% in his last healthy season because he creates for everyone else. But the whole system runs through him, and he’s priced like a role player.
Expect a ramp-up period, but this is the kind of value that builds team value fast. At 42.7% owned, he’s the most popular mid-ranger on the board, so he’s not a point of difference. Not owning him is the risk.
Preseason: 7 points and 6 assists in 16 minutes in his return, then sat a game with a right ankle issue. He came back with 24 points on 9 of 14 with 4 threes in just 18 minutes against OKC. Full practice, no restrictions.
Strong Buy
Derrick White BOS – $13,400,000 (0.8% owned) – Weeks 1–3: 10 of 11 games
One of my Boston Boys last year, and I moved him on during a shooting slump. 1.3 blocks from a guard is rare, and Brown leaving means more shots, even with Tatum back and Paul George arriving. Take the discount, but wait out the 2-game week 1.
Preseason: 15 points in 26 minutes as a starter in the Sixers blowout. Pritchard dropped 25 and just signed a $44m extension, so the backcourt minutes are crowded.
Watch
Ja Morant POR – $13,140,000 (1.2% owned) – Weeks 1–3: 9 of 11 games
Played only 20 games last season; at a 32.4% usage rate, he won’t get anywhere near alongside Dame and Deni. Coach Micah Nori said starting both Ja and Dame doesn’t make sense defensively, so a bench role is in play. 2 games in week 1.
Preseason: Sliding to the second unit. 5 points and 5 assists in 14 minutes, then 14 points and 6 assists off the bench against the Kings. A bench role for a $13.1m player is a hard pass.
Avoid
Paul George BOS – $13,030,000 (0.6% owned) – Weeks 1–3: 10 of 11 games
Steps into Jaylen Brown’s spot in the starting five, so the minutes and shots are there. He’s 36, though, with health questions, and starts with 2 games.
Preseason: 13 points, 5 rebounds, 4 assists, and 5 steals in 25 minutes in his Celtics debut. Starting, and the steals make him interesting in a 2-game week once he’s settled.
Watch
Trae Young WAS – $12,980,000 (7.3% owned) – Weeks 1–3: 10 of 11 games
Trae Young at $12.98m. Played only 5 games for Washington after the January trade because of a quad issue. Now he’s healthy, has a new four-year deal, and opened the preseason with 15 points, 4 rebounds, 4 assists, and 2 steals.
He ran at 27.9% usage across his 15 games between Atlanta and Washington. AD and Dybantsa will share, but the ball lives in Trae’s hands, and I’m projecting 10 assists a night. Best value on the board. Only 7.3% owned. The rest of the comp hasn’t caught on yet.
Preseason: Backed up that opener with 11 points and 11 assists in 28 minutes against Brooklyn on 1-of-5 shooting. Even on a cold night, the assists are there. Dybantsa is playing 23 to 25 minutes a night, but the ball is Trae’s.
Strong Buy
Brandon Miller CHA – $12,910,000 (11.3% owned) – Weeks 1–3: 10 of 11 games
Currently in my side. Miller ran at 28.1% usage next to LaMelo (32.1%). With LaMelo and Miles Bridges gone, that number goes up. Naz Reid has compared him to Ant Edwards in year four. He put up 20 a game last season. Suffered a shin contusion in practice and is day-to-day, so monitor, but I’m not moving off him. 11.3% owned, so a few of you have spotted this one.
Preseason: Missed the opener with the shin contusion, then 18 points, 4 threes and 4 assists in 22 minutes against the Bucks. Coby White (calf) is out for the preseason, so Miller and Schroder are handling the ball. He’s fine.
Strong Buy
Kel’el Ware MIL – $12,810,000 (2.1% owned) – Weeks 1–3: 10 of 11 games
Already going off in the preseason. Only 18.1% usage in Miami behind Bam, with plenty of room to grow. Pulled 9 rebounds in 22 minutes last season and shot 39.5% from three on about three attempts a game. Myles Turner had a poor season and is a deadline trade candidate.
Preseason: 14 points and 12 rebounds off the bench, then started next to Turner with 18 points and 12 rebounds in 25 minutes. He went back to the bench against Charlotte while Turner blocked 5 shots. I probably need to see his minutes.
Watch
Darius Garland LAC – $12,220,000 (2.1% owned) – Weeks 1–3: 9 of 11 games
At $12.22m, he’s the cheapest player in this piece, and that’s exactly why he’s in it. Kawhi is in Toronto, Harden is in Cleveland, and Brandon Ingram is out with a partially torn Achilles and no return date. That leaves the Clippers’ ball with Garland. He averaged 18.8 points and 6.7 assists on 27.5% usage across 45 games last season, split between Cleveland and LA. As the clear No.1 option, I’m projecting 21.8 points and 7.6 assists.
Preseason: Perfect from the field in the opener with 15 points (4 of 4, 3 of 3 from three) and 6 assists in just 15 minutes against the Warriors, then 11 points and 4 assists in 19 minutes against Toronto. Ty Lue reportedly likes the Garland and Isaiah Jackson combination, and with Ingram out, every pick-and-roll starts with him.
Buy
Good luck all, and remember, stay patient.
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