Top 25 Fantasy Basketball Guards ROS January 2026

1. Shai Gilgeous-Alexander

The safest elite guard in fantasy. Scoring, assists, steals, efficiency, low turnovers. No guesswork.

2. James Harden

Assists still win leagues. Harden remains one of the best category stabilizers at the position.

3. Luka Doncic

Usage alone keeps him elite. Ceiling stays massive even when efficiency wobbles.

4. Anthony Edwards

Scoring volume plus improving defensive stats make this leap stick.

5. Amen Thompson

Multi-category monster. Defense and playmaking push him closer to the top every week.

Second Tier

Strong weekly starters. Trade leverage pieces. Not quite anchors, but close.

6. Cade Cunningham

Heavy usage fuels points and assists. Efficiency risk is already baked in.

7. Stephen Curry

Threes still tilt leagues. Shooting gravity never disappears.

8. Tyrese Maxey

Locked-in role with elite scoring and improving playmaking.

9. Derrick White

Defense and efficiency quietly win categories every week.

10. Devin Booker

Reliable scoring and assists keep him firmly in this tier.

11. Jaylen Brown

Consistent scoring with defensive contributions gives him a strong floor.

12. Donovan Mitchell

Steady volume scorer with solid assists and manageable efficiency swings.

13. Scottie Barnes

Guard eligibility boosts already strong all-around production.

14. Dyson Daniels

Defense-driven value. Steals alone can swing matchups.

15. LaMelo Ball

Elite upside when active. Risk is already priced in.

Rest of the Top 25

Useful starters. Depth plays. Matchup-dependent upside.

16. Desmond Bane

Scoring and threes keep him relevant despite role changes.

17. Anthony Black

Minutes plus playmaking give him sneaky category value.

18. Jamal Murray

Late-season chemistry and usage still matter.

19. Trey Murphy III

Scoring surge and three-point volume push him firmly into guard value.

20. Josh Giddey

Assists and rebounds from the guard spot play well in roto formats.

21. Jalen Brunson

High usage, low turnovers, repeatable production.

22. De'Aaron Fox

Speed and scoring keep him useful, even with efficiency swings.

23. Zach LaVine

Scoring still swings weeks, but inconsistency limits trust.

24. Mikal Bridges

Durability and defense keep him roster-friendly.

25. Payton Pritchard

Deep league guard who benefits when rotations tighten.

Summary

Guards decide fantasy championships because they touch every category that matters. The top of this list gives you stability. The middle gives you leverage. The bottom gives you risk and opportunity.
Know the order, use it in trades, and do not wait until the deadline to act.

People Also Ask

Who are the top fantasy basketball guards ROS January 2026?
Shai Gilgeous-Alexander No. 1, Jalen Brunson top-5, Trey Murphy III rising in the top 25.

Why does guard ranking order matter in fantasy?
Top guards provide weekly stability, mid-tier offer trade value, lower ranks carry risk for categories wins.

Is Shai Gilgeous-Alexander the best ROS guard?
Yes, for his safe, elite scoring/assists/steals and low risk.

How do second-half guard rankings change?
They emphasize current health, usage, and efficiency over preseason projections.

Should I trade for risers like Trey Murphy III?
Yes, his scoring surge offers high value ... consider selling high if balanced.