Fantasy Basketball 2026-27: Young Wings Ready to Steal Veteran Minutes

Cooper Flagg winning Rookie of the Year was the first sign. Wings are on the rise, and fantasy managers need to take note.

Each NBA season, young wings quietly steal minutes from their veteran teammates and turn opportunities into fantasy breakouts. The stage is already set for the 2026-27 season, as a handful of young guns prepare for role expansion.

Which wings will lift fantasy rosters next season? Read on.

Why Young Wings Are Poised to Take Over

Veteran fantasy managers already know the drill. Dominant wings possess superior athleticism and a modernized skill set that makes them dangerous. And since many teams are trending younger right now, there is ample opportunity for these players to seize opportunities and play bigger roles.

Take Jalen Johnson, for example, who pivoted into a huge role for the Atlanta Hawks last season and became a fantasy breakout because of his multi-cat abilities and consistency.

Efficiency and regular production go a long way to gaining a coach's trust and getting tapped to fill in for injured or declining veterans. That's how Flagg became the anchor for the Dallas Mavericks last season by doing exactly that.

Young Wings Most Ready to Steal Veteran Minutes

Ace Bailey (Jazz)

Utah had a rocky 2025-26 season marred by injuries and inefficiency. Bailey was a silver lining as he gained coach Will Hardy's trust and cemented himself in the starting lineup. The Rutgers product displayed strong defensive smarts for a rookie (1.5 stocks per game) while maintaining efficient scoring and rebounding. Expect Bailey to be an active fantasy contributor in 2026-27 now that he has one season of pro ball under his belt.

Brandon Miller (Hornets)

Charlotte's surprising 2025-26 can partially be attributed to Miller, who has been shouldering a lot of responsibility over his three years in the league. The Hornets' offense is getting younger, and it's certainly more efficient with Miller's creativity in the mix. He's a high-volume shooter and efficient from three-point range, and he rounds out his skill set by averaging a steal per game.

Gui Santos (Warriors)

Golden State is long in the tooth, and youngsters like Santos had to step in more frequently last season for injured vets. A minute spike was good for the 23-year-old wing, who shot 50.0% from the field and 35.1% from beyond the arc. Santos provides both rebounds and assists, plus he can go off for steals. The Warriors will still be without Jimmy Butler to start the 2026-27, so a regular role and a usage spike are in Santos' future.

Shaedon Sharpe (Trail Blazers)

Jrue Holiday could be leaving Portland, which would open the door for an emerging and versatile Sharpe. He's an efficient shooter who can post over 20 points per game, and he adds rebounding (4.3 RPG) and steals (1.4 SPG) to round out his game. Sharpe also plays very well with Deni Avdija, and the two have grown into a formidable NBA unit. (Not to mention the collab helps boost Sharpe's fantasy output.)

Kon Knueppel (Hornets)

He was the runner-up for ROY for a reason. Knueppel was a fantasy sleeper during his rookie season, emerging as a threatening perimeter shooter and a high-IQ defender. He shot 47.5% from the field and 42.5% from three-point range as a high-volume shooter, while averaging 5.3 rebounds and 1.1 stocks per night. Knueppel has made himself a de facto starter, which ensures high usage in the 2026-27 season.

Draft and Roster Strategy for These Young Wings

The wings on our list are all good supporting fantasy assets who should be taken in mid-to-late rounds in redraft leagues.

Knueppel and Miller are good fourth-round targets since they established their starting roles late last season. Sharpe, Santos, and Bailey should be taken in the sixth or seventh round since they don't have starter's minutes locked in for every game. And, as we commonly caution, fantasy managers should keep an eye on free agency, which can shift roles before training camp even gets underway.

Monitor and target these wings properly, and next season's fantasy roster will have a boost the rest of your league didn't see coming.

Questions About Young Wings in Fantasy Basketball, Answered

Which young wings in 2026-27 fantasy basketball are ready to steal veteran minutes?

The featured young wings are Ace Bailey, Brandon Miller, Gui Santos, Shaedon Sharpe, and Kon Knueppel, all of whom are positioned for larger roles entering the 2026-27 season.

What situations allow young wings to take veteran minutes?

Depth chart movement, veteran decline, injuries, coaching trust, and expanding opportunities on younger rosters can create larger roles and increased playing time.

When should I target these young wings in my 2026-27 draft?

Knueppel and Miller profile as fourth-round targets, while Sharpe, Santos, and Bailey fit better in the sixth or seventh rounds.

Are there risks with drafting young wings stealing minutes?

Role security is not guaranteed, and offseason movement or changing rotations can affect projected playing time.

How do I monitor young wing usage battles?

Track free agency outcomes, watch training camp developments, and monitor role changes before the regular season begins.

Which fantasy formats benefit most from these young wings?

Redraft leagues benefit from targeting these wings as supporting fantasy assets with upside.

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This story was originally published May 21, 2026 at 6:23 PM.