> ## Content Index > Fetch the complete content index at: https://www.playoffrondo.com/llms.txt > Use this file to discover other available public pages before exploring further. # Beyond the Lottery: 5 Rookies Who Can Help Your Fantasy Team in 2026-27 - URL: https://www.playoffrondo.com/beyond-the-lottery-5-rookies-who-can-help-your-fantasy-team-in-2026-27/ - Published: 2026-09-29T19:21:54.000Z - Updated: 2026-10-01T19:31:30.000Z - Author: Rob Simons The 2026 NBA rookie draft class is incredibly deep, which means you don't need a lottery pick to find fantasy value. Here are five rookies outside the top 14 who could make an impact in dynasty leagues this season. **Allen Graves** **Comp:** Kevin Love, Keegan Murray, Chuma Okeke **Outlook:** Allen Graves should just change his name to “Analytics Darling.” The former WCC Sixth Man of the Year will immediately boost Toronto’s bench unit with his all-around contributions. He’s an efficient three-point shooter, a good rebounder for his size, and an elite connective passer with a high feel for the game. Most importantly, he fills up the stat sheet on the defensive end. Last season, he averaged 2.8 stocks per game, and his high steal rate should easily scale. If you need an NBA-ready player who can contribute right out of the gate, Allen Graves checks all the boxes—and then some. **Fantasy takeaway:** Swiss Army knife **Zuby Ejiofor** **Comp:** Draymond Green, Jae Crowder, JaMychal Green **Outlook:** Some guys just enter the league ready to play from the start. Zuby Ejiofor looks like one of those guys. Of course, his selling point is his defensive impact. He brings a high motor, elite physicality, and a real love for embracing impact. His elite wingspan makes up for his lack of height, while his switchability in half-court sets gives him great recovery tools when jumping out to defend guards. He clogs lanes, disrupts closing actions, and defends the rim at an elite rate, averaging 1.7 blocks across his junior and senior seasons. Offensively, he’s a strong rim finisher and an even better rebounder, creating second-chance opportunities for his teammates. Ejiofor will compete right away with Asa Newell for minutes at the 4, with a clear path to early playing time given all the changes to Atlanta’s frontcourt this summer. **Fantasy takeaway:** Stocks on stocks on stocks **Cameron Carr** **Comp:** Trey Murphy III, Gerald Green, Jalen Green **Outlook:** Cameron Carr is a toolsy 3-and-D prospect with an elite wingspan and high-flying athleticism, making him one of the more exciting players in this year’s rookie class. His pure verticality allows him to get his shot off against virtually any defender, while his ability to attack closeouts and finish with authority at the rim will be a welcome addition to the Lakers’ offensive attack. Carr has a direct path to minutes off the bench at shooting guard, where his main competition will be Jaden Hardy and Bronny James. On the other end of the court, Carr’s wingspan and shot-blocking instincts could eventually make an impact, particularly as a help defender. In college last year, he ranked among the best wing shot-blockers in the country. **Fantasy takeaway:** Athleticism for day **Bruce Thornton** **Comp:** Fred VanVleet, John Bagley, Raymond Felton **Outlook:** Point guard was a real weakness for the Rockets last year after Fred VanVleet went down with an injury. Enter Bruce Thornton, an undersized three-level scorer with a crafty pick-and-roll game. Thornton was as dependable as they come in college, playing 136 of 137 possible games at Ohio State, where he was an efficient scorer and defender. At Vegas Summer League, Thornton averaged 18.6 points, 4.6 rebounds, and 4.4 assists per game while demonstrating impressive efficiency. Even with VanVleet back, Thornton seems destined to get 17–20 minutes a night as the backup point guard, allowing Reed Sheppard to play more off the ball. **Fantasy takeaway:** Steady as they go **Trevon Brazile** **Comp:** Marcus Camby, Shawn Marion, Stromile Swift **Outlook:** Trevon Brazile is a talented rim runner and defensive playmaker who may have landed on the perfect team to maximize his skill set, especially with Peyton Watson now in Cleveland. The Nuggets have the star playmakers to keep things simple for Brazile offensively, allowing him to focus on running the floor and finishing around the basket. Brazile has more to his game, though, particularly his ability to shoot from three. In just his second career game, he scored 32 points on 11-of-19 shooting, including 6-of-12 from three, to lead the Denver Nuggets to a 106–103 victory over Oklahoma City. Of course, it’s just Summer League, but the performance offers a tantalizing look at what Brazile could become. His main competition for minutes will come from Marvin Bagley III, DaRon Holmes II, and Zeke Nnaji, which bodes well for Brazile’s chances as the season progresses. **Fantasy takeaway:** Tantalizing long-term upside Like this analysis? [Get Playoff Rondo in your inbox.](https://playoffrondo.com/?ref=playoff-rondo.ghost.io#/portal/signup)