Trae Young Climbs Fantasy Rankings in 2026 Offseason After Draft

Trae Young surged up fantasy basketball leaderboards on July 5, 2026, emerging as one of the biggest winners of the 2026 NBA offseason and forcing owners to rethink their draft boards.

Young’s stock jumped after the Hawks traded for a veteran sharpshooter and he logged a 38‑point, 11‑assist performance in the preseason finale on June 28. That game pushed his projected points per game to 27.4, the highest among point guards in most major platforms. Fantasy analysts highlighted his improved shooting split-41% from three‑point range-making him a reliable source of weekly points and assists.

VJ Edgecombe, the rookie guard from the Detroit Pistons, fell sharply after a preseason ankle sprain on July 2 sidelined him for two weeks. His projected minutes dropped from 28 to 19 per game, and his fantasy value slipped from a mid‑tier guard to a bench‑depth option. Owners who drafted Edgecombe in the early second round now face a tough decision about keeping him.

The Hawks’ front office signaled confidence in Young by extending his contract through 2032 on June 30, locking in a $210 million deal. That move reassured fantasy owners that Young will stay healthy and be the focal point of Atlanta’s offense. With the Hawks targeting a playoff push, Young’s elevated usage rate translates directly into higher fantasy outputs.

Owners should prioritize Young in the first round of 2026 fantasy drafts, especially in points‑based leagues where his scoring and assist totals dominate. Edgecombe, meanwhile, is better suited for late‑round flyers or as a stash player hoping to return to form after recovery. Monitoring the Hawks’ rotation during the regular season will be key, as any shift in minutes could swing Young’s fantasy value dramatically.

Major fantasy platforms will release updated projections on July 10, incorporating the latest preseason stats and injury reports. Keep an eye on Young’s minutes in the first two regular‑season games-if he maintains 35+ minutes, his fantasy ceiling stays sky‑high. Edgecombe’s timeline for return is expected to be early August, giving owners a narrow window to reassess his role.