Fantasy Expert Eric Karabell Urges Earlier Drafting of Randle, Castle, and Reaves

Fantasy basketball fans preparing for the 2026-27 NBA season might want to reconsider when they pick certain players. Eric Karabell, a well-known fantasy basketball analyst at ESPN, has released his “Do Draft” list highlighting players he believes are being selected later than they should be.

One of the key names Karabell points to is Julius Randle. After moving from Minnesota to the Brooklyn Nets, Randle is expected to take on a bigger offensive role alongside Michael Porter Jr. Karabell notes that Randle, who made two All-Star teams in the past and posted strong numbers with the New York Knicks, could return to that high production in Brooklyn. Despite this, many fantasy players have been waiting until late in drafts to pick him. Current average draft positions (ADP) support this, placing Randle around 67th overall, which Karabell says undervalues his potential.

Stephon Castle of the San Antonio Spurs is another player Karabell recommends drafting earlier. Castle showed solid improvement in his second year, especially in scoring and three-point shooting, and has the potential to become a first-time NBA All-Star. Fantasy experts also highlight Castle’s upside in formats that don’t penalise shooting inefficiency or turnovers, making him a good value pick.

Austin Reaves from the Los Angeles Lakers also makes the list. With LeBron James no longer on the Lakers, Reaves is expected to step up as a main offensive option. He impressed last season with his scoring, rebounding, and playmaking, and his ADP around 33rd overall suggests some fantasy players are not fully accounting for his expanded role.

Karabell’s list includes other players like James Harden, Jalen Johnson, and Domantas Sabonis, who could also be overlooked in drafts relative to their expected contributions. The key message is that some players’ current draft positions don’t reflect their potential value based on their roles, durability, and past performance.

Of course, these recommendations come with the usual caveats. Team roles and minutes can change, and fantasy value depends heavily on the league’s scoring format. Still, if you’re looking for a strategic edge in your fantasy basketball draft, considering Karabell’s “Do Draft” list might pay off.