Nobody likes a pretender, especially if you’re a fantasy manager planning for March playoffs.
It’s crunch time for owners to lock in winning lineups, which means relying heavily on your star players. Unfortunately, tanking teams and persistent injuries have turned some familiar names into late-season fades. Here’s a look at whose fantasy value is fading fast, and what you should do to pivot without getting burned.
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High-Risk Bigs on Tanking TeamsZion Williamson (New Orleans Pelicans)
Williamson has long been a high-risk, high-reward fantasy pickup because of his never-ending list of injuries. Meanwhile, the Pelicans sit at an abysmal 15-41 and have no reason to overplay anyone. Even though Williamson is averaging 32 minutes per game right now, he’s at a high risk of being shut down in the final month of the season.
Domantas Sabonis (Sacramento Kings)
Domantas Sabonis faces late-season volatility amid injuries and Sacramento’s lottery trajectory.© Sergio Estrada-Imagn Images


(© Sergio Estrada-Imagn Images

)
The Kings (12-44) are in the running for the first overall draft pick next summer, so there’s no reason to push any players. That includes Sabonis, who has been limited to just 19 games this season because of injuries. There was hope his fantasy value would rise if the Kings traded him at the deadline, but managers are better off parting ways with the heavily rostered center.
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Vets with Fatigue or Injury CloudsJoel Embiid (Philadelphia 76ers)
Joel Embiid’s potential March rest days threaten fantasy playoff availability.Rick Scuteri-Imagn Images
(Rick Scuteri-Imagn Images)
This isn’t the first time this winter that Embiid has made one of Athlon’s lists of fading fantasy assets. He stands out from the first two players on our list, however, because the 76ers have a good shot at making the playoffs. Embiid will get more rest days in March if Philadelphia stays in good standing, which isn’t good for fantasy rosters in lock-in mode.
Trae Young (Washington Wizards)
Trae Young’s MCL recovery timeline complicates late-season fantasy lineup reliability.
Yes, Young is a high-value fantasy asset… when he actually plays. Managers waiting for Young to make his post-trade debut with the Wizards have been stuck in a holding pattern as the point guard recovers from an MCL injury. Even if he gets playing time late in the season, it will be too late for fantasy owners who need to set a productive roster now.
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Strategies to Handle These FadesCheck Your Young Replacements
Before you gut your entire fantasy roster, it’s smart to look at which young players are overperforming right now. If you have one of these fantasy risers on your squad, it’s time to build around them for a strong playoff run.
Hit the Waiver Wire
You can’t trade your fading stars since the deadline has passed, but you can see who’s available on waivers and reshape your roster accordingly. Remember: Beware of players on lottery-bound teams that will shorten their benches and cut minutes, which negatively impacts fantasy production.
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Conclusion
Fantasy pretenders get exposed in mid-February, but you don’t have to be stuck with them for the rest of the season. Identify the stars on your roster who are fading fast due to injuries or bad team records, then use the waiver wire to make smart swaps to your squad.
People Also AskAbout Pretenders in Fantasy Basketball
Who are fantasy basketball pretenders losing value in 2026?
Zion Williamson, Domantas Sabonis, Joel Embiid, and Trae Young carry elevated shutdown, injury, or rest risk as playoff races shift.
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Is Joel Embiid at risk of fading late?
Yes. If Philadelphia locks in postseason positioning, increased rest days could limit his March availability.
Should I sell high on Domantas Sabonis?
In shallow formats, yes. Injury limitations and team trajectory reduce late-season reliability.
What about Zion Williamson as teams fall out?
Lottery positioning increases shutdown odds, making him a high-variance hold.
How should I handle fading stars in fantasy?
Prioritize waiver upgrades and build around healthy, secure-minute contributors entering March.
This story was originally published by Athlon Sports on Feb 16, 2026, where it first appeared in the Fantasy section. Add Athlon Sports as a Preferred Source by clicking here.