Dunkest NBA Fantasy Tips, R3: The Admin’s Team

Everything you need for Dunkest NBA Round 3. From position-by-position NBA fantasy basketball tips to injury updates and projected lineups, here’s a ready-to-use kit with all the tools you need to tackle the day like a pro.

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Dunkest NBA Fantasy Tips, Round 3

The guy posting on Instagram now has to actually score points.

Hi, I’m Domenico Borracci, your friendly neighborhood Admin, and throughout the 2026/27 NBA season I’ll take you inside my Dunkest team, walking you through signings, players I keep, last-minute doubts and, inevitably, a few choices I’ll end up regretting.

The idea is simple: the team is mine, the choices are mine too, and you already know where to find me. When things go well, I’ll try to act like I know what I’m doing. When they go badly, I’ll still have to show up and clock in.

No magic formulas or promises of astronomical scores: I’ll tell you how I build my lineup, why I’m targeting certain players and which risks I’m willing to take. Maybe there’ll even be a useful tip or two for your teams.

I have two options, and a player you wouldn’t expect will decide which one I use. Because on Dunkest, injuries can matter as much as the budget – if not more.

Through the highs and lows, 14.2 credits hang in the balance

I’ve already brought my share of bad luck to Missi, who got injured after just a few minutes. Switching to his teammate Queen would have been interesting, but New Orleans has a bye this matchday. So I’m changing direction and putting my credits on the table, at least until another update forces me to scoop them back up.

The first name is Domantas Sabonis (18.4 cr). In Sacramento, he has very little competition for rebounds or running the offense. After a double-double in Round 1 and a near triple-double in Round 2, he’s averaging 55 FTP.

Against Memphis, which could also be without Edey, I expect him to take advantage of those strengths again. His price is steep and shapes the rest of the roster, but I’m buying an elite player to make my captain. The alternative is the hugely popular Khaman Maluach (4.2 cr): a bargain price and a starting spot. There’s a 14.2-credit gap between him and Sabonis – enough to transform the lineup.

Alongside either one, I’ll keep Walker Kessler (11.0 cr). Against Utah, still struggling without its starting centers, I continue to see good value for the production. I expect him to impose himself around the rim without needing to get too creative. Jalen Smith (7.4 cr), meanwhile, remains the usual alternative. No need to overcomplicate it.

All my Forwards are taking flight…

Among the many forwards I’m waving goodbye to, Gordon is the first, with Franz Wagner (11.9 cr) taking his place. Gordon is struggling a little, and the mobility of Golden State’s bigs adds another concern. I’d rather make a change and target a player who is already appealing in his own right.

Without Banchero, Wagner becomes the Magic’s primary offensive option. New York is still a tough opponent: more responsibility also means more defensive attention. I accept the risk because I expect plenty of important possessions to run through him.

And the rest of the forwards? I told you they were taking flight… but don’t worry, you’ll find them further down. Someone has to pay for Sabonis.

Solid guards and where to find them

I’m making fewer changes here and keeping Austin Reaves (14.6 cr) against Utah. He’s been consistent in these opening games: while Doncic has had his ups and downs, Reaves has maintained his level. That consistency convinces me to keep him, especially in a matchday with so many decisions still hinging on the news.

Tyrese Haliburton (14.6 cr) also stays, with Brooklyn up next. He didn’t deliver the hoped-for double-double against Dallas, but the increase in rebounds was a reminder of how much he can contribute across categories. A triple-double remains a possibility, even if it’s not always something you pencil in.

The third holdover is Ty Jerome (8.2 cr): 45 fantasy points in Matchday 1, 28 in Matchday 2 and 21% rostered. That percentage shows how popular he is, but I’m keeping him for his production and the opportunities potential absences in Memphis could create. Naturally, I’ll check those before locking things in, too.

I had to pick someone from Washington

At coach, I’m switching to Brian Keefe (7.5 cr). I can’t afford Davis among the players, but I can still invest in Washington against a flawed Charlotte team.

The price remains affordable, and a possible return for Dybantsa would strengthen the case considerably if confirmed. The combination of cost and opponent makes me back him: a straightforward choice. I consider him the perfect coach for this matchday.

The bargain bin foots the bill, Avdija stays home

To fund Sabonis, I’m replacing Brown, who faces Detroit, with Matisse Thybulle (4.2 cr). Finding a starter at that price is difficult, and his 3-and-D ability, as long as he’s healthy, convinces me to give him a shot. From my lineup’s bench, I can accept the offensive uncertainty while looking for contributions primarily in other categories.

In my alternative setup, though, this spot would belong to Deni Avdija (14.5 credits), a real anchor for T3. Go with him if you want to distribute your spending differently: fewer credits at center and more investment across the rounds.

Finally, I’m saying goodbye to Graves: after his limited minutes against Washington, I fear he could get even fewer against Minnesota. I’m bringing in Denver’s Trevon Brazile (4.2 cr), who could benefit from the numerous injuries at his position. I’m buying the minutes more than the player, though he’s perfectly respectable in his own right.

Naz Reid is also out, with an unappealing matchup against Giannis and Miami. In his place, I’m choosing Zaccharie Risacher (5.6 cr): with Cooper Flagg sidelined, he gets more room and a bigger role in Dallas. I’m chasing yet another opportunity created by absences, knowing it will be up to him to turn it into minutes and production. So, naturally, it’ll go terribly.

And finally, here’s the man responsible for all this uncertainty: Sergio De Larrea (5.3 cr).

I really believe in his ability and the signs he’s shown when given an opportunity. Irving’s reduced minutes already intrigue me; a potential Kyrie absence, paired with a starting spot for the Spaniard, would make this an incredibly tempting pick.

That’s the update I’m waiting for. If the opportunity I’m looking for materializes, I’ll take De Larrea and invest in Sabonis. If his projected role isn’t convincing enough, I’ll turn to the alternatives I’ve mentioned and Davion Mitchell (9.2 cr), who has two double-doubles in his last three games despite the Heat’s losses.

With Mitchell, I’d spend more at guard, choose Maluach at center and use the credits freed up to get Avdija. That’s how a player costing 5.3 can make me move half my roster around. The others cost more; he’s the one holding the remote.

My Dunkest team for Round 3

This is my preferred lineup, taking plenty of risks and going all-in on T1, subject to injury updates and potential starting roles – as well as my personal player obsessions:

The second lineup keeps the other eight selections and changes three names: Maluach for Sabonis, Avdija for Thybulle and Mitchell for De Larrea.

Two teams ready, only one to submit.

Now it’s time to wait – and bank some patience

After another 0.5 credits gained, I’m now waiting for the latest news. I’ve decided where I want to spend and which compromises I can accept; what’s missing is knowing which opportunities will actually be available.

We’ll meet again next matchday to see which lineup I chose and how good an idea it turned out to be. In the meantime, De Larrea, let us know when you hear something: there are almost twenty-eight credits waiting on you here.

Always with the rallying cry: “Today’s value gain is tomorrow’s score.”

Note: the lineup and evaluations in this article were prepared on the morning of publication, based on the information available at that time. Injuries, rotations, starting lineups and player availability may change before the games begin. Always check the latest updates and adjust your team accordingly.

NBA Fantasy Captain Picks

Are you unsure who to make captain for the Dunkest round? Here are our tips, one for each turn.

Average scores and teams not on the schedule

• Teams that are on the schedule but marked as resting will receive their average score (including all players on the roster, injured ones as well, plus the coach). This is designed to optimize the NBA calendar as much as possible. As in the regular season, players who receive an average score due to scheduling reasons will NOT get the 1.5x captain bonus if selected as captain.

• Teams NOT on the schedule (players, coaches, and unavailable players) will NOT be considered “resting teams” and will NOT receive an average score, but instead 0 points. These are teams that have been eliminated or have already qualified and are waiting for their next Playoff opponent.

Fantasy Basketball Dunkest NBA 2026/27 List

To make life easier for all draft mode enthusiasts, we’ve made the Dunkest NBA 2026/27 List available for download in Excel format below, allowing you to prepare for the auction in the coming days.

Remember, you’ll find the Dunkest List with all updated stats for each player in our Statistics section, including credits, Dunkest points (PDK), and capital gains.