You can’t leave a fantasy basketball draft without risking at least a few sleepers. That won’t change for the 2024-25 draft season. Here, Dan Titus is joined by RotoWire analysts Alex Barutha and Kirien speaker to reveal their favorite targets with dormant potential.
Our favorite sleeper picks a keeper
Collin Sexton, Utah Jazz (Yahoo ADP: 119)
Sexton enjoyed a mini-breakout in the 2020-2021 season, but injuries and a trade to Utah halted his momentum. That was until last year, when the now 25-year-old vet enjoyed the second-best fantasy season of his six-year career. Sexton’s efficiency (48/39/86 shooting splits) and combination of scoring and facilitating put him on the verge of being a top-100 player. After he moved to the starting unit in December, his numbers improved dramatically, from 14.1 points, 2.7 boards and 3.6 assists in 22.5 minutes to 21.1 points, 2.6 boards and 5.6 assists in 28.8 minutes a night. The Young Bull is penciled in as the starting SG and, with a disrespectful ADP of 119 on Yahoo, you’re all napping at one of the best values in fantasy rings. — Dan Tito
Tyus Jones, Phoenix Suns (ADP: 110)
Jones had a career year in his only season with Washington and cracked the top 100 players in eight leagues for the first time. He will get less usage with the star-studded Suns, but Jones is expected to be the primary point guard and should reap the benefits of increased floor spacing. If Jones can flirt with 50/40/90 shooting splits, dish out eight-plus assists and record a steal per game, he should easily clear his current ADP (110.4) even if he doesn’t score at a high clip. Jones also has a strong record of staying healthy, playing at least 65 games in seven straight seasons, including 70-plus appearances four times. — Kirien Speaker
Jaden Ivey, Detroit Pistons (ADP: 141.2)
Ivey’s first two years in the NBA were a mixed bag. He had a solid rookie season but lost all momentum last year when Monty Williams took over as head coach and basically decided not to play Ivey for two months. Now that Williams is gone and JB Bickerstaff is in, my hope is that the organization re-focuses on Ivey being the team’s secondary playmaker to Cade Cunningham. I still have my questions about Ivey as a shooter and defender, but it’s not often a player with draft pedigree and upside like Ivey is available in the 140 range in fantasy drafts. — Alex Barutha
Our favorite sleeper picks at forward
Amen Thompson, Houston Rockets (ADP: 124.4)
The Rockets have a depth problem, but the second-year playmaking wing will be in the rotation and has shown he can fill the stat sheet even with limited minutes. The fastest route to playing time is to eat the role of Dillon Brooks. According to Cleaning the Glass, Thompson logged 42% of his minutes at SF last year and his ranks were +11.6 in plus-minus.
From an advanced statistical perspective, what stands out the most is how he is an exceptional rebounder (80th percentile), theft specialist (97th percentile) and playmaker (79th percentile). His jumper is a work in progress, but Thompson makes up for his ineffectiveness with elite finishing near the rim (71% on his attempts). Thompson carries an 11th-round ADP, so he’s well worth a late-round pick with his upside as a fantasy jack-of-all-trades. — Tito
Jaden McDaniels, Minnesota Timberwolves (ADP: 141)
McDaniels was a successful candidate last year, but he took a step back in basically every category. The arrival of Donte DiVincenzo and Julius Randle could be viewed as a threat to McDaniels’ standing in Minnesota after a disappointing campaign. However, all reports before camp suggest that the Washington product will remain a key piece of the Timberwolves organization.
In 2022-23, McDaniels averaged 12.1 points, 3.9 rebounds, 1.9 assists and 1.9 shares on 52/40/74 shooting splits, good for a 76th-place finish in eight-category leagues. His ADP is 141 this season. It takes a bit of wishful thinking to expect McDaniels to return to that kind of production, but it’s certainly plausible, especially with Karl-Anthony Towns no longer in the picture. I’m willing to take a flyer on a super talented youngster playing 30+ minutes for a rival team. – Speaker
Jonathan Kuminga, Golden State Warriors (ADP: 98.2)
Kuminga was finally given a bigger role in the middle of last season after voicing his displeasure with the organization. After getting his point across, Kuminga had a great finish to 2023-24 that I predict will be a jumping off point for this season. With the departure of Klay Thompson and the disappearance of Andrew Wiggins, someone has to be this team’s No. 2 option — all signs point to Kuminga. Besides, Steph Curry and Draymond Green aren’t getting any younger. If you anticipate them missing significant time, there will be plenty of nights this season when Kuminga will be the go-to guy. — Barutha
Our favorite sleeper choice at the center
Karlo Matković, New Orleans Pelicans (ADP: Undrafted)
You probably haven’t heard of Carlos yet, but I saw him play a few times in the 2024 Vegas Summer League and he blew me away with his athleticism, shot blocking and comfort from beyond the arc. Daniel Theis was brought in to replace Jonas Valančiūnas, and knowing how congested the paint is getting with Zion Williamson and Brandon Ingram operating from the post to mid-range areas and Dejounte Murray going down, New Orleans needs floor spacers and players who can run in transition. — both places where Matković thrives.
Matković’s rebounding needs work, but the rookie has the skill set to beat Theis and offer more versatility to the center spot than in previous seasons. I’m pretty sure Matković will go undrafted in most leagues, but he’s the deepest sleeper of the season. — Tito
Jonas ValančiūnasWashington Wizards (ADP: 86)
In signing Valančiūnas to a three-year, $30 million deal this offseason, the Wizards appear committed to starting rookie Alex Sarr at power forward. Valančiūnas’ role has declined in New Orleans, but this represents an opportunity for him to return to seeing minutes in the upper 20s with consistency. His usage could be higher as well, given the lack of offensive talent on this squad. Those two factors point to a possible rebound season for Valančiūnas, who flashed top-50 up not so long ago. — Barutha
Trayce Jackson-Davis, Golden State Warriors (ADP: 127.4)
At 34 years old, how many minutes do you think Draymond Green can play at center? Green has made more than 55 regular-season appearances just twice over the last five seasons and averaged less than 30 minutes per game three times. Kevon Looney is now a full-time backup, leaving Jackson-Davis in prime position to break out.
As a rookie, Jackson-Davis played at least 22 minutes 24 times, averaging 12.0 points, 8.5 rebounds, 1.8 assists, 1.9 blocks and 0.7 steals on 72% shooting. Strikeout percentage is certainly a concern, but with an ADP of 127, you can overlook his only fault. Jackson-Davis may take some time to fully cement himself as a 20-plus-minute guy, but I expect that to happen at some point this season. – Speaker
