As the 2024-25 NBA season nears, here are potential fantasy basketball sleepers who can outperform their ADP.
Potential Fantasy Basketball Sleepers In 2024-25
Tyus Jones
2023-24 categories ranking: 91 | points ranking: 70
Last season was Tyus Jones‘ first time in a consistent starting role. As the Washington Wizards lead point guard, he averaged career highs in multiple categories, including points, assists, rebounds, field goal percentage, threes and blocks. However, over the offseason, the 28-year-old signed with the Phoenix Suns. The move sparked concerns over Jones’ role and fantasy value alongside Kevin Durant, Devin Booker, and Bradley Beal. New head coach Mike Budenholzer addressed this, revealing that he plans to start him at the one spot. While he’ll still be sharing the court with the big three, Jones is the only true playmaker for the team, and he was never a big scorer anyway. He can also provide some defensive stats and see more minutes when there are injuries. Jones may not have the same ranking as last season, but he could surpass his 110-120s ADP.
Kelly Olynyk
2023-24 categories ranking: 109 | points ranking: 137
While Jakob Poeltl was sidelined for the final stretch of last season due to an injury, Kelly Olynyk thrived in his place. He was traded to the Toronto Raptors at the 2024 trade deadline from the Utah Jazz. The 33-year-old’s minutes and production across 50 games with the Jazz declined from the previous year, but he looked rejuvenated with the Raptors. However, heading into this season, Olynyk’s stock is much lower now that Poeltl is healthy. As a result, he’ll serve as the backup center and see fewer minutes, but that doesn’t keep him off the fantasy radar. For a big man, he has solid versatility to contribute to multiple categories, even though his stats don’t jump off the page. The Canadian will be one of the leading players off the bench and the starting center if Poeltl misses time.
RJ Barrett
2023-24 categories ranking: 150 | points ranking: 85
RJ Barrett is entering his first full season with the Toronto Raptors after being traded there from the New York Knicks in December. Across 32 games with his new team, the Canadian averaged personal bests in multiple categories. One of the most significant downfalls of his game is his efficiency issues. While his free throw percentage was the second-worst of his career in Toronto, Barrett shot over 50% from the field for the first time. His limited defensive contributions also make him a more appealing target in points leagues. Nevertheless, the forward can take the next step and increase his numbers across the board. The Raptors don’t have championship aspirations in 2024-25, but Barrett still figures to have a prominent role as a top offensive option and supporting star.
Brandin Podziemski
2023-24 categories ranking: 187 | points ranking: 156
Entering his sophomore year, Brandin Podziemski can further showcase the potential he flashed in 2023-24. With Klay Thompson leaving the Golden State Warriors for the Dallas Mavericks, the starting shooting guard job should go to the 21-year-old. He sometimes started in place of Thompson but now has a clear path to consistent first-unit minutes. However, some managers aren’t convinced about Podziemski’s value due to Golden State’s offseason additions. While they did bring in new talent, the team should focus on the young guard’s development. He’s a key part of the Warriors’ young core and can learn from Stephen Curry. Podziemski had decent numbers in the main categories and steals as a rookie and can improve them. While he struggled with efficiency, his three-pointers are likely to rise.
Norman Powell
2023-24 categories ranking: 164 | points ranking: 182
Over the past few years, Norman Powell’s fantasy value has declined. But following Paul George’s signing with the Philadelphia 76ers and Russell Westbrook joining the Denver Nuggets, the Los Angeles Clippers need their supporting cast to step up. He’ll be depended on even more if Kawhi Leonard, who underwent knee surgery this offseason, misses time (which he likely will). While Powell’s numbers in 2023-24 didn’t pop eyes, he provided good points, threes and efficiency with low turnovers. The 31-year-old projects to come off the bench but will still be heavily depended on offensively. Especially because the guard/forward also provides a veteran presence for the team’s younger core. Ultimately, Powell could post better value if he can return to seeing around 30 minutes a night.
Scoot Henderson
2023-24 categories ranking: 215 | points ranking: 171
Scoot Henderson had high expectations as the third overall pick in the 2023 NBA Draft, but his rookie year was underwhelming. Poor shooting and excessive turnovers torched fantasy managers and led many to drop him shortly after the beginning of the season. Injuries also dampened his year, and it wasn’t until the final stretch that the 20-year-old showed signs of life. The Portland Trail Blazers were in full tank mode and gave the rookie a run at the starting one spot. During that time, he improved in multiple categories. With Malcolm Brogdon gone, injuries already happening, and Henderson being a part of the team’s core, the sophomore has a chance to turn things around. Now that he has one year of pro experience under his belt and some time to adjust to the NBA, the point guard is in a better position.
Trayce Jackson-Davis
2023-24 categories ranking: 213 | points ranking: 191
Another promising rookie from the Warriors is Trayce Jackson-Davis. He spent most of last season in a bench role and saw almost 17 minutes of action per game, but his workload could expand next year. Most depth charts list him as a backup big man, but he could sneak more starts if Golden State shakes up their lineup. In the past, Draymond Green has had issues staying on the court, which opens another path for Jackson-Davis to see more playing time. The only stat he really thrived in last season was field goal percentage, but he also had good contributions in rebounds and blocks. His offensive game and poor free-throw shooting were weak spots, although the power forward won’t be a main scoring option for the team. An increased role with more defensive production, some points, and efficient shooting from the floor can catapult his value past his ADP.
Dyson Daniels
2023-24 categories ranking: 195 | points ranking: 208
Being traded to the Atlanta Hawks could be exactly what Dyson Daniels needed to break out. Dejounte Murray’s move to the New Orleans Pelicans left a big hole in Atlanta’s backcourt. Daniels or Bogdan Bogdanovic will replace him at the shooting guard spot, most likely the former. If that’s the case, the 21-year-old is in for a heavy workload and consistent starting minutes, two things he never saw during his time with the Pelicans. Daniels has only started 27 games in his two-year career, but the glimpses fantasy managers have seen in that position indicate potential. The guard has shown the most skill on the defensive end. While his offensive abilities need improvement, he has the opportunity to increase his production on that end by easing the scoring burden off Trae Young.
Keyonte George
2023-24 categories ranking: 216 | points ranking: 198
A big sophomore leap for Keyonte George could be in the cards in 2024-25. He spent most of the first half of last season as a reserve until he permanently moved to the starting unit to close the year. As expected, the 20-year-old experienced the typical rookie growing pains of poor efficiency and high turnovers, as well as low defensive production. While these were downsides, George showed glimpses of his scoring, playmaking and three-point shooting abilities. The former 16th overall pick didn’t contribute significant fantasy value, but that can change. Likely the Jazz’s starting point guard, the guard can have a consistent role and big minutes every night as he takes on a heavier offensive workload. Utah is also not a competitive team, which leaves this as a season where they can continue to develop their young guys like George.
Noah Clowney
2023-24 categories ranking: 304 | points ranking: 305
Noah Clowney didn’t see much action in his rookie year with the Brooklyn Nets. That can change this season with the direction the team is heading in. After trading away Mikal Bridges, the Nets lack star power and competitiveness. Since they won’t be playing for a championship, this is the time to give young guys like Clowney opportunities. He only appeared in 23 contests, being listed as inactive for most of the season. Though Brooklyn did let the forward/center loose in the final stretch of 2023-24. In the last five games, he was a shot-blocking machine, cleaned up on the glass and had some scoring contributions on solid efficiency. If his minutes increase, the 20-year-old has promising upside. The latest news of Day’Ron Sharpe missing at least a month of the season further elevates Clowney’s value and helps his sophomore breakout.
Category rankings from Hashtag Basketball
Points rankings based on ESPN’s default system
