Four third-year breakout bets populate the 2025-26 fantasy landscape: Brandon Miller, Cam Whitmore, Gradey Dick, and Scoot Henderson. Miller aims to flourish as Charlotte pairs him with LaMelo Ball and navigates competition from new teammates, hoping for bigger touches and a true 2A role. Whitmore lands in Washington, where a low-pressure environment and veteran guidance could unlock consistent minutes and shooting gravity. Dick battles back from knee issues in Toronto, dialing in conditioning and pace to reclaim a reliable role. Henderson, finally in a lead guard perch in Portland with Holiday and a reshaped roster, has a clear path to big-scoring and playmaking gains.

These arcs highlight how third-year leaps—driven by minutes, usage, and improved efficiency—can translate into serious fantasy upside, even for players on teams not traditionally viewed as elite. The message: monitor minutes, stay wary of health, and gauge how coaching and roster moves unlock each player's ceiling this season.

Sleepers, breakouts and busts for the 2025-26 fantasy season: Castle, Sarr, Porter Jr., Murphy III and Buzelis offer high upside as sleepers, with Castle perched outside the top 100 but ready to contribute across points, dimes, and boards. Breakouts like Miller, Flagg, Giddey, Wells, and Ware carry league-winning potential as their roles loom larger. Busts include George, Morant, Zubac, Claxton and VanVleet, where durability, minutes, and surrounding talent may cap upside.

Cooper Flagg headlines a deep 2025-26 rookie class, with Ace Bailey, Kon Knueppel, Dylan Harper, and Khaman Maluach poised for immediate fantasy impact. Flagg is projected to start for Dallas and contribute across points, rebounds, assists and defensive stats, while Jazz, Hornets, Spurs and Suns lean on rookies for early workload. Knueppel and Bailey offer reliable shooting and scoring floor, Harper carries exciting upside despite potential early limitations, and Maluach is a high-risk, high-reward rim protector with room to grow.