Five forward sleepers for the 2025-26 season stand out as shrewd late-round targets: Matas Buzelis, Michael Porter Jr., Santi Aldama, Aaron Nesmith, and Cam Whitmore. Each is positioned to benefit from expanded roles or favorable roster situations, offering upside beyond their draft-day price.

Chicago’s rising wing Buzelis could surge if the Bulls lean on youth and push past early-season pecking orders. Porter Jr. lands in Brooklyn with extra scoring opportunities, while Aldama foresees minutes with Grizzlies’ rotation shuffles. Nesmith may inherit a larger backcourt share in Indiana, and Whitmore could carve out a meaningful role in Washington amid developmental depth. All present compelling value bets for fantasy rosters.

Mid-to-late round sleepers can swing fantasy basketball seasons. Brandon Miller, Ausar Thompson, Kristaps Porziņģis and John Collins stand out as high-upside targets who could leap ADP thanks to role growth and health. In the late rounds, Santi Aldama, Donovan Clingan, Collin Sexton and Alex Sarr offer clear paths to expanded minutes and fantasy production. Add Kevin Porter Jr., Payton Pritchard, Brandin Podziemski and Matas Buzelis as late fliers with upside.

The guide emphasizes minutes, role clarity, and efficient production as routes to top-tier value, backed by recent debates and scouting observations from fantasy veterans. It’s a practical blueprint for navigating drafts with a tilt toward breakout potential and strategic risk-taking.

Late-round sleepers can anchor fantasy rosters as ADP climbs, with Matas Buzelis, Jalen Suggs, Santi Aldama, T.J. McConnell and Isaiah Collier positioned to deliver multi-category contributions if their minutes hold. Meanwhile, keep an eye on overvalued targets like De'Aaron Fox, Josh Hart, Kristaps Porzingis, Brandon Ingram and Bradley Beal, where new roles, health concerns or crowded backcourts could curb upside. Stay nimble, monitor injuries, and lean into these players as the season approaches for maximum late-round ROI.

Injury risk, roster moves and starting opportunities drive this slate of targets. The undervalued group benefits from likely extended roles due to depth chart shakeups, while the overvalued group faces potential declines in usage or minutes as teams optimize lineups. Use these insights to optimize ADP gaps and exploit efficiency, pace and multi-category production.

Five sleepers to target in fantasy basketball drafts: Santi Aldama (MEM) could push near 30 mpg with Desmond Bane’s departure, carving out a bigger scoring and 3-point role behind Morant and Jackson Jr. T.J. McConnell (IND) may lead the second unit as Haliburton sits, offering steady points and assists at a solid clip in 22–25 minutes. Jay Huff (IND) brings length and rim protection, with upside if minutes rise. Cam Whitmore (WAS) and Ryan Kalkbrenner (CHA) offer late-round upside with added run due to injuries and roster reshaping.

Injuries and roster churn shape early-season value, especially in Memphis, Indiana, Washington and Charlotte. Keep a close eye on injury reports and projections from RotoWire to adjust drafts and waivers as the season unfolds.