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.

Sleepers outside the top 100 picks could redefine drafts this season. Porter Jr. projects heavy Bucks usage; Edey and Eason should push for meaningful minutes as teams lean on youth; Ivey and Buzelis carry multi-cat upside in pivotal seasons. Pritchard, Avdija and Nembhard add shooting, efficiency and playmaking while Giddey’s post‑All‑Star run hints at continued upside. The value ladder is dense and dynamic.

Pritchard, Avdija and Nembhard offer floor + upside; Giddey’s late surge is a reminder of ceiling. Reed Sheppard, Cam Camara, Scotty Pippen Jr., Whitmore and Morant’s Grizzlies cohort shape a rich late-round tapestry. Toumani Camara and Jaden Ivey anchor defensively and offensively, while Matas Buzelis blends 3-and-D upside with block potential.

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.

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.

Bilal Coulibaly underwent surgery on a right-thumb ligament, a move that likely sidelines him at the start of the 2025-26 season. The 21-year-old No. 7 pick averaged 6.3 points and 4.3 rebounds in Eurobasket, flashing development after a breakout sophomore year (12.3 PPG, 5.0 RPG). Washington’s brightest young core—Alex Sarr, Tre Johnson, Will Riley—now faces an early-season rise in responsibility, joined by Cam Whitmore and other first‑round hopefuls. Veteran help from CJ McCollum and Khris Middleton, plus a reshaped rotation after Poole’s move to New Orleans, keeps playoff odds distant ( +3000 ) but not impossible if the youth flourishes.

The Wizards’ 2023-24 and 2024-25 narratives converge: minimal recent wins, a hopeful pipeline, and a front office embracing youth with a veteran bridge. The injury compounds uncertainty around opening-night lineups, tempo, and scoring balance, but it also sets up late-season momentum if Coulibaly returns healthy and the rookies hit their marks. The margin remains thin, but the path to relevance for Washington stays open with the right development arc.