You can’t leave a fantasy basketball draft without taking a chance on at least a few sleepers. That won’t change for the 2024-2025 draft season. Here Dan Titus is joined by RotoWire analysts Alex Barutha And Kirien Sprecher to reveal their favorite targets with sleep potential.
Our favorite sleeper chooses the watch
Collin Sexton, Utah Jazz (Yahoo ADP: 119)
Sexton had a mini breakout in the 2020-21 season, but injuries and a trade to Utah stalled 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 cusp of becoming a top-100 player. When 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 per night. The Young Bull is listed as the starting SG and with a disrespectful ADP of 119 on Yahoo, you’re all snoozing on one of the best values in fantasy hoops. – Dan Titus
Tyus Jones, Phoenix Suns (ADP: 110)
Jones had a career year in his lone season at Washington, cracking the top 100 players in eight category competitions for the first time. He will see less usage against the star-studded Suns, but Jones is expected to be the primary point guard and should reap the benefits of the 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 be able to hit his current ADP (110.4) even if not at a high clip scores. Jones also has a strong track record of staying healthy, playing at least 65 games in seven straight seasons, including 70-plus appearances four times. – Kirien Sprecher
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 essentially decided not to play Ivey for two months. With Williams gone and JB Bickerstaff here, I hope the organization refocuses on Ivey as the team’s secondary playmaker next 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 choice at Forward
Amen Thompson, Houston Rockets (ADP: 124.4)
The Rockets have a depth problem, but the second-year player will be in the rotation and has shown he can fill the stat sheet even with limited minutes. The quickest route to playing time is to fill Dillon Brooks’ role. According to Cleaning the Glass, Thompson logged 42% of his minutes with SF last year and his lineups were +11.6 in plus-minus.
From an advanced statistical perspective, what stands out most is how he is an exceptional rebounder (80th percentile), steals specialist (97th percentile), and playmaker (79th percentile). His jumper is still developing, but Thompson makes up for his inefficiency with elite finishing near the rim (71% of his attempts). Thompson has an 11th-round ADP, so he’s certainly worth a late-round pick with his upside as a fantasy jack-of-all-trades. – Titus
Jaden McDaniels, Minnesota Timberwolves (ADP: 141)
McDaniels was a breakout candidate last year, but he took a step back in almost every category. The additions of Donte DiVincenzo and Julius Randle could be seen as a threat to McDaniels’ position in Minnesota after a disappointing campaign. However, all reports leading up to camp suggest the Washington product will remain a key part 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 76th in eight-category leagues. His ADP this season is 141. It would take some wishful thinking to expect McDaniels to return to that kind of production, but it’s certainly plausible, especially now that Karl-Anthony Towns is no longer in the picture. I’m willing to make a flier on a very talented youngster playing 30+ minutes for a contending team. — Speaker
Jonathan Kuminga, Golden State Warriors (ADP: 98.2)
Kuminga finally got a bigger role halfway through last season, after he expressed his dissatisfaction with the organization. After making his point, Kuminga had a great end to 2023-2024, which I expect will be a starting point for this season. With the departure of Klay Thompson and the disappearance of Andrew Wiggins, someone has to be this team’s second option. All signs point to Kuminga. Plus, Steph Curry and Draymond Green aren’t getting any younger. If you expect them to miss meaningful time, there will be plenty of nights this season where Kuminga will be the go-to guy. –Barutha
Our favorite center sleeper choice
Karlo Matković, New Orleans Pelicans (ADP: Undrafted)
You’ve probably never heard of Karlo, but I watched 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 clogged the paint is becoming with Zion Williamson and Brandon Ingram operating from the post to the midrange and Dejounte Murray going downhill, New Orleans needs floor spacers and players who can run in transition – both places where Matković flourishes.
Matković’s rebounding needs to work, but the rookie has the skills to beat Theis and provide more versatility in the center spot than in previous seasons. I’m pretty sure Matković will disappear in most competitions, but he is the deepest sleeper of the season. – Titus
Jonas ValančiūnasWashington Wizards (ADP: 86)
By 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 was on the decline in New Orleans, but this presents him with a chance to consistently get minutes in the top twenty again. His usage could also be higher given the lack of offensive talent on this team. These two factors point to a potential bounce-back season for Valančiūnas, who not so long ago rocked the top 50. –Barutha
Trayce Jackson-Davis, Golden State Warriors (ADP: 127.4)
How many minutes do you think Draymond Green can play at center at age 34? Green has played more than 55 regular-season games just twice in the last five seasons and averaged less than 30 minutes per game three times. Kevon Looney is now a full-time backup, putting Jackson-Davis in prime position to break out.
As a rookie, Jackson-Davis played at least 22 minutes and 24 times, averaging 12.0 points, 8.5 rebounds, 1.8 assists, 1.9 blocks and 0.7 steals on 72% shooting. Free throw percentage is certainly a concern, but with an ADP of 127, you can overlook his one mistake. It may take some time for Jackson-Davis to fully establish himself as a 20+ minute guy, but I expect that to happen at some point this season. — Speaker
