Fantasy Basketball Sleepers: 9-Category Late-Round Draft Values To Target for 2024-25

Cody Pestino
Keegan Murray - NBA DFS Picks, Daily Fantasy Basketball Rankings, Injury News - rotoballer icon

In fantasy basketball, matchups are usually week-long, and with how the NBA schedule works, teams don’t always play the same number of games every week.

This puts importance on hitting on late-round value picks, as having a well-rounded roster and much-needed depth can separate you from the competition. 

Let's take a look at some players available in the late rounds who have an excellent chance of providing fantasy basketball managers with value this season.

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Brandon Miller - Charlotte Hornets (SF/SG)

Charlotte Hornets second-year wing Brandon Miller is currently ranked 58 in traditional draft rankings and valued at just $5 in auction redraft leagues. This presents fantasy managers with a great opportunity to make a high-value pick in their drafts.

Miller averaged 17.3 points, 4.3 rebounds, and 2.4 assists in an impressive rookie season. A key stat that should interest fantasy managers is his 32.2 minutes per game, a significant edge over other players in his draft range, especially for someone outside the top 50.

With Hornets point guard LaMelo Ball’s availability often inconsistent, Miller is a strong candidate to take on a leading role and have the offense run through him. As a rookie, Miller took 14.6 shots per game, and managers can expect that number to rise to around 16 in 2024.

While Miller did face the typical rookie adjustment period (the "rookie wall") during December and January, he turned things around late in the season.

In the final month, he shot nearly 48.5% from the field while increasing his shot volume. He showed more confidence on the floor and emerged as one of the NBA’s best wing finishers around the rim. Finding a player with this kind of expected usage rate this late in the draft is an opportunity fantasy managers should capitalize on.

 

Trey Murphy III - New Orleans Pelicans (SF/SG)

New Orleans Pelicans wing Trey Murphy III is currently ranked 82nd in traditional draft rankings and valued at just $4 in auction redraft leagues, offering fantasy managers a chance to snag a valuable sleeper pick.

Murphy averaged 13.8 points, 4.3 rebounds, 1.8 assists, and 0.9 steals per game last season. However, post-All-Star break, his minutes increased by nine per game. During that stretch, he posted impressive averages of 17.1 points, 6.2 rebounds, 2.8 assists, 1.1 steals, and 0.5 blocks per game, with solid efficiency (45% FG, 39.7% 3PT, 82% FT).

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Although the Pelicans rotation is more crowded this season with the addition of Dejounte Murray, Murphy currently projects to be in the sixth to ninth-man range off the bench. However, the Pelicans frequently deal with injuries to key forwards Zion Williamson and Brandon Ingram. When either is out, Murphy is a strong candidate to step into the starting lineup.

Regardless of his current spot in the rotation, Murphy’s two-way play and elite efficiency make it hard to keep him off the floor. He’s a player who can fill up the stat sheet quickly, making him an undervalued asset in drafts and a great late-round target with a high upside.

 

Bogdan Bogdanovic - Atlanta Hawks (SG/SF)

Atlanta Hawks shooting guard Bogdan Bogdanovic is currently ranked 71st in traditional draft rankings and valued at just $9 in auction redraft leagues. This presents fantasy managers with a chance to draft one of fantasy basketball’s most underrated players at a great price.

Bogdanovic averaged 16.9 points, 3.4 rebounds, and 3.1 assists in 30.4 minutes per game during the 2023-24 season. He was also efficient from the field (42% FG, 37% 3PT, 92% FT) splits. As the Hawks starting shooting guard, a position where they lack depth, he could see an increase in playing time, building on his already solid minutes.

Bogdanovic is also coming off an impressive Olympic campaign with Serbia, where he averaged 18.3 points, 4.0 rebounds, and 3.8 assists, further proving his ability to fill up the stat sheet when relied upon.

Bogdanovic consistently delivers for fantasy managers, often going late in drafts yet finishing among the best at his position. Last season, he was drafted on average 82nd overall and 18th among shooting guards, but he finished as the 10th-ranked player at his position.

With his role firmly established and his year-to-year consistency, Bogdanovic offers managers a high-value, high-floor draft pick late in drafts.

 

Amen Thompson - Houston Rockets (SF/PF)

Houston Rockets second-year forward Amen Thompson is currently ranked 93rd in traditional draft rankings and valued at just $1 in auction redraft leagues. This gives fantasy managers the chance to draft a high-ceiling player with minimal investment late in drafts.

After a slow start, Thompson quietly broke out to finish the 2023-24 season strong. Post All-Star break, he averaged 12.1 points, 8.0 rebounds, 2.9 assists, 1.4 steals, and 0.9 blocks per game, while his minutes increased from 19.2 to 26.5 per game during that span.

Not only was Thompson filling up the stat sheet, but he was doing it with impressive efficiency for a rookie shooting 55% from the field. 

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Though Thompson appears to be the team’s sixth man for now, the Rockets invested the fourth overall pick in the 2023 NBA Draft on him, making it likely that his playing time will continue to rise.

Thompson is a high-energy playmaker on both sides of the ball, always active and capable of filling up the stat sheet. This makes him particularly valuable in 9-cat leagues, where his all-around contributions stand out.

Ranked just 93rd overall, fantasy managers won’t need to pay a high price to acquire Thompson in drafts, and shouldn’t hesitate to reach for him if he falls outside of that range.

 

Zach Edey - Memphis Grizzlies (C)

Memphis Grizzlies rookie center Zach Edey is currently ranked 161st in traditional draft rankings and valued at just $5 in auction redraft leagues. This presents fantasy managers with an opportunity to draft the current leader in Rookie of the Year betting odds at a bargain late in drafts.

Edey wrapped up his collegiate career with a stellar performance in the national championship game, scoring 37 points, grabbing 10 rebounds, and blocking two shots in a loss to UConn.

He then made an impressive NBA Summer League debut for the Grizzlies, recording 14 points, 15 rebounds, and four blocks in 33 minutes, including a clutch tip-in to send the game into overtime.

Since his college days, Edey has made notable improvements, particularly in his outside shooting. At the NBA Draft Combine, he reportedly knocked down shots from beyond the arc, something he rarely did during his college career.

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Edey has always been productive on the stat sheet, and he currently holds the best odds to win the Rookie of the Year Award. One of the most intriguing aspects of his situation is that while he’s slated to be the Grizzlies’ bench big man, strong performances could see him slide into the starting center role, allowing Jaren Jackson Jr. to shift to his more natural position at power forward.

As the starting center alongside superstar point guard Ja Morant, Edey would have plenty of scoring opportunities and could excel in transition plays with outlet passes. Landing the potential top rookie near the end of the draft is a value no fantasy manager should pass up.

 

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