Alex Slitz/Getty Pictures
With the beginning of the 2024-25 NBA season on Tuesday, fantasy basketball managers might discover a number of key contributors late within the draft so as to spherical out their rosters.
Whereas it is a certainty that high stars similar to Nikola Jokić, Giannis Antetokounmpo and Luka Dončić will stuff the stat sheet when wholesome, the distinction between successful and shedding in fantasy is usually decided by the gamers surrounding the celebs on every squad.
With that being stated, listed here are some sleeper choices to focus on in later rounds or declare on waivers following the draft.
Trayce Jackson-Davis, C, Golden State Warriors
As a rookie, Jackson-Davis emerged as an immediate contributor in head coach Steve Kerr’s rotation in 2023 and seems to be in line for a bigger position in 2024.
The 24-year-old began in 16 of his 68 appearances final season. In these 16 video games, he averaged 11.3 factors, 7.6 rebounds and 1.7 blocks every night time.
Jackson-Davis surpassed Kevon Looney within the Warriors’ heart rotation throughout the preseason, beginning in every of the crew’s closing three contests. He averaged 6.7 factors and 6.2 rebounds in six preseason video games, capturing 69.2 p.c from the sphere.
NBA @NBA
Trayce Jackson-Davis places the emphasis on the Warriors #NBAPreseason win 💪😤 pic.twitter.com/mnUbzQ0itF
With a scarcity of standard facilities on the roster exterior of two-way rookie Quinten Submit, Jackson-Davis will possible obtain loads of taking part in time each time Kerr desires to experiment with a much bigger lineup.
His particular person manufacturing ought to proceed to extend in a bigger position, particularly contemplating he’d be spending most of his minutes alongside Stephen Curry. Jackson-Davis is at the moment accessible in 64 p.c of ESPN leagues, through FantasyPros.
Stephon Citadel, G, San Antonio Spurs
Drafting a rookie is all the time dangerous, particularly one who does not have a direct beginning position. Nonetheless, Citadel might entrench himself within the Spurs’ rotation after a string of spectacular preseason performances.
The 19-year-old averaged 11.0 factors, 2.4 rebounds, 3.6 assists and 1.2 steals in 21.1 minutes per sport on 44.7 p.c capturing.
San Antonio Spurs @spurs
OH MY STEPH CASTLE 🏰 pic.twitter.com/ccxYFpCmag
He is already left an impression on head coach Gregg Popovich, who stated that he was “very impressed” with Citadel in coaching camp (through Tom Orsborn of the San Antonio Specific Information).
Even when he is not a part of San Antonio’s opening five-man unit, he ought to nonetheless obtain a number of alternatives to get on the ground because the No. 4 general choose within the 2024 NBA draft.
It is also value noting that the Spurs are coming off a 22-60 season. Whereas the crew is headlined by rising star Victor Wembanyama and made a number of veteran additions over the offseason, there’s nonetheless an opportunity that San Antonio is not capable of safe a playoff spot within the Western Convention simply but.
If the Spurs are eradicated earlier than the top of the common season, Citadel and different younger gamers might obtain prolonged taking part in time whereas fantasy basketball playoffs are occurring.
Jalen Smith, F, Chicago Bulls
The Bulls spent the 2024 offseason pivoting in direction of a youthful roster, with veterans similar to Alex Caruso and DeMar DeRozan exiting over the summer time.
With Chicago turning in direction of a youth motion led by Coby White and Josh Giddey, the crew might additionally get youthful within the frontcourt because the 2024-25 season wears on.
Nikola Vučević is at the moment the Bulls’ beginning heart, however he’ll be 34 years outdated on Thursday. Vučević has simply two seasons left on his contract, with Motion Community’s Matt Moore reporting that Chicago was trying to transfer the veteran on June 27.
If a deal materializes throughout the season, it opens up the door for Smith to enter the beginning 5. The previous lottery choose averaged 9.9 factors in 17.2 minutes per sport with the Indiana Pacers final yr and continued to excel throughout the preseason.
Chicago Bulls @chicagobulls
In three appearances with the Bulls, Smith recorded 11.7 factors, 9.0 rebounds and a couple of.3 assists per contest whereas averaging lower than 18 minutes on the ground every sport. At 24 years outdated, he matches the timeline of White and Giddey.
Even when Vučević is not traded, Smith nonetheless represents an possibility with excessive upside and is out there in 97 p.c of ESPN leagues.
