We had a sleeper article in the Fantasy Basketball cheatsheet, but this is specifically for late-round targets. Guys who will surprise the masses with fantasy basketball appeal and are being selected in the 100s and beyond! We’ve written enough about the likes of Khaman Maluach, Keaton Wagler, and Ajay Mitchell, so if you’re wondering where they are, check out the cheatsheet and betting preview. You’ll find them both. Let’s dive into some other targets of ours that will help in nine-category leagues that fantasy basketball drafters are overlooking despite their top-100 upside.
CJ McCollum, Atlanta Hawks: ADP - 108.2
In 41 games with the Hawks last season, CJ McCollum averaged 18.7 PPG, 4.1 APG, 3.1 RPG, 1.0 SPG, and shot 46% from the field and 36% from three. That was with Jalen Johnson being a top-10 overall fantasy scorer last year. McCollum is being drafted in the ninth round of fantasy drafts and could once again be a plus nine-category contributor to boot. He has an easy path to being a top-100 player and is closer to top-50 than top-100.
Brandin Podziemski, Golden State Warriors: ADP - 108.5
It’s been a fantastic offseason for Brandin Podziemski off the court and on. He’s significantly richer after signing a $110M contract while also playing extremely well on the floor. In two preseason games, Podziemski has scored 16 points in 20 minutes and had a 14-7-4 game in 26 minutes. That was the type of production we saw often during his rookie season, but he hasn’t been the same guy since.
With that being said, the Warriors core is a year older and injured/sick. We don’t know when we’re going to see Jimmy Butler or Moses Moody back from injury officially. We have absolutely zero clue what the team is going to get out of Kristaps Porzingis either. Draymond Green is entering his age-36 season, and Stephen Curry turns 38 in March. Podziemski is productive in every category and is in a great position to thrive this year with a TON of question marks with the 2026-’27 Warriors.
Peyton Watson, Cleveland Cavaliers: ADP - 117.2
The Peyton Watson breakout finally came in 2025-’26, and it ended in tough fashion with a major hamstring injury, and what followed that was a trade to the Cleveland Cavaliers. Although it’s not confirmed, it looks like Peyton Watson will start for the Cavaliers, and let’s talk about Watson as a starter last year.
He started 40 games for the Nuggets and averaged 33 MPG, 17.3 PPG, 5.3 RPG, and 2.2 SPG. Watson, over the course of the season, shot 49% from the field and 41% from three. He was that good offensively last year, and his defensive prowess is what he’s made his name for in the NBA. If the offensive output sticks and he’s averaging two-plus stocks per game like he did last year, he’s a top-100 player in nine category leagues.
Jaime Jaquez., Milwaukee Bucks: ADP - 119.9
The Bucks are getting a downhill player in Jaime Jaquez. and are in the midst of a new era after trading Giannis Antetokounmpo. Jaquez averaged 17.4 drives per game last year, which was more than Jalen Johnson, Cooper Flagg, and James Harden. Jaquez, who finished second in the sixth-man of the year race last year, is slated to start for the Bucks, and that’s great if we get more downhill Jaquez.
Jaquez played 30 minutes or more in 30 games last year and averaged 18.2 points, 5.5 rebounds, and 5.5 assists in those contests. He’s elite with the ball in his hands, and his 22% USG last year in Miami has a chance to spike in Milwaukee. Jaquez has a chance to once again set career-highs as he did last year, especially with the expected expanded role. Talk about a multi-category producer being drafted late. This is your guy if that’s what you’re looking for.
Moussa Diabate, Charlotte Hornets: ADP - 140.2
After starting the 2025-’26 campaign as a member of the Hornets bench, Moussa Diabate started every game he played in after the New Year. He’s one of the league’s best rebounders, and as a starter last year, Diabate averaged 9.4 rebounds per game to go along with 8.0 points and 2.4 assists. He was right around a block and a steal per game too, so a multi-faceted fantasy contributor. Even with the acquisition of Naz Reid, they’re both expected to be in the starting lineup and have big roles with the team. Diabate is being drafted really late for a starting center who is a nightly – or almost nightly – double-double threat with stocks upside and could flirt with 30 minutes per game.