NBA Fantasy Basketball: Top Guard Risers and Sleepers to Target in Drafts

Roster changes across multiple franchises have created distinct valuation gaps, opening opportunities for managers to secure production at lower draft costs.

Guard Risers Benefit From Rebuilding Rosters and Returning Health

According to RotoWire’s positional analysis, guard risers are largely defined by players absorbing larger workloads for rebuilding franchises. Darius Garland emerges as a primary playmaker option for a Los Angeles Clippers roster that underwent significant changes over the past year, parting ways with James Harden, Kawhi Leonard, and Ivica Zubac. Over his last five seasons, Garland has averaged 20.1 points, 2.8 rebounds, 7.3 assists, 1.2 steals, and 2.6 three-pointers in 33 minutes per game while shooting 46 percent from the field, 39 percent from beyond the arc, and 87 percent from the free-throw line, per RotoWire. Furthermore, RotoWire notes that Garland averaged 27.5 points, 2.2 rebounds, 8.5 assists, and 1.2 steals per 75 possessions with a 34 percent usage rate when Leonard was off the floor last season.

Jamal Murray also enters drafts with boosted upside after missing significant time due to an Achilles tear, appearing in just 45 games over the previous two seasons. According to RotoWire, Murray demonstrated full health down the stretch of last season, averaging 17 points, 5.6 rebounds, 6.6 assists, and 1.7 steals across 28 minutes in his final 13 contests. Since 2021, Murray has maintained averages of 19.7 points, 6.2 rebounds, 7.1 assists, 1.7 steals, and 1.8 three-pointers, figures that traditionally warrant a much higher draft selection before injury concerns created a discount for managers.

Sleepers Emerge Following Major Star Departures

FantasyPros identifies several sleeper targets who stand to inherit minutes and statistics following high-profile offseason departures in Milwaukee, Memphis, and Charlotte. Milwaukee lost Giannis Antetokounmpo, creating an immediate opportunity for Ryan Rollins. Rollins averaged 17.3 points and 5.6 assists last season, but his numbers spike significantly in games without Antetokounmpo. According to FantasyPros, Rollins averaged 20.2 points, 4.9 rebounds, 6.1 assists, 1.2 steals, and 2.8 three-pointers across 25 games played without Antetokounmpo. While ESPN’s Bobby Marks flags Rollins as one of the best value contracts in the league, FantasyPros notes that Tyler Herro—who has averaged over 20 points per game across the last four seasons—presents a potential threat to Rollins’ starting role.

In Memphis, the departures of Ja Morant and Santi Aldama leave a massive production gap that figures to benefit Cedric Coward. FantasyPros reports that Coward played 62 games with 47 starts as a rookie, averaging 13.6 points, 5.9 rebounds, and 2.8 assists. ESPN tips Coward for a breakout campaign this upcoming season as the Grizzlies lean into a younger core alongside Cameron Boozer and Zach Edey.

Frontcourt Sleepers Offer Alternative Category Value

Beyond the backcourt, center Kel’el Ware surfaces as a prime sleeper candidate after joining Milwaukee. According to FantasyPros, Ware averaged 11.1 points, 9 rebounds, 1.1 blocks, and 0.8 steals in 22.1 minutes per game last season while shooting 53 percent from the field and 39.5 percent from three-point range while in Miami. Now positioned in Milwaukee alongside Myles Turner, Ware is poised for a larger role. FantasyPros highlights that Ware’s free-throw profile makes him an exceptionally strong addition for points leagues rather than category leagues, anchoring his value as a potential top-100 draft target.