Fantasy Basketball Sleepers 2025-26: DraftKings Best Ball

Discover the best 2025 fantasy basketball sleepers for DraftKings Best Ball leagues. Find undervalued NBA players with breakout upside based on ADP and projections.

October 15, 2025

Fantasy Basketball Sleepers 2025-26: DraftKings Best Ball

By:

Mike Barner

October 15, 2025

SPECIAL OFFER

Get 10% OFF

Get 10% off any subscription when you subscribe today. Take advantage of our tools and personalized news for the best sports experience. Use promo code .

PROMO CODE RW10

The secret to winning your 2025 fantasy basketball league? Spotting the NBA sleepers before anyone else. With changes in NBA lineups, NBA injuries, and roles across the league, several under-the-radar players offer major upside. As you select your best ball squads on DraftKings, don't overlook the following five players who are all going outside the top 125 in drafts.

Fantasy Basketball Sleepers: DraftKings Best Ball

Cam Whitmore, Washington Wizards (ADP 138)

Whitmore had a difficult time finding his way onto the floor with the Rockets. After logging 19 minutes per game during his rookie season, he averaged just 16 minutes per game last season. Even with his limited playing time last season, he averaged 9.4 points, 3.0 rebounds and 1.3 three-pointers per game. During the offseason, Whitmore was dealt to the Wizards in a trade that landed the Rockets two second-round draft picks.

The 20th pick in the 2023 Draft, Whitmore comes with a ton of upside. He has played at least 20 minutes in a game 41 times during his career. In those games, he averaged 15.9 points, 5.1 rebounds and 1.2 assists. With the Wizards still rebuilding, Whitmore could play at least 20 minutes a game right out of the gate, despite coming off the bench. If the team falls out of the playoff hunt, he could see even more playing time during the second half of the season. Whitmore could be a huge bargain at his ADP.

Ryan Kalkbrenner, Charlotte Hornets (ADP 141)

The Hornets traded Mark Williams to the Suns during the offseason, ending his injury-filled tenure with the team. Their problem is: they didn't bring in an established option to replace him. Mason Plumlee is back for his second stint with the team, while bench sparkplug Moussa Diabate also returns. Diabate could get an opportunity to start, but he only averaged 5.7 points over 18 minutes per game last season and should continue to be a limited scoring threat.

Kalkbrenner, who the Hornets took early in the second round of the 2025 Draft, has the potential to be their center of the future. In Saturday's preseason game against the Mavericks, Kalkbrenner started and produced 14 points, 10 rebounds and one block over 25 minutes. In college, he averaged at least 2.1 blocks and shot at least 64.6% from the field in each of the last four seasons. Even if he's not starting for the Hornets on Opening Night, he could work his way into the role sooner rather than later. At a minimum, he appears to have a path to 20+ minutes a game off the bench at the beginning of the season.

Isaiah Collier, Utah Jazz (ADP 152)

Collier struggled coming off the bench last year, averaging 3.4 points and 3.6 assists while shooting 32.7% from the field over 25 games in that role. However, he took off when provided an opportunity to start. Across 45 starts, he averaged 11.5 points, 4.1 rebounds and 7.8 assists, to go along with 44.5% shooting from the field.

There isn't a ton of competition at point guard for Collier heading into this season. Collin Sexton and Jordan Clarkson are no longer with the Jazz. Keyonte George is still in the fold, but he has struggled with his efficiency and turnovers to begin his career. A potential starting point guard going outside the top 150 in drafts might be too good to pass up.

QUICK LINKS

Isaiah Jackson, Indiana Pacers (ADP 178)

The Pacers are going from being in the NBA Finals to playing this season without two of the top three players who got them there. Tyrese Haliburton (Achilles) will miss the entire season, and Myles Turner is now a member of the Bucks. The Pacers have talented options in Andrew Nembhard and T.J. McConnell to help replace Haliburton, but their center options leave a lot to be desired. The group consists of Jackson, Jay Huff, James Wiseman and Tony Bradley.

Jackson is coming off his own torn Achilles from last year, but he has already been playing in the preseason. He even started Monday's preseason game against the Spurs alongside Nembhard, Pascal Siakam, Bennedict Mathurin and Aaron Nesmith. Those four are all listed atop the Pacers' depth chart at their respective positions. Despite never averaging more than 17 minutes per game, Jackson has averaged at least 6.6 points, 4.1 rebounds and 1.1 blocks in each campaign. If he plays around 25 minutes a game in a starting role, he has the potential to provide significant fantasy value.

Sam Hauser, Boston Celtics (ADP 180)

The Celtics traded Jrue Holiday and Kristaps Porzingis in the offseason. They also saw Al Horford sign with the Warriors. Jayson Tatum (Achilles) could miss the entire season, so the team has used his injury as an opportunity to improve their salary cap situation. With the team slashing payroll, the only significant addition that they made was adding Anfernee Simons in the deal with the Trail Blazers for Holiday. Their top options at power forward and center are now Hauser, Chris Boucher, Neemias Queta, Luka Garza and Xavier Tillman Sr.

As he enters his fifth season with the Celtics, Hauser could be a member of their starting five. He has already averaged at least 8.5 points, 3.2 rebounds and 2.3 three-pointers in both of the last two seasons, despite logging just 22 minutes per game in both campaigns. A career 42.0% shooter from behind the arc, the potential for more playing time and a higher usage rate awaits Hauser and those who are lucky enough to snag him this late in drafts.

Gambling Problem? Call 1-800-GAMBLER. In New York, call 877-8HOPENY or text HOPENY at 4767369. In Connecticut, help is available for problem gambling. Call 888-789-7777 or visit CCPG.org. 18+ in most eligible states, but age varies by jurisdiction. Eligibility restrictions apply. Void where prohibited. Sponsored by DraftKings.