2024–25 Fantasy Basketball Sleepers

Last season was one to forget for Giddey, who moved to the bench partway through the season and almost fell out of the rotation altogether during the playoffs. As the Thunder developed into one of the best teams in the Western Conference, Giddey was seen as carry-on baggage, often supplanted in the rotation by superior role players. When all was said and done, he ended by averaging just 25.1 minutes per game, during which time he put up 12.4 points, 6.4 rebounds, 4.8 assists, 0.6 steals and 1.0 three-pointers. On a positive note, his efficiency from the perimeter continues to improve, as does his free-throw stroke. To no one's surprise, Oklahoma City opted to part ways with Giddey shortly after the season, sending him to Chicago in return for Alex Caruso. A fresh start is just what Giddey needs to revitalize his career, especially playing for a team that can afford to roll him out there, no matter the result. Although he will be competing for minutes with players like Ayo Dosunmu and Coby White, not to mention Zach LaVine and Lonzo Ball, Giddey could very well get the first look at the starting point guard position. If he continues to improve his range on the offensive end as well as becoming a more sturdy defender, Giddey could make for a nice target in the mid-to-late rounds of drafts.

Kuminga looked out of control at times early in his career, but he was a different player last season. Despite getting off to a slow start, Kuminga averaged 18.5 points, 5.4 rebounds, 2.9 assists, 0.8 steals, 0.7 steals and 0.7 threes on 54 percent shooting from January 1 through the end of 2023-24. That's 44 games of excellent play, and he did that while mixing and matching his role. It remains to be seen if Kuminga will be a reserve player this season, but he might be starting since Klay Thompson is now with the Magic. Golden State also added Buddy Hield, Kyle Anderson and De'Anthony Melton during the offseason, which is troublesome since Brandin Podziemski and Trayce Jackson-Davis are on the rise as well. We didn't even mention how veterans like Stephen Curry, Draymond Green and Andrew Wiggins need their minutes, making this one of the toughest teams to evaluate. That's probably too many cooks in the kitchen for Kuminga to play 30-35 minutes as a starter, but that would be a frustrating development with how special this 21-year-old forward looked at times last season. Given his upside, fantasy managers may have to reach in drafts to acquire Kuminga's services this season, but optimists could be rewarded if he finally gets the leading role he's been after since his rookie campaign.

Thomas is coming off a career-best year during which he finished as the 130th-ranked player in nine-category leagues. In 31.4 minutes per night, he averaged a healthy 22.5 points per game, adding 3.2 rebounds, 2.9 assists, 0.7 steals and 2.2 three-pointers. Heading into the 2024-25 season, the Nets are likely to struggle when it comes to victories. After parting ways with Mikal Bridges during the offseason, Thomas is left as the clear No. 1 option on offense. Should the coaching staff opt to fully unleash him, there is no knowing just how many shots Thomas will fire up on a nightly basis. If he can push to 20 shot attempts, it is not unreasonable to think he could average upwards of 25.0 points per contest. The lack of peripheral numbers continues to be a stumbling block when evaluating his overall upside. However, he was able to increase his assist production last season. If he manages to do that again, Thomas would be more appealing. While there is cause for hesitation, Thomas makes sense as a viable flier target in the seventh or eighth round.