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2024-25 NBA Fantasy Sleepers: 5 Under-the-Radar Picks Dominating Early Season

October 31, 20242

Fantasy basketball managers searching for championship-winning value need look no further than these emerging NBA sleepers who are outperforming their ADP (average draft position) through the first month of the 2024-25 season. While stars like Luka Dončić and Nikola Jokic dominate headlines, these underrated 2024-25 NBA Fantasy Sleepers studs are quietly delivering elite production at bargain draft costs.

In this 1,500-word expert analysis, we reveal:

✅ 5 breakout 2024-25 NBA Fantasy Sleepers performers no one saw coming
✅ Advanced stats proving their sustainability
✅ Perfect trade targets before their value peaks
✅ Waiver wire gems still available in 30% of leagues
✅ How to leverage these sleepers for championship runs

For real-time 2024-25 NBA Fantasy Sleepers updates and lineup tools, visit NBA NewsZ, the web’s most trusted basketball analytics hub.

What Makes a True 2024-25 NBA Fantasy Sleepers?

Before diving into our picks, let’s establish the criteria:

✔ Drafted outside top 100 (or undrafted in standard leagues)
✔ Currently producing top-50 value
✔ Showing sustainable statistical improvements
✔ Available in >20% of ESPN/Yahoo leagues

These aren’t flash-in-the-pan performers – these are legitimate season-long difference makers flying under the radar.

Top 5 Fantasy Sleepers of 2024-25 (So Far)

1. Dereck Lively II (C – Dallas Mavericks)

Preseason ADP: 118
Current Rank: 41
Stats: 12.8 PPG, 9.1 RPG, 2.4 BPG, 68% FG

Why He’s Breaking Out:

Playing 30+ minutes with starter role locked
Lob chemistry with Luka is elite (1.8 alley-oops/game)
Defensive stats (blocks+steels) up 42% from rookie year

Buy/Sell: BUY before his minutes increase further

Still available in: 28% of ESPN leagues

2. Keyonte George (PG – Utah Jazz)

Preseason ADP: Undrafted
Current Rank: 55
Stats: 16.2 PPG, 5.8 APG, 2.9 3PM, 89% FT

Why He’s Breaking Out:

Starting PG job secured over Collin Sexton
Usage rate (24.7%) leads all rookies
Clutch performer (4th in rookie scoring in 4th quarters)

Buy/Sell: STRONG BUY (could finish top-40)

Still available in: 41% of Yahoo leagues

3. Tari Eason (SF/PF – Houston Rockets)

Preseason ADP: 132
Current Rank: 63
Stats: 14.1 PPG, 7.3 RPG, 1.9 SPG, 1.1 BPG

Why He’s Breaking Out:

League leader in deflections per 36 minutes
Small-ball center eligibility coming soon
FG% up from 46% to 53% on smarter shots

Buy/Sell: HOLD (perfect glue guy for category leagues)

Still available in: 19% of ESPN leagues

4. Bilal Coulibaly (SG/SF – Washington Wizards)

Preseason ADP: Undrafted
Current Rank: 72
Stats: 13.7 PPG, 5.2 RPG, 1.4 3PM, 1.6 SPG

Why He’s Breaking Out:

Starting since Week 1 for tanking Wizards
Defensive stats (2.3 stocks per game)
Minutes trending up (28→34 in last 10 games)

Buy/Sell: BUY LOW (FG% will regress positively)

Still available in: 63% of Yahoo leagues

5. Olivier-Maxence Prosper (PF – Dallas Mavericks)

Preseason ADP: Undrafted
Current Rank: 85
Stats: 11.3 PPG, 6.8 RPG, 1.4 3PM, 55% FG

Why He’s Breaking Out:

Earned starting PF role over Grant Williams
Elite per-36 stats (15.1 PPG, 9.2 RPG)
Multi-position eligibility (SF/PF soon PF/C)

Buy/Sell: SELL HIGH if minutes fluctuate

Still available in: 87% of ESPN leagues

Advanced Stats That Prove These Aren’t Flukes

Player	True Shooting %	Usage Rate	On/Off Net Rating
Lively II	68.1% (+9.3)	14.2%	+7.1
George	58.7% (+6.1)	24.7%	+3.8
Eason	59.2% (+5.9)	18.4%	+5.3

Key Takeaway: All show efficiency jumps with increased opportunity – the perfect fantasy storm.

3 Waiver Wire Gems (Under 15% Rostered)

GG Jackson (PF – MEM)
- Stats: 13.4 PPG, 1.8 3PM last 5 games
- Why Add: Jaren Jackson Jr.’s latest injury opens weeks of run
Brandin Podziemski (SG – GSW)
- Stats: 9.8 PPG, 5.1 RPG, 4.2 APG in starts
- Why Add: Outplaying CP3 for crunch-time minutes
Peyton Watson (SF – DEN)
- Stats: 2.1 BPG+SPG in 22 MPG
- Why Add: Only reliable shot-blocker on contender

Daily waiver advice at NBA NewsZ.

Perfect Trade Targets Before Values Spike

Buy Low Candidates

Cade Cunningham (DET) – Slow start, but usage will pay off
Zion Williamson (NOP) – Fitness concerns depressing value
Jalen Green (HOU) – Shooting slump won’t last

Sell High Candidates

Jordan Poole (WAS) – Empty stats on terrible team
Kyle Kuzma (WAS) – Trade rumors could hurt value
D’Angelo Russell (LAL) – Minutes risk when Gabe Vincent returns

Fantasy Championship Blueprint Using Sleepers

Punt FT% Build
- Target: Lively, Eason, Coulibaly
- Pair with: Giannis, Draymond, Gobert
Category Killer Build
- Target: George, Prosper, Podziemski
- Dominate: Assists, Steals, 3PM
Efficiency Monster Build
- Target: Lively, Eason, GG Jackson
- Lead in: FG%, Blocks, Rebounds