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SAN ANTONIO, TX - OCTOBER 09:  Victor Wembanyama #1 of the San Antonio Spurs slaps hands with Julian Champagne #30 and Chris Paul #3 against the Orlando Magic in the first half of a preseason game at Frost Bank Center on October 9, 2024 in San Antonio, Texas. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Ronald Cortes/Getty Images)
SAN ANTONIO, TX - OCTOBER 09: Victor Wembanyama #1 of the San Antonio Spurs slaps hands with Julian Champagne #30 and Chris Paul #3 against the Orlando Magic in the first half of a preseason game at Frost Bank Center on October 9, 2024 in San Antonio, Texas. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Ronald Cortes/Getty Images)Ronald Cortes/Getty Images

Fantasy Basketball 2024: Latest Rankings for Top NBA Players and Sleepers

Joe TanseyOct 13, 2024

The players at the top of any fantasy basketball rankings are clear.

Victor Wembanyama and Nikola Jokić are among the must-have first-round draft picks for all players.

However, the real value in the drafting process comes in the later rounds with the potential to land sleepers who can give your squad depth.

There are plenty of potential sleeper prospects in the NBA, but finding the right one can be a difficult process at times.

The best candidates for value, and overall improvement in their games, are those with a distinct increase in their roles for the 2024-25 season.

Fantasy Basketball Rankings

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ABU DHABI, UNITED ARAB EMIRATES - OCTOBER 06: Nikola Jokic (L) of Denver Nuggets and Jrue Holiday (R) of Boston Celtics in action during the NBA Preseason match between Denver Nuggets and Boston Celtics at Etihad Arena in Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates on October 06, 2024. (Photo by Waleed Zein/Anadolu via Getty Images)
ABU DHABI, UNITED ARAB EMIRATES - OCTOBER 06: Nikola Jokic (L) of Denver Nuggets and Jrue Holiday (R) of Boston Celtics in action during the NBA Preseason match between Denver Nuggets and Boston Celtics at Etihad Arena in Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates on October 06, 2024. (Photo by Waleed Zein/Anadolu via Getty Images)

1. Victor Wembanyama, C, San Antonio

2. Nikola Jokić, C, Denver

3. Luka Dončić, PG, Dallas

4. Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, PG, Oklahoma City

5. Tyrese Haliburton, PG, Indiana

6. Anthony Davis, C/PF, Los Angeles Lakers

7. Joel Embiid, C, Philadelphia

8. Donovan Mitchell, PG/SG, Cleveland

9. Anthony Edwards, SG/SF, Minnesota

10. Jayson Tatum, PF/SF, Boston

11. Chet Holmgren, C, Oklahoma City

12. Trae Young, PG, Atlanta

13. Giannis Antetokounmpo, PF/C, Milwaukee

14. Domantas Sabonis, C/PF, Sacramento

15. Steph Curry, PG, Golden State

16. LaMelo Ball, PG, Charlotte

17. Scottie Barnes, SF/SG/PF, Toronto

18. LeBron James, SF/PF, Los Angeles Lakers

19. James Harden, PG/SG, Los Angeles Clippers

20. Karl-Anthony Towns, PF/C, New York

Jalen Johnson

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ATLANTA, GA - OCTOBER 8: Jalen Johnson #1 of the Atlanta Hawks dribbles the ball during the game against the Indiana Pacers during a NBA preseason game on October 8, 2024 at State Farm Arena in Atlanta, Georgia.  NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and/or using this Photograph, user is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2024 NBAE (Photo by Adam Hagy/NBAE via Getty Images)
ATLANTA, GA - OCTOBER 8: Jalen Johnson #1 of the Atlanta Hawks dribbles the ball during the game against the Indiana Pacers during a NBA preseason game on October 8, 2024 at State Farm Arena in Atlanta, Georgia. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and/or using this Photograph, user is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2024 NBAE (Photo by Adam Hagy/NBAE via Getty Images)

Jalen Johnson's name may not pop off the page when you list the potential top 50 players in fantasy basketball for the 2024-25 season.

However, the 22-year-old could fill up the stat sheet with the Atlanta Hawks.

Johnson averaged 16 points, 8.7 rebounds and three assists per game over 56 appearances in a breakout campaign last season.

The Duke product was only two rebounds per game off the pace set by Clint Capela at the top of Atlanta's stat sheet. There is potential for him to cut into that even more in the 2024-25 season.

The Hawks have to fill a scoring void left open by Dejounte Murray's trade to the New Orleans Pelicans.

No. 1 overall pick Zaccharie Risacher will not be the finished product in October, and it may take him some time to polish his offensive game in the NBA, which opens up a hole that can be covered by Johnson's production.

An increase in points per game by just a point or two would make Johnson an even more popular starter at power forward in most fantasy basketball leagues.

He will have a higher average draft position and roster percentage than most other sleeper picks, but it feels like he is off the radar compared to others in his scoring range.

Isaiah Hartenstein

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SAN ANTONIO, TX - OCTOBER 07: Isaiah Hartenstein #55 of the Oklahoma City Thunder blocks the shot of Blake Wesley #14 of the San Antonio Spurs in the first half of a preseason game at Frost Bank Center on October 7, 2024 in San Antonio, Texas. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Ronald Cortes/Getty Images)
SAN ANTONIO, TX - OCTOBER 07: Isaiah Hartenstein #55 of the Oklahoma City Thunder blocks the shot of Blake Wesley #14 of the San Antonio Spurs in the first half of a preseason game at Frost Bank Center on October 7, 2024 in San Antonio, Texas. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Ronald Cortes/Getty Images)

Isaiah Hartenstein is the true center the Oklahoma City Thunder did not have last season.

The former New York Knicks player appears to be the ideal complement to Chet Holmgren in the frontcourt, and he will be one of the top candidates to have a breakout campaign this year.

Hartenstein has never averaged more than nine points per game in his seven-year NBA career and last season marked the first time he averaged over eight rebounds per contest in a single season.

Of course, there will be doubts that the 26-year-old can up his production in a starting role for a top contender in the Western Conference, but he has the skill set to thrive down low for the Thunder.

Holmgren only averaged 7.9 rebounds per game in his first full season, so it's not like he's a massive threat to Hartenstein's board collection. Shai Gilgeous-Alexander is a decent rebounder for a guard, but he should have even more focus on passing with Josh Giddey now in Chicago.

Scoring may be an issue in certain stretches of the season because Hartenstein is the No. 4 scoring option behind Holmgren, Gilgeous-Alexander and Jalen Williams, but the rebounds should be there.

If he averages close to a double-double all season, Hartenstein will provide plenty of value at center in fantasy leagues.

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Tobias Harris

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PHOENIX, ARIZONA - OCTOBER 11: Tobias Harris #12 of the Detroit Pistons controls the ball against Tyus Jones #21 of the Phoenix Suns during the first half of the preseason game at Footprint Center on October 11, 2024 in Phoenix, Arizona.  NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and/or using this photograph, user is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Kelsey Grant/Getty Images)
PHOENIX, ARIZONA - OCTOBER 11: Tobias Harris #12 of the Detroit Pistons controls the ball against Tyus Jones #21 of the Phoenix Suns during the first half of the preseason game at Footprint Center on October 11, 2024 in Phoenix, Arizona. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and/or using this photograph, user is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Kelsey Grant/Getty Images)

Tobias Harris has gone from the often-criticized No. 3 option in Philadelphia to the potential secondary scorer behind Cade Cunningham in Detroit.

The new role and the lack of pressure that comes with it could allow the 32-year-old to play looser and get back around the 20 points per game mark.

Harris averaged 17.2, 14.7 and 17.2 points per game during his last three years in Philadelphia. He was always the No. 3 scoring option there at best.

The Pistons need an established scorer to bring balance to their young lineup, led by Cunningham and Jaden Ivey.

Cunningham averaged 22.7 points per game last year, but there was a seven-point drop-off to Ivey. Harris should slot into the spot between the two young players on the scoring leaderboard.

The new role should make Harris a strong contributor at either forward spot on a nightly basis in fantasy basketball.

Mitchell Headed to 1st Conference Finals 🔥

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