Fantasy Basketball 2024: Top NBA Player Rankings and Underrated Sleepers

We made it.

After months of longing for this moment, it has finally arrived: The 2024-25 NBA season tip-off is here.

While there's a good chance most fantasy basketball leagues have drafted to this point, there might be some late arrivals to the party who still need to beef up their pre-draft knowledge. Let the beefing-up commence, then, with our top-30 points rankings and a spotlight on two undervalued sleepers.

Top 30 Rankings

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INDIANAPOLIS, IN - SEPTEMBER 30: Tyrese Haliburton #0 and Pascal Siakam #43 of the Indiana Pacers during the Pacers Media Day on September 30, 2024 at Gainbridge Fieldhouse in Indianapolis, Indiana. 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 Ron Hoskins/NBAE via Getty Images)

1. Nikola Jokić, C, Denver Nuggets

2. Victor Wembanyama, C, San Antonio Spurs

3. Luka Dončić, PG, Dallas Mavericks

4. Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, PG, Oklahoma City Thunder

5. Giannis Antetokounmpo, PF/C, Milwaukee Bucks

6. Tyreese Haliburton, PG/SG, Indiana Pacers

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

8. Domantas Sabonis, PF/C, Sacramento Kings

9. Jayson Tatum, SF/PF, Boston Celtics

10. Anthony Edwards, SG/SF, Minnesota Timberwolves

11. Ja Morant, PG, Memphis Grizzlies

12. Joel Embiid, C, Philadelphia 76ers

13. Trae Young, PG, Atlanta Hawks

14. Jalen Brunson, PG, New York Knicks

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

16. Donovan Mitchell, PG/SG, Cleveland Cavaliers

17. Kevin Durant, PF, Phoenix Suns

18. De'Aaron Fox, PG, Sacramento Kings

19. Devin Booker, PG/SG, Phoenix Suns

20. Zion Williamson, PF, New Orleans Pelicans

21. Stephen Curry, PG, Golden State Warriors

22. Tyrese Maxey, PG/SG, Philadelphia 76ers

23. Scottie Barnes, SG/SF/PF, Toronto Raptors

24. Pascal Siakam, PF, Indiana Pacers

25. Alperen Şengün, C, Houston Rockets

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

27. LaMelo Ball, PG, Charlotte Hornets

28. Paolo Banchero, SF/PF, Orlando Magic

29. Damian Lillard, PG, Milwaukee Bucks

30. Cade Cunningham, PG/SG, Detroit Pistons

Sleeper: Jalen Smith, PF/C, Chicago Bulls

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CHICAGO, IL - OCTOBER 18: Jalen Smith #7 of the Chicago Bulls shoots a free throw during the game against the Cleveland Cavaliers on October 18, 2024 at United Center in Chicago, Illinois. 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 2023 NBAE (Photo by Jeff Haynes/NBAE via Getty Images)

In the actual NBA, there weren't many reasons for folks outside of the Windy City to take note of the Bulls giving Jalen Smith a three-year, $27 million pact. For fantasy managers, though, it was absolutely the kind of arrangement that should pique their interest.

Chicago is knee-deep in an ongoing youth movement, and Smith stands to become one of its biggest beneficiaries.

The one-time lottery pick cemented himself as one of the better backup bigs over the past two-plus seasons with the Indiana Pacers. His move to Chicago could unlock so much more, though, especially if the Bulls ever find a taker for starting center Nikola Vučević.

Smith might be a starting gig away from posting some of the better stat lines at the position. His career per-36-minutes averages include 18.7 points, 11.4 rebounds, 1.7 three-pointers and 1.5 blocks, per Basketball-Reference. Even if he can't replicate those numbers completely, he could be a steady source of double-doubles who also supplies a potent blend of perimeter shots and blocks.

Sleeper: Jonathan Kuminga, PF, Golden State Warriors

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LAS VEGAS, NEVADA - OCTOBER 15: Jonathan Kuminga #00 of the Golden State Warriors brings the ball up the court against the Los Angeles Lakers in the first quarter of their preseason game at T-Mobile Arena at T-Mobile Arena on October 15, 2024 in Las Vegas, Nevada. The Warriors defeated the Lakers 111-97. 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 Ethan Miller/Getty Images)

Golden State's headline-grabbing search for Stephen Curry's co-star has so far come up empty. Jonathan Kuminga has a real chance to prove the Warriors already have an impact player in-house.

And if he routinely delivers that message over the course of this campaign, he has a real opportunity to make major money along the way.

The fourth-year swingman reportedly sought a salary "well beyond" $30 million, per NBC Sports Bay Area's Monte Poole, which surely explains why a contract extension didn't get done. Because while Kuminga has flashed that level of ability, he has never sustained it over an entire season.

Now, opportunity (or rather, a lack thereof) was perhaps Kuminga's biggest obstacle across his first three seasons, but his second-half emergence late last season potentially put that hurdle behind him. He still needs to shoot, rebound and defend well enough to hold onto an expanded role, but with such an obvious incentive dangling in front of him, there's reason to believe the uber-talented 22-year-old will bring out his best.