In fantasy basketball drafts, the star players are always picked first. However, winning a league often comes down to finding hidden gems in the later rounds. These “sleeper picks” are players who are undervalued but have the potential to perform much better than expected. Forwards are especially valuable because they can help your team in many ways, from scoring and rebounding to making defensive plays. Here are five forwards to keep an eye on for the upcoming 2025-26 season who could give your fantasy team a major boost.
📈 Matas Buzelis, Bulls
As a 2024 first-round pick, Matas Buzelis has a lot of potential. With the Bulls having a quiet offseason, he is expected to be the starting power forward. During his rookie season, he played well in his 31 starts, averaging 13.0 points, 4.5 rebounds, and 1.1 blocks in about 27 minutes per game. He finished the season very strong, showing he could be a top fantasy player. After a dominant, though short, appearance in the Summer League, he seems ready to take on a bigger role. With his excellent shot-blocking ability, Buzelis is a player with real upside.
💎 Toumani Camara, Trail Blazers
Toumani Camara is a player who doesn’t get enough credit, even after a strong 2024-25 season where he performed like a top-100 fantasy player. He started in all 78 games he played, contributing solid numbers across the board with 11.3 points, 5.8 rebounds, 2.2 assists, and 1.5 steals per game. With key players like Anfernee Simons and Deandre Ayton leaving the Trail Blazers, Camara will likely have more opportunities to score. He is a great all-around contributor, making him a fantastic choice in the later rounds of your draft.
💪 Aaron Nesmith, Pacers
While his teammates often get more attention, Aaron Nesmith is a player who deserves a closer look, especially as the Pacers deal with injuries to key players. In the 2024-25 season, he was an incredibly efficient scorer, shooting over 50% from the field, 43% from three-point range, and 91% from the free-throw line. With Myles Turner no longer on the team, Nesmith is expected to get more playing time. His statistics suggest that with more minutes, he can provide excellent, well-rounded production, making him one of the most overlooked forwards in fantasy basketball.
🛡️ Herbert Jones, Pelicans
After signing a new three-year, $68 million contract, Herbert Jones will be looking to have a healthy and productive season. While his three-point shooting was down last year, he is known to be a much better shooter and will likely improve. Defensively, Jones is one of the best in the league, averaging 1.9 steals and 0.7 blocks per game. The Pelicans have added more offensive players, which should create more chances for him to contribute everywhere on the court. Just one year ago, he was a top fantasy player, so he could easily return to that level, making him a great sleeper candidate.
🎯 Jaylen Wells, Grizzlies
Jaylen Wells is the kind of sleeper pick fantasy managers dream of. He is a talented “3-and-D” player, meaning he excels at shooting three-pointers and playing defense. This season, he has a massive opportunity for a bigger role, as the team will need to replace the scoring of the departed Desmond Bane. Wells had an impressive rookie year, earning a spot on the All-Rookie First Team. He also looked great in the Summer League, showing off his scoring ability. He is currently being overlooked in many drafts, so you can likely grab him in the final rounds to add a valuable, all-around player to your roster.
