Sleepers 2.0 for 2026-27

There is a lot that can change over the course of the preseason. As we’re approaching the start of the 2026-27 campaign, I always like to go over my first run on sleepers for this edition. I wrote Sleepers and Undervalued along with Deep Sleepers almost a month ago, so I wanted to revisit all of the guys I wrote about. I’ll break down the guys who went up, down, and stayed the same. I’ll also hit the new crop of sleepers who I wasn’t on enough back in September.

Let’s go over the sleepers who I missed last month, then we’ll evaluate the value changes for all the names I listed before training camp. This will basically be quick-hitting analysis (feel free to read more in Preseason Notes and Change Log).

New sleepers worthy of selection in standard leagues (arranged in order of where I would take them) 

Ace Bailey – Jusuf Nurkic is dealing with a plantar fascia tear, and it should derail his season. Ace has looked fantastic to start the preseason, and coach Will Hardy has talked up his conditioning. I could see Ace filling up the box scores in a big way.

Leonard Miller – Nobody helped himself more than 22-year-old Leonard Miller; he’s the best bench player on a team without much depth. We know he can fill it up, and the path isn’t too thin for a breakout season.

Ben Simmons – A stunner that he’s expected to start, and worth a shot late in drafts despite the minutes limits that will be on him.

Yves Missi – Basically has locked down the starting C job. He won’t do much besides block shots, but this team is in disarray. Maybe his role grows.

Grayson Allen – The Hornets just don’t have much depth, and we know they want big 3-point volume.

Pelle Larsson – Miami may have the best system for fantasy value this season with its exceptional pace. They’re not too deep at guard, and Pelle will be closing most nights.

Aday Mara – Absurd preseason, but it’s still tough for him to be an every-night staple. Feel free to take him with your last pick to see how it plays out. He’s going before 125 way too often, though.

Adem Bona – The classic bet against Joel Embiid, and he has no competition right now. Dominick Barlow is not close, and Ariel Hukporti is out for the season.

New sleepers worthy of selection in deeper leagues