The NBA season is evolving fast, and several lightly rostered players are carving out meaningful roles that can boost fantasy lineups. Below are emerging options worth adding while they’re available.
Point guards
Ajay Mitchell, PG — Oklahoma City Thunder (49.1% rostered)
Mitchell has taken advantage of perimeter injuries to lock in steady minutes. He’s been a consistent upper-teens scorer, chips in roughly seven combined rebounds and assists, and contributes steals and 3-pointers. If he keeps this role, he’s a reliable fantasy floor.
Davion Mitchell, PG — Miami Heat (33.9% rostered)
Davion has developed beyond a pure 3-and-D profile into a guard who can defend and distribute. He’s produced multiple games with three-plus steals and several outings with eight or more assists. As a streamer he offers low double-double upside and frequent thefts in category formats.
Shooting guards
Ayo Dosunmu, SG — Chicago Bulls (12.8% rostered)
Even after a brief quad absence, Dosunmu has settled into a steady role with Coby White sidelined. He’s been an efficient, upper-teens scorer who adds a few triples and modest boards and assists — useful in shallow and deeper leagues alike.
Cason Wallace, SG — Oklahoma City Thunder (24.0% rostered)
Wallace is off to an early lead in steals per game. While his scoring ceiling is limited, he contributes rebounds, assists and 3s and frequently supplies multi-steal nights, making him valuable in category leagues focused on defensive stats.
Small forwards
Ryan Dunn, SF — Phoenix Suns (8.8% rostered)
Dunn began the season in Phoenix’s starting lineup and didn’t lose production after sliding to the bench following Jalen Green’s return. With Green out again, Dunn remains a low double-digit scorer and a 3-and-D wing who provides rebounds, steals and triples — a good pickup in deeper formats.
Zaccharie Risacher, SF — Atlanta Hawks (15.9% rostered)
With Trae Young injured, Risacher has a chance to expand his minutes. He’s flashed upside (21 points in 26 minutes in one game) and can help with 3s and steals when engaged. Consistency will determine whether he becomes a regular fantasy contributor.
Power forwards
Jake LaRavia, PF — Los Angeles Lakers (32.6% rostered)
LaRavia has shown scoring punch with consecutive 25-plus games, though that level may not be sustainable every night given the Lakers’ depth. He provides rebounds, floor spacing with 3-point shooting, and occasional steals. He’s roster-worthy in deep formats or as a high-upside streamer.
Centers
Ryan Kalkbrenner, C — Charlotte Hornets (38.2% rostered)
Kalkbrenner has displayed defensive activity and has been fantasy-relevant with regular combined blocks and steals. A strong collegiate defender, he offers low double-double upside and is rosterable in points leagues and increasingly viable in category formats.
Zach Edey, C — Memphis Grizzlies (19.2% rostered)
Edey is nearing a return following offseason ankle surgery and G League rehab. As a rookie he frequently delivered low double-doubles and averaged nearly two combined steals/blocks per game. If he returns to that form or improves in year two, he should be on most fantasy rosters.
Bottom line: monitor injuries and minutes — several of these players are only valuable as long as they retain expanded roles, but all have shown the upside to help fantasy teams now.
