Jim Mc Cormick, a contributing writer for fantasy football and men's basketball at ESPN, argues that the best late-round fantasy value often comes from fragile rosters and thin depth charts. Midway through the 2011-2012 season, New York Knicks coach Mike D'Antoni had few backcourt options after losing 11 of 13 games, and turned to Jeremy Lin, who went on to become a sensation known as Linsanity. The lesson, he writes, is that fantasy magic often emerges when a bench player inherits opportunity.
Last season, Ryan Rollins followed a similar path. The Milwaukee Bucks lacked reliable scoring beyond Giannis Antetokounmpo, and Rollins, undrafted in most leagues, finished No. 30 overall on the Player Rater. The context of his team's roster made a breakout far more plausible than the market expected.
The article focuses on players whose ceilings exceed current market valuations. These talents need a mix of luck, development, timing and coaching trust to break out, and a single injury or trade can reshape a depth chart. Players available in free agency or in the late rounds of drafts ahead of the 2026-27 season could become the next statistical forces.
One example is Ajay Mitchell of the Oklahoma City Thunder. Across just over 100 playoff minutes with Shai Gilgeous-Alexander off the court last spring, Mitchell produced 26.5 points and 7.8 assists per 75 possessions. He would likely inherit a major role if either Gilgeous-Alexander or Jalen Williams missed time. Rookie Aday Mara, with rim protection and paint scoring potential, could also surface if Isaiah Hartenstein or Chet Holmgren were sidelined.
Ayo Dosunmu of the Minnesota Timberwolves also fits the profile. He scored 43 points against Denver this past April, the second-highest-scoring game ever by a playoff reserve, and has thrived when given the ball in both Chicago and Minnesota. Playing behind one of the least durable lead guards in the league, he offers the kind of opportunity that made Lin valuable.
Source: ESPN NBA · Summarized by HeadlinesBriefing