Here you are, the final round. You have done the research and scoured the web for different sources and data. Anything can be done here! You could even take a flyer on Killian Hayes! (Do not take a flyer on Killian Hayes). Taking a player in the last round of the draft is never easy, and very rarely beneficial. I want to highlight a handful of final round flyers in both larger leagues and smaller leagues that may change the trajectory of your non-dynasty fantasy basketball team.
Fantasy Basketball Draft: Final Round Flyers
In order to devise a proper list of final round flyers, there need to be some parameters set. First, are we talking about a standard league? How many teams and players slots are there? A standard league is generally 10-12 teams, with 8-10 starters and 3-5 bench spots. With this in mind, that is a minimum of 110 players and a maximum of 180 players. I want to showcase a subset of players within the 110-180 range in preseason fantasy rankings worth taking a look at, and a few outside the box as well.
Second, deeper leagues are up to 20 teams, with 15 total players per team. This means you need to keep up on rookie rankings, second-round picks, free-agent acquisitions, trade potential, and two-way contracts. Some of these picks will be deeper dives from the dynasty ranking list for rookies, as it is more robust than the non-dynasty list.
Shallow League Flyers
Magic City Wings (Atlanta Hawks Wings/Forwards Room)
The Atlanta Hawks have a peculiar situation. After the trade with Utah, they opened up what looks like on paper a trial by combat forward/wing room where the best producers will rise to the top. Given Trae Young, Dejounte Murray, and Clint Capela (?) will be automatic, it stands to reason that De’Andre Hunter, Saddiq Bey, Bogdan Bogdanovic, and AJ Griffin should compete for the two spots. (Pistons Fan Aside: traded Bey for Wiseman, only for Bey to have the chance to start on the Hawks)
De’Andre Hunter is one of the starters in this group. With Atlanta, Hunter has been a starter 97% of the time. He has some replacement-level production in points, and rebounds, with better numbers in assists and steals. Those two are separators in fantasy, given his overall average shooting percentages. Hunter is the above-average fantasy starter in this situation, and deciding the other starter for Atlanta depends on likely shooting capability.
If I were a betting man, I’d bet on shooting and lineup versatility. In order, Bogdanovic is the best shooter, then Griffin, then Bey. Bey is the best rebounder, then Bogdanovic, then Griffin. Bogdanovic is the best passer, then Bey, then Griffin.
Bogdan Bogdanovic is the veteran shooter with pass potential. With the Dejounte Murray, Kobe Bufkin, and Patty Mills rotation off the bench, Bogdanovic could have a chance to enter the starting lineup more often than Saddiq Bey. They had even minutes in the short time Bey entered the squad, and it’s safe to assume that a player with more on-the-ball potential would be relegated to the bench unit.
Don’t disregard Jalen Johnson either. He improved his entire all-around profile and has the athleticism and pure ability to steal the scene in Atlanta. They will do whatever it takes to win.
Open Hart Surgery
Josh Hart has had an underrated career thus far. As a seasoned vet who has averaged 30 or more minutes per game in his last two seasons, it is safe to say that Hart gets the run of an average starter. Although not much of a scorer, he puts together great shooting splits, with significant contributions in non-scoring categories as well. In his last two seasons, he has averaged 11.9 PPG/7.5 RP/4.0 APG/1.4 steals plus blocks per game. Suffice it to say, if he is your last-round pick of the draft you should be running home free, especially in a category based-league.
Deep League Flyers
Andre Drummond
This is a weird one. Although deeper leagues will usually see bench players selected in the later rounds, Drummond did not have a season warranting a selection last year. Only contributing for 6 points and 6 rebounds in 12.7 minutes per game for Chicago, it is doubtful Drummond will be much of a contributor earlier on this season.
Many sports analysts do not anticipate the Bulls to be a sure-fire playoff team, or a play-in team for that matter. I doubt that they end up holding onto the 32-year-old Vucevic with a very reasonable contract, which would pave the way for the 30-year-old Drummond to embrace the tank. As a backup, especially in deeper leagues, he will provide serviceable value until then.
Colby White
Really, this section should be called the Chicago Bulls. I am categorically low on the Bulls’ success, and considering the average age of players and financial situation, this may be the best to bet on. Colby White was heralded as a great prospect out of college and has more recently come into his own.
He’s an above-average shooter with an ability to pass and rebound. Given Caruso’s and Lavine’s inability to stay healthy historically, White will get plenty of playing time. He averaged 23.4 minutes last year despite only starting two games. Bank on him taking the bulk of the minutes in his age-23 season when the Bulls are faced with injury or trade.
Other Player Notes:
Corey Kispert: a starter this season, Kispert may be often overlooked in shorter leagues. As a starting shooter, Kispert will certainly contribute to points and shooting percentages. Not a bad player to have towards the backend of drafts, especially with positional versatility.
Luke Kennard: Similar to Kispert, a shooter that will see significant minutes in a Ja-less offense. Kennard happens to be a decent guard rebounder and can pass the rock around a little bit.
Jaime Jaquez: A long-shot pick for short leagues, deeper leagues may enjoy this all-encompassing forward that the Heat wouldn’t even trade for Dame.
Grayson Allen: Even as a Spartan I have to respect Allen lasting this long in the league. He can really shoot, and given Beal and Durant’s injury history will see significant chances this season with a surprisingly deep Suns team.
Who are your final round flyers? Share your picks in the comments below! In the meantime check out all the great analysis in our 2023 Fantasy Basketball Draft Kit!