Sleepers and Busts for 2026 Fantasy Basketball Playoffs

Matas Buzelis (CHI, 75% rostered)

Recent: His role has expanded as the season has progressed, and Buzelis is a bona fide starter ahead of the fantasy playoffs. Playing 30-plus minutes a night has led to a boost in both rebounds and blocks.

Fit: Buzelis is a multi-cat sleeper who can add defense and balance to your roster.

Reed Sheppard (HOU, 63% rostered)

Recent: The 21-year-old is shooting 39.6% from beyond the arc this season. His playing time has increased as the Rockets make their playoff push, and his production has benefited from it.

Fit: Sheppard is a good category-filler and is an especially good target for three-point shooting.

Tari Eason (HOU, 38.2% rostered)

Recent: Sheppard’s teammate has also gotten an uptick in playing time. His production has gone up across multiple categories, and his rebounding and stocks have become consistent.

Fit: The boosts on defense, particularly Eason’s rebounding, make him a good addition for your fantasy playoff push.

Ty Jerome (MEM, 40% rostered)

Recent: The guard’s season got off to a very late start, and the spotlight has been on the rest of the Grizzlies’ injured roster. That has allowed Jerome to cook heading into March.

Fit: Jerome is a consistent shooter both from the field and from beyond the arc. He also adds roughly 3.0 rebounds and 5.0 assists per night.

Quentin Grimes (PHI, 38.4% rostered)

Recent: Injuries have peppered the 76ers roster, and Grimes has risen to the occasion. He averaged 19.6 points, 5.3 rebounds, and 2.6 assists over his last three games while shooting 55% from the field.

Fit: Grimes is a good addition for the playoffs, especially since he adds three-point shooting.

Nique Clifford (SAC, 16% rostered)

Recent: The rookie guard is taking full advantage of his expanded role for the Kings. He has found consistency shooting from the field and is adding 6.5 rebounds, 3.5 assists, and 1.5 steals per night in March.

Fit: The Kings are out of the playoff race, but Clifford is a multi-cat threat to consider for fantasy playoffs.

Moussa Diabate (CHA, 27% rostered)

Recent: The 24-year-old forward is playing more minutes this season, and his numbers show it. His shooting efficiency can fluctuate, but his rebounding is top-tier.

Fit: Diabate packs defensive upside, adding stocks value and elite rebounding to fantasy lineups.

Neemias Queta (BOS, 38% rostered)

Recent: Queta’s production on both ends of the court has gone up since he became a regular starter. He has two double-doubles in his first four games in March and adds blocking value to his fantasy basketball resume.

Fit: He’s a defensive asset who brings scoring and rebounding capabilities.

Isaiah Collier (UTA, low rostered)

Recent: Collier is surging late in the season for the Jazz, especially when it comes to assists. In fact, he ranks seventh in the NBA with 7.3 assists per night. He’s also an efficient shooter, going 58.3% from the field to kick off March.

Fit: He’s an assists sleeper and adds shooting to the mix.

Kyle Filipowski (UTA, 28% rostered)

Recent: We said back in February that Filipowski could break out after the trade deadline. Fast forward to March, and he has double-doubles in three straight games.

Fit: Filipowski has flourished in his expanded role and offers points and rebounds upside heading into the fantasy playoffs.

Top 10 Playoff Busts

Zion Williamson (NO, high rostered)

Recent: Williamson still occasionally plays more than 30 minutes a night, but his playing time is mostly inconsistent on a tanking Pelicans team. He’s also dealing with an ankle injury, so his minutes aren’t locked in.

Fit: He’s very volatile, and there’s a chance New Orleans shuts him down. Avoid during the fantasy playoffs.

Joel Embiid (PHI, high rostered)

Recent: The center continues to deal with a plethora of injuries. If the 76ers lock in a playoff spot, they’ll very likely rest Embiid so he’s as healthy as possible in April.

Fit: Don’t expect much playing time for Embiid this time of year. Fade him in fantasy, if you haven’t already.

Paolo Banchero (ORL, high rostered)

Recent: This will seem like an odd player to make the bust list, since Banchero is averaging 27.0 points, 9.6 rebounds, and 4.0 assists through his last five games. Consistency remains a concern, as do turnovers.

Fit: Banchero is a high-risk, high-reward asset. Managers should be aware of his high bust potential.

Trae Young (WSH, high rostered)

Recent: Young has only just made his debut for the Wizards and is playing under 20 minutes a night. It appears Washington is letting him ease back slowly after an MCL sprain derailed most of his season.

Fit: The Wizards are out of the playoff race. There’s no reason for Young to play big minutes, so

Lauri Markkanen (UTA, high rostered)

Recent: Markkanen was playing big minutes for the Jazz until a hip injury sidelined him. Even if he is healthy enough to play late in the season, there’s no reason to rush him back. Plus, the Jazz are already looking toward the offseason.

Fit: Markkanen will likely get shut down for the rest of the season. Avoid and move on, if you haven’t already.

Anfernee Simons (CHI, high rostered)

Recent: Outside of January, when he sharpened up from three-point range, inconsistency has been the norm for Simons this season. Being traded from Boston to Chicago hasn’t helped matters.

Fit: Simons is currently dealing with a wrist injury. It’s more likely he’ll be on the bench than on the court.

Nikola Vucevic (BOS, high rostered)

Recent: The move from Chicago to Boston interrupted Vucevic’s productivity. Now, he’s sidelined for at least three weeks after undergoing surgery on his fractured right ring finger.

Fit: The Celtics have aforementioned Neemias Queta locked in at center. Vucevic is a clear fade.

Paul George (PHI, high rostered)

Recent: The veteran guard hasn’t played since Jan. 25 because he’s serving a 25-game suspension for violating the NBA’s anti-drug program. Before that, he was perpetually sidelined by a knee injury.

Fit: The 76ers may be banged up, but there’s no telling how productive George will be when he returns.

Josh Hart (NYK, high rostered)

Recent: Hart is still a contributor for the Knicks, but he doesn’t play as many minutes because of New York’s deep arsenal. Plus, he’s dealing with soreness in his knee as the Knicks make their playoff push.

Fit: The decrease in minutes has exposed his inconsistencies in rebounding and assisting. Fade for the playoffs.

Ivica Zubac (IND, high rostered)

Recent: Zubac hasn’t played since February because of an ankle injury. He is reportedly practicing with the Pacers now, but there is still no timetable for his return.

Fit: Indiana is far out of the playoff race, so there’s no point in them rushing Zubac if he’s still injured. Fantasy managers don’t have time to waste waiting for him to return.

Conclusion

These are the players who can make or break your fantasy roster ahead of the playoffs. Add sleepers for surges, drop busts due to risks, and adapt your roster for playoff wins. Not sure if a player on your team is built for the postseason? List them in the comments below.

People Want to Know More About Sleepers and Busts

What are Matas Buzelis' stats?
His role expanded with Chicago, increasing rebounds and blocks while playing starter-level minutes during the late season.

Why is Zion Williamson a bust risk?
New Orleans is out of contention, creating shutdown or minutes-management risk that can reduce fantasy production during playoffs.

Is Reed Sheppard a good waiver add?
Yes. His three-point shooting and defensive stocks make him a strong category filler during Houston’s playoff push.

Why is Joel Embiid a fantasy playoff risk?
Philadelphia may limit his minutes or rest him late in the season to preserve health for the real NBA postseason.

What makes Tari Eason a sleeper?
His rebounding and defensive production provide steady multi-category value when Houston increases his playing time.

Why could Paolo Banchero be volatile in fantasy playoffs?
Heavy usage leads to strong scoring but inconsistent efficiency and turnovers can create week-to-week fantasy swings.