Every fantasy sleeper doesn't need more minutes. Sometimes all he needs is the basketball.
That's an important distinction. A player can log the same 30 minutes while becoming far more valuable simply because he's initiating more offense instead of standing in the corner waiting for someone else to create. And that's what I'm watching heading into the 2026-27 season.
Here are five NBA players who should have the ball in their hands more often than they did a year ago.
1. Davion Mitchell, Miami Heat
Giannis Antetokounmpo is the biggest name in Miami. That doesn't mean he'll bring the ball up every possession.
The Heat quietly lost Norman Powell, opening additional opportunities in the backcourt, and Davion Mitchell is well-positioned to absorb some of those ball-handling duties.
Giannis will obviously initiate plenty himself. But Mitchell gives Miami something every contender needs. Namely, a reliable guard who can organize possessions, defend opposing point guards and keep the offense flowing when the stars aren't handling the ball.
I don't expect huge scoring numbers. I do expect more assists and a larger offensive role.
2. Jeremiah Fears, New Orleans Pelicans
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Jeremiah Fears doesn't need everything to break perfectly. He just needs more opportunity.
The Pelicans still have questions in their backcourt, and that's exactly why I'm interested.
Fears flashed real playmaking ability as a rookie while showing he could score when asked. Now comes the next step. Can he consistently run an NBA offense?
I think we'll find out. The more responsibility New Orleans gives him with the basketball, the more intriguing he becomes in fantasy leagues.
3. Payton Pritchard, Boston Celtics
This one feels pretty straightforward. Jaylen Brown is in Philadelphia. Jayson Tatum is working his way back from injury. Boston suddenly needs more offensive creation than it did a year ago.
That's where Payton Pritchard comes in. He's already proven he can score. The next challenge is creating more offense for everyone else.
Pritchard isn't replacing Brown. Nobody is. But he doesn't have to. He simply has to become a larger part of what Boston already does well.
That should mean more possessions with the ball in his hands and more chances to pile up assists.
4. Amen Thompson, Houston Rockets
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Amen Thompson's upside has never been difficult to see. The question has always been opportunity.
Houston would love to let Thompson create more offense because he's such a dynamic athlete and passer. The problem is this roster isn't short on talent.
Kevin Durant is still going to command touches. Reed Sheppard deserves a larger role. There are only so many possessions to distribute.
That's why I like Thompson. I just wouldn't assume the path is completely clear. Sometimes upside comes with competition.
5. Ausar Thompson, Detroit Pistons
No, we're not talking about the same Thompson. Ausar Thompson enters this season with a different opportunity in Detroit.
Late last year, we saw flashes of expanded playmaking responsibility, and I'd like to see the Pistons continue developing that part of his game.
Cade Cunningham will remain the primary creator. That's not changing. But Detroit doesn't need Ausar to become its point guard.
It needs him to become another player capable of making the right read after the defense rotates toward Cunningham. That's where I think his fantasy value can grow.
It's a Matter of Trust
Ball-handling isn't just about bringing the ball across half court. It's about responsibility. It's about trust. It's about which players coaches believe can create quality offense when defenses tighten up.
Mitchell should inherit more responsibility after Miami reshaped its backcourt. Fears has a chance to claim a larger role in New Orleans. Pritchard's offensive workload should increase following Boston's offseason changes.
Amen Thompson has the talent to become a bigger initiator if Houston can carve out the possessions. Ausar Thompson continues trending toward becoming much more than an athletic wing.
None of these players has to become his team's leading scorer to improve his fantasy value. Sometimes having the ball in your hands a little more is all it takes.
Questions About Sleepers Who Could Get The Ball More Often, Answered
Which players are genuinely getting more of the ball in their hands in 2026-27?
Davion Mitchell, Jeremiah Fears, Payton Pritchard, Amen Thompson and Ausar Thompson should have the ball in their hands more often. Each has an opportunity for increased offensive responsibility, although their roles and paths to additional ball-handling differ.
Are Amen Thompson and Ausar Thompson related?
Yes. Amen Thompson and Ausar Thompson are twin brothers, but they have different opportunities. Amen plays for Houston, where he faces competition for possessions, while Ausar plays for Detroit, where his fantasy value could grow through expanded playmaking alongside Cade Cunningham.
What's the biggest risk across this list?
Opportunity and competition remain the biggest risks. Amen Thompson has Kevin Durant and Reed Sheppard competing for possessions in Houston, while Ausar Thompson will play alongside primary creator Cade Cunningham. The other players also need their anticipated increases in offensive responsibility to materialize.
What stat lines should fantasy managers project for these five players?
Specific stat lines aren't established, but increased ball-handling could improve their fantasy production without requiring them to become leading scorers. Mitchell could produce more assists, Fears could benefit from greater responsibility, Pritchard could create more offense, and both Thompsons could gain value through expanded playmaking roles.
