Five Under-the-Radar Players Ready for Bigger Roles in 2026-27

The crazy 2026 NBA offseason is paving the way for some players to take on bigger roles when the new campaign begins. That includes a crop of under-the-radar talent fans are familiar with, but who haven’t saturated the news cycle this summer.

Yes, Athlon has unearthed plenty of overlooked players this offseason. Still, we found five players with clear paths to starting minutes and usage that haven’t dominated storylines.

Take note, fantasy basketball managers. These players could be huge difference-makers in 2026-27.

Ajay Mitchell, PG, Thunder

The Belgian guard is part of a crowded OKC backcourt, where Shai Gilgeous-Alexander holds down the big minutes. But a stockpile of injured teammates pushed Mitchell into an expanded role last season, and he responded with a breakout sophomore campaign. His efforts earned him big minutes in the Thunder’s playoff run, with Mitchell averaging 22.5 points, 6.0 assists, 3.0 rebounds, and 1.8 steals on 30.3 minutes per game in the conference semifinals against the Lakers.

It’s not yet clear exactly how much Mitchell’s role will increase next season, since Oklahoma City is still shedding salary and making roster moves. But a pending promotion is already in the cards, making Mitchell a sneaky fantasy contributor.

Daniss Jenkins, PG, Pistons

Jenkins moved up Detroit’s depth chart and became a top waiver-wire target when Cade Cunningham was sidelined with a collapsed lung. He proved to be a two-way threat through the end of March, averaging 12.3 points, 5.3 assists, 3.1 rebounds, and 1.1 steals on 27.1 minutes per night.

Of course, Jenkins reverted back to a bench role once Cunningham was healthy. This makes his fantasy value for next season more format-dependent. Jenkins is a high-upside late-round target for redraft leagues, but an even more valuable stash in dynasty formats.

GG Jackson, SF, Grizzlies

We’ve touched on Jackson’s potential for fantasy growth before, but Memphis’s pending roster revamp was standing in the way. Now that the rebuild has picked up steam, there’s a clear path for the fourth-year forward to take on a starting role.

There’s frontcourt competition in Memphis, with Jaylen Wells and Jerami Grant also vying for a starting role alongside third-overall NBA Draft pick Cameron Boozer. Jackson’s efficient shooting from the field (49.6%) and from three (33.2%) helps bolster his resume as a two-way wing. Fantasy managers should keep a close eye on the Grizzlies’ frontcourt battle through training camp to clarify how much his role will expand.

Jaden Ivey, SG, Unrestricted Free Agent

Health is the primary headline when it comes to Ivey’s 2026-27 outlook. He has a strong skill set on offense, shooting 44.5% from the field and 37.3% from beyond the arc in 2025-26. However, his body of work over the last two seasons is highlighted by two major injuries, one of which required surgery. Getting shut down in March with lingering knee issues and then getting waived by the Bulls for conduct detrimental to the team has only made his outlook murkier.

There is potential for Ivey to be a comeback candidate if he lands on a team with a thin backcourt. A healthy summer league appearance, training camp, and preseason workload could change him into a confident fantasy draft target. At this point in the offseason, though, Ivey is a wait-and-see name for fantasy draft boards.

Keon Ellis, SF, Nets

Ellis built himself a two-way role over three-and-a-half seasons with the Kings. He then showed he gets better results with more playing time after being traded to the Cavaliers at the 2026 deadline. There’s a new opportunity for contributions in 2026-27 now that he has joined a remodeled Nets frontcourt.

The 26-year-old has a handful of fantasy-friendly skills, including steals and three-point efficiency. Ellis is underpriced given his low scoring numbers, making him a steal in category leagues because of his breakout potential with a new team.

The 2026-27 Fantasy Basketball Strategy for Under-the-Radar Players

These five players aren’t dominating offseason conversations, but all have high-upside fantasy potential for the 2026-27 season. Managers should follow all five through the offseason to get a better idea of role clarity, especially for redraft formats. Athlon’s ongoing 2026-27 fantasy basketball draft coverage helps owners stay up-to-date on roster moves and position battles that will set these under-the-radar players for breakout seasons.

Questions About Under-the-Radar Players, Answered

Who are some under-the-radar fantasy basketball players for 2026-27?
Ajay Mitchell, Daniss Jenkins, GG Jackson, Jaden Ivey, and Keon Ellis each have a realistic path to larger roles during the 2026-27 season. Their opportunities stem from expanded playing time, roster changes, health-related developments, or the chance to earn bigger workloads within their respective teams.

Is Daniss Jenkins a good fantasy basketball value pick?
Jenkins is an intriguing late-round option after producing starter-level numbers while Cade Cunningham was sidelined. His value is more format-dependent because his role shrinks when Cunningham is healthy, making him especially appealing as a dynasty stash while still offering upside in redraft leagues.

What is Jaden Ivey's fantasy basketball outlook for 2026-27?
Ivey's outlook depends primarily on his health. A successful recovery, followed by a healthy summer league, training camp, and preseason, would significantly improve his draft value. Until then, he remains more of a wait-and-see option for fantasy managers.

Does GG Jackson have fantasy basketball upside in Memphis?
Jackson has legitimate fantasy upside because Memphis's roster changes have opened a potential path to a starting role. His efficient shooting and the ongoing frontcourt competition make him a player worth monitoring throughout training camp as his role becomes clearer.