It's easy to get caught up in the blockbuster trades. Giannis Antetokounmpo, LaMelo Ball and Kawhi Leonard all changed teams, and understandably, those moves have stolen the spotlight.
But fantasy championships aren't won by following only the biggest headlines. They're won by finding value everyone else overlooks. That's where this year's free-agent class comes in.
Several veterans landed in situations that quietly improved their fantasy outlook. None are likely to hear their names called early on draft night, but each has a realistic chance to outperform his draft position.
Here are the five late-round free-agent pickups I'd be targeting.
1. John Collins, Pistons
This is my favorite name on the list.
Detroit added Collins on a three-year deal because it believes he can help right away. The one wrinkle, of course, is Jalen Duren's role. If Duren remains a major part of the frontcourt, Collins probably settles into solid but unspectacular fantasy production.
If the rotation opens up more than expected, though, Collins suddenly becomes one of the better bargains outside the first 100 picks.
He's still capable of double-doubles. He can stretch the floor enough to fit alongside another big. And unlike a lot of late-round forwards, he's already shown he can be a reliable fantasy contributor over a full season.
I'd gladly take him a round or two ahead of consensus if the draft breaks that way.
2. Luke Kennard, Suns
Kennard isn't flashy. He probably never will be.
But category-league players know exactly why he belongs on this list.
Phoenix signed him because it desperately needed shooting, and Kennard remains one of the NBA's most accurate three-point specialists. His percentages alone can help in deeper formats.
I wouldn't expect big scoring totals or all-around production.
But if your roster already has stars and simply needs someone who won't hurt your percentages while knocking down triples, Kennard suddenly becomes much more interesting than he was a week ago.
He's a much stronger category play than a points-league target.
3. Marvin Bagley III, Nuggets
This is strictly a deep-league dart throw.
Bagley heads to Denver as Nikola Jokic's backup, which obviously limits his nightly ceiling. Unless Jokic misses time, there probably won't be enough minutes for Bagley to become a standard-league starter.
Still, he's worth remembering. Bagley has always produced efficiently when given opportunities. Last season he averaged 10.5 points and 6.1 rebounds while shooting better than 61 percent from the field.
That's why I'd stash his name away. You may never need him. But if injuries create a larger role, he'll immediately become one of the more interesting waiver-wire pickups.
4. Kevin Huerter, Pistons
Sometimes continuity matters. Huerter knows Detroit's system now, Cade Cunningham continues to make life easier for perimeter shooters, and the Pistons clearly valued what Huerter brought after giving him a new three-year contract.
Nobody is drafting him expecting a breakout season. Nor should they.
What you can expect is dependable shooting, solid minutes and enough three-pointers to make him useful near the end of fantasy drafts.
He's the kind of veteran who rarely wins your league but can quietly help you avoid losing it.
5. Tim Hardaway Jr., Heat
Hardaway may have landed in the best basketball situation of anyone on this list.
Miami needed perimeter shooting after reshaping its roster, and playing alongside Giannis Antetokounmpo and Bam Adebayo should create plenty of open looks.
Hardaway has never been known for efficiency. But defenses are going to have bigger concerns than chasing him around the arc.
He's also durable, which matters more than many fantasy managers admit. Availability becomes increasingly valuable once you reach the later rounds.
I don't see enormous upside here. I do see a safe veteran who can provide steady three-point production without costing much on draft day.
Finding Free-Agent Value
Fantasy championships usually aren't won in the first two rounds. They're often won because somebody found value everyone else ignored.
This year's free-agent class probably won't produce many stars. It doesn't have to. If Collins expands his role, Kennard keeps shooting lights out, or Hardaway benefits from Miami's new-look offense, that's the type of late-round edge savvy fantasy managers are always chasing.
That's why I wouldn't let the blockbuster trades distract me from these quieter moves. Sometimes the smartest fantasy picks are the ones nobody is talking about yet.
Questions About Late-Round Targets, Answered
Who are the best late-round fantasy basketball picks after NBA free agency this week?
The top late-round targets are John Collins, Luke Kennard, Marvin Bagley III, Kevin Huerter, and Tim Hardaway Jr. Each landed in a situation that improved his fantasy outlook through a new role or greater opportunity, giving them a chance to outperform their draft position in the later rounds.
What is John Collins' fantasy basketball outlook in Detroit?
Collins has intriguing upside with the Pistons, though his role depends in part on Jalen Duren's place in the frontcourt. If Collins earns a larger share of the rotation than expected, he could become one of the better values outside the first 100 picks thanks to his proven ability to produce double-doubles and contribute across a full season.
Is Luke Kennard a good fantasy basketball value with the Suns?
Yes, particularly in category leagues. Phoenix signed Kennard to provide elite perimeter shooting, and his three-point accuracy makes him more valuable in formats that reward percentages than in points leagues. He offers dependable shooting without requiring a high draft investment.
Does Tim Hardaway Jr. have fantasy basketball value with the Heat?
Hardaway offers a dependable late-round floor as a perimeter shooter. Playing alongside Giannis Antetokounmpo and Bam Adebayo should create quality scoring opportunities, and his durability adds value for fantasy managers looking for reliable three-point production late in drafts.
