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Brandon Miller is primed for a breakout fourth season in Charlotte.<\/p>\n
When looking for diamonds in the rough in the middle and late rounds of your fantasy drafts, it\u2019s important to look at ways the players could be extra motivated. Young players being rewarded large raises for improved play can certainly be a motivating factor. Enter contract extension season! The entire first round of the 2023 NBA Draft is eligible for contract extensions, as they enter their fourth seasons. A couple of players from this draft class have already received their extensions this summer, such as Victor Wembanyama. The rest of these players will either receive lucrative long-term contracts or will be eligible for restricted free agency after the 2026-27 season. Either way, there is a lot to play for and those are the players you may want to round out your rosters.\u00a0<\/p>\n
Brandon Miller \u2013 Charlotte Hornets<\/p>\n
Currently ranked No. 42 on RotoWire\u2019s top 150 overall points rankings<\/a><\/p>\n Miller along with Kon Knueppel will capitalize on the extra minutes and ball handling that LaMelo Ball and Miles Bridges leave behind with their trades out of Charlotte. Miller has averaged over 20 points per game in each of his last two seasons, impressive for a wing who is still only 23. His PPG could climb with the extra touches, as well as his rebounds and assists per game. A young player who could put up a big game or two a week as he continues to improve is perfect for the High Score format. Miller could become a fantasy star and the No. 1 scoring option on an ascending Hornets squad this season.\u00a0<\/p>\n Keyonte George \u2013 Utah Jazz<\/p>\n Currently ranked No. 60 on RotoWire\u2019s top 150 overall points rankings<\/a><\/p>\n George is coming off a breakout third season where he averaged 23.6 points and 6.1 assists per game. Like all other first rounders from the 2023 NBA Draft, he is now eligible for a massive contract extension. Despite reported talks, that deal hasn\u2019t come yet. If that continues, George should be highly motivated to put up a similar, if not better season in 2026-27. George firmly established himself as the starting point guard a year ago and with Utah seemingly ready to attempt a run to the playoffs, expect George to see an uptick in minutes. With Jaren Jackson Jr., Darryn Peterson and Lauri Markkanen surrounding George, the 22-year-old should set a career-high in assists per game for the fourth straight season. A young player with room to grow at a scarce position available around the sixth round? Sign us up.\u00a0<\/p>\n Ausar Thompson \u2013 Detroit Pistons<\/p>\n Currently ranked No. 82 on RotoWire\u2019s top 150 overall points rankings<\/a><\/p>\n Thompson didn\u2019t take the big jump statistically that his twin brother Amen Thompson did in Houston last season. Amen received a lucrative five-year contract extension with the Rockets, while Ausar is still waiting for his big payday to arrive. The good news for Ausar\u2019s production is his Detroit Pistons didn\u2019t add much scoring punch this offseason. The most notable transactions this summer were losing Tobias Harris to San Antonio and replacing him with John Collins. The opportunity is still there for Thompson to take a step forward offensively. His defense alone continues to keep him on the court. At the price range he\u2019s going, around the eighth round in drafts, he\u2019s worth the gamble, especially in leagues that do not dock you for his lack of 3-pointers like High Score.\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0<\/p>\n Jaime Jaquez Jr. \u2013 Milwaukee Bucks<\/p>\n Currently ranked No. 100 on RotoWire\u2019s top 150 overall points rankings<\/a><\/p>\n Jaquez Jr. stuffed the stat sheet off the bench for the Miami Heat last season, which was good enough to finish second in the Kia NBA Sixth Man of the Year race. After being shipped to Milwaukee in the package for Giannis Antetokounmpo, Jaquez Jr. now has his best NBA opportunity to put up big numbers. After averaging 28.3 minutes per game and coming off the bench in 74 of his 75 games last season, Jaquez Jr. enters the season as the favorite to win the starting small forward position for the Bucks. Even rebuilding teams need players to score and Jaquez Jr. should certainly do that.\u00a0<\/p>\n GG Jackson \u2013 Memphis Grizzlies<\/p>\n