When looking for “sleepers” playing time opportunity is key. Don’t avoid players on team’s that may only win 20 games all season. Team wins mean absolutely nothing to us. The Hawks and the Bulls have a lot of sleeper-potential on them despite being ineffective as a whole. Always look for playing time and leave room for variable change at the end of your bench. Here are a few players to look at towards the end of your drafts
1. Ersan Ilyasova-F-Atlanta Hawks: Losing Paul Millsap and Dwight Howard as teammates will benefit Ilyasova by giving him more shot opportunities. Ilyasova is dangerous from mid-range. His footwork is good and can drive and also hit turnaround jumpers. The Hawks will utilize Ilyasova’s defense as well. He doesn’t go for pump fakes and he’s not easy to get by. Ilyasova will also shoot from three-point range and can still average 12-15 points at least on this Hawks team. Ilyasova will likely be the first Forward off the bench behind Taurean Prince and John Collins, but he does have a chance to start. Once Joel Embiid got hurt and the Sixers were still competing at the time for the 8th seed back in January, it was Ilyasova leading when it came to scoring. His leadership improved his value and the Sixers rode the wave and traded him to the Hawks prior to the trade deadline. . You can do the same for your fantasy teams this upcoming season.
2. Kris Dunn-G-Chicago Bulls: Dunn was highly touted coming out of college but the situation wasn’t ideal for him in Minnesota, especially when Ricky Rubio is shooting as well as he did last season. Dunn being moved to a stripped down Bulls squad is perfect for him to grow as a Guard. Minnesota had too many players who could bring the ball up. Dunn is quick and has good court instincts. His scoring ability will improve over time. Robin Lopez is excellent at setting screens so you can expect Dunn to be driving a lot. He should start throughout the entire season and will get more shot opportunities with the recent Bulls buyout agreement with Dwayne Wade.
3. Caris LeVert-G-Brooklyn Nets: LeVert stood out when Jeremy Lin was hurt. He could play both Guard spots and is quick and can hit shots from mid-range. The Nets protected when they were negotiating with the Lakers. It’s going to take D’Angelo Russell time to develop into a Shooting Guard and LeVert is very familiar with the Nets offense. Allen Crabbe will be seeing a lot of minutes at Small Forward and that will make LeVert the primary back-up Guard off the bench. Expect LeVert to be playing at least 25 minutes per game. He can run the floor, doesn’t force up too many shots and doesn’t have too much competition at Guard to keep him frozen on the bench. It’s known that LeVert is part of the Nets rebuild plan, and he will be relied on heavily while this new-look Nets team gels.
4. Jon Leuer-F/C-Detroit Pistons: Leuer was a waiver wire darling last season, but with Marcus Morris off the team, he will benefit greatly as long as he stays healthy. Stanley Johnson is not ready to take on a ton of playing time. Leuer is solid from the elbow. He sets the first screen and is good at working the elbow to get inside. Leuer can also hit mid-range jumpers and was left open a lot. He is a good compliment to Tobias Harris’ playing style as Harris is more of an attacker and once he draws the double, Leuer will be the open Piston at the elbow with nobody in sight. Andre Drummond requires a lot of attention on the low block and because he stays there and needs to be boxed out by multiple players, Leuer will have a free lane to follow up shots and grab rebounds with no interference. Leuer is a more trustworthy shooting option than Reggie Jackson, Harris, and Drummond; while Johnson will play only 20 minutes per game.
5. Rondae Hollis-Jefferson-F/C-Brooklyn Nets: Hollis-Jefferson has suffered from health issues, but will benefit because Timofey Mozgov’s minutes have to be capped in order for Mozgov to be effective. When Mozgov is off the floor Trevor Booker will move to Center thus opening up more minutes at Power forward for Hollis-Jefferson. He can also rotate to Center briefly. Towards the end of last season, Hollis-Jefferson hit his stride and we saw double-doubles from him. He will help out with blocks and steals and has good hands. He shoots free throws well and will be relied on for that familiarity factor (same as LeVert). Once he shook off the injuries, his aggressiveness improved and we can expect him to play 25-30 minutes a game.
6. Lance Thomas-F-New York Knicks: With Carmelo Anthony traded a ton of scoring opens up in New York and the Knicks are heavily invested in Lance Thomas. Thomas role on the team has grown over the years and it’s his defense that makes him attractive. Thomas can also hit the knockdown three-pointer and will grab rebounds. His intangibles such as his on the ball defense on the perimeter and in the mid-range alone convince me that he will be starting for the team opening night. The Knicks were awful defensively last season and Thomas (who was hurt for part of the season) will be needed. Thomas makes good decisions with the ball and is excellent at hitting the cutter with crisp leading passes. Thomas should be playing 30 plus minutes per game.
7. T.J. Warren-F-Phoenix Suns: While everyone is gaga over rookie Josh Jackson, we can’t forget that the Suns had major scoring issues last season especially when Eric Bledsoe got hurt. As much as Jackson is a good future potential, for THIS season, Warren will still play a big role offensively. With P.J. Tucker off the team, it should help Warren get to that 20-minute mark. The Suns frontcourt is not that dynamic as most of their big man depth consists of low block players. Warren could shine in the mid-court and score 12-15 points per game and be the Suns 3rd scoring option. He will be in a bit of a battle with Jackson for minutes, but even if he doesn’t start, he will play a strong 6th man roll. Warren was left open a lot inside the arc because Bledsoe and Devin Booker would look to pop shots immediately upon getting the ball. Warren is a bit more patient and will find himself open.
8. Joe Ingles-F-Utah Jazz: Ingles was one of the best three-point shooters in the league last season and with Gordon Hayward gone, that only means more shots for him. Ingles is also good at running the floor and the offense will be quicker with Ricky Rubio leading the charge. If Donovan Mitchell shows tremendous promise, he or Rodney Hood may be moved to the Small Forward, but at least for the start, I see Ingles starting because, even as a decoy, team’s know they have to keep him checked at the perimeter with limited space to give him a look to the basket. Ingles has a quick shot release and good side to side footwork to avoid defenders. If the Jazz decide to start Hood and Mitchell over Ingles, Ingles will be the first player off the bench unless Joe Johnson hits every shot he takes. Ingles is quicker than Johnson and having Rubio running the show only helps Ingles cause and should be able to hit that 20-minute per game threshold.
9. Michael Beasley-F-New York Knicks: Beasley has shown spurts of dynamism. Teams seem to forget about his long-range shooting ability and he does have quick mid-range post moves. One thing I noticed about Beasley’s game is that once the shot goes up he tries to push his way inside causing the players boxing out to re-adjust. Beasley takes advantage of defenders who turn their back and essentially fall asleep on him because they are focused on the ball by running to the open spot in the paint and waiting. The question with Beasley is whether or not he can produce consistently when given ample playing time. With Carmelo Anthony out of the way, Beasley (like Lance Thomas) will also secure more playing time and Beasley can rotate to both Forward positions. Beasley will spend most of his time at Small Forward and if he proves he can defend, he will get more love. He will serve as a good change of pace option for the Knicks.
10. Darren Collison-G-Indiana Pacers: Remember, the NBA is a guard-dominated league when it comes to production and Collison will be available towards the end of drafts and with the ultimate UFO Victor Oladipo in the backcourt with him, Collison will need to make a scoring impact. Oladipo won’t show up every game and Collison will be able to get open on and off the ball. Collison will start and Cory Joseph won’t impede on his minutes as Joseph has proven to be a better back up. Collison does a lot of his scoring from the sides of the basket and is good at executing the pick and pop and can hit from long range. Collison might not be the sexiest option of guards, but he is another reason why you shouldn’t chase scoring in fantasy basketball. He has a lot of experience and players often get lost in the fold in Sacramento and he is not gaining a lot of attention entering the season.
11. Zach Randolph-F/C-Sacramento Kings: The Grizzlies were all about JaMychal Green as THE FUTURE of the team. Think of Randolph’s situation last season in Memphis as the changing of the guard. The Kings don’t have that luxury up front and unless they are prepared to start Kosta Koufos or Skal Labissiere, Randolph should start on this team. He is the most aggressive big man they have and is one of the toughest players on the boards since he entered the league. Randolph is the most dynamic of any of the Kings big men and can hit contested jumpers from the elbow. He will be the Kings main enforcer down low. Remember, he’s in a new situation now and knows how to work the paint and the Kings lacked consistency once DeMarcus Cousins was traded. Randolph should be playing 30-33 minutes per game and you can expect his shooting percentages and rebounding to be nothing short of beneficial for your teams.
12. Alan Williams-F/C-Phoenix Suns: The Suns are moving forward with their rebuild and retained Alan Williams at all costs once they heard other teams are interested. Williams should be the starting Center for the team and he’s a bull inside. He’s got a big body that’s hard to box out and is a bit more skilled than Marquese Chriss. Williams can average 10 points and 8-10 rebounds this season while playing 30 minutes per game. The Kings are currently looking to trade Tyson Chandler. If they end up starting Chandler, his minutes will be limited, as they have invested heavily in Williams. Even with Chandler, the Suns were one of the most embarrassing teams defensively, so the pressure to start Chandler won’t be there.
13. Richaun Holmes-F/C-Philadelphia 76ers: This is one of the few situations in which you need to handcuff (like in fantasy football) because Joel Embiid is very fragile. For those drafting Embiid, know that the Sixers will likely limit his minutes for most of the season. They will hold him out for games as well and this does nothing but benefit Holmes. A lot of your league-mates will be drooling over Embiid, but if you look behind the great personality and dunks, Embiid has suffered major health issues and Jahlil Okafor is a liability on defense. Robert Covington will handle both forward spots but can’t rotate to Center. Holmes gets the job done inside and is good at positioning himself for rebounds and has a few inside post moves. Look for points, rebounds and steals from Holmes. Remember, this is the back up of a chronically injured Center and the handcuffing is absolutely necessary.
14. Robin Lopez-C-Chicago Bulls: The Bulls starting Center does a lot off the stat sheet to earn his minutes. The 7’1 Lopez has good one-handed post moves inside and is always going after rebounds. He does not have the same injury issues as his Brother Brook. Lopez controls the paint and sets screens very well and that will help with the Bulls pick and roll. The familiarity factor is there with Lopez and even though the Bulls maintained Christiano Felicio, Lopez has more skills down low and will score in double figures consistently while flirting with eight rebounds per game and helping out with blocks. Lopez is also very good with on-court communication and the young Bulls will need that for organizational purposes. The job is Lopez’ to lose.
15. Al-Farouq Aminu-F-Portland Trail Blazers: Due to Ed Davis’ health issues, Aminu should be the Blazers starting Power Forward and he is a poor mans Thad Young when it comes to attacking the rim. He will always sacrifice his body to gain positioning or draw the foul. Evan Turner is very inconsistent and Aminu could find himself getting minutes at Small Forward when Mo Harkless needs a breather. Aminu will rebound and get steals and is good at tracking down loose balls. He keeps plays alive and is good at playing off a screen in the lane normally set by Jusuf Nurkic. Aminu’s aggressiveness in the paint also stands out compared to the rest of the Blazers and even showed his ability to swat shots in the Playoffs versus the Warriors.
16. Taj Gibson-F/C-Minnesota Timberwolves: Gibson has always been one of those players that doesn’t need a ton of playing time to put up points and rebounds and plus he knows his Coach’s playing style from their time in Chicago. Gorgui Dieng will spend time at both Power Forward and Center and Gibson can also rotate to both positions. Dieng and Gibson have a lot in common with the way they play. The one difference is that Dieng is left open for jumpers (saw improvements last season) and Gibson has good one handed up and under post moves. Gibson is good from not ideal angles of the basket and is also good at drawing fouls. Between familiarity with his Coach and his ball handling, he will take a few minutes away from Gorgui Dieng this season.
17. Bojan Bogdanovic-F-Indiana Pacers: Bogdanovic could start on this Pacers team. Glenn Robinson III is not ready to take on meaningful minutes and Bogdanovic showed he could keep up with one of the quickest offenses in the league (Wizards) last season and he will only get better with more time to set up with a slower paced offense. Because Thad Young is an attacker, Bogdanovic will be a major bailout option for the Pacers and has excellent shooting range. Bogdanovic is good at faking out defenders, taking a step inside the key and hitting from mid-range. This situation is perfect for the always-hustling Bogdanovic. The Pacers lack mid-court depth and Bogdanovic isn’t afraid to drive the semi-open lane. He will run well with this team and will play 25-30 minutes per game.
18. Taurean Prince-F-Atlanta Hawks: Kent Bazemore stinks! Let’s start there! DeAndre Bembry has a lot of growing to do and Prince is more than ready to take on a starting role on this stripped down Hawks team. Prince will attack the rim and take mid-range shots. He’s a good mid-range defender and reacts off of screens very quickly closing those openings set from screens. The Hawks will need all of the defensive help they can get. Prince should be playing 30 minutes per night and he won’t kill your shooting percentage as he does have a shot filter. His screen setting has earned him more minutes. Prince is coming off of a strong Playoff performance in which he was playing in 30 plus minutes in most games. He will be a consistent rebounding help as well.
19. Jonathon Simmons-G/F-Orlando Magic: Simmons is another player who stepped up for the Spurs in the Playoffs when the injuries piled up. Simmons can play both Shooting Guard and Small Forward and will be competing with Terrence Ross for a starting job. Simmons is good at feeding the cutter and will help out on the assist front as well as volume scoring. Elfrid Payton is suspect on offense and that’s where Simmons can come in and be an open outside bailout option for the driving Payton. The Magic’s rotation is not as set and hard to break as the Spurs and Simmons should see 27-30 minutes per game and can score from all over the court. Simmons defense is solid as well and will provide minor help in steals. If he doesn’t start, he will be the first mid-court player off the bench. Evan Fournier is a lock to start and he can beat out Ross for the spot.
20. Maurice Harkless-F-Portland Trail Blazers: Harkless will likely serve as the Blazers starting Small Forward and is another example why you don’t chase points in fantasy basketball. Harkless averaged 10 points per game last season and he can absolutely do it again as his shot selection is much better than Evan Turner’s. Turner will also see minutes at Shooting Guard. Harkless is a strict Small Forward and averaged nearly 29 minutes per game last season. He will see 30 minutes per game this season and is good at shooting from the elbow. Harkless shot 50 percent from the field last season and if you find yourself needing scoring help at the tail end of your draft, Harkless is the perfect Mr. Relevant-type of player. Harkless is an excellent defender and averaged over a steal and nearly a block per game last season.