Fantasy Basketball 2022: Deep NBA Sleepers After Nov. 24

Season-long fantasy basketball is a months-long grind. No one has ever won a championship in November, but it's imperative to always scour the waiver wire for players who could pay off down the road.

For example, a host of younger NBA players are enjoying productive and efficient seasons thus far. The problem is that their path to more playing time is blocked by others above them on the depth chart.

If they get further opportunities, though, they can shine and be a massive asset in fantasy basketball in the back half of the year.

Therefore, if you're looking for deep players to stash on the back end of your bench, consider these three names in hopes that their paths to more playing time open up.

Jazz C Walker Kessler

Mitchell Leff/Getty Images

PHILADELPHIA, PA - NOVEMBER 13: Walker Kessler #24 of the Utah Jazz attempts a foul shot against the Philadelphia 76ers at the Wells Fargo Center on November 13, 2022 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Mitchell Leff/Getty Images)

Walker Kessler entered Friday playing just 14.8 minutes per game, but the rookie has been very impressive in limited action. He had per-36 stats of 12.8 points on 68.5 percent shooting, 12.2 rebounds and 3.2 blocks per game.

The Minnesota Timberwolves selected the former Auburn and North Carolina player No. 22 overall in this year's draft before dealing him to the Jazz in the Rudy Gobert blockbuster deal.

Kessler has been a revelation for the rebuilding Jazz, though, and could well be a long-term asset.

Kelly Olynyk is currently No. 1 on the center depth chart, but Kessler is worth stashing in case the Jazz decide to make a change or trade the veteran big man, who has one year left on his contract after this season.

Olynyk is a better outside shooter (50.0 percent from three-point range), but Kessler is a better rebounder and defender with higher upside.

If you're looking for depth at center, consider the 21-year-old given his ability to stuff the stat sheet on both ends.

Philadelphia 76ers F Paul Reed

Jesse D. Garrabrant/NBAE via Getty Images

PHILADELPHIA, PA - NOVEMBER 22: Paul Reed #44 of the Philadelphia 76ers walks off the court after the game against the Brooklyn Nets on November 22, 2022 at the Wells Fargo Center in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and/or using this Photograph, user is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2022 NBAE (Photo by Jesse D. Garrabrant/NBAE via Getty Images)

Is it time for the 76ers to give Paul Reed a bigger role in the rotation ahead of Montrezl Harrell? ESPN's Tim Bontemps seems to think so:

Those comments occurred after the 23-year-old dropped 19 points, 10 rebounds, three blocks and two steals in a 115-106 win over the Brooklyn Nets on Tuesday.

The 76ers were missing Tyrese Maxey, James Harden and Joel Embiid but still took down a Nets team that had just welcomed back Kyrie Irving.

Reed entered Friday averaging only 9.6 minutes per game, but his production could see head coach Doc Rivers giving him more playing time. As is, he could be the top option at center moving forward until Embiid, who is dealing with a left mid-foot sprain, returns.

The DePaul product stuffed the stat sheet again Friday with six points, eight rebounds, three blocks and two steals in 22 minutes. Reed and Harrell split time on the court, with the latter being productive as well with 16 points and seven boards.

Ultimately, Reed is still worth a flyer in deeper leagues in case opportunities continue to arise for him.

Charlotte Hornets C Nick Richards

Jacob Kupferman/Getty Images

CHARLOTTE, NORTH CAROLINA - NOVEMBER 05: P.J. Washington #25 celebrates with Nick Richards #4 of the Charlotte Hornets in the fourth quarter during their game against the Brooklyn Nets at Spectrum Center on November 05, 2022 in Charlotte, North Carolina. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Jacob Kupferman/Getty Images)

The 5-14 Charlotte Hornets may have beaten the 76ers Friday, but their season outlook is still bleak.

It may soon be time for them to author a complete rebuild and jettison any veterans. That could mean benching or trading starting center Mason Plumlee, who is a free agent after this season, for 24-year-old Nick Richards.

The Hornets' backup big man entered Friday sporting per-36 averages of 18.1 points on 61.7 percent shooting, 12.0 rebounds and 1.5 blocks. Those numbers aren't flukes, as he entered the 76ers matchup posting 13.6 points and 8.1 boards in 23.1 minutes every time he's played 20 or more minutes in a game.

The Kentucky alum continued that trend Friday with 13 points and 13 rebounds in just 21 minutes of action.

If the Hornets' season goes south, there isn't any reason to keep putting Plumlee out there when he could return other assets in a trade from a contending team.

That would mean a clear runway for Richards to amass more playing time and become a big-time fantasy basketball asset.