Fantasy Basketball 2014: Top Player Rankings and Underrated Sleepers
There are few things more exciting on draft day in fantasy basketball than landing that coveted superstar in the early going, but the path to a championship may be managing your team like the San Antonio Spurs.
Just look at last year’s NBA Finals—the Miami Heat had the premier superstar in LeBron James, but it was the Spurs' group of complementary pieces that took care of business in a quick five games.
Like the Spurs, you are going to need to find some sleepers in the mid- to late-rounds to take home your league’s crown. With that in mind, let’s take a look at some underrated sleepers to watch after glancing over some rankings for the top players.
A player is considered a sleeper if he's ranked No. 40 or below in Yahoo Sports' player rankings.
| 1 | LeBron James | Cleveland Cavaliers | SF |
| 2 | Anthony Davis | New Orleans Pelicans | PF/C |
| 3 | Chris Paul | Los Angeles Clippers | PG |
| 4 | Stephen Curry | Golden State Warriors | PG |
| 5 | James Harden | Houston Rockets | SG |
| 6 | DeMarcus Cousins | Sacramento Kings | C |
| 7 | Russell Westbrook | Oklahoma City Thunder | PG |
| 8 | Blake Griffin | Los Angeles Clippers | PF |
| 9 | Serge Ibaka | Oklahoma City Thunder | PF |
| 10 | Carmelo Anthony | New York Knicks | SF |
| 11 | LaMarcus Aldridge | Portland Trail Blazers | PF |
| 12 | Kevin Love | Cleveland Cavaliers | PF |
| 13 | John Wall | Washington Wizards | PG |
| 14 | Al Jefferson | Charlotte Hornets | C |
| 15 | Chris Bosh | Miami Heat | C |
| 16 | Kevin Durant | Oklahoma City Thunder | SF |
| 17 | Kawhi Leonard | San Antonio Spurs | SF |
| 18 | Dirk Nowitzki | Dallas Mavericks | PF |
| 19 | Kyle Lowry | Toronto Raptors | PG |
| 20 | Damian Lillard | Portland Trail Blazers | PG |
Shooting Guard/Small Forward DeMar DeRozan, Toronto Raptors
Much like how his Toronto Raptors team is an under-the-radar threat in the Eastern Conference, DeMar DeRozan should turn some heads in fantasy basketball this year. If nothing else, his international experience during the 2014 FIBA World Cup should improve his confidence heading into the season.
In terms of being an offensive threat, DeRozan can do a little bit of everything.
Fantasy owners know he will be a go-to guy in the Raptors’ offense after scoring 22.7 points on 17.8 field-goal attempts a game last year; you need that type of consistency from draft picks in the middle rounds. What’s more, DeRozan shot 82.4 percent from the free-throw line in eight attempts a game, so you're also going to get production there.
He still isn’t a reliable three-point shooter but did shoot a career-best 30.5 percent from deep last year to go along with a career-best four assists a night.
DeRozan is only 25 years old and, as NBA.com noted, will likely get better even after a career year:
That improvement could pay dividends for your fantasy team.
Point Guard Ricky Rubio, Minnesota Timberwolves
The Minnesota Timberwolves are not going to win a lot of games this season but will run up and down the floor with a young nucleus in place and athleticism all over the court.
That will lead to tons of assists for Ricky Rubio, which is why the loss of Kevin Love is not as much of an issue as it would appear in terms of Rubio’s fantasy value.
Rubio has never been a big-time scorer (9.5 points per game last year was a career-worst mark), but you could argue that he will see more shots with Love no longer around. Rubio is still a solid fantasy option because of his nightly averages from last year of 8.6 assists, 2.3 steals, 4.2 rebounds and 80.2 percent shooting from the free-throw line.
The idea here is that your scoring needs will be taken care of in the first few rounds, which means Rubio holds value as a mid-round sleeper. You will need those rebounds from a guard, assists and most importantly steals.
There are plenty of point guards who give you assists in fantasy basketball, but Rubio was second in the league in steals behind only Chris Paul. That is a category in which you can dominate your league with the right pieces.
Small Forward Jabari Parker, Milwaukee Bucks
The Milwaukee Bucks are not making the playoffs this season, but the most important thing for them is Parker’s development, which means the Duke product will have the greenest of green lights this year.
With NBA-ready offensive skills and the minutes and shots to produce, Parker should put up impressive fantasy numbers.
He is also apparently growing more comfortable with his role if his recent comments are any indication, via the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel's Charles F. Gardner:
"At the beginning of training camp I was a little lost. But I think everything came full circle for me today. It's been real special for me, being thrown in the fire so early. I just love it that I'm being able to be around some good guys, real veterans. The experience is helping me go fast. I'm able to catch on a little better because I have good teammates.
"
At 6’8”, Parker has the size to rebound and block shots but with the shooting range and quickness to pick up some steals and contribute from behind the three-point line.
Parker was a double-double threat during his one season at Duke, and there is no reason to expect that to change at the NBA level with increased minutes and opportunity.
He should be the first rookie taken at your fantasy draft.
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