2010-2011 Fantasy Basketball Sleepers: 10 Players Primed For Breakout Seasons
Every fantasy basketball owner is searching their draft boards for the next big sleeper.
Last season, guys like Stephen Curry (GS), Andray Blatche (WSH), and Darren Collison (IND) were drafted in the late rounds of most standard drafts. By year's end, the very same players were among the most coveted by opposing owners.
With so much young talent circulating throughout the NBA, owners must choose wisely if they hope to fill the roster with the legitimate talent necessary to take home the title.
Ethan Norof is a writing intern for Bleacher Report. Follow him on Twitter.
10. Charlie Villanueva, SF/PF Detroit Pistons
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After signing a lucrative free agent contract with the Pistons before last season, many thought that Charlie V would thrive after excelling in Milwaukee.
So, what happened?
In addition to struggling with his health through the majority of the season, Villanueva and Coach John Kuester never appeared to be on the same page. The former 7th overall pick averaged just 11.9 pts and 4.7 rebounds in his first year in the motor city, a major disappointment.
With the news that promising youngster (and slated starter) Jonas Jerebko tearing his Achilles tendon today, Villanueva will see big minutes at the position and should be positioned to enjoy a bounce back campaign after re-dedicating himself in the offseason.
9. D.J. Augustin, PG/SG Charlotte Bobcats
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Despite being drafted ninth overall in 2008, Augustin has really failed to provide anything to the Bobcats over his first two seasons.
Now with Raymond Felton's departure to the Knicks via free agency, Augustin has a chance to step in and assert himself as the long-term answer at the position. With increased playing time, D.J. should be able to improve on his assist numbers.
Augustin will be able to provide owners with a moderate contribution in a myriad of categories and should be viewed as an undervalued option at point guard heading into the season.
Although he will have to compete with newcomer Shaun Livingston, Augustin's skill set is a better fit for Charlotte's offense and his playing time should reflect that.
Owners should think of Augustin as a poor man's Jameer Nelson. This is a make it or break it year for the young man in Charlotte, and he knows it.
8. Dorell Wright, SG/SF Golden State Warriors
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A change of scenery is exactly what Wright needed to capitalize on his fantasy potential.
After being buried on Miami's bench and seeing only sporadic playing time since coming straight out of high school, Wright will now be the starting small forward for the new-look Golden State Warriors.
A defensive specialist, Wright has always been an underappreciated source of steals and blocks, but now with increased playing time stands to reward owners in categories like pts, three pointers, and free throw percentage as well.
While he may not receive the playing time that owners might immediately hope for, it shouldn't be long before he separates himself even further from his competition (Reggie Williams, Vlad Radmanovic).
Wright should be targeted towards the later-rounds and will produce like a solid mid-round pick.
7. Roy Hibbert, C Indiana Pacers
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When the Pacers selected Hibbert, many around the league raised a cautious eyebrow, but the big man has proven to be a very valuable piece in the Pacers offense.
Last season, the former Hoya established himself as a legitimate low-post threat and a very capable No. 2 fantasy basketball center. This season, he's primed to make last year look like child's play.
After working with Bill Walton all summer to further improve his game (specifically stamina/conditioning), Hibbert's upside is enormous heading into the campaign. Now with Darren Collison running the point, the lane should open up even more for Hibbert to dominate down low.
While his field goal percentage and rebounding consistency both still need work, Hibbert will be a legitimate double-double threat on a nightly basis and will go under valued in the majority of standard drafts.
Barring injury, Hibbert will certainly please his owners.
6. Michael Beasley, SF Minnesota Timberwolves
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Beasley has seen his stock fall awfully far since his days at Kansas State.
After being drafted second overall by Miami in 2008, Beasley never carved out the role that so many in South Beach were hoping that he would.
Seemingly always in and out of Coach Spoelstra's doghouse, Beasley's tenure in Miami soured even further after a series of off-court issues that brought negative attention to both he and the team.
By far GM David Kahn's best move to date, the Wolves stole Beasley from the Heat this offseason for just a second round pick.
Do not let Beasley slide too far in your draft, as this is the year you want him on your squad. He's going to be an integral part of Minny's offensive attack this season and is eagerly looking to shed his bust label.
5. DeMarcus Cousins, PF/C Sacramento Kings
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The darkhorse candidate for rookie of the year, Cousins was often (ironically) overshadowed by the John Wall during their time together at Kentucky.
After slipping to the Kings at fifth overall, Cousins will be looking to prove his worth. At 6'11" and 270 lbs, his length and size will give his opponents fits in the post all night long. An absolute beast on the boards, Cousins' raw talent and basketball skills are not easily defended.
Despite the Kings possessing a plethora of size on the roster, Cousins will most certainly be an integral part of the rotation and could even find himself starting sooner rather than later.
If his impressive preseason debut (16 pts, 16 rebs, 1 blk, 1 stl) is a sign of things in store, Cousins could emerge as one of the most valuable late-round picks of the season. There is serious upside here.
4. Andrea Bargnani, C Toronto Raptors
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While Bargnani has certainly never been any sort of slouch, his value skyrockets following Chris Bosh's departure to South Beach.
Now the clear-cut first option in the Raptors offense, Bargnani's already stellar averages stand to soar to new heights. Always a threat to contribute in a multitude of areas, AB is especially value considering his ability to stroke it from the outside.
While his defensive skills aren't much talked about, Bargnani has really stepped it up since his arrival in the NBA and has become somewhat of a stopper in the middle. Averaging 1.4 blocks in '09-'10 (career high), Bargnani improved in the category throughout the season and that number should be closer to two by the end of the year.
While owners would certainly like to see a higher field goal percentage from their man in the middle, Bargnani does enough in every other category to more than make up for it. He has a real chance to average 20 points and 10 rebounds in a breakout season.
3. Terrence Williams, SG/SF New Jersey Nets
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One of the most versatile guards in the NBA, Williams has triple-double potential every single night.
Slated to be the Nets' sixth man off the bench, Williams' freakish athleticism allows him to move around the court with ease. An acrobatic high-flyer who seems to be everywhere on the hardwood, T-Will really showcased his skill set toward the end of last season with several highlight performances.
If given the playing time (and there's no reason to think he shouldn't be), Williams should run away with the Sixth Man of the Year Award this season. Although he may not be starting, he may very well be the most valuable fantasy player on the Nets roster outside of center Brook Lopez.
After declaring for the draft, Williams saw his stock skyrocket as more and more around the league became familiar with the Louisville product. This season, it's fantasy owners turn to take notice.
2. Anthony Randolph, SF/PF/C New York Knicks
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Randolph is finally going to get his opportunity, and the youngster is going to turn heads. The second youngest player in the league (the No. 1 player on this list), Randolph's skill set is perfectly suited for Mike D'Antoni's up-tempo style of play.
A tremendous athlete, Randolph contributes in every single category except field goal percentage, which is an area he will improve with experience. Perhaps the most impressive facet of Randolph's game is his defensive ability.
An absolute pest to his opponents, Randolph's ability to register block after block adds a tremendous boost to his budding fantasy value.
With No. 4 slated to run heavy minutes alongside Amar'e this season for the Knicks, owners can feel confident selecting Randolph as early as the sixth round. It wont' be very long before your opposition comes knocking with a trade offer.
1. Jrue Holiday, PG Philadelphia 76ers
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New coach Doug Collins offered a ringing endorsement of Holiday upon taking the job, saying he would be a top five point guard in the NBA this season.
While that may be a little extreme, there's no doubt that Holiday's game is set to take off to new heights. After struggling for playing time early in the year last season and struggling because of it, Holiday fell into brief fantasy irrelevancy.
However, when Allen Iverson jumped ship and Philadelphia saw injuries hit their backcourt, Holiday emerged as a starter and never looked back. After being handed the keys to the offense, the rookie displayed his dynamic abilities that those at UCLA never really got to experience.
Now set to be the point guard of the present and future for a young Sixers team, Holiday will receive all of the playing time that he can handle and should produce in an extremely prolific fashion.
Playing at a very thin position, Holiday is a player that can contribute in just about every category and will make his owners look incredibly good.
Ethan Norof is a writing intern for Bleacher Report, follow him on Twitter.
