Fantasy Basketball: 25 Must-Grab Sleepers to Dominate Your Draft
For the most part, fantasy basketball is about drafting healthy players.
Typically, elite players stay within the same statistical range—a phenomenon that does not exist in fantasy football, or even baseball for that matter. The key to winning your league typically involves drafting players with no injury history in the early rounds and making riskier picks in the later rounds.
Last season, my team flourished based on the production of Brandon Jennings, Tyreke Evans and Carl Landry—all late-round steals. Those of you drafting late should heed this advice and enjoying reaping the benefits.
If you've already drafted? It's not too late for you either.
Make an offer at one of these players. They are typically undervalued and underappreciated, so they may be available at a discount price.
Oh, and in case you were wondering, the player values are based on CBS Sportsline's average draft positions.
Danny Granger at 20
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This is hardly a sleeper, but it needs to be acknowledged that this is far too low for Danny Granger.
The 6'9" forward is an elite scorer (24.2 ppg) and the most valuable three-point shooter in the game (2.1, 2.7 and 2.6 3PT/game) last three seasons.
Now with a true point guard in Darren Collison and Troy Murphy no longer vulturing points, Granger could improve upon his already impressive stat line. Expect at least a steal and a block to go along with 25 points, 5 rebounds and 3 assists.
Pau Gasol at 21
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Come on guys.
Gasol is a beast in both head-to-head and roto formats and should not be drafted behind the likes of free-throw killer Dwight Howard and the defenseless duo of David Lee and Amare Stoudemire.
After averaging 18 points, 11 rebounds and 3.5 assists with terrific peripherals (54 percent from the floor and 79 percent from the line) Gasol established himself as fantasy basketball's premier big man. His numbers will be identical to David Lee's, except for the 1.5-2 blocks Gasol will provide.
Gerald Wallace at 28
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Not only is Gerald Wallace a freak, but he plays on a team with limited options.
Often times, fantasy production is based more on opportunity than skill, and that is the case with Wallace.
He is an undersized power forward with great speed and even better hops. A year ago, he averaged 18 and 10 while providing 1.5 steals and 1.1 blocks.
His 77.6 free-throw percentage was all the more valuable when you consider it comes on 7.2 attempts per game.
Despite entering his ninth season in the league, Wallace is only 28 years old. He's in his prime and coming off a season where he ranked among the top 10 in production.
He's not a sexy pick, but Wallace will help you win your league.
Chauncey Billups at 49
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Again, a top-50 pick is not traditionally considered a sleeper
But in Billups' case we will make an exception.
Despite shooting an underwhelming 42 percent from the floor, Billups was incredibly valuable last season. Not only did he score 19.5 points and drop 5.6 dimes, but he also hit 157 threes (12th in the NBA).
However. the most valuable trait about Billups is his shooting from the charity stripe. The former Colorado star shot seven free throws per game and hit on a staggering 91 percent!
That type of production is perfect for balancing out stat-killers like Dwight Howard and should earn Billups a top-25 draft spot—even if Carmelo ends up getting traded.
Marc Gasol at 50
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To this day, people complain about collusion when the Lakers acquired Pau Gasol from the Grizzlies, and I can't quite understand the logic.
Everybody knew Gasol was getting dealt, and they managed to acquire two first-round picks, an expiring contract and Marc Gasol.
Last year, in just his second season, the former Spanish league MVP averaged 14.6, 9.3 and 2.4 while tacking on 1.6 blocks. His footwork around the basket is fantastic and has played a large part in his 58.1-percent clip from the floor.
With Zach Randolph due for a setback, expect Gasol's already-impressive numbers to improve even more. Think 17 and 10 with 2 blocks and a field-goal percentage around 55.
Andrea Bargnani at 59
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Toronto is woefully bad.
Even with Chris Bosh last season, this team failed to make the playoffs in a weak Eastern Conference. With no major additions (minus the swap of Leandro Barbosa for Hedo Turkoglu) the former No. 1 pick will be forced to shoulder the load for this Raptor ball club.
A season ago, Bargnani was productive, despite his soft stance on rebounding. The seven-foot center may play small, but his fantasy impact will be huge.
After averaging 17 and 6 with 1.5 threes and 1.4 blocks, Bargnani should see his numbers rise across the board.
Fearless Prediction: 20 points, 7.5 rebounds with at least a block and a three per game.
Nene at 68
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When you look at Nene's numbers, nothing immediately jumps off the page.
After all, 14 points and 7.5 boards are relatively mundane stats. But look closer.
Not only will Nene shoulder a greater load if Carmelo gets dealt, but he gets you production in almost every category.
The 6'11" Brazilian is always good for 1+ steal and block and has a 55.4 lifetime field-goal percentage. Add in the 2.5 assists to only 1.5 turnovers and the fact that Nene is in his prime at 28 years old, and there is plenty of reason to get excited about the artist formerly known as Hilario.
I've drafted Nene in almost every league and suggest you do the same.
Troy Murphy at 70
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I'll admit it; Troy Murphy is extremely bland.
He'll never make a sportsCenter top 10, and you'll never pay to watch him play. Still, he has proven to be a very valuable fantasy asset.
The 6'11" forward from Notre Dame averaged a double-double with 14.6 points and 10.2 rebounds while tacking on 1.8 3PT/game. His 80-percent clip from the line become even more valuable when attached to his center eligibility.
Murphy was traded this off-season from the Pacers to the Nets, but that should not affect his fantasy stock. If anything, the double teams on Brook Lopez could create even more open looks for the 30-year-old Murphy.
Paul Millsap at 72
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In 2008, Millsap started 38 games white Carlos Boozer was out with an injury.
In those games, he averaged 16 points and 10 rebounds with a block and a steal. He was efficient from the floor and even tacked on a few assists.
Now with Mehmet Okur out to start the season, Millsap will once again get the chance to start. If he can come anywhere close to the level of production he showed in 2008, the former second rounder from Louisiana Tech could be one of the draft's biggest steals.
Anthony Randolph at 91
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At the draft progresses, you may have the opportunity to swing for the fences on a high-potential player.
If you do. Anthony Randolph is the ideal pick.
The 6'11" forward is reminiscent of a more athletic Lamar Odom. He has a handle, solid jumper and is a fantastic shot blocker.
In fact, his numbers per 36 minutes last season are mind-boggling.
18.5 points. 10.3 boards. 2.5 blocks and 1.3 steals. Those numbers would make Randolph the first center off the board!
If A-Dolph can play under control and earn playing time in Mike D'Antoni's up-tempo offense, he could post huge numbers. Of course, he could also waste his potential by sitting on the bench.
He's the ultimate boom or bust pick, but I know that I would take the risk.
Rashard Lewis at 96
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I've never cared for Rashard Lewis.
I thought he was overrated on Seattle. When he signed that ludicrous contract, my dislike was greatly amplified.
Still, the No. 2 option on a stellar team should not fall this late.
In years past, Lewis has dominated the three-point shooting categories and there is little reason to think that he will stop now. A year after averaging only 14 and 4, expect a nice bump up to 16 and 5 with a higher field-goal percentage and over two 3PT/game.
Ray Allen at 97
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A lot of teams will pass on older veterans in favor of younger and riskier picks.
Don't make that mistake.
Allen was a top-40 player last season after scoring 16 points per game on 48 percent shooting and 1.8 3PT/game. His 89.4-percent career mark from the charity stripe is among the best in league history, and can be of great value to any fantasy roster.
Allen doesn't hurt you in a single category while providing sizeable boosts in traditionally overlooked categories. He may be 35, but that beautiful stroke is still there.
Marcus Camby at 102
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This ranking is utterly bizarre.
In yahoo and ESPN leagues, Camby is typically drafted between picks 40 and 50—and for good reason, too. The Camby Man may not be a scorer (7.5 ppg between the Clippers and Blazers), but stuffs the stat sheet like a middle school girl stuffs her bra.
With the Blazers Camby averaged 11.1 rebounds, 2.0 blocks, 1.1 steals and shot a respectable 50 percent from the floor. While I admit it's not ideal that he will be backing up LaMarcus Aldridge and Greg Oden, he will still log solid playing time.
Plus, Greg Oden's about one injury from winding up in the glue factory. It's almost a guarantee that, by season's end, Camby will start 30 games.
He's a top-50 value available at the tail end of your draft. Jump on this opportunity.
Andrew Bynum at 103
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If healthy, Bynum is one of the top three centers in the NBA.
He's big and athletic with good hands and nice footwork. Unlike certain centers (D-Howard for instance), he actually has a nice array of post moves.
At only 23 years old, Bynum has tons of room to grow, and that is scary. And for as many people that knock his health problems, he still managed to play 65 games last season (averaging 15 and 8 in the process).
At pick 103, Bynum is too good to pass up. Hell, at pick 80, he's too good to pass up.
Jose Calderon at 107
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As I've repeatedly said, opportunity is everything.
With Bosh gone, 25 points per game are up for grabs. You can bet your bottom dollar that some of that scoring will go to the veteran point guard.
The 29-year-old Spaniard will help you with his 10 points and 6 assists, but it's his career 88-percent free-throw percentage that really jumps out.
Add that to a mere 1.5 TO/game, and you see why Calderon has always been such a valuable roto player.
Tyrus Thomas at 120
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Thomas seems to have tremendous potentia,l but can't quite seem to get it all together.
The 6'9" power forward was the fourth-overall pick just a few years ago, yet Chicago couldn't seem to get rid of him quick enough.
Last season, Thomas had per-36 averages of 16.7, 10.1 with 2.5 blocks and 1.5 steals in his 25 games with Charlotte. If Thomas can steal a starting spot away from Boris Diaw, he could finally be in for the breakout year so many analysts know he is capable of.
Marcus Thornton at 121
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Last year as a rookie, Thornton was one of the game's nicer surprises.
In only 25 minutes per game, the 6'4" guard averaged 14.5 points and 1.6 threes. He was efficient from the floor and the free-throw stripe, and was absolutely beastly in 17 games as a starter.
In those games, the LSU product averaged 19.9 ppg with 4 boards, 3 dimes and 2 trey balls. While Thornton likely won't reach those numbers playing alongside Trevor Ariza, a Ray Allen-esque season seems highly possible.
Andrei Kirilenko at 122
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Kirilenko has always filled up a stat sheet, and could be in for a nice statistical bump as he enters his contract year.
Kirilenko won't dominate any category, but his production in the defensive categories (rebounds, steals, blocks) make him a great value pick late in the draft.
Greg Oden at 135
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I love per-36 stats because they are such a great indicator of potential.
36 minutes per game is about the figure that most star players receive, and thusly indicates how a player could do if he could just get his foot in the door.
In Oden's 82-game career, his per-36 figures show true star potential. 15 points. 12 rebounds. 2.3 blocks.
Tack on a 57-percent clip, and you see why Portland spent the No. 1 pick on this seven footer.
He's incredibly athletic and ridiculously strong. If Oden can avoid early foul trouble (he tends to be very overaggressive) and manages to stay healthy (he's been injury prone, but all three injuries have been to different areas) we could just see a breakthrough performance.
His upside is Dwight Howard, which makes him an unbelievable risk/reward pick this late in a draft.
Channing Frye at 136
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After losing Amar'e Stoudemire, Frye should see his minutes shoot up.
Given his production last season, that could be very useful for savvy fantasy owners.
The former Arizona star added a three-point shot to his repertoire last season and put forth a great season seemingly out of nowhere.
Frye averaged only 11 and 5, but the 2.1 3PT/game and 81-percent free-throw shooting out of the center position make for a rare and valuable combo.
Josh Childress at 155
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After playing two years in Greece, Josh Childress is back in the NBA and may have landed in the ideal situation.
The versatile 6'8" Childress could log playing time at the 2, 3 or 4 spot given the Suns' lack of depth in the frontcourt.
In his last NBA season, the Stanford product averaged 12 and 5 on an eye popping 57-percent shooting. Factor in the fact that Childress is a career 80-percent free-throw shooter, and there is reason to get excited about Childress.
Fearless Prediction: 15 points, 6 rebounds, 2.5 assists with a steal and high shooting percentages.
Best of the Rest
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Tiago Splitter at 157
DeMar DeRozen at 161
Nicolas Batum at 183
Reggie Williams at 186
Tyler Hansbrough at 198
