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On the earth of fantasy sports activities, the time period “sleeper” refers to an underrated or underappreciated participant who has the potential to exceed expectations and supply vital worth.
With the rise of fantasy sports activities and sports activities wagering, figuring out these hidden gems has turn into as difficult as hitting a half-court shot (until you are Stephen Curry). Data is extra accessible than ever, with analysts, podcasts and social media offering a continuing stream of information and predictions. In consequence, many sleepers are not snoozing.
Discovering a real sleeper immediately requires extra than simply information — it calls for a little bit of hypothesis and luck. You might want to take a look at participant efficiency tendencies, preseason video games and even the smallest whispers from coaching camps.
Along with leveraging the potential gems listed under, be sure you additionally try our employees’s roundtable on sleepers, breakouts, and busts, the place I nominate Trey Murphy III as a notable “3-and-D” sleeper.
For the next listing of notable sleepers, the main focus is simply on gamers discovered outdoors of the highest 100 picks on common in ESPN stay draft outcomes.
Jabari Smith, PF/C, Houston Rockets
Youthful gamers usually have decrease ADPs (common draft place) as a result of uncertainty, however the commonest timing for breakout campaigns is in these first few seasons of a budding profession. Smith’s profile would not scream breakout, however he has flashed enhancements as a flooring spacer whereas bringing sturdy defensive charges to the court docket. Given Smith’s particular two-way ability set, do not be stunned if Ime Udoka empowers Smith greater than ever this season.
Deni Avdija, SF/PF, Portland Trail Blazers
At simply 23, Avdija claims a sophisticated flooring sport that noticed him set profession bests in playmaking, scoring and rebounding in his remaining season with the Wizards. Positioned for main minutes on a Portland staff nonetheless in transition from the Damian Lillard period, Avdija could possibly be a serious a part of the following part for the franchise.
Keyonte George, PG/SG, and Taylor Hendricks, PF, Utah Jazz
Given what number of high-usage, heliocentric stars we will establish within the league, sourcing assists in later rounds can show difficult. Aiding practically 1 / 4 of all made discipline objectives for the Jazz whereas on the court docket as a rookie, George’s precedent for playmaking suggests a possible breakout may unfold in Utah this fall. Past his pick-and-roll prowess, George averaged practically 15 factors on respectable quantity from deep as a rookie.
One other Jazz rookie from final season, Hendricks flashed spectacular defensive and positional versatility for the staff. With tons of minutes on the wing accessible in Salt Lake Metropolis, Hendricks is nearly positive to outproduce his draft value.
Brandin Podziemski, SG, and De’Anthony Melton, PG/SG, Golden State Warriors
“Air Podz” averaged 5.8 rebounds throughout his rookie season, which put Podziemski within the 98th percentile amongst NBA guards. Along with atypical rebounding quantity, Podziemski may erupt as a shooter and scorer within the wake of Klay Thompson‘s departure from the rotation. Offseason buzz suggests the staff is able to function the second-year guard.
Steve Kerr’s shot-happy system may bode properly for Melton’s offensive profile, whereas the staff can be prone to unleash him within the passing lanes on protection in a similar way to how Donte DiVincenzo and Gary Payton II thrived on this system. It is fairly doable, if unlikely, Melton averages greater than two made 3-pointers and two mixed blocks and steals on this fantasy-friendly setup.
Herbert Jones, SF/PF, New Orleans Pelicans
Do not get caught on the sluggish scoring profile; Jones claims one of many league’s purest “3-and-D” profiles. He posted a powerful 63% efficient discipline purpose share on catch-and-shoot threes final season whereas ending among the many most versatile and efficient defenders within the sport. He completed within the 96th percentile within the league in steal share and within the eightieth in block share.
With the Pelicans leaning on a small-ball id, Jones is prone to set profession highs in minutes and alternatives.
Cameron Johnson, SF/PF, Brooklyn Nets
We witnessed Mikal Bridges get pleasure from a large surge in scoring manufacturing when he joined the Nets within the blockbuster Kevin Durant cope with the Phoenix Suns. May Johnson’s flip be subsequent?
With the staff shifting Bridges to a different borough over the summer season, Johnson is due for a rewarding rise in offensive alternatives. The potential for Johnson to set profession bests in scoring and taking pictures quantity is kind of excessive, whereas his draft value stays cheap.
Marcus Smart, PG/SG, and Vince Williams Jr., PG/SG, Memphis Grizzlies
It is uncommon that the fantasy market overlooks a former Defensive Participant of the 12 months, however right here we’re. Sensible’s 2023-24 season was stricken by accidents, so it is comprehensible that he has slipped deeper into drafts. With sufficient passing chops to assist run second items and among the finest defensive charges at his place, Sensible could possibly be a savvy late-round get.
The unlucky harm to GG Jackson II most likely leads to an enormous function for Williams in Memphis to open the season. Phrase from the beat is that Williams could possibly be among the many staff leaders in minutes. Final season’s eroded roster afforded Williams an actual probability to develop as a playmaker and complementary scorer, roles he’ll most likely revive on a restocked Grizzlies rotation.
