Every year there's always a bunch of guys that are bound for stardom (via FA signing, trade, late season run). These guys are known as "sleepers" in the fantasy world. I define sleepers as guys who can push your team to the top in the later rounds of your draft. By no means should you rely on these players to carry your team. Also, fantasy players have a tendency to reach for sleepers. If you're reaching, they're not really considered sleepers anymore. Here is the list of Top 10 sleepers for this season.
1) Anthony Randolph (GSW)- SF/PF
Probably the worst kept secret fantasy sleeper of the off-season. Started to get recognition at the end of last season putting up 15-10 w/ 1.5 stl and nearly 1 bpg in the month of April. He proved that it wasn't a fluke after his MVP performance in summer league. Randolph keeps moving up draft boards that he shouldn't be considered a sleeper anymore. It also doesn't hurt that he's in the Nellie system where everyone puts up good numbers when given the minutes.
Prediction: 17 ppg, 10 reb, 1.5 stl, 1.5 bpg
2) Tyrus Thomas (CHI)- SF/PF
Should start at PF for the young Chicago Bulls. This bodes really well for Tyrus Thomas as minutes will determine how much of a fantasy impact he'll have this season. He's averaging an astounding 3.3 bpg per 48 min. The sky's the limit for the young Thomas. T-squared is one of those players that will help your squad out in the energy categories (stls & blks)
Prediction: 13 ppg, 8 rbp, 1.5 spg, 2 bpg
3) Spencer Hawes (SAC)- C
The big man in the middle is another version of the departed Brad Miller, one of the reasons Sacramento didn't mind trading Miller away to Chicago. Hawes has all the tools Miller has plus a nice shooting touch from beyond the arc. Burst onto the fantasy radar towards the beginning of last season, but injuries hit him in the middle. He bounced back strong the last month to give owners one last look of what he'll do this season.
Prediction: 17 ppg, 9 rpg, 1.5 bpg
4) Jason Thompson (SAC)- PF
Another building block along with Hawes, I expect a good season from. He has the starting power forward locked up with injury prone Sean May backing him up. Plenty of minutes will be there for Thompson. Came onto the scene last season when the Kings were lacking big men thanks to the injuries/trade of Spencer Hawes and Brad Miller. The last two months of the season were an indication of what he'll put up this season. He developed more confidence and is primed for a breakout year.
Prediction: 14 ppg, 8.5 rpg, 1 bpg
5) Thaddeus Young (PHI)- SF/PF
Young really took advantage of the minutes after Brand went down from injuries. Quietly took the starting role in Philly and put up some nice numbers. He demonstrated his ability to score with a high percentage as well as help out in other categories. With Brand back, his numbers will likely take a small hit, but he's gotta be a part of the 76ers future plans. He's only a Brand injury away from having a breakout year.
Prediction: 15 ppg, 6 rbg, 1.5 spg
6) Roy Hibbert (IND)- C
Dr. Hibbert has surely grabbed the attention of many during the preseason. After flirting with a triple-double (20 pts, 11 reb, 8 blks-yes, 8!!!!) in nearly 33 minutes, what's not to get excited about Hibbert? The Pacers lack presence in the middle with Jeff Foster and Troy Murphy (neither had more than 50 blocks last season). Hibbert could definitely change all of that this season. He could be a nice #2 center on fantasy squads once Hibbert takes over the starting spot...and it's only a matter of time before that happens.
Prediction: 11 ppg, 10 rpg, 2 bpg
7) Luis Scola (HOU)- PF/C
With the season ending injury to Yao Ming, there's no one left to play center for the Rockets. Luis Scola figures to start the year at center giving him every opportunity to put up some nice fantasy numbers. He's never had the defensive statistics, but that's because Yao Ming was there to clean up the mess. Yao's not there, so Scola will have to step it up. The Argentinean put up nice numbers against the Lakers in the playoffs last year after Yao went down, so you know he's capable. I expect a great season out of Scola as he'll be the man like he has been for his native Argentinean squad where he's the team MVP.
Prediction: 16 ppg, 10 rpg, 1 bpg
8) Mario Chalmers (MIA)- PG
Miami had no other true point guard on the roster up until the recent signing of Carlos Arroyo. However, Chalmers is the main man after developing a bond with Dwayne Wade. In his rookie campaign, the former Jayhawk averaged a solid 10 ppg with 5 apg. These numbers will likely increase a little with a year of experience under him. If you're a D-Wade owner, I would scoop Chalmers up just in case.
Prediction: 11ppg, 6 apg, 2 spg
9) Julian Wright (NOH)- SF/PF
Wright was a nice late-season pickup for many fantasy rosters after grabbing the starting SF spot. He looked to build on the late-season success after being named starting SF by Byron Scott in the preseason. However, he's looked completely lost, and it's not looking like he's locked up the starting position. He'll likely be the opening night starter, so Wright will have to turn it around quickly. Playing with CP3 can mean nice numbers as a starter. I would only use a late round pick on Wright, or not even draft him at all, but certainly keep him on your radar.
Prediction: 10 ppg, 3 rpg, 2 spg, 1 bpg (if he's the starter)
10) JaVale McGee (WAS)- C
McGee is one big man to watch out for especially if Brendan Haywood goes down with any type of injury. After watching him play this summer, McGee has the tools to be Marcus Camby type of player (without the jumper). He's REALLY long and is disruptive on the defensive end. McGee definitely won't be relied on to score as the Wizards have plenty of weapons, but he's a nice source for rebounds and blocks if he were to seize the starting center spot. He'll probably be a nice mid-season flier.
Prediction: 8 ppg, 5 rpg, 2 bpg
Others to keep an eye out for:
Hakim Warrick (MIL)- SF/PF
Marco Belinelli (TOR)- SG
Greg Oden (POR)- C
Yi Jianlian (NJN)- SF/PF
1) Anthony Randolph (GSW)- SF/PF
Probably the worst kept secret fantasy sleeper of the off-season. Started to get recognition at the end of last season putting up 15-10 w/ 1.5 stl and nearly 1 bpg in the month of April. He proved that it wasn't a fluke after his MVP performance in summer league. Randolph keeps moving up draft boards that he shouldn't be considered a sleeper anymore. It also doesn't hurt that he's in the Nellie system where everyone puts up good numbers when given the minutes.Prediction: 17 ppg, 10 reb, 1.5 stl, 1.5 bpg
2) Tyrus Thomas (CHI)- SF/PFShould start at PF for the young Chicago Bulls. This bodes really well for Tyrus Thomas as minutes will determine how much of a fantasy impact he'll have this season. He's averaging an astounding 3.3 bpg per 48 min. The sky's the limit for the young Thomas. T-squared is one of those players that will help your squad out in the energy categories (stls & blks)
Prediction: 13 ppg, 8 rbp, 1.5 spg, 2 bpg
3) Spencer Hawes (SAC)- C
The big man in the middle is another version of the departed Brad Miller, one of the reasons Sacramento didn't mind trading Miller away to Chicago. Hawes has all the tools Miller has plus a nice shooting touch from beyond the arc. Burst onto the fantasy radar towards the beginning of last season, but injuries hit him in the middle. He bounced back strong the last month to give owners one last look of what he'll do this season.
Prediction: 17 ppg, 9 rpg, 1.5 bpg
4) Jason Thompson (SAC)- PF
Another building block along with Hawes, I expect a good season from. He has the starting power forward locked up with injury prone Sean May backing him up. Plenty of minutes will be there for Thompson. Came onto the scene last season when the Kings were lacking big men thanks to the injuries/trade of Spencer Hawes and Brad Miller. The last two months of the season were an indication of what he'll put up this season. He developed more confidence and is primed for a breakout year.
Prediction: 14 ppg, 8.5 rpg, 1 bpg
5) Thaddeus Young (PHI)- SF/PF
Young really took advantage of the minutes after Brand went down from injuries. Quietly took the starting role in Philly and put up some nice numbers. He demonstrated his ability to score with a high percentage as well as help out in other categories. With Brand back, his numbers will likely take a small hit, but he's gotta be a part of the 76ers future plans. He's only a Brand injury away from having a breakout year.
Prediction: 15 ppg, 6 rbg, 1.5 spg
6) Roy Hibbert (IND)- C Dr. Hibbert has surely grabbed the attention of many during the preseason. After flirting with a triple-double (20 pts, 11 reb, 8 blks-yes, 8!!!!) in nearly 33 minutes, what's not to get excited about Hibbert? The Pacers lack presence in the middle with Jeff Foster and Troy Murphy (neither had more than 50 blocks last season). Hibbert could definitely change all of that this season. He could be a nice #2 center on fantasy squads once Hibbert takes over the starting spot...and it's only a matter of time before that happens.
Prediction: 11 ppg, 10 rpg, 2 bpg
7) Luis Scola (HOU)- PF/C
With the season ending injury to Yao Ming, there's no one left to play center for the Rockets. Luis Scola figures to start the year at center giving him every opportunity to put up some nice fantasy numbers. He's never had the defensive statistics, but that's because Yao Ming was there to clean up the mess. Yao's not there, so Scola will have to step it up. The Argentinean put up nice numbers against the Lakers in the playoffs last year after Yao went down, so you know he's capable. I expect a great season out of Scola as he'll be the man like he has been for his native Argentinean squad where he's the team MVP.
Prediction: 16 ppg, 10 rpg, 1 bpg
8) Mario Chalmers (MIA)- PG
Miami had no other true point guard on the roster up until the recent signing of Carlos Arroyo. However, Chalmers is the main man after developing a bond with Dwayne Wade. In his rookie campaign, the former Jayhawk averaged a solid 10 ppg with 5 apg. These numbers will likely increase a little with a year of experience under him. If you're a D-Wade owner, I would scoop Chalmers up just in case.
Prediction: 11ppg, 6 apg, 2 spg
9) Julian Wright (NOH)- SF/PF
Wright was a nice late-season pickup for many fantasy rosters after grabbing the starting SF spot. He looked to build on the late-season success after being named starting SF by Byron Scott in the preseason. However, he's looked completely lost, and it's not looking like he's locked up the starting position. He'll likely be the opening night starter, so Wright will have to turn it around quickly. Playing with CP3 can mean nice numbers as a starter. I would only use a late round pick on Wright, or not even draft him at all, but certainly keep him on your radar.
Prediction: 10 ppg, 3 rpg, 2 spg, 1 bpg (if he's the starter)
10) JaVale McGee (WAS)- C
McGee is one big man to watch out for especially if Brendan Haywood goes down with any type of injury. After watching him play this summer, McGee has the tools to be Marcus Camby type of player (without the jumper). He's REALLY long and is disruptive on the defensive end. McGee definitely won't be relied on to score as the Wizards have plenty of weapons, but he's a nice source for rebounds and blocks if he were to seize the starting center spot. He'll probably be a nice mid-season flier.
Prediction: 8 ppg, 5 rpg, 2 bpg
Others to keep an eye out for:
Hakim Warrick (MIL)- SF/PF
Marco Belinelli (TOR)- SG
Greg Oden (POR)- C
Yi Jianlian (NJN)- SF/PF
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