Top 10 Fantasy Basketball Sleepers for 2011-2012
CLICK HERE for the new 2012-2013 Sleepers article
Coming up with the top 2011-2012 fantasy basketball sleepers is a daunting task. The best sleepers are always NBA players that are underrated and drafted later than they should in fantasy basketball drafts. There is a significant risk when drafting sleepers, but you need to be fimiliar with these names if you want to build a successful fantasy team and finish the draft strong.
Whether you’re looking to enhance a particular stat and be dominant in that category, or looking to shore up a weakness; here are the top 10 fantasy basketball sleepers in no particular order that you should target in all fantasy basketball formats:
Anderson Varejao PF/C (CLE) – Varejao was one of our sleepers last year, and started 2010-2011 with what was looking like a career year until he went down for the season with a torn ankle. Look for a steady 9/9 with 1 steal + 1 block and good FG%. Hustle often times pays off in the box score.
Corey Maggette F (CHA) – The Duke veteran is in a great position to revive his career. The Bobcats (sorry MJ, I still love you) are in disarray, and need a go-to guy. Maggette will provide veteran leadership for this young ‘Cats squad. He will also receive a lot of touches. He’s the equivalent in fantasy football to getting a running back like Marshawn Lynch, a somewhat over-hyped player who’s been recently known to disappoint. But this year Lynch is back to being a steady workhorse. Maggette will get similar touches and production (in basketball stats, if that makes sense) at a lower cost.
Rodney Stuckey G (DET) – Currently stuck in a sticky situation with the Detroit management, he probably will be playing for a contract next season. You know what that usually brings – career years. I think with the addition of a true point guard in Brandon Knight, Stuckey will be able to create more off the ball. They Pistons will need his speed and ability to score if they want to compete in the all of the sudden powerful Eastern Conference.
Jarrett Jack G (NO) – With all this melee in the crazy free agency frenzy, Jack is all of the sudden in line to start. He’s proven in Portland and Toronto to be a nice fill-in starter for a team in transition. He’s a nice 3rd or rotation point guard and will provide a steady source of points, steals, an occasional three pointer and good free throw percent. A sneaky “handcuff” if you (can afford the roster spot) would be to grab Jerome Dyson as well. He goes undrafted but comes from a great program in UConn and has great size at 6-4. The jury is still out on him and Jack is the man to start the season, but at least keep Dyson on your watch list.
Richard Hamilton SG/SF (CHI) – My analogy of Rip is that he will provide the veteran leadership to the Bulls that Rasheed Wallace brought to the Pistons when they won a title. He will instantly start in a position that was clearly a weak spot on the team. The 33-year-old former champion gets a chance to show what he’s got left and try to create one of the most prolific backcourts in the league. Look for Hamilton to average close to 15 points, 3-4 boards, 3-4 assists, 1 steal and a career high in three’s.
Reggie Williams SG/SF (CHA) – Williams was a former Don Nelson Development League recruit, and has proven he belongs in the NBA. Now with a team in a similar situation when he first joined the Warriors – all banged, up, desperate for offense, and Reggie is ready to be their 6th man. He can come in and create his own offense, get hot and drain 3-4 three pointers in a quarter. He’s a nice end of the draft guy for three’s and steals.
Udonis Haslem PF/C (MIA) – He was a key piece to what Miami assembled over the offseason in 2010. Haslem is back and excited to go to work with the big 3. I should expect to see a lot more small ball with Haslem and Bosh at the 4 & 5 spots respectively. My guess is he’ll have a career year averaging a double-double for the first time. Haslem and Wade are the most tenured players in Miami, and both should play crucial roles if the Heat want to avenge their loss in the NBA Finals.
Jose Calderon PG (TOR) – If we take out the 2009-2010 season, Calderon has averaged 8 plus assists for 3 seasons. He is a solid 3rd point guard option, but nothing more. His three pointer’s and steals are pedestrian while his high shooting percentages are deceiving when considering volume. There aren’t many guys who can dish out over 8 dimes a night, but be careful and don’t reach too much.
Ed Davis PF/C (TOR) – Will find stiff competition for minutes with Amir Johnson. But whether Davis starts or begins the season as the first big man off the bench, he should put up solid stats and come in the later rounds. Last year as a starter Davis averaged 10 points, 8 rebounds and almost a steal and block per game. This year he should catch on to the NBA game and be a legit starter in the league.
Gary Neal G (SAS) – He should play a similar role to the younger Manu, a combo guard not afraid to shoot off the bench. With George Hill out of the way, Neal should see the lions’ share of minutes backing up Parker and Ginobili. With the Spurs in a transitional stage but still trying to compete, the Spurs will need production from anywhere they can get it. Neal should be a nice late round spark to the Spurs and your fantasy team.
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We have a 2011-2012 fantasy basketball cheat sheet available which ranks NBA players by position and has plenty of insight for draft day.
CLICK HERE for the new 2012-2013 Sleepers article
