You have to know your fantasy basketball sleepers for the 2014-2015 NBA season if you want to win your league’s championship. The season is quickly approaching, and we have everything you need to have a successful draft and season. Make sure you download our Cheat Sheet (coming soon), Schedule Booster and reference our Rankings in addition to printing or jotting down your favorite names from our fantasy basketball sleepers this year.
Here is a list of fantasy basketball sleepers in no particular order who we feel will out produce their Average Draft Position (ADP) and help you on your way to fantasy glory.
2014-2015 NBA Fantasy Basketball Sleepers
Guards
Trey Burke, Uta PG
Last year, Burke was at the top of the ROY watch before ultimately starting his career on the bench after injuring his hand in preseason. This year it’s all systems go, and I believe Trey will make a big leap. If you can deal with his subpar FG%, he will be a great asset in other areas.
Shabazz Napier, Mia PG
I believe Napier will be playing heavy minutes by the end of the season. Whether starting or taking on a 6th man role (which is more likely) it will be hard for coach Spoelstra to keep his skill-set off the floor. He should be a surprise ROY candidate.
Jarrett Jack, Bkn PG/SG
Jack has always been a strong rotation player, with the ability to fill in as a spot starter if needed. This is exactly what the Nets will need from Jack in backing up their All-Star point guard, Deron Williams. D-Will has been trending in the wrong direction, and I don’t see things getting much better. Draft Jack as a 4th PG to fill in and be part of your bench rotation.
Mo Williams, Min PG/SG
Similar to Jack, Mo Williams will be in a featured backup role with the new-look Minnesota T-Wolves. Mo should be the primary backup and also see minutes alongside incumbent starter Ricky Rubio.
Marcus Smart, Bos PG
Boston was supposed to bring him along and let him develop on his own pace. Smart will get a chance earlier than expected to prove he is capable of handling big minutes at the next level. Things changed when Rajon Rondo broke his hand this offseason, leaving an opening at the starting point position for the first few weeks.
Jeremy Lin, LAL PG/SG
We all know the drill in Los Angeles. Two-time MVP Steve Nash will be the starter, when healthy. Key word, “when”. While I am a huge admirer of the body of work Nash has put up throughout his career, I no longer feel he or his body can handle a full workload throughout a full 82 game season. Enter Lin – capable of handling full-time minutes and seemingly comfortable starting or coming off the bench.
Ramon Sessions, Sac PG/SG
One of the best backup point guards in the game, he will be leaned upon for some stability at the position in his new home with the Sacramento Kings. With Darren Collison listed as the starter and Ray McCallum waiting in the wings, it may not always be pretty, but I imagine Sessions works his way into solid minutes and providing some value. He’s worth a flier in the late rounds.
Forwards
Luol Deng, Mia SF/PF
After a tumultuous season last year, Deng finds himself in a good spot filling the void left by LeBron James. I see him producing 5-6th round value, but he’s going consistently a couple rounds later. Look for Deng to put up close to his career averages with over 16 PTS, 6 REB, decent steals and 3’s along with solid efficiency.
Danilo Gallinari, Den SF
Another candidate to bounce back in a major way, I am looking for Gallo to crack Top 100 value. The Nuggets were a mess last season, in part due to all the injuries. Rumors from camp are encouraging, I’d take him anywhere in the 8th or later without hesitation.
Jared Sullinger, Bos PF/C
I was high on Sully out of college, and as expected and why he slipped in the draft, we’ve had to wait for him to clear up lingering back issues before we’re able to see his true potential in the NBA. I feel this is the year he takes the step out of the realm of nice prospect and into fantasy relevance.
Tristan Thompson, Cle PF/C
The new “Super Team” trend, along with the dynamic of a Super Team nucleus, typically leaves little room outside the core players to consistently produce. However I see room for Thompson to provide nightly value if the stars align. New addition Kevin Love has a history of injuries, and the other Cavs’ centers, Anderson Varejao and Brendan Haywood (he’s still in the league?), look to be afterthoughts in the new scheme. That leaves plenty of run for Thompson at center as well as at power forward, backing up Love.
Julius Randle, LAL PF
Early on I expect Randle to struggle as he takes time to adjust to the speed of the game. But with veteran Carlos Boozer and journeyman Jordan Hill the only threat to limit his minutes, I believe Randle will be a solid borderline double-double guy by season’s end.
Harrison Barnes, GS SF
I have been waiting for Barnes to bust out since his Rookie campaign. This year I may finally get my wish. Incoming coach Steve Kerr said he will tweak his lineups until he’s found the best nucleus. At the least, Barnes should see more consistent minutes this season with a real chance at taking over the starting SF position at some point.
Doug McDermott, Chi SF
It’s tough for a rookie to be a fantasy asset, but this year’s rookie class should have multiple players who could provide value this season. McDermott fell into a great position, and it appears the only player in his way for consistent run is the ever-injured Mike Dunleavy who is already dealing with a sore knee. McDermott should at least be a decent streaming option, if not more.
Centers
Larry Sanders, Mil PF/C
I’m looking for a bounce back year from Sanders. With Jason Kidd now calling the shots, I imagine he struts out the best players he has available without hesitation, and Sanders is clearly the Bucks’ defensive anchor.
Nikola Pekovic, Min C / Gordui Dieng, Min C
Pekovic is the better offensive player averaging 17.4 PTS and 8.7 REB as a starter along with very respectable shooting percentages, but chipping in only 0.4 BLKs. Dieng is the better defensive player going for 12.2 PTS and 12 REB with 1.7 BLK and 0.9 STL during his 15-game stint as a starter. It will be interesting to see if the T-Wolves play both together at times. Regardless, with the departure of Kevin Love there should be enough time to go around for both players to manage an effective season.
Greg Monroe, Det PF/C
Signing a one-year qualifying offer allows Monroe to hit unrestricted free agency after this season. There should be a number of teams lining up to nab Monroe at a discount. I’m looking for him to use this year to prove his value, and the Pistons would be wise to audition him for the best return possible in a trade before he walks for nothing after the season.
JaVale McGee, Den C
A name we haven’t spoke of in quite some time, and still battling back from a leg injury, McGee has all the physical tools to thrive in the NBA. If he can get his head in the game, he can serve as the defensive anchor for his team – whether that be the Nuggets or elsewhere if traded. Rumblings that McGee may join the Super Team in Cleveland would bode well for him. Don’t want to spend too much time on speculation, but surrounding himself with uber professionals like LeBron James and being on a team that just needs him to protect the rim and rebound seems like a dream match. But until that happens, (and he returns to the court) keep McGee on your radar as he can single handedly keep you respectable in the blocks department.
Carlos Boozer, LAL PF/C / Jordan Hill, LAL PF/C
The Lakers are going to need consistent production from both of these players if they want to have any hope of a postseason run. Pau Gasol left a gaping hole up front where the Lake Show will need a low post presence to bang down low with the other bigs out West. Boozer in particular fits in great and has an opportunity to sort of resurrect his career. Hill on the other hand, has a chance to pick up where he left off last year as a good source of rebounds, blocks and good efficiency. Hill is comfortable starting or coming off the bench, and needs only about 23 minutes to be effective. He’s currently projected as the Lakers’ starting center.
Danilo Gallinari photo credit: Matthew D. Britt
Shabazz Napier photo credit: Joedel Russo
