With the NBA Preseason rolling around, it's the perfect time for Fantasy Basketball Leagues to draft. To win your leagues however you still need your occasional sleepers to give you that slight edge. Lucky for you, we're here at Crunch Times sports to give you a top 5 list of sleepers that you should draft/trade for in your fantasy league.
Keldon Johnson, PF, San Antonio Spurs
The Spurs as a unit are filled with underrated, skilled, and hustle players that never really got the opportunity they always deserved. However, with Demar signing with the bulls, I can guarantee we will see a breakout season from 'The Mustang', Keldon Wilder Johnson! The man came off a season averaging 12/6/2 in under 29 minutes, which would mean he averaged 23.4 fantasy points and had a total of 1615 fantasy points.
This may not seem that impressive, however, Keldon is going in his 3rd season with more experience, ready to get more touches, as well as the growth in his game as he matures with age and improves his skillset. Demar who was very ball-dominant did take away much from Keldon, as at times Johnson would be forced to space the floor and sit in the corner. Demar demands the paint and the lane so much, which wasn't very good for Keldon's rhythm and opportunity because the best way he dominates, is inside the paint getting rebounds, second-chance points, and finishing off pick n rolls. Without Demar now, don't be surprised if Keldon averages 30+ fantasy points in about 75-80 games. You're going to see a lot of post-scoring, being the primary pick n roll partner for Dejounte Murray, being the main rebounder, and playing a lot more traditional back-to-the-basket type play! This will help him play his best style, and therefore increase the ppg, RPG, and efficiency. So to all fantasy league managers, sign Keldon Johnson ASAP if you want to win your fantasy basketball tournament!
Reggie Jackson, PG, Los Angeles Clippers
1 person that really showed their true potential during the 2021 playoff and that person was Reggie Jackson. During the Clippers incredible 19 game playoff run, Reggie Jackson averaged 17.8 points, 3.4 assists, and 3.2 rebounds. Last year Reggie Jackson's fantasy stats did take a bit of a dip with Reggie only averaging about 21.1 fantasy points a game with a total fantasy score of 1414. During the season he shot the ball with the reasonable FG efficiency of 45% on about 9 FGA per game while shooting a lights out 43% from three. This lead Reggie to have the solid stat line of about 11/3/3 in about 23 minutes However, with Kawhi Leonard most likely out for the entire season this will most likely lead to more touches and shots for other star players on the Clippers such as Reggie Jackson and Paul George. With a projected score of only 2103.00, his fantasy projected points are not serving him justice. He's without a doubt, a top-70 guy who's being drafted into the final rounds of drafts. Draft him late and enjoy him winning you leagues!
Jaren Jackson Jr., PF, Memphis Grizzlies
At the start of August, the Grizzlies made a trade where they sent Jonas Valančiūnas, a first-round pick, and a second-round pick to the Pelicans in return for Steven Adams, Eric Bledsoe, 2 first-round picks, and a second pick! The biggest winner in this trade may be Jaren Jackson Jr because they replaced a post-centric and ball demanding center, with a screen-setting off-ball center that has half the usage rate that Jonas has. This will allow Jaren to play back to the basket more, as even though he's a great shooter, his numbers will look a lot better being consistently a 65-70% finisher and 45% mid-range scorer. His inside game is far more efficient than his outside game, as he is attempting a lot of 3s but is only an above-average shooter, especially when considering the majority of his threes come off the catch. In the 2019-20 regular season, Jaren Jackson Jr. with Jonas Valančiūnas averaged 20.7 PPG, 5 RPG, 2 BPG, and 1.4 APG on 50/42/75 (63.4% TS) shooting splits per 28.5 minutes. This is so much better than the 13.3 ppg, 4.6 RPG, 1.3 BPG, and 1.4 APG on 41/35/73 (52.2% TS) shooting splits per 28.5 minutes with Jonas Valančiūnas on the court. At the end of the day, he finished off the 2020 season averaging 32 fantasy points per game in 57 games with or without JV on the court. Now, could you imagine how good he's about to do without JV for a full season, coming back healthy and getting better due to age and natural growth going into his 4th NBA season? Yeah, expect him to average 34+ FP, and if you are ready to win your fantasy tournament... PICK UP JJJ RIGHT NOW!!!
Larry Nance Jr., PF, Portland Trail Blazers
The Blazers have definitely made many under-the-radar moves this off-season. One of the most underrated signings was Larry Nance Jr, as the Blazers really needed defense! Coming off a season averaging 9/7/3/2/1 in 31 mins on a team with many bigs taking away touches. I mean in total this equated to 28.1 FP. However, he's finally on the Blazers who will start him most likely, and with Jusuf Nurkic's questionable availability, expect Larry Nance to put up some big numbers due to how greatly all-around he is at stuffing the stat sheet. I expect him to give the Blazers around 30-33 fantasy points per game, and play alongside convenient offensive playmakers, and due to the Blazers who will be relying on Larry's defense so much... do not be shocked with him averaging close to 33 minutes per game, which will raise his fantasy value. More than likely, he's probably not drafted on your fantasy team, but as a fantasy manager, drafting him in the final rounds or picking him up from free agency is the best possible choice!
Caris Levert, SG/SF, Indiana Pacers
Speaking of sleepers, this can not be a list without Caris Levert! People pay attention to players like Bradley Beal, Devin Booker, and Zach Lavine so much who get media attention but forget how good Caris Levert is. Last season, even with an injury-riddled season messing up his rhythm, he averaged 21/5/5 on 54% TS in right under 33 minutes in 35 games, which equated to an insane 38 fantasy points per game. This crazy average was higher than Devin Booker, Lamelo Ball, Collin Sexton, John Collins, and many more great fantasy players.
This next season, being a lot more available will help with his rhythm and readiness a lot more, which means he'd also be far more efficient raising his fantasy average. The Pacers will probably hand the keys over to Caris Levert and Domantas Sabonis to have the most touches on the team and to gain the green light. Expect a breakout season from Caris Levert, who may average 40+ fantasy pts in a good 60-70 games.
Conclusion
To all fantasy league managers, listen to our advice and draft or pick up all of these players if they are available! If they aren't, try your best to trade for one of, if not multiple players from this list. Many of these players are underrated and undervalued that will prove ESPN fantasy rankings, and other managers wrong!! At the end of the day, if you want to win your fantasy leagues, these small moves can end up giving you the edge against other teams in your league!