Here are some sleepers to look for in fantasy basketball standard leagues this year. Standard nine-cat gems don’t come around very often, but when they do, it is a nice sight. There are several players to look out for this upcoming season. This article will go over some of the sleepers that people probably shouldn’t be sleeping on. Here are sleepers to look for in fantasy basketball standard leagues this year.
Reed was one of the most electrifying players for the 76ers last year. Despite not getting the playing time needed to make a difference in fantasy, this year might be different. In his second year, he averaged a career-high 7.9 minutes a game and averaged 3.1 points, 2.4 boards, 0.4 assists, 0.9 steals, 0.4 blocks, and 0.3 turnovers on 56% from the field, 25% from three and 43% from the line. In the playoffs, he upped his minutes to 11.6 minutes a game. Now that Paul Millsap and Deandre Jordan are out of the picture, Reed has a chance to make a difference. Per 36 minutes, Reed averaged some ridiculous numbers: 13.8 points, 11 rebounds, 1.9 dimes, 3.9 steals, 1.7 blocks, and just 1.2 turnovers a game. If he can at least get 18-21 mins a game, he could be a very viable piece to any fantasy basketball format.
Usually, one wouldn’t put sleeper and a player on Tom Thibadeau’s bench in the same sentence. This might be an exception, though. Hartenstein signed with the Knicks in the offseason and honestly looks like a good bet to make some noise. Last year, he averaged 8.3 points, 4.9 boards, 2.4 dimes, 0.7 steals, 1.1 blocks and 1.2 turnovers a game on 63% from the field, 47% from three (he only made 0.2 on 0.4 attempts per game, but still), and 69% from the line. His per-36 min averages aren’t anything to scoff at either: 16.7 points, 9.8 boards, 4.7 assists, 1.5 steals, 2.3 blocks, and 2.5 turnovers a game. If Mitchell Robinson misses time due to injury (which he has done a lot in the past), then expect Hartenstein to play some big minutes as a starter for Thibs. The 23-year-old still might make a case for bigger minutes with Robinson healthy, though,
Claxton is now going to be the starting center for the Nets since Andre Drummond is no longer around. There have also been reports that Claxton has been in the gym non-stop every day practicing on his shooting. That is tremendous news as he will be haunted by his free throw shooting woes in the first round of the playoffs last year against Boston, Nevertheless, he is looking to make a big leap in his fourth year in the league. Last season, he averaged 8.7 points, 5.6 boards, 0.9 assists, 0.5 steals, 1.1 blocks, and 0.8 turnovers a game on 67% from the field and 58% from the line. In the playoffs, he averaged 10.5 points, 6.3 boards, 1.5 assists, 1.3 steals, 2.3 blocks, and just 0.5 turnovers on 79% from the field and 18% from the line. The free throw shooting is a need for Claxton in order to take that next step. Per 36 mins, he averages 15.2 points, 9.8 boards, 1.6 assists, 0.9 steals, 1.9 swats, and 1.4 turnovers a game.
Okongwu has been behind starter Clint Capela for the first two years of his career. Now, Okongwu might make the leap to the starting lineup sometime this season. Last year, he averaged some fun numbers as a backup: 8.2 points, 5.9 boards, 1.1 dimes, 0.6 swipes, 1.3 blocks, and 0.9 turnovers a game on 69% from the field and 73% from the line which is absurd efficiency. Per 36 mins, he averages 14.2 points, 10.3 boards, 1.9 dimes, 1.1 swipes, 2.2 swats, and 1.6 turnovers a game. Okongwu, much like Claxton, has also been working on his three-point game. This bodes well for his outlook this season as he is looking to expand his numbers this year. As a starter, he averages 10.7 points, 7.9 rebounds, 1.6 dimes, 0.8 steals, 2.1 blocks, and just 1.2 turnovers a game on 66% from the field and 59% from the line.
