What constitutes a sleeper in fantasy basketball? For this article, I’ve limited the focus to players with an average draft position (ADP) of 100 or higher. Examining previous rounds and the most important names is not a worthless undertaking. However, with superb players slipping outside the top 100 – and with how much options talk there is already in earlier rounds – I’m going to dive into the deepest sleepers.
Here are my favorite sleepers heading into the 2022-23 NBA season. Also find out where each player ranks on RotoWire’s Fantasy Basketball Rankings – the top 150.
ADPs are via Yahoo
(ADP-100.4)
Kuzma has just completed a career year. While his solid scoring production (17.1 PPG) came as no surprise, he completed the rest of his game, amassing career averages of 8.5 boards, 3.5 assists and 0.9 blocks in 33.4 minutes. He can work as a secondary playing option alongside Bradley Beal when needed. Find out what the experts think of Kuzma in RotoWire’s Fantasy Basketball Mock Draft Results – Expert League Top 200.
(ADP-101.9)
Other than field goal percentage (47.0% FG), Washington regressed in every respect in its third season. However, he is a rebounding contender, given his ability to collect tally stats in every category and play in multiple positions. He could help fill the void left by Miles Bridges, and Washington also provides ground spacing down the center when the Hornets want that look. Playing with a sensational passer in LaMelo Ball doesn’t hurt
What constitutes a sleeper in fantasy basketball? For this article, I’ve limited the focus to players with an average draft position (ADP) of 100 or higher. Examining previous rounds and the most important names is not a worthless undertaking. However, with superb players slipping outside the top 100 – and with how much options talk there is already in earlier rounds – I’m going to dive into the deepest sleepers.
Here are my favorite sleepers heading into the 2022-23 NBA season. Also find out where each player ranks on RotoWire’s Fantasy Basketball Rankings – the top 150.
ADPs are via Yahoo
(ADP-100.4)
Kuzma has just completed a career year. While his solid scoring production (17.1 PPG) came as no surprise, he completed the rest of his game, amassing career averages of 8.5 boards, 3.5 assists and 0.9 blocks in 33.4 minutes. He can work as a secondary playing option alongside Bradley Beal when needed. Find out what the experts think of Kuzma in RotoWire’s Fantasy Basketball Mock Draft Results – Expert League Top 200.
(ADP-101.9)
Other than field goal percentage (47.0% FG), Washington regressed in every respect in its third season. However, he is a rebounding contender, given his ability to collect tally stats in every category and play in multiple positions. He could help fill the void left by Miles Bridges, and Washington also provides ground spacing down the center when the Hornets want that look. Playing with a sensational passer in LaMelo Ball doesn’t hurt either. Read more about Fantasy Basketball ADPs in Alex Barutha’s Most Polarizing Players article.
(ADP-102.5)
Simons stepped up and made a name for himself while Damian Lillard was injured for most of last season, averaging 17.3 points (44.3% FG, 40.5% 3PT, 88.8 % FT), 3.9 assists and 3.1 threes in 29.5 minutes per game. It’s possible that Simons won’t be able to replicate those numbers if Lillard has a healthy season, but it’s also possible that Portland will rely heavily on both guards, with Simons taking on the former role of former Trail Blazer CJ McCollum.
(ADP-103.1)
Clarke had his night out against the Timberwolves in the first round of the playoffs, averaging 16.5 points, 9.0 boards, 2.7 dimes, 1.0 blocks and 0.8 steals in 29.3 minutes during the six-game series. He came down to earth in the second round against the Warriors. Nonetheless, Clarke makes for an intriguing sleeper based on the flashes he showed and his solid output per minute. Clarke will be a valuable contributor in all fantasy formats if he passes Steven Adams in the rotation, or at least in terms of playing time. Also, with Jaren Jackson Jr. (foot) expected to miss some time to start the season, Clarke should play an important role from the start.
(ADP-108.7)
Markkanen should get plenty of playing time at a rebuilding jazz club that doesn’t have much established frontline talent. Although it’s been a while since he’s played in a starring role, Markkanen has proven he can rack up some quality scoring stats if called upon. As a sophomore in 2018-19, he averaged 18.7 points, 9.0 rebounds and 2.3 threes in 32.3 minutes. A similar stat line is certainly in the cards for the 25-year-old big man.
Tre JonesSan Antonio Spurs
(ADP-111.5)
With Dejounte Murray in Atlanta, Jones is likely San Antonio’s starter at point guard. For many reasons, young players in backup roles with impressive averages per 36 minutes usually don’t compile those same stats if they’re lucky enough to play long minutes. However, there is evidence that Jones will be among the exceptions. In 11 starts last season, Jones averaged 13.5 points (48.8% FG), 7.5 cents against 1.1 turnovers and 1.1 steals in 32.6 minutes, while his averages per 36 minutes were 13.0 points (49.0% FG), 7.3 assists against 1.4 turnovers. , 4.0 boards and 1.3 interceptions. Although he offers very little in the three-point shooting and blocking departments, the third-year guard has plenty of potential in all fantasy formats. Read more about Jones in Juan Carlos Blanco’s Fantasy Basketball Sleepers article.
(ADP-113.0)
Like Tre Jones, Jackson made a significant impact on 36 minutes in a modest role last season. Jackson averaged 8.3 points (56.3% FG), 4.1 rebounds, 1.4 blocks and 0.7 steals in just 15.0 minutes per game as a 20-year-old rookie. Even though Myles Turner remains a Pacer and stays healthy, Jackson has plenty of upside with his ability to play in multiple positions and fill out the stat sheet defensively. When it comes to sleepers, Jackson is as good as any, and arguably the best. Read more about Jackson in Henry Weinberg’s NBA Breakout Candidates article.
(ADP-138.1)
Yet another young player who averaged excellent per 36 minutes in a substitute role last season, Hyland is a walking bucket with plenty of ways to score. As a rookie, he posted 19.2 points (40.3% FG, 36.6% 3PT, 85.6% FT), 5.2 dimes, 5.2 boards, 3.6 threes and 1.1 interceptions per 36 minutes, and while Jamal Murray (knee) is expected to return after missing last year, Denver traded Monte Morris over the summer. Those stats aren’t realistic per-game expectations for 2022-23, but Hyland has the greenest green light as a microwave scorer off the bench.
(ADP-138.8)
Detroit just traded veteran great Kelly Olynyk, and Isaiah Stewart suffered the dreaded sophomore crisis last season. Moreover, recent addition Nerlens Noel had arguably the worst campaign of his career last year, while Marvin Bagley is better suited to play power forward.
In other words, it’s entirely possible for Duren to earn the starting center position and generate a fantasy-appropriate stat line, even as a rookie. He showcased a versatile skill set in the summer league, including impressive passing from the high post, elite lob catches and solid interior defense. With a stellar passing keeper in Cade Cunningham and superb ground-spacing forwards in Saddiq Bey and Bojan Bogdanovic, Duren is set for immediate success.
Also recommend: De’Anthony Melton (ADP-121.6), Spencer Dinwiddie (ADP-124.8), Monte Morris (ADP-125.4), Isaiah Hartenstein (ADP-134.7), Thomas Bryant (ADP-141.3), Kevin Huerter (ADP-144.1), Bruce Brown (ADP-145.9)