Sleeper! Sleeper! Read all about it! Winning a fantasy basketball championship all comes down to hitting big on a few sleepers that can carry your fantasy team to the promise land. After the top rounds in drafts are completed, it is crucial to find players who will outperform there ADP and turn your solid draft start into an extraordinary one! As draft season approaches, I break down five of my favorite fantasy basketball sleepers who are primed for big seasons in 2021-22.
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Sleepers for 2021-22 Fantasy Basketball
Also check out our 2021-22 Fantasy Basketball Rankings: Consensus | Top 180 | PG | SG | SF | PF | C
Collin Sexton, PG/SG – Cleveland Cavaliers
We’re bringing sexy back right off the hop here baby. Collin Sexton is the leader of the Cavaliers and there most dangerous scoring option. With an ADP below 80 he is an absolute steal and is ready to take another step in his third year. Sexton already posted top 25-point totals last season with great shooting percentages. Don’t let the low assist and rebound totals scare you away as 25 PPG does not grow on trees. Good percentages along with averaging 1.0 steal per game will put Sexton in the top-50 range this season. Not to mention, Sexton averaged 25 and 6.1 assists per game during the last month of the season. That frontcourt won’t do a ton of scoring this year, Sexton is bringing the sexy back to Cleveland. Draft accordingly.
Darius Bazley, SF/PF – Oklahoma City Thunder
It’s not a sleeper article without an OKC Thunder player am I right!? Thunder are the king of sleepers due to the 1-star team and not much talent surrounding in recent seasons. Darius Bazley showed flashes last season, but injuries got in the way and the third-year pro couldn’t put together consistent success. Well here goes round two because the Thunder didn’t add anyone useful to the roster and the Thunder frontcourt has stats to earned! Bazley still put up a solid 14/7 last season, not too shabby if you ask me! Bazley was awesome down the stretch averaging 20.3 points and 7.3 rebounds in 11 of final 13 games. Thunder GM Sam Presti says Bazley is just scratching the surface…Thunder UP in OKC baby! Double-doubles are on the way
Devonte’ Graham, PG/SG – New Orleans Pelicans
The Pelicans made a sneaky move during the off-season adding Devonte’ Graham from Charlotte to the Big Easy where he’ll be taking over starting PG duties. There is juicy upside here with Lonzo Ball out of town as Graham will be getting a ton of open looks with all the attention on Zion Williamson. Graham took the league by storm averaging 18.2 points, 7.5 assists, and 1.0 steals per game just two seasons ago and top-25 fantasy player for the majority of the season. I expect even new highs in the assist department with the new lob city duo of Zion and Jonas Valanciunas. Continue to move Graham up your draft boards.
Reggie Jackson, PG/SG – Los Angeles Clippers
Reggie Jackson continues to prove the doubters wrong and produce big minutes for the Los Angeles Clippers. Jackson and Paul George put the Clippers on their backs in an impressive playoff run that saw them almost make it to the NBA Finals. George and Jackson have been inseparable during this year’s training camp and are just living the LA LA dream right now and on their way to another impressive fantasy season without Kawhi Leonard. Can Terrance Mann take the next step? Maybe… but it’s Jackson running the point show and he’ll get his numbers. Jackson averages 20/4/4 to go along with the 1.3 steals per game in WCF against the Suns. Watch out for 2015 Reggie Jackson this year where he averaged 18 points and 6 assists. That Hollywood sun has a knack for making you feel younger and Jackson is ready for a red carpet season.
Kelly Olynyk, PF/C – Detroit Pistons
Rev your engines Detroit! Pistons HC Dwane Casey says Kelly Olynyk will be a high-usage player this year and the 30-year-old can’t wait for the opportunity. With just Isaiah Stewart in the frontcourt, Olynyk is an absolute must-target after the top-100 as he’ll be a great contributor of points, rebounds, and 3PM. Olynyk was helping everyone winning fantasy titles last season averaging 21.2 points, 8.9 rebounds, 7.3 assists, 2.0 steals, and 2.0 3PM per game. BEAST! You can’t beat those numbers at end of drafts so take a chance on Kelly O to ‘drive’ up the rankings.
For more great analysis, check out the 2021-22 Fantrax Fantasy Basketball Draft Kit!
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