One of the best ways to have a better week among the rest of the owners in your league is to be resourceful and being able to find those “steal” type of players who might still be available in the free agent pool. For this week, we are going to discuss who are these potential NBA fantasy basketball sleepers type of players.
Reggie Jackson – Oklahoma City Thunder – PG
The Oklahoma City Thunder is currently affected by the injury bug this early of the NBA regular season, with Kevin Durant (foot) , and the recent Russell Westbrook (hand) injury last week. The Thunder has been relying on their role players last week to produce due to the absence of their dynamic duo. Fortunately for the Thunder, Reggie Jackson is now healthy and is set to make his regular-season debut Monday vs. the Brooklyn Nets. Reggie Jackson will provide everything the Thunder is lacking offensively and defensively in their guard position and for fantasy, that is GOLD. Expect Reggie Jackson to fill the stats sheet this week. If someone dropped him last week, better pick him up now asap.
Perry Jones III – Oklahoma City Thunder – SF/ PF
The other Thunder player that has been stepping up is young forward Perry Jones III. Perry has been all over the board last week posting all-star like numbers against the Clippers and the Nuggets. Everyone knew he was talented but everyone also doubted that he will be able to get enough playing time to showcase what he got. With the Kevin Durant (foot) out due to an injury, this gave him the opportunity he never had. Expect him to continue to produce similar numbers while Kevin Durant is out.
Chris Copeland – Indiana Pacers – SF
The departure of shooting guard Lance Stephenson and Paul George’s horrific leg injury during the USAB exhibition last summer, which will make him miss the entire 2014-2015 NBA season opened up opportunities to some of the Pacer’s role players. With David West (ankle) still out but is set to make his regular-season debut on November 10 vs. the Utah Jazz, the Pacers had to find someone to give them the scoring load they need. Right place and the right time for Chris Copeland who didn’t waste any time capitalizing on the opportunity he was given. He made 6 triples against the Hawks and scored 21 points with 6 boards, 4 assists and a block. Don’t expect him post the same number of threes made but the playing time will be there for him.
Kentavious Caldwell-Pope – Detroit Pistons – SG
KCP has been given the green light in Detroit under coach Stan Van Gundy’s guidance. He has been playing an for an average of 39.3 minutes per game and taking about 18 shots per game in his last three (3) games for the Pistons. Although his field goal percentage is awful around 26% , he is worth the wait and keeping him will benefit you when this slump of his ends. He is known to be the best shooter of his draft class and he will have better nights as the season progresses.
KJ McDaniels – Philadelphia 76ers – SF
The Sixers were able to steal Clemson standout KJ McDaniels last summer during the 2014 NBA Rookie draft with the 32nd overall pick (Round 2: Pick 2). It didn’t take long for KJ to showcase what he is all about during the NBA preseason, playing like the 3 and D type of player to a much higher level filling stat sheets from points, rebounds, threes, blocks and steals. It may take him a few games to adjust to the NBA’s style of basketball, but the potential is clearly there and his ceiling is as high as everyone else. If you can spare a slot in your team to use as a stash, KJ McDaniels is your guy.
Other Notable Sleepers:
Giannis Antetokounmpo – Milwaukee Bucks – G/F
Evan Turner – Boston Celtics – SG/SF
Draymond Green – Golden State Warriors – SF/PF
Lance Thomas – Oklahoma City Thunder – SF
John Henson – Milwaukee Bucks – PF
DJ Augustin – Detroit Pistons – PG
Gorgui Dieng – Minnesota Timberwolves – C
