DECEMBER 19, 2020 – YEHUDAH LISBON 

With the NBA regular season starting in just three days it is best to better prepare yourself for your fantasy basketball draft. Below is a list of my top 5 sleepers (unranked) for the upcoming season. These are players that are being undervalued according to their ADP, and you may get great value and upside out of them. You should definitely look to draft at least a couple of these guys to get the most value out of your picks. Wishing you much luck in your draft! Stay tuned for more draft prep advice to help you win your league!

Jaylen Brown – ADP (69.5)

Let’s start with Jaylen Brown. Brown is looking as valuable as ever right now. With Kemba out with a knee injury until at least mid-January, and with Hayward signing with the Hornets, Brown is left as the clear-cut number 2 option for Boston. We have seen how much Brown has improved from 2018-19 after averaging 13.0 PPG, 1.4 APG, and 4.2 RPG, then to last year’s stats with 20.3 PPG, 2.1 APG, and 6.4 RPG. If those were the numbers he was putting up as the third option, (arguably the 4th option) behind Tatum, Kemba, and Hayward, then just imagine what he could do as the second option. With Hayward gone I expect Brown to grow even more for there will be even more opportunity, especially for the first month and a half with Kemba out. Look for Brown in the late 5th round to the early 7th round, and considering the shortage of valuable SF position players in fantasy, I would say that Brown is an easy steal for his ADP of 69.5.

Wendell Carter Jr – ADP (136)

If you are looking for significant upside within a Center, Wendell is the way to go. With Boylin now out of office, the new coach, Billy Donovan, opens up Wendell’s game significantly. Last year, under Boylin’s coaching, Wendell was used only in the post, and he was held back from expanding his true game. Donovan however plans to change things up and utilize Wendell’s full game style including his passing ability and now a three-point shot, rather than just his skill in the post. Donovan is working on expanding Carter’s game to get the most use out of him, and one of the bigger challenges was working on adding a three-point shot to his game. There is also almost no competition for him at center this year, so I expect him to see around 27-30 minutes per game. I’m predicting a great improvement in production from Carter this year and although his ADP is as late as 136, I would look to draft him anywhere from the early 8th round to the mid 10th round to secure his significant upside.

Thomas Bryant – ADP (91.4)

After returning from an injury, Bryant had played rather dominantly in the bubble averaging 18.6 points, 8.9 rebounds, 1.4 steals, 2.0 blocks, and he even shot 40.5 percent from the three. Although these were only from the games in the bubble, it is pretty convincing that he will pick up right where he left off if not better with now having Wesbrook and Beal to assist. Thomas’s ADP is somehow as late as 91.4, but I would look to draft him as a must-have sleeper this year somewhere between the 7th and 9th round. Assuming he stays healthy, Bryant should put up consistent numbers in the mid to low double-double range, and he has the upside to be a top 15 center in fantasy.

Josh Richardson – ADP (93.6)

With Porzingis starting the season off on the sideline until at least January, Luka is the clear number 1 option but after that, there are no other great options…all except for Josh Richardson that is. Richardson is coming from the Sixers after averaging 13.7 PPG, 2.9 APG, and 3.2 RPG in 30.8 MPG last season. Richardson has proved to be an exceptional shooter and starting fresh on the Mavs (who look pretty weak in the shooting department right now), and I expect Richardson to average at least in the mid-teens while also grabbing a couple of boards and assists. Now being paired up with Luka, one of the best playmakers in the game, I expect Luka and his elite passing ability to help set Richardson up for success the same way he does for Porzingis. Richardson’s ADP is 93.6 which is pretty late for a guy like him especially with Prozingus starting the season on the sideline with an injury. If you want to secure getting Richardson however, I would aim to draft him anywhere in the late 7th round to the mid 9th round, expect his value to rise within the first two weeks, and even when Porzingis returns Richardson should remain fantasy-relevant.

Coby White – ADP (118)

Saving the best for last we have Coby White. He is my top breakout candidate of the year. Even well before preseason, I had White as a top sleeper with massive upside, and now my case for him has only grown stronger, especially after watching him drop 18 points in one quarter, finishing with 27 total demonstrating his explosive play style. White has been starting during the pre-season and he is most likely going to get the starting job at PG during the regular season. Whites upside is significantly high, and even though he has an ADP of 118, he is going to have a huge role this year on offense, so if you see him available even as early as the 8/9/10th round, don’t hesitate in grabbing him, he could just be a major steal strengthening your team’s chances at taken home the title.