It feels like yesterday the Lakers won the championship. We blink and next thing you know, the new NBA season is here. The following NBA fantasy sleepers listed will hopefully thrive with expanded roles for their teams. Each player provides value that exceeds their current average draft position in head-to-head category formats. Remember these are opinionated picks so don’t reach for them if a stud drops to your position in the draft! I will be listing three players in each category of high round sleepers, middle round sleepers, and deep round sleepers.

High Round Sleepers

Shai Gilgous-Alexander

Sam Presti loves his draft picks, eh? With a team full of uncertain parts, the only constant this season will be the ascent of Shai Gilgous-Alexander. Even though this may seem like an obvious pick, it has to be emphasized. This is his team now and he will have every opportunity to show Presti that he can be a franchise player. When it’s all said and done, he can possibly end up being a top-20 fantasy player.

Tobias Harris

Morey has done some work to improve the Sixers, and I think the person to benefit the most fantasy-wise is Tobias Harris. The Sixers signed Doc Rivers and it’s no coincidence that Harris thrived under Rivers during his time with the Clippers. The last time Harris player with Doc, he averaged 21 points, 8 rebounds, and 3 assists with shooting splits of nearly 50-percent from the field, 43-percent from three, and 88 from the free throw line. Doc knew exactly how to maximize his ability and I expect similar results with the Sixers. The Sixers also brought in more shooters, which should open lanes for Harris to operate.

Gordon Hayward

Good thing fantasy basketball has nothing to do with the salary cap because Hayward is making a ton. I’ll put it this way, Michael Jordan needs him to succeed. I do not see this as another Batum situation. When Hayward was the first option in Utah, he averaged around 22 points, 5 rebounds, and 4 assists with 47-percent from the field, 40-percent from three, and 84-percent from the free throw line. The Hornets will give him free rein to show what he can do, especially if they want to ease Lamelo into the NBA. Maybe it’s wishful thinking, but I believe he’ll do everything he can to shut the haters up.

Middle Round Sleepers

Draymond Green

Yes, Draymond was not very good last year by himself, but Curry is now back with an overhauled roster. Curry and Draymond are the leaders of this team and will try to prove this dynasty is not over. Steve Kerr has said the focus will be the Curry-Green pick and roll on offense. I can also see Green playing facilitator with Curry moving more off-ball to make up for the shooting of Klay Thompson. For those wondering, I do not think Wiseman will limit Green’s value. I think Wiseman will help increase Green’s stats as Green loves throwing lobs to his big men.

Obi Toppin

RJ Barrett just does not look comfortable as a lead guy on the Knicks, but you know who can be? Obi Toppin. I expect Obi to be one of the front-runners for rookie of the year while being on a mediocre Knicks team that will lean on him heavily if Barrett continues to suffer and adjust. Julius Randle is still on the team and plays the same position, but Toppin brings much needed excitement to Knicks fans and should garner a lot of playing time. I will not be surprised if he averages a double-double coming out of the gate.

Coby White

Coby White’s stats last season are deceiving. He ran into the rookie wall before coming on strong in February where he averaged 20 points, 4 rebounds, and 4 assists and was named rookie of the month. He finally cracked the starting lineup against the Cavaliers on March 10th and had a 20-point, 5 rebound, and 5 assist game while playing 38 minutes. Considering the lack of playmakers, Billy Donovan has already mentioned Coby as the primary playmaker. I expect Coby to average 30+ minutes per game as a starting point guard.

Deep Round Sleepers

Lauri Markannen

Two Bulls players?!?!?! Maybe it’s the biased Bulls fan in me, but I look for Lauri to breakout as well. He probably should not be considered a “deep” sleeper, but his average draft position says otherwise. Lauri’s season stats in the 2018-19 season: 19 points and 9 rebounds, shooting 43-percent from the field, 36-percent from three, and 87-percent from the free throw line. Before last season, Lauri was on his way to make the next jump in his development. Boylen then relegated him to being a spot-up shooter while averaging less minutes and attempts per game. I expect a better system that will utilize him more on offense. After watching players in his class get paid this offseason, I wouldn’t be surprised if that provides extra motivation to live up to the hype that he once had. I expect Lauri to hover around 20 PPG while averaging good shooting splits across the board.

Tyrese Haliburton

Word is coming out that Luke Walton is looking for an open competition for starting shooting guard after the departure of Bogdanovic. If Haliburton wins the job, you’ll absolutely take him as a late sleeper draft pick. Haliburton showed his well-rounded game at Iowa State last year averaging around 15 points, 6 rebounds, and 7 assists with 2.5 steals per game. He has the ability to slide to point guard so don’t be surprised if he gets a lot of minutes as a combo guard for the Kings.

Chris Boucher

Can you name all of the big men in Toronto? With Gasol and Ibaka now gone, I think Boucher will be a fixture in the Raptors rotation. The Raptors did sign Aron Baynes and Alex Len, but they are coming into a short training camp while trying to learn a new system. Nick Nurse trusts Boucher and I think he will get an ample amount of minutes off the bench. I would not be surprised if the Raptors went with a closing lineup with Boucher at the five against faster, smaller teams. I’m not saying reach to grab him, but if he’s there in one of the last rounds, grab him if you can. He can carve out a role as a two-way big that should help in multiple categories.

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