Fantasy Basketball season is almost upon us, so it’s time to start doing your research for upcoming drafts.
While everyone is familiar with the big-name fantasy stars like Nikola Jokic, Luka Doncic, Giannis Antetokounmpo and Stephen Curry, what about the lesser-known players who can elevate your team’s ceiling if you strike gold in the later rounds?
Following an offseason full of player movement and roster changes, there are always some under-the-radar moves that have a major impact on roles heading into the new season. There have also been a handful of injuries heading into the 2022-23 season that will have a trickle-down effect on depth charts.
After assessing every team’s roster as the 2022-23 season approaches, take a look at some Fantasy Basketball sleepers who are worth keeping an eye on as your draft plays out.
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Fantasy Basketball 2022: One sleeper for all 30 NBA teams
All position eligibility per ESPN Fantasy Basketball.
Atlanta Hawks: Onyeka Okongwu, C
Okongwu started to work his way into the Hawks’ rotation at the end of last season and the 21-year-old should be expected to expand on his role in Year 3. With per 36 averages of 14.2 points, 10.3 rebounds, 2.2 blocks and 1.1 steals, he’s worth a flyer at the end of fantasy drafts.
Boston Celtics: Grant Williams, PF
With Robert Williams III set to be sidelined for 8-to-12 weeks after undergoing surgery on his knee, Grant Williams should be in line to play a big role in Boston’s shorthanded frontcourt. He’ll start some nights based on matchups. On others, he’ll play big minutes off the bench. He may not be worth a draft pick, but he’s someone to monitor on waivers.
Brooklyn Nets: TJ Warren, SF
Warren isn’t cleared to return from his foot injury just yet, but he’s worth stashing in your IR spot early in the season. Upon his return, the Nets will need his prolific scoring on the second unit.
Charlotte Hornets: Mark Williams, C
Williams may not begin the season as the Hornets’ starting center, but I predict that he’ll make a strong case by the end of the year. He’s an elite shot blocker and rim-runner who can rack up boards, defensive counting stats and boost field goal percentage.
Chicago Bulls: Alex Caruso, PG/SG
With the news that Lonzo Ball could miss the entire season, Caruso is a diamond of a sleeper in fantasy this season. If he assumes the starting point guard role in Chicago, he’ll be well worth a mid-to-late-round draft pick in all fantasy formats.
Cleveland Cavaliers: Caris LeVert, SG/SF
With the addition of Donovan Mitchell, LeVert will come off the bench for the Cavaliers, but he’ll be a prime candidate for this season’s Sixth Man of the Year if he can stay healthy. LeVert is a solid scoring playmaker who will still have a moderate impact in fantasy, even as a reserve.
Dallas Mavericks: JaVale McGee, C
At Media Day, head coach Jason Kidd announced that McGee will be the team’s starting center over newly acquired Christian Wood. That means McGee will receive enough playing time to be worthy of a roster spot, giving owners a boost in rebounds, blocks and field goal percentage.
Denver Nuggets: Bones Hyland, PG
Hyland was one of my favorite rookie sleepers last season and he’ll be poised to take on an even bigger role this year with Monte Morris moving on to the Wizards. Now, Hyland will be the first guard off the bench and should handle plenty of offensive responsibility to be worthy of a late draft pick in fantasy.
Detroit Pistons: Jaden Ivey, PG
When looking around at other fantasy rankings, I was shocked to see how low Ivey was rated. The No. 5 overall pick in the 2022 NBA Draft will start alongside Cade Cunningham and will be ready to contribute immediately at the next level. He should be one of the few rookies drafted in fantasy this season.
Golden State Warriors: James Wiseman, C
Wiseman’s role is still undefined with the Warriors, but there’s no doubt the team could use his rim protection and vertical athleticism. The fact that he can also stretch the floor and knock down 3s makes him a wild card worthy of a late-round pick.
Houston Rockets: Alperen Sengun, C
Sengun is my favorite sleeper in fantasy this season. The super-skilled big man was awesome in small sample sizes last year, averaging 16.7 points, 9.5 rebounds, 4.5 assists, 1.6 blocks and 1.4 steals per 36 minutes. Now that he’ll be the starting center in Houston, he’s worth keeping on your radar throughout your fantasy draft.
Indiana Pacers: Jalen Smith, PF
After being traded to the Pacers last season, Smith averaged 13.4 points, 7.6 rebounds and 1.0 blocks per game in a role off the bench. Now that he’ll take over as the team’s starting power forward, he should become a household name in Fantasy Basketball circles.
LA Clippers: Norman Powell, SG/SF
It’s easy to forget about Powell with the signing of John Wall, Kawhi Leonard coming back and Paul George entering the season healthy, but don’t overlook the sharpshooting wing. Powell is a pure scorer who should get plenty of open looks playing on a loaded roster with championship aspirations.
Los Angeles Lakers: Thomas Bryant, C
Bryant is expected to be the Lakers’ starting center, so he’ll inevitably rack up some stats playing alongside guys like LeBron James, Anthony Davis and Russell Westbrook. While there’s a chance Los Angeles plays some small-ball or moves Davis to the five at times, Bryant is still worth rostering as a double-double threat.
Memphis Grizzlies: Ziaire Williams, SG
Williams was used as a defensive specialist in Memphis last season, but he proved in Summer League that he has evolved his offensive game as a scorer and playmaker. With Kyle Anderson moving on to the Timberwolves, Williams could fill that jack-of-all-trades role, and he’s worth monitoring on the waiver wire in fantasy.
Miami Heat: Max Strus, SG
Strus was a breakout player for the Heat last season and could enter the year as the team’s starting shooting guard depending on if head coach Erik Spoelstra elects to bring Tyler Herro off the bench again. He may not be worth a draft pick, but he’s someone to watch on the waiver wire if Miami is down a few players on any given night.
Milwaukee Bucks: Bobby Portis, PF/C
Portis has been a fantasy sleeper for a few seasons now, going from waiver wire gem two years ago to a full-time roster-able player last year. Any time Giannis Antetokounmpo or Brook Lopez are out of the lineup, it’s Portis’ time to shine, and he’s proven he can provide value even on nights where he comes off the bench.
Minnesota Timberwolves: Kyle Anderson, SF/PF
Anderson fills up a number of categories and will continue to be a Swiss Army knife for the Timberwolves this season. Even if he doesn’t start, he’ll be the first player off the bench and will receive plenty of playing time to make an impact in fantasy.
New Orleans Pelicans: Herb Jones, SF/PF
Jones emerged as a defensive specialist for the Pelicans last season and is likely to start at small forward again because of his ability on that end of the floor. He’s worth a look at the end of fantasy drafts because he can rack up defensive counting stats.
New York Knicks: Isaiah Hartenstein, PF/C
The Knicks signed Hartenstein as a backup center this offseason and I like his chances to make an impact in fantasy in his new situation. He averaged 16.7 points, 9.8 rebounds, 4.7 assists, 2.3 blocks and 1.5 steals per 36 minutes as Ivica Zubac’s backup in LA last season, and given Mitchell Robinson’s injury history, he’s worth stashing on your bench.
Oklahoma City Thunder: Jalen Williams, SG
The Thunder landed Williams with the No. 12 overall pick in the 2022 NBA Draft and his playmaking ability makes him an intriguing rookie to monitor this season. Oklahoma City will once again look like a lottery team, so Williams should receive plenty of opportunities to showcase his well-rounded skill set. He’s someone to follow on the waiver wire early in the year.
Orlando Magic: Franz Wagner, SF/PF
Wagner is another one of my favorite sleepers this season. The Magic’s depth chart is very crowded from a fantasy value perspective, but Wagner’s ability to do a little bit of everything gives him an advantage. Coming off of an All-Rookie First Team season and a strong showing for Germany at EuroBasket, a breakout season could be on the way.
Philadelphia 76ers: De’Anthony Melton, PG/SG
The 76ers have long been looking for a solid reserve guard and they’ve found one in Melton. He will be the first guard off the bench in Philadelphia and will contribute points, rebounds, assists and steals. Melton should be available late in fantasy drafts and is worth a flyer.
Phoenix Suns: Cameron Johnson, SF/PF
With the Suns expected to move on from Jae Crowder, Johnson will inevitably slide into the starting lineup this season. He’s a solid rebounder and a 3-point marksman who will play more than enough minutes on a good team to make a strong fantasy impact. He’s worth taking a look at in the later rounds of your fantasy draft.
Portland Trail Blazers: Anfernee Simons, PG/SG
Simons burst onto the scene last season after Damian Lillard received season-ending abdominal surgery, but according to most fantasy rankings, the consensus is he’ll fall off this year. While it would be unfair to expect him to produce at the same level with Lillard back in the lineup, he’s still an explosive and prolific scoring young talent who should be considered in the middle rounds of your fantasy draft.
Sacramento Kings: Keegan Murray, PF
The Summer League MVP made it clear he’s ready to make an immediate impact at the NBA level. Murray’s ability to score efficiently while also racking up rebounds and defensive counting stats means he should be one of the first rookies off the board in fantasy drafts. I have him as the No. 2 rookie in fantasy this season behind only Paolo Banchero.
San Antonio Spurs: Tre Jones, PG
Jones is in line for a major role change, filling Dejounte Murray’s void as the Spurs’ starting point guard. He’s a sound playmaker and solid defender, giving any fantasy roster a boost with assists and steals.
Toronto Raptors: Precious Achiuwa, PF/C
Head coach Nick Nurse loves Achiuwa’s versatility and will find any way possible to get him on the floor. Achiuwa started to break out last season, proving he can do everything from play small-ball center to step out to the perimeter. He’s worth a look in the mid-to-late rounds of your fantasy draft.
Utah Jazz: Lauri Markkanen, SF/PF
The Jazz underwent a complete roster overhaul, so just about everyone still on the roster is in line for a role change. Markkanen is a name to watch after breaking out for Finland at EuroBasket this summer, looking like the player who was taken with a top-10 pick back in 2017. He’ll be a starting forward in Utah and might even be worth reaching for a little in the middle rounds if you’re feeling risky.
Washington Wizards: Monte Morris, PG
Even coming off the bench for the Nuggets, Morris was always a viable fantasy player. Now that he’ll be the starting point guard in Washington, Morris will give any team a boost in points and assists while scoring efficiently and limiting turnovers — something that is invaluable in fantasy.
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