Five NBA sleepers for the 2015/16 fantasy season
C.J. McCollum, G, Por – He hasn’t been given much of an opportunity during his first two years in the league, but McCollum averaged 15.6 points, 3.5 rebounds, 2.1 assists, 1.3 steals and 1.3 3pt while shooting 53.2% from the field over eight games in April (when given a modest 27:08 mpg). That was just a small preview of bigger things to come, as the former No. 10 pick is ready to break out during his third year in the league. With LaMarcus Aldridge, Nicolas Batum and Wesley Matthews all gone from Portland, McCollum should immediately become the team’s No. 2 scoring option while set to see a big increase in minutes. He’s currently being drafted outside the top-120 in Yahoo leagues and has the upside to finish much higher than that.
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Nikola Mirotic, F, Chi – He’s hardly a “sleeper” in the sense that Mirotic isn’t exactly flying under the radar, but his Yahoo ADP of 75.6 is still way too low. He should be a terrific fit in new coach Fred Hoiberg’s system, and there’s a good chance Mirotic starts for Chicago this season, but he’ll see plenty of minutes regardless thanks to his versatility. Over the final two months of last year, he was a top-25 fantasy player on a per-36 minute basis, and this was as a rookie still learning the NBA game. One of only a few players in the league capable of posting 1.5+ 3pt and 1.0 bpg, Mirotic could easily be a top-40 fantasy player this season and isn’t being treated nearly as such at draft tables.
Ryan Anderson, FC, N.O. – Dealing with personal tragedy and health problems, Anderson struggled last season, finishing outside the top-100 in fantasy value for the first time in five years (even in a down year, he came in at No. 110). The four years prior, he finished No. 72, No. 8, No. 49 and No. 18, respectively. Anderson likely won’t return to the truly elite fantasy option he once was while on a New Orleans team that’s pretty loaded, but he’s still just 27 years old and a bounce back campaign should be in store. He reportedly lost 20 pounds during the offseason preparing for the Pelicans’ new uptempo offense, and his role could easily increase considering the past durability issues with Jrue Holiday, Eric Gordon and Tyreke Evans. Anderson is center eligible, which is a nice boost, and new coach Alvin Gentry knows a thing or two about running a system that produces a bunch of three pointers.
Stanley Johnson, SF, Det – The rookie isn’t exactly short on hype after having such a nice preseason, but the No. 8 pick in this year’s draft sure looks like the real deal. Johnson is the favorite to start at small forward for Detroit immediately, and his Yahoo ADP is outside 130, just one spot ahead of Josh Smith. Teammate Ersan Ilyasova, who was quietly the No. 55 ranked fantasy player over the final two months last season and should see a bigger role now with the Pistons, is another undervalued fantasy option residing in Detroit.
Alec Burks, G, Uta – He’s flying somewhat under the radar after missing 55 games last season and certainly won’t cost you a high pick (Yahoo ADP of 141.4), but Burks has improved in almost every category each year he’s been in the league. Still just 24 years old, he’s ready to fully break out in 2015/16, as he’s locked in at shooting guard for a young Utah team that’s a major threat to make the playoffs even in the tough Western Conference. The Jazz had the lowest PACE (92.8) in the NBA last season, so let’s hope that changes with a starting five that’s an average age of 23.6 years old.
