Brandon Jennings is one Derrick Rose injury away from having very nice fantasy value
With the fantasy football season in full swing, preseason basketball has kind of crept its way back into our lives. In the midst of so many players changing teams or circumstances changing for players that didn’t, this offseason will provide fantasy coaches ample amounts of players with sleeper potential.
Grabbing these high upside players can help turn your team into a potential league champion. Here are five sleepers to consider on draft day.
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Joel Embiid (C – PHI): ADP 125, Center 24
Foot injuries have prevented Embiid from playing a single minute of regular season NBA basketball. When healthy, Embiid possesses all of the tools needed to become one of the best big men in the league. This preseason, Embiid has been impressive putting up a double-double in 13 minutes of playing time against the Wizards and his defense on John Wall in an isolation situation was spectacular.
The risk with Embiid is huge but so is the payoff. The 76ers are going to struggle this season, but Embiid could be a huge bright spot for a team that just lost first round pick Ben Simmons to injury.
I would draft Embiid ahead of Joakim Noah and Greg Monroe.
Ryan Anderson (PF/C – HOU): ADP 77, Forward 28
Anderson signed a four-year, $80 million contract with Houston this summer after playing the last four years with the New Orleans Pelicans. The three-point shooting PF couldn’t have landed in a more ideal spot as Anderson should flourish in coach Mike D’Antoni’s high-paced offense. Playing alongside star James Harden should provide Anderson with more open looks and with the crazy amount of shots the Rockets will be jacking up this year he should see an increase in rebounds.
I would draft Anderson ahead of Chandler Parsons and Thaddeus Young.
Jabari Parker (SF/PF – MIL): ADP 61, Forward 22
Last season, Parker looked slow and tentative at times, but this preseason Parker finally looks fully recovered from the torn ACL he suffered his rookie season. The young and upcoming Bucks will rely on Parker to be a reliable scorer with SG Kris Middleton potentially missing the season with a torn hamstring. Also, with Greek-freak Giannis Antetokounmpo attacking the basket, Parker should see plenty of wide open jumpers this season.
I would draft Parker ahead of Rudy Gay and Dirk Nowitzki.
D’Angelo Russell (PG – LAL): ADP 59, Guard 26
Russell finished his rookie season averaging 13.2 points, 3.4 rebounds, 3.3 assists and 1.6 3-pointers per game while only playing a puzzling 28 minutes per game for a terrible Lakers’ team. But a lot of things have changed in Los Angles this season. Old man Kobe Bryant and his farewell tour are gone and so is coach Byron Scott, who for some reason continued to give Kobe and Nick Young sufficient minutes.
New coach Luke Walton won’t make similar mistakes and will allow for Russell to play without worrying about being benched for a making a bad play. The growing pains will be there with Russell, as he will have the occasional off game, but he should flourish under Walton and the Lakers youth movement.
I would draft Russell over Dwayne Wade.
Brandon Jennings (PG – NYK): ADP 151, Guard 56
Jennings had a forgettable 2016 season with the Orlando Magic but landed in a good spot with the Knicks. New York’s current starting PG Derrick Rose is one bad step away from another knee injury and could be brought up on sexual assault charges in the future.
Rose is also a terrible fit in the triangle offense the Knicks run due to his inability to shoot from the outside. The streaky shooting Jennings is a much better fit for their type of offense.
With talented scorers like Carmelo Anthony and Kristaps Porzingas on the court, Jennings could reinvigorate his once promising career.
I would rather draft Jennings over Tony Parker and Gary Harris.
Lauren Boguslawske is a correspondent at FantasyPros. You can read more from Lauren by checking out his archive or follow him @Lbo_w on Twitter.
