With the 2015-16 NBA season only weeks from tip-off, it’s time to start studying up for your fantasy basketball draft. Luckily, Heat Nation already has you covered. We’ve compiled a list of sleepers and late-round steals that are sure to give your team that extra boost and help catapult your squad into the playoffs.
1. Nerlens Noel (ADP: 33)
Nerlens Noel quietly built up a heck of a stat line last year, yet is currently being selected in the mid-fourth round of many mock drafts. After missing his first NBA season due to injury, he came on strong last year, especially in March, when he averaged 14.3 PPG, 11.2 RPG, 2.1 BPG, 2.4 SPG and 50.0 FG%. If you see his name between picks 30 and 40 in your draft, don’t hesitate to grab him.
Next: Nicolas Batum
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2. Nicolas Batum (ADP: 42.5)
Batum holds career averages of 11.2 PPG, 3.0 RPG and 5.1 APG. Last year, he brought his rebounds and assists up to 4.8 per game and 5.9 per game, respectively. This season, Batum is set to start at shooting guard for the Charlotte Hornets. Expect him to stuff the stat sheet and continue to shoot lights out from the charity stripe (.857 FT last season).
Next: DeMarre Carroll
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3. DeMarre Carroll (ADP: 72)
Last season, Carroll was a regular contributor in virtually every statistical category. He’s a versatile forward with major upside and one of the main reasons the Hawks had so much success last year. His role is expected to stay the same as he takes his talents to Toronto in 2015-16. Look to target him in the middle/late rounds, but don’t hesitate to take him a bit earlier.
Next: Julius Randle
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4. Julius Randle (ADP: 104.1)
Like Noel, Randle is another big man with massive upside who missed his rookie campaign due to injury. However, the former first-round pick excelled in preseason play and looks poised to put up big numbers this season. We wouldn’t be surprised to see him help the downtrodden Lakers make the playoffs in 2015-16. The Lakers are so thin with talent that somebody will need to clean up the glass and score down low. That is, unless you trust Roy Hibbert to get the job done…
Next: Elfrid Payton
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5. Elfrid Payton (ADP: 95.4)
He’s not just a crazy hairdo, he can ball. In 13 of his final 26 rookie games, Payton dished out at least nine assists and averaged 11.1 PPG, 5.4 RPG and 2.1 SPG. He will only improve in his second year for the Magic. You can feel more than comfortable drafting him anywhere from the 80th pick on.
Next: Evan Turner
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6. Evan Turner (ADP: 119.5)
Evan Turner plays on a Celtics team that is loaded with backcourt players, but number never lie. The guard/forward consistently racks up 10 PPG along with an average of five rebounds and five assists. Although he may eventually be delegated to a “sixth man” role in Boston this year, fantasy owners should still jump at the opportunity to take advantage of his versatility in the later rounds.
Next: Gerald Green
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7. Gerald Green (ADP: 140)
Although he’s coming off the bench for the Miami Heat this season, head coach Erik Spoelstra still expects Gerald Green to see plenty of playing time as the team’s primary “sixth man.” Green is a volume scorer who expects to rack up double digit points nearly every outing, while knocking down threes and grabbing a handful of boards. He is also an above average threat at the free throw line as he shot 82.5% last year and is currently nine-for-nine from the stripe in preseason play. He is better than his ADP of 140 suggests and frankly, he’s just fun as hell to watch.
Next: David Lee
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8. David Lee (ADP: 82)
Say what you will about David Lee, but the former double-double machine is a champion. He never had the chance to show his worth in Golden State (until late in the playoffs) as up-and-comer Draymond Green hogged all the minutes at power forward, but rest assured, Lee has still got it. Now that he’s starting for a Celtics team that lacks frontcourt depth, anticipate him coming somewhat close to his 18.2 PPG, 9.3 RPG, 52.3 FG% and 78.0 FT% from two seasons ago.
Next: Nikola Mirotic
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9. Nikola Mirotic (ADP: 84.6)
The European big man is poised for a breakout year. With Pau Gasol getting up there in age and Joakim Noah coming off of his worst statistical season, Mirotic will likely see an uptick in his 20 minutes per game from last season. He’s a 6’10” power forward who averaged 10.2 PPG and 4.9 RPG in last year’s rookie campaign. He also knocks down three pointers and shoots near 80% from the line. We are confident those numbers will improve in his sophomore season.
Next: Josh McRoberts
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10. Josh McRoberts (ADP: 140)
Another Heat bench player who is easily a starter for most NBA teams. McRoberts is poised to show the world what he can do this season as he possesses the kind of versatility for a big man that gives opposing teams headaches. Look for “McBob” to clock around 20 minutes per game this year and regularly contribute points, rebounds and assists with a high field goal percentage. He’s a late round sleeper with considerable upside.
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