The NBA season is right around the corner which means fantasy basketball season. To get you ready for your big draft lets break down some potential sleepers and busts.
BUSTS
Dennis Smith Jr. Guard Mavericks
Dennis Smith Jr. is going to be a giant bust this year and I would stay far away from him. He showed some flaws in his game last year and the Mavericks didn’t have a ton of talent last year so he still got a ton of playing time.
They brought in Luka Doncic this offseason and I see him stealing a ton of playing time away from Smith Jr. He will still be a productive player this year for the Mavericks but in terms of stats, I don’t think they will be great.
Pau Gasol Center Spurs
Pau Gasol has everything working against him this year. He is probably going to be coming off the bench this year, he is getting older, and he plays the Spurs all things that will hurt his production.
Coach Pop loves to rest his older guys so Gasol will probably play closer to 60 games rather than the 82 that are in the regular season. Last year he averaged 10.1 points, 8.0 rebounds, and 3.1 assists. This year those numbers will probably go down at least or point or two.
He is going to be popular in drafts because of his name, but I really don’t think he is going to be a guy you want on your team.
SLEEPERS
Taj Gibson Forward Timberwolves
One of my favorite sleepers that no one really is talking about is Taj Gibson. Everyone knows that coach Thibs loves to run his players into the ground, which is a good thing for your fantasy basketball squad.
Last year Gibson played all 82 games averaging 12.2 points, 7.1 rebounds, and 1.2 assists. None of those stats really jump out but he is going to play a ton of minutes and there is plenty of opportunities to run up his stats. Gibson is strictly a post player and will grab a ton of rebounds for a guy who will be there at the end of drafts.
Jarrett Allen Center Nets
The Brooklyn Nets are really short at center, which means this is another guy that is going to get a ton of minutes especially early in the season.
Last year he averaged 8.2 points and 5.4 rebounds and those numbers should go up with his increased minutes. He only played 20 minutes per game last year and that number should at least be closer to 30.
He has also added to his outside shot this year, so this is a center who will get you some three-pointers even if it’s only a few of them every couple of games.
Josh Jackson Forward Suns
Josh Jackson is a guy they have talked about being a bust for the Suns, but just looking at the stat sheet he is actually a good player.
He is going to get some good run this year at power forward and he is going to get a ton of playing time. Last year he averaged 13.1 points and 4.6 rebounds. Look for him to improve on those stats this year.
