We’ve given you Point Guard and Shooting Guard sleepers already, now we’ll focus on the Small Forward Sleepers for the 2008-09 Fantasy NBA season:
1. Trevor Ariza, LA Lakers
Ariza has been one of the most overlooked players in this years Fantasy Drafts. With Odom losing minutes and Phil Jackson wanting to rest the veterans, 23 year-old Ariza is due for some big minutes. In 32 career stats during his 4 year career Ariza has averaged 1.5 steals per game while shooting 51% from the field. Ariza should make a big leap this year now that he is going to get the playing time. The best part is that you can pick him up around 120th in your draft.
Currently owned in 9% of Yahoo! Leagues, and ADP of 130
2008-09 Prediction:
29.1 Mins, 11.7 Pts, 0.0 Treys, 3.3 Asts, 6.3 Rebs, 1.8 Stls, 1.1 TOs
2. Matt Barnes, Phoenix Suns
The Suns potent offense will surely be tamed now that it’s sans-D’Antoni, but that will actually help Barnes earn more playing time, believe it or not. Barnes is at an age of 27, where many players experience their best years. Terry Porter is walking into a defensless squad, but he is certainly on his way to changing that. Elderly Grant Hill has old knees, which are better suited for North-South running, and not side-to-side, expect Hill’s minutes to drop quite a bit. Barnes can lock down on D, and also knocks down his fair share of 3-pointers. Grant Hill is being drafted before Barnes in a lot of drafts this year, that will look foolish by the end of the season.
Currently owned in 60% of Yahoo! Leagues, and ADP of 131+
2008-09 Prediction:
32.2 Mins, 12.6 Pts, 1.8 Treys, 3.0 Asts, 6.3 Rebs, 1.4 Stls, 1.7 TOs
3. Francisco Garcia, Sacramento Kings
Francisco Garcia is the type of player that produces when he gets the opportunity but has rarely been given that chance so far in his career. In 20 starts last year, Garcia averaged 16 pts, 1.5 3pters and 1.7 stls. The one obstacle in his way is teammate John Salmons, but with Garcia entering his 4th season at the age of 26, you can expect to see a lot of maturity out of this King. If Garcia comes off the bench all season, we can give him the 6th man of the year trophy right now, but I wouldnt be surprised if Garcia cracks the starting lineup at some point in the season.
Currently owned in 89% of Yahoo! Leagues, and ADP of 92
2008-09 Prediction:
31.7 Mins, 14.3 Pts, 1.5 Treys, 2.1 Asts, 4.1 Rebs, 1.5 Stls, 0.7 Blk, 1.9 TOs
4. Wilson Chandler/Quentin Richardson, NY Knicks
The position battle in New York will determine the super sleeper in New York this year. In Phoenix, D’Antoni loved to post a lineup PG through SF that could shoot the three ball. That gaves Quentin Richardson the edge for the starting spot. The fact that Q-Rich lost 25 pounds this offseason can’t hurt his case, either. Q-Rich holds the record for most 3-point attempts in a single season (631 attempts in 2004-05), he made be called upon to be the “team chucker” again this year. Not so fast though, Q-Rich doesn’t even have the starting job secured yet, he’s being challenged by Wilson Chandler. This athletic Sophomore out of DePaul could certainly spoil all the plans Q-Rich has for comeback player of the year. Chandler is capable of filling the stat sheet up all across the board, when he’s given the chance. Keep an eye on this situation, and pounce on whoever earns the starting position. A hunch tells me Q-Rich will be that player.
(Q-Rich) Currently owned in 8% of Yahoo! Leagues, and ADP of 131+
2008-09 Prediction:
27.6 Mins, 11.7 Pts, 1.9 Treys, 4.6 Asts, 3.6 Rebs, 1.3 Stls, 2.1 TOs
(Chandler) Currently owned in 54% of Yahoo! Leagues, and ADP of 131+
2008-09 Prediction:
25.1 Mins, 10.2 Pts, 0.4 Treys, 1.3 Asts, 5.4 Rebs, 0.7 Stls, 0.7 Blks, 1.1 TOs
Check out related posts:
Point Guard Sleepers
Shooting Guard Sleepers
Power Forward Sleepers
Center Sleepers
image courtesy of SkieBaby’s Photo Stream, via CCS
