The words you’ve been waiting to hear since the summer can finally be said out loud: The 2018-19 NBA season around the corner.
That’s great news for NBA fans and obviously huge for fantasy basketball owners: the preseason has begun and draft season is officially here, and that means it’s time to start researching who you’ll be taking.
Here’s our annual list of some notable players who we feel are underrated at their average draft positions (ADP), from some familiar names you’ve considered sleepers in the past to a few young diamonds in the rough.
(All average draft positions courtesy of FantasyPros)
1. C Thomas Bryant, Washington Wizards
Fantasy ADP: 61
Aside from Bradley Beal, who’s going to do damage on the offensive end for the Wizards? Isaiah Thomas? Maybe. CJ Miles? Nah. Rui Hachimura? Possibly. So I’m more than fine with reaching for the center who had 12.3 ppg, 7.5 rpg, 1.2 bpg and 0.6 threes per contest after the All-Star break. Plus, he hit 78.1 percent overall from the charity stripe, a plus for a big man.
2. PF Jonathan Isaac, Orlando Magic
Fantasy ADP: 96
It feels like we’ve been waiting for it all to click for the sixth overall pick in 2017 … and last season, it started. He’ll help you across all categories with a smattering of points, threes rebounds, blocks and steals.
3. C Wendell Carter Jr., Chicago Bulls
Fantasy ADP: 86
In just 44 games of his rookie season, he looked good. And now he’s going to get more minutes in the middle with Robin Lopez gone. I’m super intrigued.
4. SG Kevin Huerter, Atlanta Hawks
Fantasy ADP: 122
The Hawks are suddenly becoming a bit more crowded with Cam Reddish and De’Andre Hunter added to a core that includes Trae Young and John Collins. But Huerter was a revelation last year, hitting nearly two threes per game. I bet he’s leaned upon more than he was last year to score more, and you can get him at a bargain price.
5. C Alex Len, Atlanta Hawks
Fantasy ADP: 150
Speaking of the Hawks — Dewayne Dedmon is gone and now the center who found a three-point shot last season will get the lion’s share of minutes in the middle, which means last year’s numbers (11.1 ppg, 5.5 rpg, 49.4 FG%, plus a three per contest) could be even better.
6. PG Dejounte Murray, San Antonio Spurs
Fantasy ADP: 107
Don’t forget about him. You’ll miss out on dimes, some scoring and A LOT of steals.
7. SF Miles Bridges, Charlotte Hornets
Fantasy ADP: 90
With Kemba Walker in Boston, someone besides Terry Rozier is going to have to contribute offensive, and Bridges improved considerably throughout his rookie season. In March and April of 2018, Bridges averaged more than 8 shots, 3 threes and five rebounds per game, and all of those numbers should increase in 2019. With an ADP of 90, you should easily be able to pick up Bridges later in drafts.
8. PF Dario Saric, Phoenix Suns
Fantasy ADP: 109
I love good, young players on bad teams for fantasy value. Saric is a competent long-range scorer at his position, and he put up solid fantasy numbers despite limited minutes in Minnesota last year. Saric should eclipse 30 mpg for the Suns and get the opportunity to post career-best numbers. A 19- or 20-fantasy point average may be the floor for him in Phoenix.
9. PG Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, Oklahoma City Thunder
Fantasy ADP: 83
The Thunder acquired Gilgeous-Alexander to be a cornerstone for the future, and while the presence of Chris Paul complicates things for the 21-year-old guard, the Thunder have every incentive to rely on Gilgeous-Alexander heavily and allow him to develop into a star. Limited and inconsistent minutes hurt SGA’s fantasy value with the Clippers, but he still managed to average 14.2 points, 4.5 assists, 3.3 rebounds and 1.5 steals in the month of March, in 29.7 mpg. In OKC, it’s not out of the question that SGA becomes a 20-7-4 player by the end of the season, especially if Paul departs from the team.
10. SF Cedi Osman, Cleveland Cavaliers
Fantasy ADP: 183
With just a 5 percent roster rate on ESPN, you can almost certainly pick up Osman to add to the end of your bench, and the third-year player has some upside. Osman proved in 2018 that he has the capability to be a 17-5-2.5 player on any given night, but consistency has been his issue. He’s more of a wait-and-see option, but you may want to add him early if you’ve got an opening.
11. SF Mikal Bridges, Phoenix Suns
Fantasy ADP: 145
Mikal Bridges is very likely to be available in your league (with just a 3.7 percent roster rate on ESPN), and he’s absolutely worth the last spot on your bench. The former Villanova star started playing 30+ mpg by the third month of his rookie season, and while he wasn’t much of a scorer, he’s a do-it-all player who amasses steals in bunches. Bridges is currently dealing with a knee issue, but the injury isn’t expected to be serious.
