Although many people feel that a draft/league is won at the beginning of the draft, the truth is that usually, most of the first and second round picks perform comparably. However, it’s the later round picks that really make a difference. Buy low on guys like Steph Curry, Dwyane Wade or Jimmy Butler – all of whom had fantastic seasons – and you’re in great shape. With that in mind, we’re look at some sleepers for next season, eyeing players who could breakout.
Otto Porter Jr., Washington Wizards
Most of the talk will be about Bradley Beal’s potential for a breakout season at the shooting guard position but another young Wizards player to keep an eye on is the former Georgetown star Porter Jr. The third-overall pick from the 2013 NBA Draft took another step forward in 2014-15 when he averaged 6.0 points, 3.0 rebounds and 0.9 assists in just 19.4 minutes per game but we got a taste of what to expect when he gets extended minutes. He played 33.1 minutes in the playoffs and compiled 10.0 points per game, 8.0 rebounds, 1.8 assists, 1.2 steals and 1.2 threes. Factor in that Paul Pierce is expected to move on from Washington in free agency this summer and that would open up a spot in the starting lineup for Porter Jr. A place in the Wizards starting five along with Beal, John Wall, Nene and Marcin Gortat would be ideal for Porter Jr.’s fantasy value. He won’t be a major source of points but he should contribute threes, rebounds and steals.
Alex Len, Phoenix Suns
The Suns are a team in transition but they have a talented young core and one player that could be poised for a breakout season is their 7’1’’, 255-pound center. Len will be 22 years old when the 2015-16 NBA season starts and he looked good in limited minutes this past year when he averaged 6.3 points, 6.6 rebounds and 1.5 blocks per game in just 22.0 minutes per game. It was clear by the moves made at the trade deadline that the team moved away from the guard-focused offense to more of an inside-outside game, and that should benefit him. He had a couple of big games last season, posting double-doubles with six blocks a couple of times, and that goes to show you what he’s capable of. Keep an eye on him over the summer but he should be a player on the rise now that the team isn’t so guard-focused.
Jared Sullinger, Boston Celtics
The fact that the Celtics made the playoffs under Brad Stevens this past season is a testament to his coaching and ability to maximize the talent on his roster. One of the key players all year for Boston was Sullinger. The 2012 first round pick averaged 13.3 points, 7.6 rebounds and 2.3 assists per game as the team’s top forward this past year and he will have the opportunity at a breakout season in a similar role for the Celtics next year. He was injured down the stretch of the season but you have to love the 14.6 points, 8.3 rebounds, 2.4 assists, 1.0 threes, 0.8 steals and 0.7 blocks he averaged as a starter last season. If he continues to get that type of burn, he’s going to be someone you want to snap up in the mid rounds of your draft.
Kentavious Caldwell-Pope, Detroit Pistons
The eighth overall pick in the 2013 NBA Draft took a major step forward for the Pistons this past season when he averaged 12.7 points, 3.1 rebounds, 1.3 assists and 1.9 three-point shots. KCP turned 22-years-old in February and he has all of the tools to thrive in Detroit as he continues to develop his game and chemistry with his teammates. What you have to like about KCP is that he played better after the arrival of Reggie Jackson. After the All-Star break, he averaged 14.3 points per game with 3.1 rebounds, 2.0 threes, 1.8 assists and 1.3 steals. Factor in some team building over the summer, some more maturing and KCP could be a steal for your shooting guard position late in drafts.
