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These aren’t sleepers… they’re just people who I think will be overlooked come draft day and are guys you can look to snag later than they might actually be ranked - thus providing good value for your pick.
10. Kirk Hinrich - He had a bad year. Before last season he was a Top 50 player. Of course, if he loses his starting spot to Derrick Rose, then all bets are off, but I’m sure that you’ll be able to draft him deep enough to make it worth what he ends up producing.
9. David Lee - Something tells me the opportunity for offensive rebounds is going to go way up in NYC this season. Lee is going to grab them and put them back, and even make his free throws. Not bad for someone Yahoo says you can put at C.
8. LaMarcus Aldridge - Yes, I am aware that the Blazers will now be starting Greg Oden instead of, say, Channing Frye. But that doesn’t mean Aldridge is just going to drop off. He and Oden should compliment each other with their respective finesse and force styles. (Finesse & Force. How’s that for an ad slogan?) Try to convince everyone in your league that Aldridge is going to be overshadowed by Oden and you’ll have a great pick.
7. Andrew Bynum - Yes, I am aware that the Lakers traded for Pau Gasol after Bynum was injured last season. I see Bynum and Gasol as a new version of the Twin Towers. Plus, they can both run with the Showtime offense. If Bynum lasts into the 3rd round, he’s money in the bank.
6. David West - I think a lot of people just attribute West’s success to Chris Paul. And yes, Paul does make other players better, but West would probably still be a 3rd round pick on just about any other team. He’s not quite the magic 20-10 yet, but he also shoots 85% from the line.
5. Nick Collison - There’s not really anyone the Team Formerly Knowns As The Seattle SuperSonics who can play Center as well as Collison. Sure there’s Chris Wilcox, but they split time last season, and it worked out pretty well for both of them. I think a lot of people don’t realize you can still pick up decent players going into the 9th and 10th rounds.
4. Jermaine O’Neal - Another example of Finesse and Power. Chris Bosh is the finesse in this case. He’s too skinny to really bang down low. That’s the whole reason the Raptors got O’Neal (well, that, and they had a redundant yet valuable Point Guard). He might still be down on some people’s lists because of injury worries, and that’s fine. Just don’t let a 20-10 guy slip through the 6th because he might only play half a season - especially if you’re in a Head-to-Head league.
3. Corey Maggette - I feel like no one ever realizes just how valuable Maggette is. He shoots 9 free throws a game at 81+ percent. That alone is enough to average Dwight Howard’s free throw shooting into a 70% for your team. Add in that he should be the starting SG for the Run-SMC (Stephen-Monta-Corey) Warriors, and you’ve got someone with Top 50 potential who’ll probably end up in the 5th or 6th round.
2. Bobby Simmons - I think most people are wondering how Yi Jianlian will do in New Jersey, but really, the key is Simmons. He should start and get the majority of the minutes as either SG or SF alongside Vince Carter.
1. Rajon Rondo - The Celtics are returning almost exactly the same roster as last season. But Rondo has only played 2 full seaons and a championship playoff run. He has a lot of room for improvement. Yeah, his FT% sucks, but as long as he only shoots 2+ per game, you’ll be okay. In the playoffs he maintained his 10 PPG average while increasing his assists to 6.6. Yes, there are many better Point Guards, but not ones that will still be available going into the 7th or 8th round.
To see where Patrick and I think that players should be drafted, be sure to check out the following keyword laden link: Give Me The Rock 2008-09 Fantasy Basketball Big Board.
