We continue our peek into the Association as we check in with the fantasy sleepers from 2013-14 NBA season. Everyone knows who the fantasy studs are so I’m not going to champion the cause of guys like Kevin Durant and Paul George any further. Instead we are focusing on those who are perhaps flying under the radar but who are performing like high fliers.
The following fantasy gems are performing like top-tier talent; however, they lack the name recognition that garners high fantasy value. Those in the know keep these guys stashed on their roster at bargain rates while their fellow general managers over-pay for the same production. Let’s take a look at some of the undervalued fantasy options out there and with that in mind we move on from the Western Conference to the East.
It is tough to call a player who ranks in the leagues top-ten in scoring a fantasy sleeper but many are slow to wake to the fact that the Orlando Magic’s Arron Afflalo is having such a tremendous season. Here’s a guy that has literally doubled his career averages this year as his slash line is an impressive 21.7 ppg, 4.0 apg and 4.7 rpg.
For the most part the secret is out on Afflalo; however, his value in many leagues has yet to catch up to his output. The ceiling is very high here and value can still be had even in salary cap leagues. Afflalo’s production has been consistent all season and there is no reason to look for it to tail off anytime soon.
I’m having a hard time not catching myself, but I’m about to actually recommend some viable fantasy options from the Toronto Raptors. Once a team void of any fantasy value; now with the departure of Rudy Gay the roster has opened up and the young players are getting a chance to shine.
While an eight-year veteran is hardly a newbie, the 26-year old Amir Johnson hardly played for his first four years in the league. Now with the Raptors, Johnson is benefiting from a roster that is without a ball-dominating scorer. Since Gay’s departure, Johnson is averaging a tidy 17.1 ppg and 8.1 rpg. At this point in the season Johnson represents solid fantasy value as he is only now getting his chance to assert himself in the offence.
Sticking with the Raptors, I see that DeMar DeRozan is finally living up to his potential. On the season he is averaging 21.4 ppg, 3.2 apg and 3.8 rpg which is a solid bump from his career averages. Double-D has become the defacto go-to-guy in Toronto and this season will be viewed as a sink or swim kind of year for the Raptor brass and fantasy general managers alike.
If you are looking for a guy who is further down the depth charts yet is still capable of averaging a double-double on the season then look no further than the Milwaukee Bucks John Henson. If the last eight games are indicative of what the potential is then i’ll happily take 15.3 ppg, 10.1 rpg, 2.3 apg and 2.3 blks. With the decline in Larry Sanders game, Henson has stepped up and filled the void admirably.
Finally, we move on to Washington where we find a former Phoenix Sun who is enjoying a banner season in the Nations capital. Marcin Gortat may not be the double-double guy that he was three years ago; however, his season averages of 12.9 ppg and 8.9 rpg aren’t far off.
Gortat continues to play well and shy from the limelight. With Nene in and out of the lineup with injuries and with Emeka Okafor having moved on, it is now wide open for Gortat to get his opportunities. Gortat isn’t an explosive scorer, but he is consistent and he can rebound in hoards and will get those valuable block shots for you as well. At this point in the season, one can see that the change of scenery has been a none issue. Gortat is a very affordable option at the center position right now, but don’t expect that to last too long.