The NBA season has arrived, which means fantasy basketball leagues are starting up. In fantasy this year there are some very obvious early round picks. However as you get later into the draft you really start to fill out your team. In the later rounds you’re looking for players that serve as good bench and utility players. Here are some players that will fill those positions perfectly and possibly give you the boost you need to win it all.

Reggie Jackson – Oklahoma City Thunder

Jackson is entering his third year in the league and he is ready for a breakout season. When fellow point guard Russell Westbrook went down with an injury late last season, Reggie stepped up to the challenge. He played extremely well in the playoffs averaging 14 points, five rebounds and three assists per game. As Westbrook continues to recover from his injury, Jackson is currently the starting point guard for the Thunder. Even when Westbrook returns, Jackson will become the sixth man, filling his predecessors, Kevin Martin and James Harden, shoes. If you need any more convincing, through two preseason games Jackson has averaged 19 points and six assists.
 

Derrick Favors – Utah Jazz

Last year, as a backup to Paul Millsap, Favors averaged nearly 10 points and seven rebounds per game. This year he will be the starter and should see a major increase in his production. Favors is entering his fourth year in the league and he should be ready to step up in a big way. In the first preseason game of the year he averaged 10 points, 14 rebounds and three blocks. While Favors might not score a whole lot, he will crash the boards and block shots consistently. He is a great fantasy addition in the later rounds.

Evan Fournier – Denver Nuggets

Fournier is a talented shooting guard entering his second year in the league. He saw limited action last year backing up Andre Iguodala but is expected to start this year. Fournier isn’t a scoring machine, but he does rebound and pass the ball well for his position. He also takes smart shots and makes them at an efficient level. In a relatively weak shooting guard position, Fournier would be a good player to snag off the waiver wire or in later rounds.
 

Chase Budinger – Minnesota Timberwolves

Budinger has been a solid role player for his entire career. He is now the starter in Minnesota and will have his opportunity to shine. He is a good three point shooter and should see plenty of open looks with Kevin Love and Nikola Pekovic demanding double team. He is a decent rebounder and will pull down his fair share of boards.
 

Robin Lopez – Portland Trailblazers

Lopez is the starting center for the Blazers this year. He is an extremely efficient scorer in the low post. He is also a solid shot blocker and rebounder. The Blazers love to shoot from the perimeter so he will get plenty of opportunities to pull down errant shots. He will also be playing alongside LaMarcus Aldridge, who prefers to play outside the paint. Lopez will get his opportunities to score inside and he could have a very successful season.
 

Jared Dudley – Los Angeles Clippers

Dudley is a veteran small forward who should be the starter for the Clippers this year. Dudley is a good scorer and is also a threat from the three point line. He is a solid rebounder and passer and will be able to contribute in those fields. Anytime you play alongside Chris Paul and Blake Griffin, you’ll have open looks and easy buckets. Dudley should contribute immediately and consistently this season
 

Greivis Vasquez – Sacramento Kings

Vasquez had his breakout season a year ago as the starter for the New Orleans Hornets. In his first year as a starter he averaged 14 points, nine assists and four rebounds. These are very impressive numbers, especially considering the talent he had surrounding him. This year he is expected to be the starting point guard for the Kings and could see his production increase. He has a dominant big man in DeMarcus Cousins and two deadly perimeter shooters in Marcus Thornton and Ben McLemore. Vasquez is a fantastic utility player and should average nearly a double-double every night.
 

Kawhi Leonard – San Antonio Spurs

After last year’s playoff performance Leonard may not be considered a sleeper anymore. However I believe that Leonard can be even better. In the playoffs last year Leonard averaged 13 points and nine rebounds along with shooting 54%. Leonard is an exceptional rebounder and defender with a growing offensive game. He can shoot the three although he excels at getting easy buckets and put backs. With the continued aging of Tim Duncan I expect Leonard to be more involved offensively. Leonard will only continue to get better and is a fantastic mid round pick
 

Chandler Parsons – Houston Rockets

Parsons has been fantastic is his first two years in the league. The 6’9” small forward is skilled in every facet of the game. This past season he posted career bests in points, rebounds, assists, and shooting percentage. He also averaged 18 points and six rebounds per game in the post season. He is a solid three point shooter and will make them consistently. Now, with the presence of Dwight Howard on the inside, Parsons should have even more opportunities to succeed.