1. Derrick Favors. power forward/center, Utah Jazz
Already regarded as one of the top candidates for the Most Improved Player of the Year trophy, Derrick Favors is in a great position to fully break out this season. He averaged 9.4 points per game, 7.1 rebounds and 1.7 blocks in only 23.2 minutes per game. Now that Al Jefferson left for Charlotte and Paul Millsap left for Atlanta, both Derrick Favors and Enes Kanter have a great chance to succeed this season.
Favors is in a contract year as well. Utah has limited depth behind Favors, so he will have all of the opportunities in the world to succeed for a Jazz team that isn't expected to compete for the playoffs.
At the very minimum, Favors will provide those who draft him or acquire him in a trade with an exceptional amount of blocks and rebounds, along with a good field goal percentage.
15-16 points per game, 11-12 rebounds and 2.5 blocks per game are not an unreasonable expectation for Favors this season. Also, he averaged 0.9 steals per game in limited minutes last season, so he will provide great steal numbers from the power forward or center slot.
However, he does not shoot particularly well from the free throw line (68.8 percent last season) nor does he get many assists or hit any three pointers, although those categories typically do not come from power forwards or centers.
He's going 63rd overall on average in ESPN Fantasy drafts, so be sure to draft him or trade for him, because he will provide excellent value this season.
2. Jimmy Butler, shooting guard/small forward, Chicago Bulls
Thanks in part to his performance in the playoffs without Derrick Rose this season – when he averaged 13.3 points, 5.2 rebounds, along with 1.3 three pointers made and 1.3 steals per game – the possibilities are endless for Jimmy Butler. He is going to start at shooting guard for the Bulls this season, and with Derrick Rose returning, it is going to be much easier for Butler to score on offense because defenses have to worry about Rose at all times.
He will have opportunities for many open three-pointers, which will definitely please fantasy owners. He made 40 percent of his threes in last year's playoffs, so we know he can make them when he gets the opportunity. The shooting guard position this year isn't very deep, and Butler will provide helpful stats in a typically uninspiring shooting guard slot.
He will be one of the top shooting guards in the league in terms of rebounding, steals and field goal percentage. Also, he will make more threes this season than people expect and can average around 15-16 points per game, which won't hurt your point totals too much. With his unique categorical skills and high long term potential, Butler makes for a great bargain in drafts or trades. He is going 90th overall on average in ESPN fantasy basketball drafts, so be sure to get him in a trade before it is too late.
3. Anthony Davis, power forward/center, New Orleans Pelicans
Davis is projected to rise from the semi-elite level he was last season, into the elite group of big men. He spent much of his rookie season struggling with minor injuries, which kept him in and out of the lineup. Also, the learning curve for big men coming into the league is much steeper than for other positions. The length and scoring touch of the former number one overall pick in 2012 gives him the opportunity to be one of the best big men of our generation.
He shined at the USA basketball training sessions over the summer and will bring that momentum into the new NBA season. He now has new teammates Jrue Holiday and Tyreke Evans to help take some of the scoring pressure off his shoulders.
In his second season, Davis looks primed to give fantasy owners excellent blocks (1.8 per game last season), steals (1.2), field goal percentage (51.6) and free throw percentage (75.1).
Also, his scoring has the potential to reach up to 20 points per game. This may be the last year Davis does not get drafted in the first round, and makes for an excellent trade and draft target.
4. Michael Carter-Williams, point guard, Philadelphia 76ers
In case you have been living under a rock this offseason or do not follow basketball, I am going to remind you that the Sixers are not going to win many games this season. However, it is all part of the Sixers plan to secure as many ping pong balls for the NBA draft lottery this summer, in hopes of acquiring one of the many potential superstars in next years NBA Draft.
With that being said, when teams are not trying to contend for the playoffs immediately, they want to give the opportunity for younger players who have the potential to be great contributors further down the line to get ample playing time to gain experience playing at the NBA level, since not much is on the line for their team. Michael Carter-Williams is the starting point guard for the 76ers and will look to get extended run for the team this season.
He was a great passer and steals man in college, averaging 7.3 assists and 2.8 steals his sophomore season at Syracuse and will likely succeed in those aspects in the NBA. He is going, on average, 139th overall in ESPN fantasy drafts. He is my pick to be the sleepers of the year, and be sure to get him at all costs. Even if he doesn't score well, he will provide tremendous assist, percentage and steal value at this late round. Get him before it is too late.
– By Shawn Farshchi
