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NBA Fantasy Guide #1: 5 Sleepers to Target

The NBA season begins this week, which means Fantasy Basketball is upon us. If your team still needs to draft, and you're confused about who to target, fear not. Everyone picks their superstars in the first few rounds, but your other players are what determine your success. Today, I'm going to give you 5 players who you can target in later rounds of the draft, which will help you win your league.

(Also, for an exclusive article, "Studs and Duds: 5 Players to Draft & 5 Players to Avoid", subscribe to the email list at the right hand side of this article.)

1.Jeremy Lin
Linsanity is back. In his most recent preseason game, against the Knicks, Jeremy Lin scored 24 points and added 10 assists. Lin is the leader of this Brooklyn Nets team, and he will be in control of the ball this season. He will consistently put up a decent number of points, as well as a strong number of assists every game. In fantasy, one key to success is to always target guaranteed consistency rather than uncertain upside. Jeremy Lin, as a starting point guard and one of the best scorers on this team, is one of the most underrated players in fantasy basketball this season.

2.Jusuf Nurkic
Nurkic, the center for the Nuggets, is someone who you must pick up this year. With everyone targeting his partner in crime, Nikola Jokic, Jusuf Nurkic will be available late in your draft. Nurkic averaged 8 points, 6 rebounds, and 1 block last season, in 17 minutes of playing time per game. This season, however, Nurkic has not only improved his physical condition, but he will also start at center. This will allow him to accumulate a large amount of rebounds and blocks for your team. Overall, Jusuf Nurkic is one of the best big men you can obtain with a later pick in the draft.

3.Goran Dragic
You may be thinking, Dragic is most likely not a sleeper. While it is true that he will probably be drafted earlier than the rest of these players, you'll still be able to get Dragic later than you would think (in my personal league, Dragic, a top 50 player, went in the 6th round). With the departure of Dwyane Wade as well as several other players, Dragic has the keys to the Miami Heat along with Hassan Whiteside. Look for the Slovenian guard to rack up assists every game, and be able to score in a Miami offense which is no longer loaded with scoring talent.

4.Joel Embiid
Joel Embiid is finally playing after two seasons of injuries keeping him off the court. Embiid will quickly become the dominant big man in Philadelphia. The 76ers organization has talked about trading Noel, so we know that their future is set with Embiid and Okafor. Also, with Ben Simmons recently getting injured, Joel Embiid will be utilized even more in this lackluster 76ers offense. He did not disappoint in the preseason either, put up strong scoring numbers, as well as a decent amount of boards. Pick up Embiid in later rounds of your draft for increased blocks, rebounds, as well as a great amount of scoring from a late round pick.

5.JaMychal Green
JaMychal Green has emerged in the preseason for the Grizzlies. With an expanded role on the team, look for Green to put up great numbers. As a starter, he scored 21 points, as well as 8 rebounds in a preseason showcase. Throughout the season, JaMychal Green will develop into a decent NBA big man, and the thing about him is: you may not even have to draft him. Personally, I picked Green up as a free agent, since most people don't bother to draft him. JaMychal Green is a deep sleeper who you can find much later in the draft.

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