Despite the season still being relatively young, we are deep enough into things for managers to have an idea of where they sit in comparison to other teams. Taking a look at your depth and whether there are any expendable pieces, could open up opportunities for you to narrow your focus. As always, the waiver wire is the place to be, providing managers with bargain players who could be about to ascend in the fantasy basketball rankings.
Identifying players who are benefiting from expanded roles—whether it’s an offensive threat delivering points and threes or a defensive-minded player boosting your blocks and steals—is vital as you navigate the season.
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Let’s dive into nine key NBA sleepers whose current stats suggest they are poised for significant value and are currently rostered in fewer than 40% of Yahoo leagues.
Yahoo High Score Leagues
Collin Gillespie, Phoenix Suns (31% rostered)
Thrust into a sizeable role this season, Gillespie has taken advantage of the fact that Jalen Green has been mostly absent due to an ongoing hamstring injury. He had been coming off the bench prior to Wednesday’s game, during which he made his first start of the season, tallying 48 fantasy points. He has scored double-digit points in seven straight games, amassing at least 30 fantasy points in six of those seven appearances. Whether he continues to start or is moved back to the bench, Gillespie has been a big part of what Phoenix has been able to do and should be rostered in all formats, including High Score Leagues.
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Noah Clowney, Brooklyn Nets (24% rostered)
Another player who is playing the best basketball of his career, Clowney finally appears to have carved out a consistent role in Brooklyn. He has played at least 30 minutes in five of the past seven games, tallying double-digit points in all seven. He has averaged 37.3 fantasy points per game over the past three games, providing the Nets with a secondary scoring option behind Michael Porter Jr. If his defensive contributions can stick, we could be looking at a player who has rest-of-season value.
