Top 10 NBA 2010-2011 Fantasy Basketball Sleepers

Unlike a fantasy football or fantasy baseball sleeper list, the art to a basketball fantasy sleeper list is not to uncover retired players or look for a random bench warmer and forecast crazy results. Finding sleepers in the NBA is about catching players with a huge upside, newly traded or free agents that have found a new opportunity, and rookies who can contribute. My goal is not to mention players you have never heard of, but underrated players who you would not jump to in the late rounds of your fantasy draft without diving deep into information and projections. Here are my top 10 NBA Fantasy Basketball sleepers for the 2010-2011 season.

#10. Jason Thompson, F/C, Sacramento Kings
Thompson is the starting center for the Kings, who now have some other young talent to work with in Tyreke Evans, DeMarcus Cousins, and Omri Casspi. Thompson averaged 31 minutes in his second season of play and averaged 12.5 points, 8.5 rebounds, and a block a game. Thompson will see another increase in minutes and the mix of consistent play with the talent around him much higher than last year should result in a decent fantasy season. Thompson will make a good center in your bench rotation.

#9. Joakim Noah, C, Chicago Bulls
Noah missed 18 games in 2009-2010 but looks to have a strong upcoming season. Although Noah missed those games, he saw an increase in minutes per game and an increase in his performance. Joakim saw a rise in his points per game by 4 (from 6.7-10.7) and his rebounds from 7.6 to 11 a game. Noah should once again see a rise in his minutes and production. Look for Noah to have a coming out year with a solid supporting cast.

#8. Andray Blatche, PF/C, Washington Wizards
Blatche is currently the starting power forward for the Wizards, who may be the surprise team of the 2010-2011 season. In only 27 minutes a game last season, Blatche averaged 14.1 ppg, 6.3 rpg, a steal and a block. The roster for the upcoming season includes Gilbert Arenas and John Wall, two things Blatche did not have for most or last year (Arenas did play 32 games before suspension). Blatche is highly underrated and is in a great position to put up solid fantasy numbers.

#7. Jordan Crawford, G, Atlanta Hawks
Crawford was the second pick for my fantasy basketball rookies due to his scoring ability. His main downfall is playing behind a strong roster and Joe Johnson. Crawford looked great during the summer league and will work off the bench often. Crawford will get you points, but not much else until he develops the rest of his game.

#6. Bill Walker, SG/SF, New York Knicks
Walker is unknown outside of die hard Knicks fans, but he is turning into a quality player and will have a breakout year in 2010-2011. In 27 games with the Knicks last year, Walker averaged 27 minutes a game, 11.9 points, and 3.1 rebounds. Walker had a great summer league and should gain an increase in minutes and production. I would like to put Walker higher on the list, but with little playing time in only 64 games over 3 seasons, it is hard to predict that Walker will progress enough to have a fantasy impact.

#5. Jonas Jerebko, F, Detroit Pistons
Jerebko had an amazingly consistent year in his first with the Pistons. Jerebko played in more games than any other Detroit Piston (80). He averaged over 9 points a game, 6 rebounds, and a steal each game. Jerebko will be part of any future resurgence of the Detroit Pistons. Expect double doubles on a consistent basis in 2010-2011. If Jerebko has eligibility at both forward and center next year, his value will significantly increase and you may need to draft him before the last round and would be worth it.

#4. Jrue Holiday, PG, Philadelphia 76ers
Holiday averaged just 8 points a game over 24 minutes per contest, so what are the chances he will improve? Holiday is now the starter at point guard and was named to the all summer league team where he averaged over 19 points a game and 6 assists. Holiday is improving fast and should make an impact along side SG Evan Turner.

#3. Marcus Thornton, SG, New Orleans Hornets
25 minutes a game resulted in 14.5 ppg and not much else as far as statistics are concerned. Thornton should have no problem improving his numbers in his second year in the NBA. Watch Chris Paul and his desire to leave the Hornets, a less skilled point guard would result in lower numbers for Thornton.

#2. Anthony Randolph, PF, New York Knicks
Randolph is currently the starting power forward and a player to watch for the upcoming season. Randolph only played in 33 games for Golden State last year, but averaged 11.6 ppg and 6.5 rebounds per game. Most signs point to Randolph having a very productive fantasy year for the Knicks, but their is a bigger question mark than his ability to stay healthy, trade bait. Chris Paul is not happy in New Orleans, and many feel that he is planning to jump ship with Carmelo Anthony to the Knicks. If the deal was to happen, Randolph would be in the package. In either case I think he is worth a late round draft pick and is destined to have a good year.

#1. J.J. Hickson, PF/C, Cleveland Cavaliers
Although Hickson played only 21 minutes a game, his potential was seen by all who payed attention to the Cavaliers and Lebron. Hickson was mentioned mostly in trade talks when Cleveland was considering acquiring a big name before last season deadline to help "King James" win a championship. Hickson scored 8.5 ppg and had nearly 5 rebounds in those 20 minutes a game. Hickson now owns the PF position for the Cavs and should see an increase to 35 minutes a game. The increase in his experience and minutes will yield great results for fantasy owners. Hickson is a great sleeper pick for the upcoming season.