Drafting someone that nobody else saw having a great season is one of the most rewarding parts of playing fantasy sports. It really gives your ego a boost and sets your inner GM free. In a position as deep as point guard, I believe finding sleepers is easier than other positions. Let’s take a look at some potential point guard sleepers that you aren’t seeing in your other research.
Point Guard Sleepers
Ben Simmons, Brooklyn Nets, PG:
Typically, I’d say to be wary of guys with back issues. There’s no such thing as one back surgery, and he just had one this past offseason. There are all sorts of stories about his mental state, and we just won’t ever know the truth unless he feels the need to set the record straight, and he doesn’t owe that to any of us. What I do know is that his career is kind of hanging in the balance here, so when he next steps on the court, he’s going to be full strength. Ben Simmons is such a talented player defensively that he doesn’t have to score a bucket to affect the game in real life or in fantasy. We’re talking about a guy that averages 8 boards per game for his career, he’s also a floor general, and I’m hearing that he’s going to be playing some point-center for the Nets this season because he can guard all five positions and averages 8 assists per game for his career. He’ll also fit with KD and Kyrie because they’ve both demonstrated they can play off ball. He’s going to be an excellent source of stocks with just under 2 steals per game and just under 1 block. Playing on a team with KD and Kyrie, he doesn’t have to feel pressure to score. I’m expecting some (prime) Draymond-type stat lines from Simmons this year. Double-doubles will be easy for him, and if he gets a bunch of easy transition buckets, triple-doubles are definitely possible. Most importantly, he has enough negative press with people that it’s likely you’re going to be able to draft him in the mid-to-late rounds. He should have no trouble exceeding his cost. I’m happy to draft Ben Simmons.
Kevin Porter Jr., Houston Rockets, PG, SG, SF:
Kevin Porter Jr. is getting ready to be the leader on the most talented team he’s ever played on in his life. The Rockets shipped Chris Wood to Dallas, so we can expect KPJ to eat up some of that usage. Jalen Green is second in command, and he really started to come on late last year. With Green’s ability to shoot, we should see an uptick in KPJ’s assist numbers. The Rockets drafted Tari Eason and Jabari Smith, both bigs that should shoot in the 50%+ range overall, further padding KPJ’s assist numbers. With a 24% usage rate, KPJ averaged 16 points, 6 assists, and 4 boards. Should that tick up to closer to 30% this year, we could be looking at a 20-point and 10-assist average for the year. To draft that in the mid-rounds could win you your leagues. Perhaps I’m being too optimistic, but the opportunity and the skillset point to success for KPJ.
John Wall, LA Clippers, PG:
Last, but not least, I’m going with John Wall. He’s been completely forgotten about in the fantasy world, and he’s been an afterthought in the NBA. He’s been parked on the bench for the Houston Rockets the last few years. But the reason he was stuck on the bench is the same reason I expect him to be a sleeper in fantasy ball this season. The Houston Rockets are a young team that needs to develop their talent, so they couldn’t have an experienced vet that has historically been a high-usage player, taking valuable shots and reps away from their young talent. They rather pay John Wall to sit and lose, than play him and win. Now, he’s on the Clippers with Kawhi and Paul George. Kawhi is returning from injury, so he’ll likely be load-managed and doesn’t really turn on the gas until the playoffs anyway, so that leaves Paul George and John Wall to shoulder the load offensively during the regular season. I know he’s been in the league forever, but he’s only 32. He’s not washed up by any means, he’s simply been in purgatory. He has plenty left in the tank. He’s going to be hungry to remind everyone why he’s a 5x All-Star, 1x all-NBA selection, and 1x all-defensive team selection. He’s a 28% usage rate player for his entire career. That puts him among the league leaders. In what world are you going to be able to draft a ball-dominant scoring guard who can get you steals in the late rounds of the draft? It’s an incredible opportunity and you’ve gotta make sure you have him on your roster.
Got some point guard sleepers of your own? Drop a few names in the comments below and then check out our full 2022-23 Fantasy Basketball Draft Kit!