Now that we’ve had time to digest the 2009 NBA Draft, we can now start pointing out potential rookie sleepers for the 2010 fantasy basketball season. Here are some sleeper rookies to keep an eye on:
Sam Young, Memphis Grizzlies
In the 2009 NBA Draft, Young fell to the second round mostly due to his age. At 24, he wasn’t a very exciting prospect. But he could come in right away and play for the Grizzlies.
DeJuan Blair, San Antonio Spurs
Young’s teammate at Pittsburgh also fell to the second round. Blair’s issue were a pair of bad knees. But with the Spurs, there’s …read more

OJ Mayo, Memphis Grizzlies
He’s quietly been one of the most consistent scorers to come into the league in a long while. Although OJ Mayo still needs to work on his all-around game, he’s far ahead of where most scouts thought he’d be at this point in the season.

Derrick Rose, Chicago Bulls
Though Derrick Rose’s play has dropped off a little bit as of late, you can expect him to catch a second wind at some point. Once he fights through the rookie wall, Rose should once again claim his spot as the best rookie point guard in the league and fight …read more

Derrick Rose, Chicago Bulls
As a starting rookie point guard, Derrick Rose is playing very good basketball. He’s growing before our eyes into one of the best lead guards in the NBA. If you are in a fantasy basketball dynasty league, Rose is a player to hold on to.
OJ Mayo, Memphis Grizzlies
Enjoying a rock solid fantasy basketball season, OJ Mayo will likely be a fantasy powerhouse for the next decade. He can score, shoot good percentages and the rest of his game is slowly but surely catching up. He could move as high as the second round of fantasy drafts next …read more

1. Derrick Rose, Chicago Bulls
A lot of NBA scouts thought Derrick Rose may need a year or two before he was ready to shine in the NBA. They were wrong. This Bulls rookie point guard is already the best player on his team and he’ll be a top five fantasy point guard before too much longer.
2. OJ Mayo, Memphis Grizzlies
While the Grizzlies aren’t that good, OJ Mayo is putting on a show. He’s proving to be a very good scorer on the NBA level. Surprisingly his shooting percentages are healthy and he’s doing a good job of not turning the …read more

1. Michael Beasley – Beasley will be able to score and rebound right away.
2. Greg Oden – Don’t forget about Oden, who missed his rookie year.
3. OJ Mayo – Should score right away with the Grizzlies.
4. Derrick Rose – Expect him to start slow and then come on strong.
5. Rudy Fernandez – Expect him produce great numbers if a starter.
6. Kevin Love – Love has a very developed game and should shine.
7. Eric Gordon – Could score by the dozens with the Clippers.
8. Jerryd Bayless – The Blazers have three top rookies in the top ten.
9. Brandon Rush – Should …read more

Al Horford, Atlanta Hawks
Coming into the season, many draft experts said that Al Horford was the prospect most ready to step in and play right away. Horford has proven that to be true and is now a fixture in the Hawks starting lineup. He’s a very solid player who has superstar potential down the line.

Sean Williams, New Jersey Nets
Although Sean Williams had off court issues clouding his draft stock, he has shown to be a very good basketball player on the court. He’s extremely athletic and has very good timing. If he can stay on the straight and narrow, he …read more

Luis Scola, Houston Rockets
Now that he’s in the starting lineup, there’s no reason why Luis Scola can’t be the best rookie power forward in the NBA. He’s experienced, smart and plays in a system conducive to his strengths. He should eventually become a player who can average around 12 and 8 on the NBA level.

Yi Jianlian, Miwaukee Bucks
There is a lot of hype surrounding Yi Jianlian but most of that hype is warranted. He has a pure jumper that extends all the way out to the three-point line. He can rebound and mix in some blocked shots. Everything about him …read more

Jamario Moon, Toronto Raptors
With the Raptors, Jamario Moon has become a sort of cult hero. An athletic freak, Moon took an unconventional route to the NBA and is now playing a big role on one of the better teams in the Eastern Conference. He looks to be a fixture in the Raptors starting lineup.

Al Thornton, Los Angeles Clippers
The habitually banged up Clippers will lean heavily on Al Thornton as the season wears on. A pure scorer, Thornton can put the ball in the basket from a number of spots on the court. There’s no reason why …read more

Kevin Durant, Seattle Supersonics
If you have Kevin Durant on your fantasy team, you’ve seen first hand how streaky he can be. At times, he’s a great fantasy player. At other times, he does more harm than good. Over the long haul, he should turn into a great player. That greatness may even come later in this season.

Juan Carlos Navarro, Memphis Grizzlies
Juan Carlos Navarro has proven to be a world-class shooter who isn’t as one-dimensional as some pundits insisted. He can put up some nice stats but it’s true that he’s primarily at shooter. With the Grizzlies looking to unload even …read more

Mike Conley, Memphis Grizzlies
It didn’t take Mike Conley long to beat out Damon Stoudamire for the starting point guard spot in Memphis. This kid is quick and has a great feel for the game. He has all the tools – both mentally and physically – to eventually become a very good point guard.

Acie Law, Atlanta Hawks
While Acie Law hasn’t been overly impressive this season, the Hawks drafted him to be their point guard of the future. Expect him to get a chance in the second half of the NBA season to play point guard full time. He’s a smart player, …read more