2023-24 Fantasy Basketball Sleepers: Forwards
We are less than two weeks away from the start of the 2023-24 NBA season, which means that your fantasy basketball drafts are rapidly approaching if they haven’t occurred already!
We have already went over 10 fantasy guards sleepers. Today, let’s dive into 10 sleeper forwards that you should be targeting!
(Disclosure: I used Fantasy Pros’ position designations for these rankings. While there’s plenty of overlap, I looked at forwards outside the top 20 to better signify true sleeper candidates.)
Honorable Mentions:
- Jerami Grant, F29
- Michael Porter Jr., F41
- Harrison Barnes, F64
- Tari Eason, F85
- Corey Kispert, F100
- Caleb Martin, F102
- Jalen Johnson, F117
- Malik Beasley, F130
- Peyton Watson, F154
- Keita Bates-Diop, F162
Scottie Barnes, Toronto Raptors (F24)
Considering the hype he garnered as a rookie in 2021-22, Barnes, the No. 4 pick in 2021, had a subpar 2022-23 season. He averaged eerily similar numbers to his rookie season, posting 15.3 points, 6.6 rebounds and 4.8 assists on 45.6/28.1/77.2 shooting splits across 77 games last year. Barnes had a more defined role and was more decisive as a DHO/rolling hub as the months went by. But I’m expecting an uptick in usage and shot creation in Darko Rajakovic’s motion-heavy, pick-and-roll-centric offense, especially without Fred VanVleet at the helm.
Kyle Kuzma, Washington Wizards (F26)
Kuzma was a top-25 fantasy forward last year, and he will almost certainly have more room for opportunity (statistically) without Bradley Beal and Kristaps Porzingis garnering touches (even though Jordan Poole will be there). He averaged 21.2 points, 7.2 rebounds and 3.7 assists on 54.4 percent true-shooting; his efficiency and turnovers might take a hit with an increased role, but I’m expecting Kuzma to put up great numbers on a bad Wizards team, should he stay healthy.
Zion Williamson, New Orleans Pelicans (F27)
Raise your hand if you ate the Zion Williamson cheese last year. Don’t worry, I did too … and I’m doing it again! Yes, Williamson’s only played in 29 games in the last two seasons and 114 in his first four, but the talent is undeniable if he’s on the court. That’s a big if, I know. He’s averaging 25.8 points, 7.0 rebounds and 3.6 assists for his career on an absurd 64.3 true-shooting clip. He’s a great mid-round flier, especially if he plays at least 50-60 games, which he’s only done once in his career up to this point.
Jabari Smith Jr., Houston Rockets (F39)
I haven’t been shy about how bullish I am on the Rockets this season. One player who I think can benefit from Ime Udoka‘s arrival is Smith. The 2022 No. 3 pick looked far more comfortable towards the latter half of the season than he did at the start, which isn’t uncommon for rookies. Over his last 17 games, he averaged 16.4 points, 8.2 rebounds and one block on 46.5/35.6/77.8 shooting splits, and is the exact multi-positional, high-energy defender that Udoka will salivate over (earning him minutes!). I’m interested to see how his on-ball usage differs with VanVleet, Dillon Brooks and Amen Thompson in town, but I still expect Smith to keep building off the encouraging end to his rookie campaign.
Tobias Harris, Philadelphia 76ers (F40)
Harris did see a down season production-wise in James Harden‘s first full season in Philadelphia last year. There’s also a world where Kelly Oubre Jr. eats into his production, but I still consider Harris one of the more reliable mid-to-late round forwards if you’re looking for steady production. Harris canned his most triples (126) since 2019-20 and recorded his most steals (68) since 2017-18. Harris being on the list is a slight projection of Harden getting traded midseason, which should open up more opportunities for Harris, in theory.
Franz Wagner, Orlando Magic (F46)
Wagner’s is Paolo Banchero‘s sidekick in Orlando and that is not changing anytime soon. Wagner averaged 18.6 points, 4.1 rebounds, 3.5 assists and one steal on 48.5/36.1/84.2 shooting splits on good volume (14.0 FGA, 4.5 3PA) and good usage (23.5%). The now-22-year-old is durable and very reliable production-wise, on both ends, which should make him one of the more desirable fantasy forwards relative to his ranking.
Draymond Green, Golden State Warriors (F54)
Green, who re-upped with Golden State on a four-year, $100 million extension as soon as free agency opened this offseason, is a phenomenal source of rebounds, assists, steals and blocks–which is especially valuable in category/roto leagues. Green is not going to shoot the ball often (7.3 FGA per 75 poss. in ’22-23), but he makes life remarkably easier for Stephen Curry, Klay Thompson and Andrew Wiggins, among others, doing all the little things (screening, passing/connecting, rebounding, etc). I’m interested to see how he forms chemistry with newly-acquired Chris Paul, but as long as Green stays healthy, he’s a very good mid-round pick.
Obi Toppin, Indiana Pacers (F67)
Toppin got shipped to Indiana this offseason for draft capital from the New York Knicks, where he couldn’t find enough of an opportunity behind Julius Randle. Toppin’s outside shot remains a question mark, but he should receive a bigger opportunity with a more defined role in Indiana alongside Tyrese Haliburton and Myles Turner. He’s a viable late-round flier in deeper leagues.
Kyle Anderson, Minnesota Timberwolves (F73)
“Slo-Mo” is another slight wild card scoring the basketball, making him more valuable in category leagues. Though he showed he was still a capable rebounder (10.5 REB%), playmaker (22.6 AST%) and defender with Anthony Edwards and Rudy Gobert in his first season in Minnesota. Plus, Anderson upped his true-shooting percentage by nearly eight percentage points and effective field goal percentage by nearly seven percentage points from his down 2021-22 season. It’s a wait-and-see what his production looks like next to Edwards, Gobert and Anthony-Towns, but he should still have a reasonable floor.
De’Andre Hunter, Atlanta Hawks (F95)
Hunter has yet to really break out and can be an inconsistent producer, but he still averaged 15.4 points and 4.2 rebounds on 46.1/35.0/82.6 shooting splits. I’m expecting Quin Snyder to put Hunter in a better position to succeed this season without John Collins. Health has been an occasional issue with Hunter, but F95 is too low for a player with his potential paired with an offensive-minded head coach.
Jonathan Isaac, Magic (F142)
Isaac, who played 11 games last year after missing the previous two seasons with a torn ACL, is another dart you’re throwing at the board if you think he’ll stay healthy. He’s entering the season fully healthy (fingers crossed) for the first time in nearly a half-decade and is an elite defender, a good rebounder and a solid shot-maker when he’s on the floor. That alone offers a high floor … if he can stay healthy.
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