Fantasy Basketball Sleepers: 7 league-winning players hiding in plain sight

1. Fantasy Basketball Sleepers: People are afraid to draft Kawhi Leonard.

Slipping into the mid-to-late 20s in most drafts, LA Clippers superstar Kawhi Leonard is frightening people away with his injury history and rest schedule. Even with that being the case, Leonard has been one of the most productive players in the game when he’s on the court. Although he’s guaranteed to miss some back-to-backs, Leonard warrants more than the third selection on most teams, and if you’re wise enough to take him, you’ll be rewarded for it.

Players are at risk of getting injured at any draft spot, yet that’s not holding anyone back from picking Joel Embiid in the top five or Ja Morant near No. 7. Leonard is in a unique position in that he’s less likely to get injured because he’s missing games in the regular season, which bodes well for draftees hoping to make a splash in the postseason.

All the while, you can nab a late-round player like Norman Powell or Marcus Morris, whose usage will rise when Leonard sits. Plus, Leonard is able to influence the game in a variety of styles unlike some of his more one-dimensional counterparts. His assists have risen exponentially in recent years, he’s a volume scorer from three levels, and he’s a lock to contribute boards, steals and blocks. Don’t hesitate to take the Klaw in your draft this year, because he’s back with a vengeance.

Average draft position is 25.6 on Yahoo, 28.3 on ESPN.