Rookies are valuable gems in fantasy basketball keeper leagues and with the top rookies (Wall, Turner, Cousins) already likely employed, these other young guys can also contribute given the opportunity Wes Johnson (SF) MIN – Johnson was taken 4th overall, and could have easily thrived in New Jersey, Golden State, or Sacramento had he gone there. However, if the T-Wolves can “figure it out” (Hint: start Ridnour, Johnson at the 2-guard, Beasley, Love and Millicic) Johnson will develop his full potential. Although he's a rookie, at age 23 he'll be looked upon as a leader on a very young Wolves team. Derrick Favors (PF) NJN – Favors, the youngest player in the NBA had a sub-par preseason, has been “dissed” by fellow rookie big DeMarcus Cousins, and now has a potential bust label to shake. He must prove he's worthy of the number 3 overall pick in the draft. However, if you've had the privilege of watching this guy in his debut you saw his potential while he grabbed 10 boards to go with 8 points in just 20 minutes. As he adjusts to the system and NBA pace, he can become one of the top power forwards in the Eastern Conference.â€â€ Paul George (G/F) IND – Previously mentioned as a sleeper by Fantasy Couch, George is already seeing the minutes to be able and contribute in the box score. Once he fits into the flow of the NBA game, he will be sure to provide a nice boost in steals, 3's and FT% with respectable points, rebounds and assists. With leading scorer Danny Granger almost certain to go down for an extended amount of time, look for George to take center stage during that period (similar to how fellow teammate Darren Collison did when CP3 went down). Greg Monroe (PF/C) DET – The Pistons signed veteran Ben Wallace to one more extension in order to play a large roll in mentoring Monroe. He has the basketball IQ and skills to be a top center in the league. His passing skills for a big man rival those of Chris Webber an Vlade Divac, and his offense is better now than fellow Georgetown alumni Roy Hibbert's was when he was a rookie. If he can pull things together, he can be a triple-double threat and will be a staple in the Pistons' rebuilding process. Landry Fields (SG/SF) NYK – Fields may be the surprise of the draft if he can hold onto his starting spot in the Knicks' high-octane system. Drafted in the 2nd round, Fields beat out Toney Douglas and Wilson Chandler to start alongside the new Knickerbockers' captain and point guard Raymond Felton. Largely an unknown, he may be in line for a favorable stat line thanks to Mike D'Antoni's desire to have a strong 2nd unit with Douglas, Chandler and Anthony Randolph. The only question with Fields is if he can produce enough to keep his roll once Azubuike returns. Gordon Haywood (SG/SF) UTA – The Jazz lost 60% of their starting rotation last year, and are trying to find a new identity. But there's hope…head coach Jerry Sloan is the longest tenured NBA coach with one team in league history (20 years) and has a 16 consecutive winning season streak under his belt. This team knows how to win and realize potential with their players. He compliments the Jazz core of Deron Williams and Al Jefferson with solid shooting range, good ball handling skills, and a great basketball IQ. Haywood will eventually assume the starting SF role once the Jazz figure out what to do with Andrei Kirilenko.
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