Draft Analysis: Sleeper Small Forwards

In continuing with my sleepers theme, I'm going to give you the lowdown on five small forwards whose value exceeds their average draft position (ADP). The position itself houses three of the top five players in fantasy hoops -- LeBron James, Kevin Durant and Danny Granger. As you'd imagine it's a little top-heavy. That's not to say, however, there's no value to be had.

Many of these swingmen have dual eligibility at either shooting guard or power forward. For this exercise I am going to use the player's "true" position, which in this case is small forward. As a reference I used the ADP's from Mock Draft Central (MDC) and Yahoo! Sports (Y!).

5. Jason Kapono (MDC: N/A, Y!: 131.9) -- The value in Kapono's game is in his three-point shooting. Now in Philadelphia, Kapono joins new head coach Eddie Jordan and his Princeton-style offense. The key to running a successful Princeton offense is by drawing the defense away from the basket. When looking at the 76ers' current personnel it seems to me like Kapono is the best option they have from beyond the arc. He's a career 45.4 percent three-point shooter who can play the role of spotting up and drawing out the defense. That could lead to Kapono being a valuable add for those looking to fill out their three-point category. Just don't expect much help elsewhere.

4. Michael Beasley (MDC: 81.45, Y!: 107.2) -- There seems to be a difference of opinion over Michael Beasley between our two ADP reports. If you get a chance to select Beasley in the 10th round then you've got yourself a steal. The Heat did absolutely nothing to improve their roster this summer. Michael Beasley is their second best offensive option, off-court issues and all. I'm less concerned about how his offseason started and more excited about the way he closed out the '08-09 season -- eight games, 20.6 points, 8.6 rebounds, 1.0 three-pointers, 1.0 steals, 0.6 blocks, and a 55.3 field-goal percentage. Beasley has the tools to be a stud fantasy option and this might be the season he starts heading in that direction.

3. Luol Deng (MDC: 98.61, Y!: 103.8) -- I must seem desperate since I put the entire Bulls starting frontcourt in my list of sleepers. Their individual skill set plus the lack of frontcourt depth in Chicago intrigues me. Deng has had his problems staying healthy in the past, but with his current 10th-round price tag you're getting a bargain if he can pull through and stay on the court. He's looked great this preseason even though he's yet to suit up with Derrick Rose running the point. He's still just 24 years old and more than capable of trending back to being the leading scorer on his team, especially now that Ben Gordon is in Detroit. Deng rebounds well, picks up steals, and with his free-throw stroke looking pretty good this offseason he might add another plus-category to his game.

2. Ryan Gomes (MDC: 196.26, Y!: N/A) -- Gomes is one of those guys who does a little bit of everything. He can score the basket inside and out, rebound, shoot efficient percentages, pick up steals, and limit his turnovers. He also hasn't missed a game since the 2006-07 season. Starting at the small forward position, Gomes will continue to get 32-34 minutes per game in Minnesota. Again, he doesn't excel at any one category, but in the final rounds of the draft you're not going to find many guys who add a three, a steal, 80-percent shooting from the free-throw line, five rebounds and 14 points.

1. Danilo Gallinari (MDC: 186.23, Y!: N/A) -- There's a lot of pressure on both Gallinari and Mike D'Antoni this season. Whether they like it or not, they are the ones responsible for delivering LeBron James next summer. If Gallinari can live up to his expectations, the Knicks might be able to convince LeBron that he'll have a formidable sidekick alongside him over the next six years. Gallinari has the tools to become an excellent fantasy contributor. He has the length and size to become a solid rebounder and to contribute as a shot blocker. The best part of his game, though, is in his shooting efficiency. I wouldn't be surprised to see him drain two threes per game while shooting over 90 percent from the free-throw line. I've got high expectations for Gallinari. Each year there's one "sleeper" who I select in each one of my drafts. This year it's The Rooster. He still has plenty of room to grow his game, but he's well worth a 14th-round selection because his upside is tremendous and his potential can be realized sooner than most people expect -- especially in coach D'Antoni's system.