Fantasy Basketball Rankings 2022: Best Breakouts, Sleepers, Busts from Proven NBA Computer Model

Bulls small forward DeMar DeRozan turned back the clock and proved he can still add value to fantasy basketball owners with a remarkable 2021-22 season. In fact, DeRozan averaged 27.9 points per game last season, ranking seventh in the NBA. He also averaged 36.1 minutes on the court in his first season in Chicago, the most since joining the Toronto Raptors in 2013.

Will DeRozan be able to repeat that success and be among the top players in the 2022 fantasy basketball rankings? Or should your fantasy basketball strategy blueprint for 2022 involve designing another SF like Anthony Edwards, Jimmy Butler, or Brandon Ingram? If you’re looking for 2022 fantasy basketball tips to help you win a championship, be sure to check out the 2022 fantasy basketball rankings and proven computer model cheat sheets at SportsLine.

SportsLine’s proven model simulates 10,000 times each season. This model is backed by the same people who powered the projections for all three major fantasy sites. And the same group is sharing their 2022 fantasy basketball cheat sheets.

Available for leagues on many major websites, these cheat sheets and rankings are updated several times a day. Every time an injury occurs or the roster changes, the SportsLine team updates their cheat sheets.

Last year, the model was extremely high at DeMar DeRozan, despite being drafted in the fifth round on average, and predicted he would outperform small forwards like Khris Middleton and Brandon Ingram, who were drafted before him. The Result: DeRozan had a resurgent year, finishing fifth in the NBA (27.9 ppg) and becoming a top 10 player overall in fantasy basketball.

The model also called previous fantasy basketball sleepers like Lauri Markkanen and Aaron Gordon in 2018-19 and warned that Zach Randolph was a bust that same year. Anyone who followed the model’s fantasy basketball advice was well on their way to a deep postseason run.

Now, SportsLine has simulated the entire NBA season 10,000 times and released its latest 2022 fantasy basketball rankings, along with plenty of sleepers, outbursts and busts. Go to SportsLine now to see them.

Top 2022 Fantasy Basketball Sleepers

One of the 2022 fantasy basketball top sleepers predicted by the model: Jazz SG Collin Sexton. Sexton was sold to the Jazz in a sign-and-trade that offseason, which sent Donovan Mitchell to the Cavaliers. Sexton only played 11 games for the Cavs last season due to a torn meniscus, but he is expected to be fully healthy by the start of the 2022 NBA season.

In 2020-21, Sexton enjoyed a career year, recording 24.3 points, 4.4 assists, 3.1 rebounds, 1.0 steals and 1.6 3-pointers per game while shooting 47.5% from the field . And with Mitchell and Rudy Gobert now playing on different teams, Sexton has an opportunity to become Utah’s No. 1 leading scorer this season. That’s a big reason the model ranks Sexton (10th round ADP) ahead of other shooting guards like Klay Thompson (8th round ADP), Tyler Herro (8th) and Josh Giddey (8th).

Top 2022 Fantasy Basketball Breakouts

One of the fantasy basketball breakouts of 2022 identified by the model: Rocket’s power forward Jabari Smith. The Auburn product was the No. 3 overall pick in the 2022 NBA draft after 16.9 points, 7.4 rebounds, 2.0 assists, 1.1 steals and 1.0 blocks per game during his only season with the Tigers. And while he shot just 42.9% overall from the floor, he shot an impressive 42.0% from the 3-point line.

The Rockets are certainly excited about Smith’s potential to stretch the ground at 6-foot-10 with a 7-foot-1 wingspan and high clearance that allows him to get his shot off oncoming defenders. In Smith, Jalen Green and Kevin Porter Jr., the Rockets have a trio of extremely young but extremely talented players, and the model likes Smith as a top 15 option at the power forward in his rookie season.

Top 2022 Fantasy Basketball Busts

What players should avoid, the model lists Celtics center Robert Williams III as one of its best 2022 fantasy basketball busts. Williams has struggled with injuries throughout his career, which has limited his fantasy potential. He played in 61 games last season, averaging 10 points, 9.8 rebounds and 2.2 blocks per game.

Now we know he will miss at least the first few months of the 2022-23 season after undergoing another knee procedure. And while Boston hopes he’s sane somewhere over the holidays, that lost time will be costly for fantasy gamers, and there’s certainly no guarantee he’ll bounce back once he’s back. The SportsLine model doesn’t trust Williams on his current ADP, listing him as one of 2022’s fantasy basketball busts.

How to Find Best Fantasy Basketball Rankings for 2022

SportsLine also has very high belief that a forward will make a big leap and advises you to target him in the 2022 Fantasy Basketball Drafts. This youngster is listed as a shocking top five option ahead of superstars like Anthony Davis and Kevin Durant. You can only see who it is at SportsLine and fantasy basketball rankings 2022 for each player.

So which 2022 fantasy basketball sleepers, breakouts and busts should you aim for and fade away to? And which forward is shocking the NBA with a top-five performance at this position? Visit SportsLine now for 2022 fantasy basketball cheat sheets for every single position, all from the model who nailed his fantasy basketball picks, and find out.