8 Fantasy Hoops Players Expecting Bigger Roles as Starters

Nik Stauskas, SG, Philadelphia 76ers

Starts Last Season: 1
Minutes Per Game: 15.4
Projected Minutes Per Game: 26.0

The Philadelphia 76ers made headlines at the draft by selecting Jahlil Okafor, but they also acquired a lottery pick from last year in Nik Stauskas. Having had an underwhelming rookie campaign in Sacramento, Stauskas finds himself in a fruitful situation hungry to showcase his skills.

Stauskas' career numbers are quite paltry -- averages of 4.4 points and 1.2 rebounds a game with a grand total of 48 three pointers made. Nevertheless, there are signs around him which point towards a promising new season. Last year the Sixers ranked sixth in 3-point field goal attempts per game with 26.3 but only converted 32%, which ranked 29th in the league. The team will look to Stauskas in hopes that he can rediscover the shooting groove he had in college where he finished as a career 44% shooter from long range.

The Sixers offense will get a boost when Tony Wroten returns from injury. Before getting hurt last year, Wroten ranked first in points per game on drives, which means defenses could be prone to leaving Stauskas wide open because of Wroten’s effective driving ability. Inside the paint, Okafor has major upside on offense being last year’s ACC leader in points, field goal percentage, and PER. If Okafor can be a strong presence around the rim, the biggest beneficiaries will be stealthy outside shooters, such as Stauskas, who will be awaiting kick-out passes from beneath the hoop.

Playing on a new team with more stability will benefit the man they call Sauce Castillo. Don't be surprised if you see a respectable jump in Stauskas' production across the board.