The regular season is over for fantasy owners, but there are still players hard at work increasing their stock for the 2011-2012 season. Here's a look at players who are making noise in the second season who should be drafted higher in next year's drafts.
Serge Ibaka, PF, Oklahoma City Thunder: He's only 21 years old (that's not a typo) and already plays like a season veteran on an up-and-coming Thunder team that could contend for championships for the next five seasons. Ibaka has been nothing short of spectacular in the first round against the Nuggets, averaging 11 rebounds and 3.3 blocks through three games. He can fall in love with his below-average jump shot at times (which the Nuggets are glad to give him) but his production has been stellar, nonetheless. He played 39 minutes in Game 3 and should be locked in to a starter's role next season, and his production should only increase alongside Kendrick Perkins.
Brandon Roy, SG, Portland Trailblazers: What a roller coaster of a year it has been for Roy, who was rumored to have been contemplating retirement earlier in the season with serious knee troubles. If the playoffs are any indication, Roy is much closer to returning to his third round status than he is retirement. He was non-existent in the first two games but has averaged 20 points in Games 3 and 4, giving him added confidence that he should carry into 2011-2012. The Portland backcourt is crowded but there's enough room for a healthy Brandon Roy on anyone's depth chart.
Mike Conley, PG, Memphis Grizzlies: With an unhealthy Manu Ginobili, if you had guessed that a point guard would have taken the over series you probably would have guessed Tony Parker. Instead, Conley has put together an amazing four-game stretch that has the Grizzlies on the verge of an upset. Conley has averaged 14.7 points and 7.3 assists and while those numbers aren't much beter than his regular season stats, Memphis could be on the verge of becoming a contender and Conley would reap the benefits. He had his ups and downs in the regular season, but a hot playoffs could propel him into top-10 discussion of point guards next year.
Thaddeus Young, SF, Philadelphia 76er's: He has put up stinkers in Game 3 (4 points, 3 rebounds) and Game 4 (2 points, 3 rebounds) but Young's potential can be seen after he averaged 19 points and 8.5 rebounds through the first two games. The Heat have adjusted to shutting down Young offensively, but he is still playing great defense in limited minutes. He's just 21 years old and while the Philadelphia frontcourt may be crowded, Young scored 20 or more five of his last nine games to finish the year. Don't be the one who sleeps on Young.
Carl Landry, PF, New Orleans Hornets: He isn't really a sleeper to fantasy gurus, but if this is what life post-David West (FA in 2011), sign me up all day for Landry. He has averaged 17 points and 6 rebounds through four games, going toe-to-toe with Pau Gasol inside and holding his own. He has averaged over 35 minutes per game and could be in for that same workload next year if (when) West bolts for a bigger contract. The power forward is 24-for-25 from the free throw line in the series and is shooting a respectable 46 percent from the field. Landry will be a highly-sought after player in next year's drafts, and for good reason.
Jamal Crawford, SG, Atlanta Hawks: He is cemented into the sixth man role in Atlanta and will not get to play the run n' gun Magic every round, but it's hard to deny Crawford's dominance in round one. He's averaging 24 points per game and has made 13 threes, making a blistering 47 percent of his field goals while also contributing four assists per game. You know what you're getting with Crawford, and while this playoff performance doesn't improve his draft stock all that much, it's worth noting that he's one of the best three point shooters in the game.
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