Top 5 NBA Playoff Sleeper Picks

Image Credit: Itoro N. Umontuen

We are only 16 days into the 2019-2020 NBA season, but already we have seen teams expected to compete, such as the Warriors, fall to the bottom of the standings. We have also seen teams predicted to be bottom-feeders play top-tier basketball. It may be early, but teams show who they are and who they can be the second the season begins. Based on early signs, here are the top five sleeper teams that I believe can make the playoffs:

1. Phoenix Suns

The Suns are off to an extremely hot start and arguably the most surprising team thus far into the season. The Suns are currently third in the Western Conference with a record of 5-2 and have two big wins over the Los Angeles Clippers and Philadelphia 76ers. The additions of head coach Monty Williams and starting point guard Ricky Rubio are already paying their dividends. The Suns have improved all of their weak spots, which include backcourt depth, three-point shooting, and defense. The Suns are showing huge signs of improvement from last season and very well sneak into the postseason.

2. Minnesota Timberwolves

Minnesota looks like a completely different team this season. Their star player, Karl Anthony-Towns, has begun the 2019-2020 campaign looking a legitimate MVP candidate, putting up 33 points and 13 rebounds a night. Andrew Wiggins has also been surprisingly productive, averaging slightly over 20 points a night on efficient shooting by his standards. The Wolves are also a very good defensive team with their wide variety of versatile wing defenders, such as; Josh Okogie, Jarret Culver, and Robert Covington. The Timberwolves are suddenly one of the deeper teams in the Western Conference and a real threat to maybe steal the 8th seed.

3. Atlanta Hawks

Even after the 25-game suspension that was handed to Hawks star power forward, John Collins, Atlanta still has Trae Young playing at an elite level which should be enough to keep them afloat. The Hawks are currently 3-4 after Young missed 2 games with an injury. However, Ice Trae is still putting up 27 points along with 8 assists a night and In the absence of John Collins, Trae still has the help of players such as Jabari Parker, Deandre Hunter, and Kevin Huerter. This depth, along with Trae's second-year explosion, is why I have the Hawks possibly making the playoffs in the East.

4. New Orleans Pelicans

As of now, the Pelicans are tied for the worst record in the league along with the New York Knicks however, they have shown a lot of promise. Brandon Ingram has been performing at an all-star level this season, averaging slightly over 25 points a night on nearly 50 percent from beyond the arch. Josh Hart has been playing the best basketball of his young career, and Jaxson Hayes has shown he can play a crucial role on this team. Not to mention; generational talent, Zion Williamson has not even seen the floor yet. When the Pelicans get their groove back, and their future franchise player is back on the court, they could catch fire and roll right into the eighth seed.

5. Detroit Pistons

By no means are the Detroit Pistons the best sleeper pick out East, teams like the Orlando Magic, Chicago Bulls, and the aforementioned Atlanta Hawks are all more popular sleeper picks. That may be because Detroit is off to a poor start to the season, winning only four out of nine contests, however, Derrick Rose (when healthy) has looked the best he has post-Chicago, and Andre Drummond has been a top-three Center in the league thus far. Considering Blake Griffin has yet to see any game action, it is very plausible to believe Detroit's best basketball is ahead of them.

- Connor Phillipo