Roster shakeups, injuries and skill development can all contribute to a player’s overall level of production. It can also be as simple as a situational change. These factors should all be considered when you’re on the clock on draft night in your fantasy basketball leagues. I’m not talking about the LeBrons, Durants and CP3s, but the not-so-obvious picks that could end up being steals in later rounds. Let’s check out the players who should be ranked a notch or two higher in your draft rankings this year:
Jeff Green (F) - Boston Celtics
With the departure of Paul Pierce and Kevin Garnett, Green will likely take on more of the scoring load and play significantly more minutes. The starting backcourt of Rajon Rondo (assist machine) and Avery Bradley (defensive specialist) will only help Green’s stats, mostly because those guys are not great scorers. It is unclear how new coach Brad Stevens will utilize forwards Gerald Wallace and Kris Humphries, but looking at this roster, Green looks like the only player that can consistently create his own shot. I expect Green to become the Celtics’ “crunch time” player as well.
Al Jefferson (F,C) - Charlotte Bobcats
Big Al (can we find a better nickname for this guy) will have complete free reign on a team desperate to climb out of the NBA cellar. Jefferson has always put up numbers (17.8 pts and 9.2 reb last season), but with the dearth of scoring talent on the Bobcats, Jefferson could average close to 25 ppg this season. (Note: this post does not account for efficiency stats.)
Anthony Davis (F,C) - New Orleans Pelicans
Davis looked considerably more physically developed in the Team USA Blue-White scrimmage over the summer. In his rookie season, the lanky Unibrow clearly had difficulty holding up against the behemoths he was forced to guard, resulting in a string of nagging injuries and missed games. This should be less of a problem for him moving forward. The addition of electric point guard Jrue Holiday has the makings of a fabulous pick-and-roll tandem. There might be a little Lob City brewing in N’awlins.
Eric Bledsoe (G) - Phoenix Suns
After finally being released from the shackles of Chris (and Cliff) Paul’s shadow, Bledsoe has a fresh start on a Phoenix Suns team that is in a race with the Philadelphia 76ers for worst team in the league. The presence of Slovenian point guard Goran Dragic (guaranteed to take over a game once every 30 games) makes the fit slightly questionable, though I’d expect Mini-LeBron to still see significant minutes at both guard positions. Considering that Phoenix is in the process of a rebuild and Bledsoe looks to be their only legitimate piece moving forward that will contribute this season, I’d expect his development to be a top priority of the Suns’ brass.
Evan Turner (G,F) - Philadelphia 76ers
The Villain will likely assume backup point guard duties for Michael Carter-Williams in addition to starting at small forward. The departure of fan favorite Holiday has left a big gap at the helm of a nose-diving Philly squad. Turner should have more freedom than ever to do his slow man’s Iguodala impression. (This one also gets the efficiency tag. If you are in a league that records FG%, 3FG%, and FT%, think twice before buying.)
Jonas Valanciunus (C) - Toronto Raptors
The Lithuanian King of Summer League put up 18.8 points and 10.0 rebounds in Las Vegas. Valanciunus, like Anthony Davis, appears to be filling out his frame nicely. Part of his appeal as the fifth overall pick in the 2011 NBA Draft was his springiness, but that element of his game seems to be diminishing as he turns into more of a bruising, plodding big man. With new Raptors’ general manager Masai Ujiri focusing a keen eye on the future (Rudy Gay trade anyone?), look for Valanciunas to play heavy minutes this season.
Kawhi Leonard (F) - San Antonio Spurs
The 2013 NBA Finals appeared to be a symbolic changing of the guard in the Spurs’ organization. The holy triumvirate (Duncan, Parker, Ginobili) is fading, Gregg Popovich’s assistant coaches are being poached like lobster (Mike Budenholzer to the Hawks, Brett Brown to the Sixers), and Popovich’s own retirement is drawing closer. Popovich himself has stated that he believes Leonard is the future of the Spurs, and this was evident in his 19 point, 16 rebound performance in Game 7 of the Finals. Leonard should be seeing more of the ball in his goliath hands this season.
Derrick Favors (F,C)/Enes Kanter (C) - Utah Jazz
The perpetually benched pair of young Utah bigs finally has their chance to shine after the departures of Paul Millsap and the aforementioned Al Jefferson, who left the Jazz via free agency (yielding no return assets whatsoever, questionable decision-making here). Favors and Kanter should be cemented at the starting power forward and center spots. Bigger jump in stats from last year: Kanter (7.2 pts, 4.3 reb in 2012-2013). Bigger producer this year: Favors. He could be a top-5 shot blocker this year.
yeah ok
