This 2013 NBA Draft will have a strong impact on fantasy basketball even thought it may have been on of the craziest drafts we’ve seen in a while. And I know we say that every year, but coming in with no (reputable) mock draft predicting the number one overall pick, shows just how crazy it was in David Stern’s last go ‘round.
There’s still a lot that can go on between now and the start of the regular season when fantasy really matters. But from what we’ve seen so far with the draft and subsequent trades, here’s some notable situations and players I’m watching heading into the 2013-2014 NBA fantasy basketball season.
New Orleans Pelicans
Anthony Davis was apparently upset about something draft night. Either by missing on young PG prospect Trey Burke or drafting then subsequently trading fellow Wildcat Nerlens Noel to the Sixers. Regardless, the net return of Jrue Holiday is a win for the Pelicans no matter how upset Davis was, assuming Davis’ previous statement was about the draft.
This team, if at full health, has the chance to make a playoff run or at least be very competitive and pesky. A roster of Holiday, Eric Gordon, Greivis Vasquez, Ryan Anderson, Robin Lopez and Anthony Davis is a nice solid group along with sophomore Austin Rivers. Maybe with all the new talent surrounding Rivers, he may be able to settle into a solid 6th man role with the team. The Pelicans have cap space, and word on the street is they’re trying to pluck Western Conference rival Denver Nugget’s small forward Andre Iguodala. Iggy would mesh perfectly and provide the veteran leadership (Olympic Gold Medalist) this young team needs.
Utah Jazz
What a huge move for the Utah Jazz and great use of their two first round draft picks, pretty darn even trade for both Utah and Minnesota with the Jazz landing National Player of the Year, Trey Burke, and the Timberwolves acquiring Shabazz Muhammad and Gordon Dieng. Quietly the Jazz have put themselves in position to be serious contenders in the Western Conference for years to come. The Jazz have the luxury of four elite big men currently on their roster (veterans Millsap and Jefferson along with highly anticipated youngsters Derrick Favors and Enes Kanter) and how things all shakes out by training camp will determine just how dangerous this team turns out to be.
Coincidentally, Jerry Sloan is back in the fold with the Utah franchise as a senior adviser. I would bet the farm that Sloan orchestrated or heavily vouched for the move to trade for rookie Trey Burke. I’m sure Burke will look back and laugh later in his career at the situation on what went down on draft night, but he’s not shy to let his feelings be known when he was initially drafted to the Minnesota Timberwolves.
I, myself, sitting and watching with some of the guys on The Couch, was getting upset and feeling my blood pressure rise as we witnessed the Wolves appear to damage Burke’s career before it even started. But then, the trade with the Jazz came and everything was all right. I’m sure Trey himself sweated about “Trey” too many bullets when it was all said in done. But now safe as the assumed starting PG of a franchise, I think Burke has an outstanding chance at the ROY award. It’s certainly there for the taking.
Sacramento Kings
Having passed on Trey Burke, the Kings are showing faith in “Mr. Irrelevant” Isaiah Thomas. Pairing with an assumed wing duo of a highly touted first round pick Ben McLemore and former Rookie of the Year Tyreke Evans, the Kings appear to have a promising young mix of talent. Evans is a nice compliment to Thomas, who can play on the ball and use his drive to create like he did so successfully in his rookie campaign. Having both Thomas and sharp shooting McLemore will spread the court for ‘Reke and current starting center DeMarcus Cousins to maneuver in a comfortable fashion. That is a way to maximize the talent as the team is currently constructed. But who knows what the new ownership is thinking of doing. I feel this summer will have a big impact on the Kings franchise; it already has with the a top two prospect and with what many consider the highest ceiling falling into Sacramento’s lap at the 7th pick in McLemore.
I’m just anxious to see what unfolds. At best, McLemore can have a Bradley Beal/Stephen Curry (as a rookie) type of impact on the franchise and be an immediate contributor in route to a serious bid for the ROY award.
Philadelphia 76ers
I do not know what direction the 76ers are going at this point. When I saw the draft day trade with Holiday going to the Pelicans, I thought surely Philly would love to grab Trey Burke or a veteran point guard somewhere else. Obviously that didn’t happen, with Minnesota ultimately nabbing Burke at the 9th spot and swapping for the No. 14 and No. 21 picks. So Philadelphia is stuck with a non-scoring rookie Michael Carter-Williams, Evan Turner who hasn’t panned out the way Philly would have liked, Thaddeus Young (who will be the best fantasy asset on the team), and Spencer Hawes. I am going to say the 76ers are frontrunners for the No. 1 overall pick in the 2014-2015 draft.
Carter-Williams has a chance to put up solid assist and defensive stats, similar to what Holiday and Rondo put up their rookie years. Not saying by any means MCW is of their mold. But sort of, at least in his rookie year in terms of his lack of offensive skill while using length and good court vision as his main tools until his offense develops. I expect Turner to disappoint for those who draft him anywhere in the top fifty.
Charlotte Bobcats (or Hornets)
I am personally glad to see the ‘Cats pass on Alex Len. No offense, but I saw that as a very realistic and horrible situation for both. Even though Bennett would have been ideal here, and I think they should have grabbed McLemore with the 4th overall pick (the potential elite scorer alongside Walker they desperately need), the Bobcats made a solid pick with Cody Zeller. His DNA and IQ are top five pick worthy, and if Charlotte was scared off by McLemore’s demeanor, then good for them by taking Zeller. But if his “Airness” could pull off a trade surrounding Zeller for Sacramento King’s DeMarcus Cousins as the centerpieces, he would create a very solid core of Kemba Walker, Cousins and Michael Kidd-Gilchrist. They would make the Bobcats worthy of the potential name change to the Charlotte Hornets of old, and facing a similar situation where they are trying to vie for not only a playoff appearance, but also a franchise first playoff win.
All three of Jordan’s hypothetical core players would have the opportunity to be something special individually and fantasy owners would benefit for having Walker and Cousins in particular, with MKG benefiting from no longer being a focal point on offense and concentrating more of his energy on D and in transition. If the Zeller-Cousins trade happens, with Jordan’s presence, hopefully Cousins would be able to channel his energy on the court better. If Zeller stays put, I think he could be an immediate contributor, and have more of an impact in his rookie season than his older brother Tyler had last year in Cleveland. On the glass and around the rim, Cody should bring solid percentages with maybe an average of 10 points and 7 boards. I’d take that in a keeper league.
New York Knicks
Tim Hardaway Jr. has a chance to step in and contribute right away for a playoff team. He has the athleticism and pedigree to take over as the role of 6th man, assuming the Knicks don’t retain reigning 6th man of the year J.R. Smith, despite his public desire to stay with the team. But if New York feels Hardaway Jr. has what it takes to compete on the next level, they may be wise to let Smith walk and use the cap space towards another big man like Carl Landry to fill the interior or invest in a backup point guard. I think Tim Jr. has the chance to make an impact his first year if these things fall into place for him. Otherwise, he may be looking at a few years before being able to contribute fantasy-wise. The Knicks have some work to do this offseason no doubt, having the oldest roster in league history last year, getting a promising young athlete in Hardaway Jr. is a good step in the right direction.
Boston Celtics
Everyone is going to be talking about the Brooklyn Nets, and they deserve to be as they have tentatively shaped a mega team that could eclipse LeBron’s Miami Heat. But I chose to talk about the opposite end of the trade, the more unfavorable and harder to decipher situation… and… I can see it now: Rajon Rondo requests a trade. But until that happens, as it looks today, the Celtics will trot out an underrated roster of Rondo, Avery Bradley, Jeff Green, Jared Sullinger and new kid on the block Kelly Olynyk stepping in at the center position.
Fantasy implications for this roster will get complicated. They also will haul in Gerald Wallace, an ideal 6th man along with MarShon Brooks and Kris Humphries from the trade with the Nets. All of which will command some sort of playing time along with Courtney Lee. Not a terrible roster, but not great by any means. Boston is clearly rebuilding. But like in Orlando last year with Tobias Harris and Mo Harkless, fantasy gems are bound to pop up. There always will be, teams have to put up points and stats regardless of the win-loss column. The key is to identify those possible studs before your fellow fantasy owners do.
The C’s will probably roll with a frontcourt of Green, Sullinger and Humphries initially to start the season. But don’t sleep on Olynyk. They traded for him and he’s the exact prototypical blue-collar, nice mechanics, not flashy big man that Boston has long been known for. If Sullinger holds up and Olynyk develops into the player the Celtics envisioned him being, Boston may be a nag and “bracket buster” when it comes playoff time for other teams in the East. Plus once the trade with Brooklyn goes through July 10, Boston will acquire three additional first round draft picks to add to this young core.
Washington Wizards
I love the backcourt of John Wall and Bradley Beal. They both have All-Star potential and great upside, even though Wall will be entering his 4th season. The addition of Otto Porter will give Washington a third young solid stud to build on. And that is a very talented group of guys. Porter will contribute right away, and I see him as a more offensive Tayshaun Prince. He may never get the All-Star recognition, but will be hailed by opposing scouts around the league as an important cog in the Wizard’s mechanics. Nene will also contribute from a fantasy perspective, and is a sleeper in terms of field goal value with a career 552% and solid defensive stats. Just don’t expect huge rebounding numbers from Nene.
I don’t know about anyone else, but I can’t wait for this upcoming fantasy basketball season. Get at us with any questions on Twitter @FantasyCouch or my personal Twitter @FantasyHoopsMat. And don’t forget to use the hashtag #INTHECOUCHWETRUST
