The NBA Draft seemed to be missing something this year. It didn’t help that there was really only a couple elite prospects, and outside of John Wall, most will tell you there wasn’t a franchise player in the bunch. But was really cast a shadow on the June 24th draft was the intrigue of July 1st, when guys like LeBron James officially were on the market.
Much like an appetizer, the draft gave NBA fans just a taste of what was to come. Some teams, the Bucks included, were more than happy to enjoy their garlic bread and shrimp cocktail, knowing they weren’t likely to get steak for dinner.
Still, the fantasy landscape has changed following LeBron, Dwyane Wade and Chris Bosh’s decision to ink with the Heat. Lucky for you, I don’t need an hour-long ESPN special to tell you how their decision, along with some other key free agents, will change your fantasy draft next season.
This is giving me a Heat rash….
On paper, Miami is looking pretty good. I mean, you’ve got three proven winners who are all in the prime of the career, and they all seem excited to be playing together. Las Vegas odds makers have the Heat as 8-5 favorites to win the 2011 NBA title. I wonder what the over/under is on the first time one of them gripes about getting enough touches? In all reality, joining the ‘super-team’ hurts all three guys’ fantasy numbers. It’s really just simple math: three players who score 20+ a game + one basketball = less points for everyone.
It remains to be seen how exactly this team will work. It would make sense that LeBron plays some sort of point-forward hybrid and let D-Wade play off the ball. Wade will more than likely get his points. LeBron will get his assists. It seems Bosh might take the biggest hit, although the moves more than likely mean LeBron is no longer the number one choice in fantasy basketball.
At least we got someone….
With the top three free agents signing with the same team, 29 fan bases might be feeling a little disappointed. Chicago, New York, New Jersey and Cleveland were all expecting to get (or in Cleveland’s case, keep) a superstar. It’s not always easy to sell a plan B to your fan base, but luckily, that’s not my job.
New York State of Mind…
The Knicks got the dominoes started with their signing of former Phoenix Sun dunker Amare Stoudemire. Amare by himself is certainly not enough to satisfy the biggest media market in the country, let alone the most vocal fan base. But while everyone was watching the LeBron’s ‘I never got to pick a college on national television’ one-hour special (I think that’s what it was called), Donnie Walsh was working on a deal with Golden State. In exchange for the defensively inept David Lee, the Knicks got three solid players and cap space in 2011. They also made a nice move in getting point guard Raymond Felton. Stoudemire’s numbers will more than likely stay about the same. He’s played in Mike D’Antoni’s up-tempo system, and will likely be the top scoring option. Felton should excel in a system that allows some freedom. It also won’t hurt that he doesn’t have to worry about a young guy fighting him for time. Another guy to watch will be Kelenna Azubuike who was acquired in the Lee trade. He is a perfect fit for NY’s up-tempo play, and should get some quality minutes.
Feeling Bullish….
Chicago entered the offseason just a piece or two away from contending in the Eastern Conference. Is Carlos Boozer that piece? Talk to me after he’s had a healthy season. What Boozer does provide is a scoring threat on the blocks that Chicago has not had since shipping off Elton Brand for Tyson Chandler. Boozer will fit nicely next to Joakim Noah, and should be a nice pick-and-roll partner for Derrick Rose. I think his fantasy numbers will be about the same, although Noah will likely cut into his rebounding numbers.
The King has left the building…
No one’s hurting more following free agency than the Cleveland Cavaliers. The team was built around LeBron. It might take awhile for the ashes to settle, but when they do, they’ll find a lot of questions remain. Looking at the roster, expect Antawn Jamison and Mo Williams to try to pick up the scoring load. Jamison has historically put up good fantasy numbers and he should be the focal point of the offense. But if the front office doesn’t love those options (there hasn’t been a lot to love this month), a move could be made. Recent rumors have the Cavs sending Mo Williams and another player for the Hawk’s Marvin Williams and another piece.
Cal-Lee-fornia…
David Lee’s fate was sealed before the offseason began. Still, he lands in a good spot for his style of play, joining the league’s second highest scoring team. Stephen Curry must be salivating at the thought of running the pick-and-roll with Lee, who’s among the best in the league at diving to the basket. More the likely, it will make up 25-percent of their offensive sets. Expect the numbers for Curry and Lee to go up, but the trade will likely decrease the value of guys like Monta Ellis and Andris Biedrins.
Bucking the trend….
There were no high-profile free agents added to the Bucks roster (unless you count Drew Gooden), but while other teams chartered private planes to Ohio to talk to LeBron, Milwaukee just quietly worked on improving their roster. It started with the trade for scoring threats like Corey Maggette and Chris Douglas-Roberts. The resigning of John Salmons was unheralded by most national media outlets, but those in Wisconsin know what a boost he gave to the team during the playoff push. There might not be a name that jumps off the page at you, but this team is solid top-to-bottom. Salmons’ scoring numbers will likely take a hit with the additions of Maggette and CDR. Expect Brandon Jennings and Andrew Bogut to continue to improve as they work more together. Douglas-Roberts could be a sleeper as a scoring threat in a deep league.
Sports Geek Rankings: Top 50 Fantasy Players, Summer Edition
1. Kevin Durant, SG/SF, OKC
2. Chris Paul, PG, NO
3. Dwight Howard, C, ORL
4. Danny Granger, SF, IND
5. LeBron James, SF, MIA
6 Dirk Nowitzki, PF, DAL
7. Kobe Bryant, SG, LAL
8. Deron Williams, PG, UTA
9. Pau Gasol, PF/C, LAL
10. Carmelo Anthony, SF, DEN
11. Steve Nash, PG, PHO
12. Dwyane Wade, SG, MIA
13. Stephen Curry, PG/SG, GS
14. Josh Smith, PF/SF, ATL
15. Tyreke Evans, PG/SG, SAC
16. Jason Kidd, PG, DAL
17. Brook Lopez, C, NJ
18. Rajon Rondo, PG, BOS
19. Gerald Wallace, SF/PF, CHA
20. Brandon Roy, SG/SF, POR
21. Amare Stoudemire, C/PF, NY
22. David Lee, C/PF, GS
23. Chris Bosh, PF/C, MIA
24. Russell Westbrook, PG, OKC
25. Joe Johnson, SG/SF, ATL
26. Andre Iguodala, SG/SF, PHI
27. Andrew Bogut, C, MIL
28. Monta Ellis, PG/SG, GS
29. Chauncey Billups, PG, DEN
30. Stephen Jackson, SG/SF, CHA
31. Tim Duncan, C/PF, SA
32. Carlos Boozer, PF, CHI
33. Antawn Jamison, PF, CLE
34. Al Horford, C/PF, ATL
35. Paul Pierce, SF/SG, BOS
36. Rudy Gay, SF, MEM
37. Al Jefferson, C, MIN
38. Zach Randolph, PF, MEM
39. Marc Gasol, C, MEM
40. Derrick Rose, PG, CHI
41. Jason Richardson, SG, PHO
42. Joakim Noah, C/PF, CHI
43. Paul Millsap, PF, UTA
44. Troy Murphy, PF/C, IND
45. Baron Davis, PG, LAC
46. Aaron Brooks, PG, HOU
47. Devin Harris, PG, NJ
48. John Wall, PG, WAS
49. Luol Deng, SF, CHI
50. Mo Williams, PG, CLE
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This post was written by Stephen on July 11, 2010
