Fantasy Basketball Roundtable

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We are two days away from the start of the 2016-2017 NBA regular season. If you haven’t already drafted your fantasy basketball team, time is running out. Below we highlight who to take early, late, and avoid in the draft. 

Participants:

BJ Boyer (@wcboyer24)

DJ Allen (@DJAllen23)

Alec Walt (@AlecWalt)

Alfonso De Falco (@FonzyDeFalco)

Who would you draft first overall?
Boyer
Russell Westbrook. Everyone is eager to see Westbrook unleashed this season, and his rage will result in meaty metrics for fantasy owners, which can tilt any matchup in their favor. He’s this years fantasy darling and should go No. 1 in every league. 
Allen
My number one pick would be James Harden. I mean you can’t go wrong with either James Harden or Russell Westbrook but I see a more efficient season coming from Harden. Westbrook is going to be a walking triple double but the thing that attracts me with Harden is this new system under D’Antoni that he’s been thriving in early this preseason. He will average a bunch of assists and bomb away from the behind the 3-pt line. League MVP, scoring champ, and will lead the league in assists. 
Walt
James Harden. The reason I’m taking Harden over Russell Westbrook is the depth at point guard compared to shooting guard. Elite point guards like Kyrie Irving, Kyle Lowry and Isaiah Thomas will be available near the end of the second round. The elite shooting guards stop after the top three: Harden, Jimmy Butler and DeMar DeRozan. Klay Thompson will lose touches with the addition of Kevin Durant. Snag a top-3 shooting guard when you can. There are plenty of point guards you can take later in the draft. 
De Falco
If I had the first overall pick I would take LeBron James no questions. LeBron is still the best player in the league and is motivated now more than ever since he won a championship for Cleveland.
Who should you avoid drafting early?
Boyer
Bradley Beal. Beal seemed poised to have the breakout season we’ve all been yearning for since he and backcourt mate John Wall surprised the world with their performances in the 2014 Playoffs with his play at the beginning of last season, but as has always been the story with him, things were curtailed by injury. Beal wields a pretty-penny in his pocket and the pressure to perform is mounting, and while I believe he can beckon to the call, his injury history and relationship with Wall scare me. I wouldn’t be looking to select Beal early if I were you. There are other solid scoring options that can shoot just as well or not too far off that can give you value in other areas as well.
May 13, 2015; Oakland, CA, USA; Golden State Warriors guard Klay Thompson (11, left) is congratulated by forward Draymond Green (23, right) after making a three-point basket while being fouled during the fourth quarter in game five of the second round of the NBA Playoffs against the Memphis Grizzlies at Oracle Arena. The Warriors defeated the Grizzlies 98-78. Mandatory Credit: Kyle Terada-USA TODAY Sports
Kyle Terada-USA TODAY Sports
Allen
Draymond Green is a guy that I would not draft early. Is value will drop this season. His rebounds and assists may increase but terms of points, he necessity to score will decrease. He’s a guy that may have gone in the 2nd round who can now drop to maybe late third. 
 
Walt
Don’t take Klay Thompson early. Thompson is one of the best shooting guards in basketball, but he’s playing next to Stephen Curry and Kevin Durant next season. With Curry and Durant, Thompson’s touches will be down. Thompson holds great defensive and shooting percentage value, but the changes of him averaging 22.1 points per game again is slim. He’s a great player, but there’s better value in the third round. 
De Falco
I would avoid Marc Gasol early. He has been an injury concern the past couple of seasons. When healthy there is no question that he can produce, key words when healthy.
Who will you snag late in the draft?
011915-embiid-joel-600
Bill Streicher/USA Today Sports
Boyer
If Joel Embiid is on the board late, I’m grabbing him. Philadelphia is going to usher him into things slowly, but with Ben Simmons shelved indefinitely and the Rookie of the Year Race up in the air, Embiid could emerge as a favorite for the award once the minutes restriction that is currently imposed is lessened and or lifted. We’ve seen the talent with Embiid is there. The question now is the health. It’s worth a late-round try, and if it doesn’t pan out back to the waiver wire to sift through for better options.
 
Allen
Myles Turner is a guy who I’ve been big on that I think is someone who will be worth snagging late in the draft. He ended the season strong last season and I envision him taking off early this season. He’s a solid rim protector and someone who can score with his back to the basket and hit a face up jumper. Keep an eye out for this guy. 
 
Walt
I’m snagging Kris Dunn. Dunn is the clear-cut point guard of the future and the Minnesota Timberwolves are trying to trade Ricky Rubio to give him the starting role. With the depth at point guard, by the time you get to Dunn, you’ll already have two or more quality point guards on your roster. He brings that potential to put up numbers late in the season, like Emmanuel Mudiay last season, and holds great keeper value. Dunn holds great value near the end of the draft. 
De Falco
I am liking Dennis Schroder as a last draft sleeper. Now being the full time starter in Atlanta, he will produce some fantastic numbers. We saw some glimpses of that when he took over for Jeff Teague last season.
Who are you reaching for in the draft?
Boyer
D’Angelo Russell. I believe Russell is going to have a stellar season, and fill the stat-sheet to a respectable level. 17 points, 6 assists, 4-5 rebounds for Russell isn’t unfathomable, and if he shoots the three-ball at a higher percentage than he did last year, he could possibly eclipse 20 PPG. There will be plenty of opportunities for the second-year point guard, and whether he flourishes or falters I want it to be on my fantasy team.
 
Allen
I’m not sure how much of a reach this is but I’m going with Giannis Antetokounmpo. On ESPN’s Top 200 FBA rankings, Giannis is ranked as number 10. However, I would possibly take him over LeBron, CP3, and Cousins. He’s a guy that fills up the stat sheet. A long point forward who’s impossible to stop in transition, I believe he’s going to have an even better season this year. I don’t think its a bad pick, taking him at 6 or 7. 
 
Walt
Oct 23, 2015; Minneapolis, MN, USA; Minnesota Timberwolves center Karl-Anthony Towns (32) dunks in the third quarter against the Milwaukee Bucks at Target Center. The Minnesota Timberwolves beat the Milwaukee Bucks 112-108. Mandatory Credit: Brad Rempel-USA TODAY Sports
Brad Rempel-USA TODAY Sports
Reach for Karl-Anthony Towns. He will finish the 2016-2017 NBA season as the third best fantasy player behind James Harden and Russell Westbrook. Towns had 31 points and 9 rebounds in 24 minutes on Wednesday. At 20 years old, Towns is already one of the best players in the NBA. No one else in fantasy basketball produces the amount of points and rebounds Towns will produce. Don’t let Towns pass the third-overall pick. 
De Falco
I know he has not played in a few years but I am reaching for Joel Embiid. Seeing him play in the preseason made me think that he will have an immediate impact with the 76ers, especially since Nerlens Noel will be out in the beginning of the season. 
Which sixth man has the greatest fantasy value?
Boyer
Andre Iguodala. Points, rebounds, assists, steals. Buckets won’t come in abundance, but Iguodala is an excellent utility to have. If you’re deprived of something in one area, Iguodala can furnish you with that on any given night. Jamal Crawford’s scoring is enticing and Will Barton’s bounce is inviting, but I just trust Iguodala to aid my team more than those two. Lou Williams is also a solid option if he’s indeed relegated to the Sixth Man role once again this season. 
 
Allen
Enes Kanter is my pick for the sixth man with great fantasy value. He proved his value last season when he touched the court. Kanter is an immediate impact in the paint and on the boards. With Kevin Durant absent, it will take an increase in production from everybody for them to be successful including Enes Kanter. 
 
Walt
Jamal Crawford. Crawford is Mr. Consistency off the bench. He’s averaged between 14 to 20 points per game the last 14 NBA seasons. His production will be inconsistent, but Crawford boosts all offensive statistics. Crawford brings starting caliber fantasy value off the bench. He’s a steal late in the draft if you are weak at shooting guard. 
De Falco
I’m going with Brandon Knight of the Phoenix Suns. He can score on any given night and will get chances in Earl Watson’s offense. 

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