Fantasy NBA: 5 Potential Draft Bargains

Early round picks have all the excitement, but nailing picks in the later rounds can be just as important to winning your fantasy league:

Dewayne Dedmon, C, Atlanta Hawks
Any one who has done a fantasy draft this year knows that rebounds and blocks are difficult to come by, and centers really dry up quickly. Enter Dewayne Dedmon, who has two things going for him: first, he is one of two true centers on the Atlanta Hawks roster and second, he isn't Miles Plumlee. Dedmon seems like a good candidate to soak up a lot of minutes, where the hope is he can give you rebounds and blocks. Dedmon's per 36 minute stats are excellent 10.5 points, 13.4 rebounds, 1.7 blocks, so the hope is that if he gets starters minutes in Atlanta, he will produce around that level. This is not a sexy pick, and Dedmon doesn't have much upside to speak of but he's a step above the rebound/block specialist that really just helps you in one area.

Skal Labissiere, PF/C Sacramento Kings
This one you might require some patience, or maybe if the league is shallow enough you just book mark him in your waiver-wire, but by seasons end there is a good chance that Skal Labissiere will be producing big time for your team. Skal is the most talented big man on the Kings roster, and though it might take some time, he should be playing starters minutes at one of the big man spots for the Kings. The reason he might not get the minutes load he should is that Kings head coach Dave Joerger has been reunited with Zach Randolph and, like any head coach, he wants to win games, which means he will likely lean on his vets more than a rebuilding team probably should (for the same reason, De'Aaron Fox isn't a higher pick) but once it is clear that the Kings are going to lose no matter how they play (and that Randolph should be a starter at this point) Skal will be the one to benefit. Look for him to produce points, rebounds, good percentages, and some blocks as well.

Jeremy Lin, PG/SG Brooklyn Nets
Lin always seems to be pushed out of real life basketball teams for one reason or another, which leads him to be undervalued in fantasy as well. The Nets acquired D'Angelo Russell in the offseason, intending to build around him, which immediately led to a perceived downgrade in Lin's value. Not so fast my friend! True, Lin as lead perimeter dog is a thing of the past, but the Nets play at an absurd pace, tops in the NBA last season, which means plenty of opportunities for both Lin and Russell, not to mention the fact that Brook Lopez and his 29.2% usage rate are now gone or the fact that those two are the only proven guards on the roster, or the fact that Russell is the better shooter, which means it will make more sense for Lin to have the ball more often. Per 36 last season, Lin averaged 21.3 points, 5.5 rebounds, 7.5 assists, and 1.7 steals. If Lin proves he is healthy and can handle a 30 minute load, you could get a starting point guard (minus threes, but seriously everyone shoots 3s now) for a backup price.

Eric Gordon, SG Houston Rockets
Gordon was a top 10 shooting guard option last year, finishing fourth in the NBA with 246 three pointers (the three players ahead of him are all first three round picks), and yet ESPN has him ranked as their 20th overall shooting guard, behind an injured Zach LaVine among others (this does include players that also play other positions, but still). Gordon's injury history certainly plays a part in that but now that he is away from the New Orleans Saints Pelicans questionable training staff, that isn't as big of a concern. It is also easy to see how Gordon could be better this year than last: it's his second year in the system, Lou Williams isn't around to steal second unit shots any more and, he'll pretty much always be sharing the floor with either James Harden or Chris Paul, two of the best passer in the league who will also draw a ton of attention. Gordon is the Rockets third best player and will be on the floor in crunch time as well. If you find yourself low on threes, don't be afraid to pull the trigger on this gunner.

 Kent Bazemore, SG/SF Atlanta Hawks
After receiving a big contract, Kent Bazemore Bazed-Less and was considered a disappointment, though it was really only his field goal percentage (.409%) that let fantasy teams down in the aggregate; anyone expecting super-star production was going to be let down no matte what Bazemore did. Just as the real life Bazemore is a glue guy, that is his role for your team, giving you a little bit of everything: least season he averaged 11 points, 1.3 threes, 3.2 rebounds, 2.4 assists 1.2 steals, 0.7 blocks. Nothing that stands out, but nothing that hurt you either while the 0.7 blocks is great from a shooting guard. Now take into account that Bazemore did that in just 26.9 minutes a game. That Hawks teams was a playoff team with multiple offensive weapons. Now, Bazemore might be the best player on the whole team! Expect his minutes to go up and his all around production to be close to his per 36 numbers. Tyler Johnson all falls into the catagory, a guard that provides you with rebounds and blocks at a higher number than you'd expect without killing you in other areas. Every little bit counts.

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Brooklyn Nets Draft Review

Current Roster
PG: D'Angelo Russell/Isaiah Whitehead/Spencer Dinwiddie/Archie Goodwin
SG: Jeremy Lin/Sean Kilpatrick/Joe Harris
SF: Caris LeVert/Rondae Hollis-Jefferson
PF: Trevor Booker/Quincy Acy/Andrew Nicholson
C: Timofey Mozgov/Jarrett Allen/Justin Hamilton

2017 Free Agents
Unrestricted
F KJ McDaniels
G Randy Foye

Restricted
None

Who They Drafted
1-22 Jarrett Allen, C Texas
2-57 Aleksandar Vezenkov, SF/PF Barcelona
The Nets, who had their pick swapped with the Celtics, lost out on the number one overall pick but did at least salvage their draft by acquiring D'Angelo Russell (who despite what anyone thinks, still has a chance to become a real star) and drafting a player with lottery talent outside the lottery in Texas big man Jarrett Allen. Allen has tremendous length (7-5+ wingspan) and a frame that is already 234 and should grow even more (which will be crucial), he is also a good athlete for his size and has made some particularly impressive athletic plays. On offense, Allen is a particularly effective lob threat and has nice footwork, hands, and touch in the post, though again he must get a stronger anchor in order to post up other big men. Using his athleticism and length, Allen is an excellent finisher at the rim (71%) and though he is raw away from the basket, he has shown some touch from out there. Defensively, Allen, again, needs to get stronger, but his ability to move laterally and length could make him a very good defensive player. Allen is a raw player at this point and landing in Brooklyn, with their excellent development staff and Timofey Mozgov to start ahead of him so he can come along slowly. In the future, the Nets will hope Allen can develop into a pick and roll partner of Russell and anchor for their defense. It may take a couple years, but Allen has immense upside.
Towards the end of the second round, the Nets drafted a popular sleeper who has tremendous European translations and playing for one of the best teams in Europe. Last season for Barcelona Vezenkov shot 41% on 183 three-point attempts, his best weapon as a 6-9 combo forward though he has shown a wide variety of other way around the floor. Vezenkov is not a great athlete, which will put a serious cap of on his defensive potential, which is poor to say the least, but his shooting and offensive acumen are more intruiging than you'd exepect from your average 57th pick, even if he never comes to the NBA.

What They Need Going Forward
The Nets have plenty of cap space and will likely be active in trying to find less expensive veterans that can help them win now and younger, restricted free agents that they can try to steal from other teams, as they did last year. Nikola Mirotic, Joe Ingles, Shabazz Muhammad, Andre Roberson, and Tony Snell are all restricted options they could look at. They can also become a dumping ground for bad contracts, with some nice assets attached of course. The most important thing for the Nets to do is make sure they don't go overboard with long term contracts.

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2016 NBA Draft: Brooklyn Nets Draft Review

Current 2016-17 Roster

PG: Isaiah Whitehead

SG: Bojan Bogdanovic/Caris LeVert/Sean Kilpatrick

SF: Rondae Hollis-Jefferson

PF: Chris McCullough

C: Brook Lopez

Free Agents

SG Sergey Karasev

PF Thomas Robinson

C Henry Sims

PG Donald Sloan

PG Shane Larkin (Player Option)

SG Wayne Ellington (Player Option)

PF Willie Reed (Restricted)

SG Markel Brown (Restricted) 

Who They Acquired

20. Caris LeVert, SG Michigan

The Nets traded Thad Young for this pick and took a serious risk in LeVert, who's leg and foot injury history is quite terrifying. When healthy, LeVert is a very talented wing that can really shoot and has played as some point guard in his career. Without injuries LeVert would be a likely lottery pick. However, even if you take away the injuries LeVert isn't a lock to be a hit, he is a bad defender, lacks toughness, and might be a product of Michigan's spread out system (ala Nik Stauskas and Trey Burke). The Nets are taking a huge risk with a rare resource (for them) at a point where they could have gotten a more bankable return. 

42. Isaiah Whitehead, G Seton Hall

The Nets took a solid gamble in the second round with Brooklyn native Whitehead, a talented combo guard that can really shoot with extended range. Despite strength and quickness, Whitehead is a poor inside the arc scorer, shooting 39% from two point range and a terrible 47% at the rim. The question is, can he be a point guard and more than just shooter off the bench that can make some flashy passes?

How They Fit

One of the most appealing aspects of LeVert's jack-of-all-trades skillset is that he easily fits into most every team as a role player because of his ability to shoot, handle the ball, and pass. You could use him as secondary ball-handler alongside a more ball-dominant point point guard or as a co-lead guard with more of a combo guard. Due his shooting ability, LeVert projects to be a dangerous pick-and-roll threat, especially from the wing spot, so playing him with a good screener/roll man would make for a dangerous second unit offense. LeVert's defense is questionable, so I like his pairing with Rondae Hollis-Jefferson on the wing, who is a strong defensive player but poor shooter. LeVert and Hollis-Jefferson compliment each other well. I would also want a good defensive point guard playing with LeVert as well, though it might not be a necessity. 

Whitehead is a shot-creating combo guard with deep shooting range, so in that respect he actually makes sense with LeVert. Getting penetration and using the threat of his jumper to beat his many has never been an issue for Whitehead, but converting inside the arc and specifically at the rim have been a real problem for him. Spacing on a basketball floor doesn't just help players get to the rim, it makes finishing easier, pulling defenders away from the paint so their challenges are fewer and not as tight. Kemba Walker's finishing improved once Charlotte started spreading the floor and Dirk Nowitzki has been making mediocre guards successful with the threat of his jumper in pick-and-pop for years. With that in mind, spreading the floor for Whitehead and giving him a screening partner that can shoot would help him maximize his efficiency, especially considering his shooting ability will not allow teams to go under on his screens.

What They Need Going Forward

Really everything, so in that respect they actually need assets to rebuild their team from the ground up. They have a promising building block in Hollis-Jefferson (who even still barely played last season) but beyond that there really isn't much. Chris McCullough, LeVert, and Whitehead have upside but also serious questions and are a long way to go to become anything. The next step is selling off Brook Lopez and Bojan Bogdanovic for whatever you can get, both are good players, especially Lopez, but they aren't necessarily part of the Nets rebuilding effort and the ultimate iteration of what Brooklyn is building. From that perspective, the Nets need to view any free agents and non-foundational young players as potential trade assets that can bring back draft picks or good, young, cost controlled players. For example, I could see Whitehead showing his flashy game for a year them being flipped in a package over the summer. Brooklyn might see it differently and look to rebuild quicker, but with how dire this team's situation is, a full tear down seems like it will be necessary for Brooklyn to contend.

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2015 Draft Review: Brooklyn Nets

2015-16 Depth Chart

PG: Deron Williams/Jarrett Jack/Steve Blake/Shane Larkin

SG: Joe Johnson/Markel Brown

SF: Rondae Hollis-Jefferson/Bojan Bogdanovic/Sergey Karasev/Earl Clark

PF: Thaddeus Young/Thomas Robinson/Chris McCullough

C: Brook Lopez/Cory Jefferson

2015 Free Agents

C Jerome Jordan (RFA)

PF Mirza Teletovic (RFA)

SG Alan Anderson (player option)

What They Did On Draft Night

Traded Mason Plumlee and the 41st pick to Portland for Steve Blake and Rondae Hollis-Jefferson
The Nets began their offseason by clearing up their awkward frontcourt, where Mason Plumlee was probably too good to be a backup but couldn't play alongside Brook Lopez. Not long ago, Plumlee was basically untouchable in Brooklyn's eyes, but his value fell both due to a dip in play and a lack longterm role on the team. Despite being a twenty-third pick, Rondae Hollis-Jefferson has a really good chance of sticking in the league because he is such am excellent perimeter defender and does so many things well offensively, even if he can't shoot with range. Hollis-Jefferson landed in a perfect spot because Nets coach Lionel Hollins, who coached Tony Allen in Memphis to three All-Defense teams, has experience using great defensive players with limited range. Plus, Hollis-Jefferson is easier to hide offensively than Allen because he can play power forward. Assuming the Nets don't sign another wing, Brooklyn will have a promising young pair of wings that compliment each other well: Hollis-Jefferson and the more offensively-minded Bojan Bogdanovic.

Drafted Syracuse power forward Chris McCullough 29th overall
The Nets, who are picking 29th because Atlanta had the right to swap picks via the Joe Johnson trade, got a lottery talent in Chris McCullough, but also a project coming off an ACL tear. It's not hard to see how McCullough fits in the modern NBA: he's mobile, excellent blocking shots, with an intriguing offensive game. Provided his knee is 100%, McCullough's first job is improving his 199 pound frame (which will be easier when not rehabbing) so he has the strength to be a good on-ball defender to go with help defense. McCullough's best consistent offensive skill is smooth, slippery athletic ability diving to the basket in pick-and-roll but his jumpshot looks very good, it just needs become more consistent. I am surprised the Nets gave McCullough a guaranteed contract via the first round pick because of his knee injury, but if he pans out Brooklyn will have a valuable rotation piece that compliments their current frontcourt well because he can space the floor.

Drafted Argentinian wing Juan Pablo Vaulet 39th overall

A super draft sleeper, Juan Vaulet wasn't on many radars when he elected to remain in the draft, but a closer look at the 19 year-old revealed an athletic, physically gifted wing. Vaulet is most likely a stash, but with a potential shot at making the NBA because he has an NBA frame, long arms, and above-average athletic ability. Vaulet attacks with an excellent first step, and though he is still learning what to do when he beats his man, has shown playmaker potential. Vaulet's next step is improving his jumpshot, tightening his handle, and gaining strength. It might not be for another couple years, but Vaulet could definitely make the NBA.

A bonus trade sure to never happen

Joe Johnson to Chicago for Joakim Noah, Pau Gasol, and Kirk Hinrich

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2015 Draft Preview: Brooklyn Nets

2015-16 Depth Chart

PG: Deron Williams/Jarrett Jack/Darius Morris

SG: Joe Johnson/Markel Brown

SF: Bojan Bogdanovic/Sergey Karasev/Earl Clark

PF: Cory Jefferson

C: Mason Plumlee

2015 Free Agents

C Jerome Jordan (RFA)

PF Mirza Teletovic (RFA)

SG Alan Anderson (player option)

C Brook Lopez (player option)

F Thaddeus Young (early termination clause)

2015 Draft Picks

1-29

2-11(41)

Team Needs

What the Nets need most is a clean slate and a fresh start, which unfortunately are not available in the draft this year. This summer Brooklyn has a lot of decisions to make on essentially their entire frontcourt; besides Thad Young could elect free agency, Brooklyn will have to decide if they are going to re-sign Brook Lopez, Mirza Teletovic, and Jerome Jordan while also reportedly shopping Mason Plumlee. Basically, Brooklyn's big man rotation might look very different next season. Elsewhere, aside from Joe Johnson and Bojan Bogdanovic, the Nets lack much in the way of proven wing players and could use another, more athletic player to compliment Bogdanovic.

Potential Fits

There are several big men that could be available near the bottom of the first round that could turn out as solid depth options for Brooklyn. LSU big men Jordan Mickey and Jarell Martin are projected in this range and offer differing skillset. Mickey is an excellent defender and rebounder, but somewhat limited offensively, while Martin has a better feel offensively, though he lacks any carrying NBA skill. Syracuse's Rakeem Christmas is similar to Mickey, just a little bit bigger and a couple years older. His teammate for the Orange, Chris McCullough is more of a project as he recovers from a knee injury and develops his body, but also has a lot more upside than Mickey, Martin, or Christmas because of his jumpshot. Another player with a little more upside, mostly due to his age, is Kansas' Cliff Alexander. Alexander has an NBA body and should be a good defender but is a little bit behind as an offensive player.

Mock Draft
29. Jordan Mickey, PF, LSU
41. Olivier Hanlan, G, Boston College

Brooklyn Nets Draft Review

44. Markel Brown, SG Oklahoma State Sr. (6-4, 184)

The Nets went from no picks to three second rounders purely through money. These second round picks are important because the Nets bloated salary needs cheap talent to fill out the ends of the bench, which is what they got. Markel Brown is interesting because he is truely an elite athlete with a ridicules 43.5 inch vertical who also shot 38% from 3 last season. If Brown works out it will be as an undersized 3-and-D shooting guard who will need to use his long arms and athleticism to make up for a lack of size.

59. Xavier Thames, G San Diego State Sr. (6-4, 187)

Like Brown, Thames is an undersized shooting guard with a nice outside stroke. Though Thames is more of a combo guard and could, though it doesn't seem super likely, convert to point guard. His main contribution if he makes the Nets will be shooting and defense. Anything more would be a bonus. Still, those are two things a veteran laden team needs and Thames can provide them.

60. Cory Jefferson, PF Baylor Sr. (6-9, 218)

As if following a theme, the Nets final second rounder also contributes in two areas mainly, shooting and defense. What makes Jefferson unique is that he is a power forward with the size, length, and leaping ability to be a rim protector who can also convert a goodly amount of outside shots. Jefferson has a very short track record as a shooter and is late bloomer in general. All three of these picks could help fill out the Nets roster, and if even one becomes a contributor, it will be a success for Brooklyn.

Projected Lineup

PG: Deron Williams/Marquis Teague

SG: Marcus Thornton/Markel Brown

SF: Joe Johnson/Andrei Kirilenko

PF: Kevin Garnett/Mirza Teletovic

C: Brook Lopez/Mason Plumlee

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Draft Review: Brooklyn Nets

First Round

Mason Plumlee, C Duke (22)

The Nets needed a backup big man who'll run the floor and rebound, so they did very well getting Plumlee at this point in the draft, who will do both of those things. Plumlee is a big and an explosive vertical athlete who is very good on the boards and finishing around the rim. He isn't a polished offensive player and may struggle to defend on the perimeter, but as a backup big man, the Nets could  do a lot worse.

Traded For Kevin Garnett, Paul Pierce, and Jason Terry

The Nets go all in on this next season or two, trading a bunch of spare parts, and more importantly three future first round picks. In the short term, the Nets should be a much improved team, especially if Jason Kidd can get the guards to play any defense. I'm the long term however, there could be some rough years after the roster ages out and the Nets, who owe most of their first round picks for the next 5 years, don't have any way to supplement with young talent.

Projected Rotation

PG: Deron Williams/Tyshawn Taylor

SG: Joe Johnson/Jason Terry

SF: Paul Pierce/Johnson

PF: Kevin Garnett/Reggie Evans

C: Brook Lopez/Mason Plumlee