Underrated Players: Fantasy Basketball 2015-2016
@Jagibbs_23 October 22
You don’t need me to tell you that Anthony Davis and Steph Curry are the best players in fantasy basketball. Instead, I have dedicated this article to unearthing the most underrated players in fantasy basketball heading into the NBA season. If you still have not drafted in your league, make sure to target these players, as they’re going much later in drafts than they should. If you have already drafted, look into trading for some of these players. You can probably get most of them cheap, and they can help you on your way to your fantasy basketball championship.
Damian Lillard, PG, Portland Trail Blazers, 9
This offseason the Blazers lost LaMarcus Aldridge, Nicolas Batum, and Wesley Matthews. Gone with them is 40.9 shots per game and 48.7 PPG. They replaced them with Al-Farouq Aminu, Gerald Henderson, and Ed Davis. Nobody on this Blazers roster averaged more than 12.1 PPG last season. Nobody outside of Lillard, that is. Lillard has increased his PPG totals each of his three seasons in the NBA, and that trend will almost certainly continue this season. I wouldn’t be shocked at all if Lillard is able to put up 25+ PPG with the bump in usage he's sure to see this season. In leagues where you’re penalized for lack of efficiency, Lillard is priced about right as a low end first round pick. If you’re playing in points leagues though, the case can be made for Lillard as a top five pick, as he’s likely to have one of the highest usage rates in the NBA. Lillard also makes for an terrific DFS target early on in the season, as Henderson is likely going to miss some games early while recovering from offseason hip surgery. Also, keep an eye on third year guard C.J. McCollum. With Henderson sidelined early, McCollum could step up and take over that two-guard spot beside Lillard. McCollum had a true shooting percentage of 53.4% last season and his per 36 stats were 15.7 PPG, 3.4 RPG, 2.4 APG, and 1.6 SPG with two 3PM per game. He showed flashes of his ability late last season for Portland and I wouldn't be shocked if he took the job and ran with it.
Paul George, SG/SF/PF, Indiana Pacers, 14
It seems many have forgotten how dominant of a player Paul George was becoming before breaking his leg. In the two years prior, George was selected to two All-Star teams after averaging 19.6 points, 7.2 rebounds, 3.8 assists, and 1.9 steals per game. George had turned himself into a top five fantasy option, and was doing it at the age of 23. It has been 15 months since George’s injury, so he should be fully healthy and prepared to post his best statistical season in his sixth year in the NBA. To make his outlook even brighter, he is going to play a lot of PF for Indiana this season, which could potentially boost his rebound totals. George is also eligible at three positions, including the always valuable SG and SF positions. I have George ranked as my eighth player entering the season, but ESPN has him ranked 14th. He is being overlooked by many drafters heading into the season. Make sure you are not one of them.
Kenneth Faried, PF, Denver Nuggets, 37
Faried channelled his inner Manimal after the firing of Brian Shaw, averaging 16.4 points, 11.8 rebounds, 1.1 steals, and 0.9 blocks per game over the final 20 games of the season. The Nuggets are very thin up front, and Faried will hopefully be given as much opportunity as he can handle. This may be the first season we see the Manimal truly unleashed and given over 30 minutes per game. He’s always been an extremely efficient player, and could build off his late season success if given more minutes in the 2015-2016 season. He’s ranked as the 37th player on ESPN and has an ADP of 45.8, but I think he has the upside to put up top 25 numbers this season.
Andre Drummond, C, Detroit Pistons, 38
Drummond is my favorite player on this list. If you’re playing in points leagues or DFS, I believe Drummond should be a top 15 pick. Drummond is coming off the best season of his career, after averaging 13.8 points, 8.1 rebounds, and 1.9 blocks per game. With Greg Monroe out of the picture, Drummond should see a huge increase in usage rate, and consequently, fantasy points. He has essentially no competition for minutes up front.
Here's Drummond's numbers in 13 games without Greg Monroe last year:
33.3 MPG, 16.0 PPG, 14.2 RPG, 2.2 BPG, and 1.1 SPG on 22.8 usage rate.
The only other bigs on Detroit’s roster are Aron Baynes, Joel Anthony, and stretch fours Ersan Ilyasova and Anthony Tolliver. With Brandon Jennings still on the mend, there are very few established players on this roster, and I look to them to lean heavily on the uber-talented young big man. Drummond’s FT% kills you in roto leagues, but in points leagues and DFS, the 22 year old center is a lock to finish as a top five center, and I think he has the potential to put up fantasy point totals similar to that of DeMarcus Cousins, but you can get him much cheaper.
Jarrett Jack, PG/SG, Brooklyn Nets, 66
Jack has always been effective when filling in for injured starters, but teams seem hesitant to trust him as their starting PG. That will change this year, as Jack enters the season as the starting PG for the Nets following the departure of Deron Williams. In ‘11-’12, Jack started 39 of 45 games for New Orleans, and averaged 16 points, 6.6 assists, and 3.7 rebounds per game. He put up very similar numbers last year while filling in for Williams in 21 starts. With very little competition for minutes among PGs in Brooklyn, and many effective scorers to dish to, Jack could have a very nice season. He’ll only cost you a seventh round pick, and at that price, he’ll almost certainly return on your investment.
Robin Lopez, C, New York Knicks, 87
You may not realize this, but ROLO is only one season removed from a year in which he put up 11.1 points, 8.5 boards, and 1.7 blocks per game for the Blazers. Now with the Knicks, Lopez could definitely put up similar numbers, if not exceed them. I wouldn’t be surprised at all if he averages a double-double this season, considering he should see 32-35 minutes per game for the Knicks, who are looking for anyone to step up and produce. Players such as Cole Aldrich, Jason Smith, Andrea Bargnani, and Lou Amundson were able to appear to be fantasy relevant on this weak Knicks roster at times last year. He’s super cheap, and appears poised for a breakout. Get him on your rosters while you still can!
Elfrid Payton, PG, Orlando Magic, 99
So let me get this straight… In his rookie season he finished 14th in fantasy points among PGs. Nothing has changed regarding his minutes, and he’s now being coached by former point guard Scott Skiles. ESPN has him projected to average more points, assists, rebounds, steals, and blocks this season, which makes sense considering his strong play at the end of his rookie season. Despite all this, he’s ranked as the 28th PG eligible player on ESPN? The talented young PG should continue to develop in his sophomore campaign, and you can get him at a very discounted price thanks to ESPN’s bizarre rankings.
That’s it for the first NBA article of the season guys, thanks for reading. I appreciate any feedback, so be sure to hit me up on Twitter if you have any comments or questions. I look forward to helping you in your fantasy basketball season!
Damian Lillard, PG, Portland Trail Blazers, 9
This offseason the Blazers lost LaMarcus Aldridge, Nicolas Batum, and Wesley Matthews. Gone with them is 40.9 shots per game and 48.7 PPG. They replaced them with Al-Farouq Aminu, Gerald Henderson, and Ed Davis. Nobody on this Blazers roster averaged more than 12.1 PPG last season. Nobody outside of Lillard, that is. Lillard has increased his PPG totals each of his three seasons in the NBA, and that trend will almost certainly continue this season. I wouldn’t be shocked at all if Lillard is able to put up 25+ PPG with the bump in usage he's sure to see this season. In leagues where you’re penalized for lack of efficiency, Lillard is priced about right as a low end first round pick. If you’re playing in points leagues though, the case can be made for Lillard as a top five pick, as he’s likely to have one of the highest usage rates in the NBA. Lillard also makes for an terrific DFS target early on in the season, as Henderson is likely going to miss some games early while recovering from offseason hip surgery. Also, keep an eye on third year guard C.J. McCollum. With Henderson sidelined early, McCollum could step up and take over that two-guard spot beside Lillard. McCollum had a true shooting percentage of 53.4% last season and his per 36 stats were 15.7 PPG, 3.4 RPG, 2.4 APG, and 1.6 SPG with two 3PM per game. He showed flashes of his ability late last season for Portland and I wouldn't be shocked if he took the job and ran with it.
Paul George, SG/SF/PF, Indiana Pacers, 14
It seems many have forgotten how dominant of a player Paul George was becoming before breaking his leg. In the two years prior, George was selected to two All-Star teams after averaging 19.6 points, 7.2 rebounds, 3.8 assists, and 1.9 steals per game. George had turned himself into a top five fantasy option, and was doing it at the age of 23. It has been 15 months since George’s injury, so he should be fully healthy and prepared to post his best statistical season in his sixth year in the NBA. To make his outlook even brighter, he is going to play a lot of PF for Indiana this season, which could potentially boost his rebound totals. George is also eligible at three positions, including the always valuable SG and SF positions. I have George ranked as my eighth player entering the season, but ESPN has him ranked 14th. He is being overlooked by many drafters heading into the season. Make sure you are not one of them.
Kenneth Faried, PF, Denver Nuggets, 37
Faried channelled his inner Manimal after the firing of Brian Shaw, averaging 16.4 points, 11.8 rebounds, 1.1 steals, and 0.9 blocks per game over the final 20 games of the season. The Nuggets are very thin up front, and Faried will hopefully be given as much opportunity as he can handle. This may be the first season we see the Manimal truly unleashed and given over 30 minutes per game. He’s always been an extremely efficient player, and could build off his late season success if given more minutes in the 2015-2016 season. He’s ranked as the 37th player on ESPN and has an ADP of 45.8, but I think he has the upside to put up top 25 numbers this season.
Andre Drummond, C, Detroit Pistons, 38
Drummond is my favorite player on this list. If you’re playing in points leagues or DFS, I believe Drummond should be a top 15 pick. Drummond is coming off the best season of his career, after averaging 13.8 points, 8.1 rebounds, and 1.9 blocks per game. With Greg Monroe out of the picture, Drummond should see a huge increase in usage rate, and consequently, fantasy points. He has essentially no competition for minutes up front.
Here's Drummond's numbers in 13 games without Greg Monroe last year:
33.3 MPG, 16.0 PPG, 14.2 RPG, 2.2 BPG, and 1.1 SPG on 22.8 usage rate.
The only other bigs on Detroit’s roster are Aron Baynes, Joel Anthony, and stretch fours Ersan Ilyasova and Anthony Tolliver. With Brandon Jennings still on the mend, there are very few established players on this roster, and I look to them to lean heavily on the uber-talented young big man. Drummond’s FT% kills you in roto leagues, but in points leagues and DFS, the 22 year old center is a lock to finish as a top five center, and I think he has the potential to put up fantasy point totals similar to that of DeMarcus Cousins, but you can get him much cheaper.
Jarrett Jack, PG/SG, Brooklyn Nets, 66
Jack has always been effective when filling in for injured starters, but teams seem hesitant to trust him as their starting PG. That will change this year, as Jack enters the season as the starting PG for the Nets following the departure of Deron Williams. In ‘11-’12, Jack started 39 of 45 games for New Orleans, and averaged 16 points, 6.6 assists, and 3.7 rebounds per game. He put up very similar numbers last year while filling in for Williams in 21 starts. With very little competition for minutes among PGs in Brooklyn, and many effective scorers to dish to, Jack could have a very nice season. He’ll only cost you a seventh round pick, and at that price, he’ll almost certainly return on your investment.
Robin Lopez, C, New York Knicks, 87
You may not realize this, but ROLO is only one season removed from a year in which he put up 11.1 points, 8.5 boards, and 1.7 blocks per game for the Blazers. Now with the Knicks, Lopez could definitely put up similar numbers, if not exceed them. I wouldn’t be surprised at all if he averages a double-double this season, considering he should see 32-35 minutes per game for the Knicks, who are looking for anyone to step up and produce. Players such as Cole Aldrich, Jason Smith, Andrea Bargnani, and Lou Amundson were able to appear to be fantasy relevant on this weak Knicks roster at times last year. He’s super cheap, and appears poised for a breakout. Get him on your rosters while you still can!
Elfrid Payton, PG, Orlando Magic, 99
So let me get this straight… In his rookie season he finished 14th in fantasy points among PGs. Nothing has changed regarding his minutes, and he’s now being coached by former point guard Scott Skiles. ESPN has him projected to average more points, assists, rebounds, steals, and blocks this season, which makes sense considering his strong play at the end of his rookie season. Despite all this, he’s ranked as the 28th PG eligible player on ESPN? The talented young PG should continue to develop in his sophomore campaign, and you can get him at a very discounted price thanks to ESPN’s bizarre rankings.
That’s it for the first NBA article of the season guys, thanks for reading. I appreciate any feedback, so be sure to hit me up on Twitter if you have any comments or questions. I look forward to helping you in your fantasy basketball season!