10. Derrick Rose
Can Derrick Rose still be an MVP type player? I believe (and hope) he can. Rose is the 4th point guard on the list because he has the potential next year to be top 5 in assists, top 15 in scoring. Over his five year playing career, he’s a 20 ppg. scorer, so expect that type of production again from Rose.
9. Kyrie Irving
It’s only a matter of time before Kyrie Irving becomes a tier 1 fantasy point guard. Playing with LeBron and Love certainly should improve Irving’s stats from last season (14th in the NBA in assists and scoring). If Irving can stay healthy, which I expect he will, this could be the break-out season Cavs fans have been waiting for from the former No. 1 pick.
8. Blake Griffin
Blake Griffin finished first in the NBA last season in triple doubles (4), sixth in scoring (24 ppg), got nearly 10 rebounds per game and shot 53% from the field. Chris Paul is still leading the team, so he should continue not only making highlight-reel plays, but doing all the other things that don’t get as much credit.
7. Kevin Love
Playing alongside LeBron may hurt Kevin Love’s production next season, but probably not by much. Last season, Love finished 4th in scoring (26 ppg), third in rebounding (12 rpg), first in double-doubles (65) and second in triple-doubles (3). Love could be the first big drafted, but I like the player ahead of him only because he doesn’t have the same talent alongside him.
6. Chris Paul
Chris Paul not only led the NBA in assists-per-game last season (10.7) but also steals, while averaging nearly 20 ppg. Paul is the floor general for a fast-pace Clippers offense, so expect another high performing year for the 29-year-old point guard.
5. Kevin Durant
Kevin Durant is expected to miss 6-8 weeks after suffering a jones fracture the Oklahoma City Thunder recently announced. Durant, last season’s MVP, should be back near the end of December, meaning he’ll be out a solid two months of the playing season. Had it not been for the injury, Durant could be atop the list, but having him inside the Top 5 makes sense for such a dynamic scorer.
4. Anthony Davis
It’s not a question ‘if’ Anthony Davis becomes the best big-man in the NBA, but ‘when’. Davis is a stat stuffer. He led the league in blocks (2.8 bpg) and finished in the top 15 in scoring (20 ppg). The New Orleans Pelicans’ center has really come into his own after a tremendous offseason with Team USA.
3. Steph Curry
The best shooter in the NBA (and fantasy point guard), Steph Curry was 7th in the league in scoring last season (24 ppg), made 42% of his three-pointers (led the league with 261), and finished sixth with 8.4 dimes per game. Curry is a fantasy star and should continue to be one next season.
2. James Harden
It’s very possible the Houston Rockets’ James Harden will lead the NBA is scoring this season. Harden finished 3rd last season at nearly 26 ppg. He showed how dynamic a scorer he was this offseason leading Team USA to a gold medal. If there’s anybody you’d pick over the next guy, it’s probably James Harden.
1. LeBron James
The greatest basketball player on the planet, there’s no question who will go No.1 in nearly every NBA fantasy draft. LeBron is the whole package. He averaged 27 ppg, 7 rpg and 6.5 apg last season. I expect the scoring numbers to go down ever so slightly playing alongside Kyrie and Love.
