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Top 10 Fantasy Basketball Value Picks

Author: Nels, Fantasy Basketball, Fantasy Draft Guide Mojo 2008 August 19th, 2008

Because everybody loves lists!

These aren’t sleepers… they’re just people who I think will be overlooked come draft day and are guys you can look to snag later than they might actually be ranked – thus providing good value for your pick.

10. Kirk Hinrich – He had a bad year. Before last season he was a Top 50 player. Of course, if he loses his starting spot to Derrick Rose, then all bets are off, but I’m sure that you’ll be able to draft him deep enough to make it worth what he ends up producing.

9. David Lee – Something tells me the opportunity for offensive rebounds is going to go way up in NYC this season. Lee is going to grab them and put them back, and even make his free throws. Not bad for someone Yahoo says you can put at C.

8. LaMarcus Aldridge – Yes, I am aware that the Blazers will now be starting Greg Oden instead of, say, Channing Frye. But that doesn’t mean Aldridge is just going to drop off. He and Oden should compliment each other with their respective finesse and force styles. (Finesse & Force. How’s that for an ad slogan?) Try to convince everyone in your league that Aldridge is going to be overshadowed by Oden and you’ll have a great pick.

7. Andrew Bynum – Yes, I am aware that the Lakers traded for Pau Gasol after Bynum was injured last season. I see Bynum and Gasol as a new version of the Twin Towers. Plus, they can both run with the Showtime offense. If Bynum lasts into the 3rd round, he’s money in the bank.

6. David West – I think a lot of people just attribute West’s success to Chris Paul. And yes, Paul does make other players better, but West would probably still be a 3rd round pick on just about any other team. He’s not quite the magic 20-10 yet, but he also shoots 85% from the line.

5. Nick Collison – There’s not really anyone the Team Formerly Knowns As The Seattle SuperSonics who can play Center as well as Collison. Sure there’s Chris Wilcox, but they split time last season, and it worked out pretty well for both of them. I think a lot of people don’t realize you can still pick up decent players going into the 9th and 10th rounds.

4. Jermaine O’Neal – Another example of Finesse and Power. Chris Bosh is the finesse in this case. He’s too skinny to really bang down low. That’s the whole reason the Raptors got O’Neal (well, that, and they had a redundant yet valuable Point Guard). He might still be down on some people’s lists because of injury worries, and that’s fine. Just don’t let a 20-10 guy slip through the 6th because he might only play half a season – especially if you’re in a Head-to-Head league.

3. Corey Maggette – I feel like no one ever realizes just how valuable Maggette is. He shoots 9 free throws a game at 81+ percent. That alone is enough to average Dwight Howard’s free throw shooting into a 70% for your team. Add in that he should be the starting SG for the Run-SMC (Stephen-Monta-Corey) Warriors, and you’ve got someone with Top 50 potential who’ll probably end up in the 5th or 6th round.

2. Bobby Simmons – I think most people are wondering how Yi Jianlian will do in New Jersey, but really, the key is Simmons. He should start and get the majority of the minutes as either SG or SF alongside Vince Carter.

1. Rajon Rondo – The Celtics are returning almost exactly the same roster as last season. But Rondo has only played 2 full seaons and a championship playoff run. He has a lot of room for improvement. Yeah, his FT% sucks, but as long as he only shoots 2+ per game, you’ll be okay. In the playoffs he maintained his 10 PPG average while increasing his assists to 6.6. Yes, there are many better Point Guards, but not ones that will still be available going into the 7th or 8th round.

To see where Patrick and I think that players should be drafted, be sure to check out the following keyword laden link: Give Me The Rock 2008-09 Fantasy Basketball Big Board.

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What Are People Talking About?

  • grover
    Wait a minute... conventional wisdom has been that part of O'Neal's problem is that he does not want to play in the post.

    In the past, he has shown the desire and the inclination to move out and play more of a perimeter game... precisely like our good friend Chris Bosh. Unfortunately for O'Neal, Bosh is now the better outside scorer and should be spending time there.

    I'm not holding out much hope for O'Neal to turn it around and become a strong option.
  • bucko
    I like Bynum, but third round is too high for him. First, his per game numbers don't justify it. He is really good, but not one of the top 36 players. Second, there has been a huge change in the team with the addition of Gasol since he last really played. Could he give you 3rd round pick numbers, yeah but that is if everything falls right. He could easily not be worth a pick in the top 5 rounds. Its extremely difficult to predict what he will give you, which is why I don't think he should be selected in the first 3 rounds.
  • terrance
    oneal should provide toughness inside defensively. I know grover talking offense, but oneal can bang a little more on defense and at least provide help D if the perimiter D breaks down. I never thought teams were scared to drive to the whole against bosh, but both of them together and its a different story. no?
  • grover
    Well, after the show that Bosh has put on during these Olympics I'd take his defense over O'Neal's.

    I see your point though, Terrance, it's certainly a more formidable combo than Bosh/Nesterovic or Bosh/Bargnani.

    I just question whether O'Neal will play at a high level in fantasy.
  • dyeyk2000
    bynum - yeah i'm beginning to see how he can be a hit or miss player. i think you can make smarter decisions in the 1st 4 rounds with similar upside instead of bynum.

    o'neal - also take into account that the raps were one of the worst rebounding teams last yr. o'neal will contribute greatly to that dimension. i think he can be very productive this year sans health issues.
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