I love fantasy basketball. It’s the closest experience to reliving the day to day responsibilities of a NBA General Manager and few things are more enjoyable in life than hoisting your league’s trophy whilst bragging to your comrades.
And when you are a Toronto Raptors fan, it’s especially amusing to draft one of your home-town players, cheering them not only to contribute to a win, but also to fill the stat board.
Here is my list ranking the roster.
1 ) Rudy Gay (SF, F)
Lebron James, Kevin Durant and Carmelo Anthony are in a league of their own when it comes to fantasy production, but Rudy Gay might be the next best available option off the board. Gay delivers in scoring (18.2 pts), rebounds (6.1) and steals (1.5) and is the key offensive cog for the Raptors. The 26-year-old doesn’t have the best shooting numbers (.416 FG %) and has a tendency to commit turnovers (2.6), nonetheless Gay will be a quality option heading into the 2013-14 season.
2) Jonas Valanciunas (C, PF)
Conventional wisdom in fantasy basketball instructs one to draft a sure-thing when it comes to centres and to avoid unproven commodities, but the 2013 Summer League MVP is the real deal and is worth rolling the dice on. Valanciunas showed promise in his rookie season (8.9 pts / 6.0 Reb / 1.3 Blk / .557 FG %) and a breakout season is in the cards. The most underrated aspect of the Lithuanian’s game is his free throw percentage (.789) – ahead of marquee names like Joakim Noah, Al Horford, Al Jefferson, Brook Lopez and Greg Monroe. Draft the sophomore with confidence.
3) Kyle Lowry (PG)
Point guard is arguably the most competitive position in the NBA, meaning you can get sneaky value in the later rounds. Enter Kyle Lowry. Despite his worst statistical season since 2009-10, Lowry is a five-category player and can fill the stat sheet on a regular basis. Meager shooting percentages (.362 3P % / .401 FG %) limit his worth, but the “little engine” is worth drafting in the middle rounds. Last year was a mulligan, expect a revitalization from the seven-year veteran.
4) DeMar DeRozan (SG, G)
I’ve drafted DeRozan for the past two years and I highly recommend passing on him unless you are in a points league. DeRozan is one dimensional in terms of fantasy production and is only valuable in the scoring department (18.1 pts). The former USC Trojan is outclassed by the top echelon of guards and needs to improve in rebounding (3.9), FG % (.445) and assists (2.5). I love him as a Raptor, just not as a member of my fantasy team.
5) Amir Johnson (PF, C)
Johnson posted above average numbers relative to other power forwards in the league with 10.0 pts, 7.5 rebounds, .727 FT %, .554 FG % and 1.4 blocks. The signing of Tyler Hansbrough clouds the 25-year-old’s value going forward, but if he able to retain a starter role, he offers serviceable production and depth to your squad.
Sleeper – Terrence Ross (SG)
Ross is likely to go undrafted in most leagues, and for good reason. The second-year swingman failed to carry any fantasy value last season. He hasn’t showed any encouraging signs either, however it’s evident that the potential is there for higher production. If either Gay or DeRozan are dealt, Ross’ value should sky-rocket as well. So, if you have that final slot on your team open, he may be worth grabbing.
