Offseason Beat: Basketball in August

We are officially in the doldrums of the basketball year. It is a time when all the major free agents are off the board, Summer League has came and went, and training camp/preseason is a little over a month away. It’s a nice break for us fantasy basketball writers, but the inner-fantasy-fanatic in all of us is beginning to get a bit stir crazy. While the news is sparse, fantasy relevant information does poke its head out from time to time, and I have all those highlights from the past week highlighted here.

George Karl is starting off on the right foot with Rajon Rondo

“Our conversations [have indicated] that he’s a basketball IQ guy who is going to challenge us as coaches because I think he knows the game,” Karl said of Rondo. “He might have some opinions that we’ll have give and take on. He’s an All-Star player. He’s a triple-double machine when he’s playing well. He likes to lead teams. He leads teams with a spirit that has a toughness to it.” Typically the offseason is when everyone’s getting along (although the Karl-DeMarcus Cousins fiasco would run contrary to this point), and this would be an example of that. It’ll be interesting to see if Karl is able to deal with Rondo’s antics, and if Rondo is finally ready to start listening to his coaches, but this isn’t the first offseason in which we’ve read positive reports on Rondo. Unfortunately for No. 9, his messy departure with the Mavericks is not something that we can ignore, and it’s very possible that at some point during the regular-season he finds himself in Karl’s doghouse. With Darren Collison on the roster, Karl will have the ability to bench Rondo for extended stretches, and honestly Rondo just hasn’t been the same player since his ACL injury. Despite this positive dialogue, Rondo won’t be worth much more than a late-round flier on draft day.

Karl-Anthony Towns says he needs to work on his 3-point shooting

Towns said that his biggest takeaway from his performance during Summer League was that he needs to work on his 3-point range. He only attempted five 3-pointers through five outings at Summer League, but the fact that the rookie is legitimately trying to incorporate the 3-point shot into his game should be music to prospective fantasy owners’ ears. Now, it’ll be very interesting to see if head coach Flip Saunders gives him the green light to fire away form deep during his rookie season (this was not the case for last year’s Rookie of the Year, Andrew Wiggins) but even if it’s just an occasional make from beyond the arc, it’ll just be icing on the cake for a guy that looks built for fantasy basketball (if you haven’t seen Sport Science’ segment on Towns, it’s definitely worth checking out). Towns averaged 12.8 points, 7.2 rebounds, 2.0 assists and 1.8 blocks per game during Summer League while shooting 39.6 percent from the field and 73.3 percent from the stripe. Like most rookies, he could take some time to adjust to playing at the NBA-level, which means he could struggle with foul trouble and he may shoot a less-than-ideal percentage from the floor, but I see his block totals carrying his fantasy value. He’ll likely cost you a mid-round selection on draft day, but I think he’s well worth it.

Bucks’ GM hints Giannis Antetokounmpo could spend some time at center next season.

“I think moving forward, I love the thought of small-ball for us,” said John Hammond. “I think you play Giannis Antetokounmpo at center. And he’s 6’11”, so it’s not really small-ball per se, but his ball skills and know-how of how to play will give us the ability to do that and I think that could be a really fun team to watch someday if you do look at small-ball theory.” Giannis took a big leap forward during his sophomore season, averaging 12.7 points, 6.7 rebounds, 2.6 assists, 0.9 steals and 1.0 block per game while shooting 49.1 percent from the field and 74.1 percent from the stripe. He hasn’t even scratched his ceiling, and he’ll be a primary fixture in the Bucks rotation next year, whether that comes at the forward spots or they find him minutes at center. Additionally, there’s been talk of him adding a 3-point shot to his game, and I’m expecting him to take another step in his development during Year-3. He’ll likely cost a you a mid-round selection on draft day.

Jimmy Butler looking to put up some triple-dubs

Jimmy Buckets described himself as a point guard during a recent interview, and said that he’ll be looking to put up some triple-doubles next season. Fred Holberg is going to turn up the pace in Chicago (they ranked 21 in pace last season), and that will translate to more fantasy value for everyone. Butler hasn’t yet had a triple-double at this point in his career, but after last year’s stellar season in which he averaged 20.0 points, 5.8 rebounds, 3.3 assists, 1.8 steals and 1.1 three-pointers per game, there’s no reason to think he can’t turn into a triple-double threat next season. He’s going to cost you a second-round selection on draft day.

Injury Updates

Joel Embiid is set to undergo surgery on Tuesday, and he will more than likely miss the entire 2015-16 season

This is really unfortunate news for the 76ers’ organization, and there’s not a league out there where owners should be targeting Embiid on draft day. He has plenty of upside, but until he can actually step on the basketball court, that “upside” is pretty meaningless. With Jahlil Okafor and Nerlenes Noel in town (and the tanking mantra still very alive in Philadelphia), the 76ers have absolutely no need to rush Embiid back into action; so while there will be speculative reports towards the end of the season on a potential return, I just do not see that happening. Ignoring Embiid until next year is what I would recommend.

Kevin Durant (foot) and Carmelo Anthony (knee) participate in a light workout for Team USA

The two injured superstars having been coming along nicely in their recovery from some major injuries, and both are expected to be 100 percent when training camp opens up in September. Durant said that he can go 100 percent, although he has yet to participate in any 5-on-5 action, while Anthony said he expects to be fully cleared for contact later in August. Despite the risk, Durant figures to be a top-6 selection on draft day, while Anthony should go towards the beginning of the second-round.

Kevin Love (shoulder) getting close to returning to the basketball court

Love said on August 11 that he should be able to get back on the basketball court in 7-10 days, so he should be getting some on-court work in very soon. He wasn’t quite the fantasy monster he was in Minnesota during his first season playing alongside LeBron James and Kyrie Irving in Cleveland, although he still managed to put in solid averages of 16.4 points, 9.7 rebounds and 1.9 three-pointers per game. He’ll cost you an early-round selection on draft day.

John Wall says his fractured left wrist/hand is now 100 percent healthy

Wall fractured his left wrist and hand in five places during last year’s playoff run, but he’s fully recovered, and there shouldn’t be a lingering issue moving forward. Aside from sitting out his rookie season, Wall has been remarkably healthy up to this point in his career, and he’ll cost you a first-round selection on draft day. 

Gordon Hayward (heel surgery) resumes 5-on-5 work

Hayward has returned to going through 5-on-5 work after having a relatively minor procedure on his heel this offseason, and said he could be playing right now if it were the playoffs, so he’ll be fine for camp. He had a career-year last season, putting in averages of 19.3 points, 4.9 rebounds, 4.1 assists, 1.4 steals, 1.6 three-pointers and 0.4 blocks, and I’m predicting him building upon those numbers next year. He’ll be worth an early-mid round selection on draft day.

Brandon Knight’s surgically repaired ankle doing well

“It’s doing good,” Knight said of his ankle. “I’m back to working out and moving around and stuff so I’m just trying to get my legs back up under me so that, by the time the season rolls around, I’ll be good.” Knight was playing at an All-Star level in Milwaukee last season before the Bucks decided that they’d rather have Michael Carter-Williams instead (for some reason). All indications are that he’ll be 100 percent for training camp, and while his numbers will take a bit of a hit playing alongside Eric Bledsoe in Phoenix, he should still be able to turn out some solid value scoring in the teens, draining threes and stealing the ball at an above average rate. Target him towards the end of the middle rounds.

James Harden and Anthony Davis dealing with some very minor ankle issues

Harden and Davis were both spotted getting some treatment on their ankles this past week, but neither guy looks to be dealing with anything that should have fantasy owners concerned. Harden and Davis should be universally among the top-3 selections in fantasy drafts, as each player looks to build upon what was an amazing 2014-15 campaign.

Josh McRoberts (knee) expects to be healthy by training camp

“I don’t think I’m ever going to see 100 percent,” McRoberts said jokingly. “I’ve played too long to be 100 percent, but I’m getting pretty close. I’ve had a great summer here rehabbing with St. Vincent and think I’ll be ready to go. I can’t wait for the season to get going. I’m just trying to rehab and get back here for the start of camp. I’m excited to get back on the court and do what I love to do.” McRoberts does a little bit of everything, but the emergence of Hassan Whiteside complicates his role a bit. He’ll likely come off the bench for Miami, so it’s tough to justify him as anything more than a late-round flier in deep leagues.

Drama in Arizona

Markieff Morris wants out of Phoenix

Morris felt disrespected by the Suns’ organization after they jettisoned his twin brother out to Detroit, and he’s apparently done playing for Phoenix. However, Morris really doesn’t have any leverage in this situation, he has four-years remaining on his contract worth $24 million and he’s also dealing with some serious allegations regarding a felony aggravated assault that reportedly took place in January. However, that won’t stop Morris from being difficult to work with, and right now it seems like he’s going to do whatever he can to get himself traded. That’s not good, and in terms of fantasy hoops, it’s difficult to see him being sent to place where his fantasy value would improve. In Phoenix he’s a go-to guy on offense, but that privilege isn’t necessarily guaranteed elsewhere. Morris has mentioned that he would like to join either the Rockets or the Raptors, but if he is traded, it seems very unlikely that the Suns would actually send him where he wants to go. Morris did have a nice season last year, compiling averages of 15.3 points, 6.2 rebounds, 2.3 assists, 1.2 steals and 0.7 three-pointers per game while shooting 46.5 percent from the field and 76.3 percent from the line, but it could be tough for him to improve upon those numbers outside of Phoenix. 

Changing roles?

Dwight Powell primed for a larger role in Dallas?

Mavs’ head coach Rick Carlisle said that Powell has “an opportunity for an increased role next year, and that’s not an overstatement.” Powell was a pleasant surprise during Summer League, compiling averages of 18.8 points, 9.2 rebounds and 2.2 three-pointers per game. The Mavs do have a lot of bodies in their frontcourt, but right now it would appear that Powell’s primary competition for minutes would be Dirk Nowitzki, Charlie Villanueva, and Zaza Pachulia. If he can carve out a 20-minute role in the rotation, it’s possible he’s able to turn out some sneaky low-end value as a 3-point specialist in deep leagues. We’ll be watching his development closely through training camp and preseason, and while he’s not quite on the radar in standard leagues, he’s certainly someone to consider as a late-round flier in deep leagues assuming he’s able to keep his momentum going heading into the regular-season.

Phil Jackson projects a 26-28 minute role for Jose Calderon

Calderon is coming off his worst season of basketball, and battled issues with his Achilles all last season. His a major injury risk, and despite averaging 30.2 minutes per game last season, he was only able to chip in 9.1 points, 4.7 assists, and 1.5 three-pointers per game on 41.5 percent shooting from the field. Perhaps he’s able to bounce-back after a horrific season, but the injury risk, lessened playing time, and the fact that he’s 33-years-old don’t make him a very enticing standard league target. Take a late-round flier on him if you want, but Calderon is not someone that I’ll be eying on draft day.

Free Agency

Cleveland still trying to find the right deal for Tristan Thompson

Thompson is one of the last remaining free agents out there, and his agent Rich Paul is playing some serious hardball with the Cavs. I see this situation playing out similar to how the Eric Bledsoe situation played out last summer (same agent) and Tristan is eventually going to be getting paid by the Cavs. He’s a solid addition to the roster, but as long as Kevin Love is healthy, he’s going to struggle finding meaningful minutes and he won’t have any fantasy value in standard leagues. There’s also the chance that he decides to accept his qualifying offer (like Greg Monroe) in order to become an unrestricted free agent in 2016, but basically, if he remains in Cleveland his fantasy value is nil.

As J.R. Smith, he probably regrets his opt out decision with each passing day as reports are that he is expected to eventually re-sign with the Cavs, but at a discount. He left $6 million on the table.

Tony Douglas signs with Indiana

Douglas will be joining a crowded backcourt in Indiana that features Monta Ellis, George Hill, Rodney Stuckey, C.J. Miles and Joseph Young. In other words, he’s not going to have any fantasy value with the Pacers.

Tayshaun Prince signs on with Minnesota

In some rather surprising news, Tayshaun Prince decided to sign a one-year contract with the Minnesota Timberwolves for the veteran’s minimum. You’d think at this stage in his career he’d like to compete for a championship, but Prince seems content holding a mentorship role with the Wolves. He’ll join up with veterans Kevin Garnett and Andre Miller as they educate the team’s young bucks on what it is to play in the NBA, and while this news can certainly be viewed as a positive for guys like Andrew Wiggins, Karl-Anthony Towns, Zach LaVine and Tyus Jones, none of the aforementioned veterans will be worth drafting in almost any league.

JaVale McGee signs with Dallas

McGee has seemingly been trying to rectify his career for the past three years, but various leg injuries have made that a very difficult proposition. At some point in a guy’s career, we need to stop talking about “upside,” and I believe McGee has reached that point. I see him spending a lot of time on the bench playing for Rick Carlisle, and there’s not a league out there where I will be drafting Shaqtin’ A Fools’ MVP.

Donald Sloan joins the Nets

Sloan got a training camp invite from the Nets, and there’s a decent chance he lands on the regular-season roster as Jarrett Jack’s primary backup. However, while Jack is healthy, Sloan will have zero fantasy value in Brooklyn.

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