NBA Roundtable: Roundtable: Dynasty Stashes
For those of you in dynasty or keeper leagues, this a crucial point of your season. Even if you have been eliminated, there are some steps you can take to prepare for next year. With that said, I’ve gathered the Rotoworld hoops crew to discuss our favorite stashes to pick up for next season to hopefully give you an edge. For fantasy advice and NBA news, click the link beside our names to follow us on Twitter! I’ll start us off…
Jonas Nader (@JonasNader)
Jordan Mickey– He’s been buried on the bench all season for the Celtics and has only made 15 brief appearances, but he has some serious upside. His per-36 minute numbers are borderline ridiculous, with 14.0 points, 8.7 boards and 7.3 blocks. Keep in mind that per-36 minute numbers are not always reliable and we only have a small sample size to work with, but it gives you an idea of just how talented he is as a shot blocker. Another obstacle standing in his way is the depth of Boston’s frontcourt, but he could make some noise next season if he’s given an opportunity. For what it’s worth, coach Brad Steven has heaped praise on him all season and Boston could lose several bigs in free agency.
Stanley Johnson– I thought he was going to get a lot more playing time during his rookie season, but instead coach Stan Van Gundy has been giving Marcus Morris nearly 36 minutes per game which makes little to no sense to me. Johnson is just 19 years old and is a physical freak, and he could be a monster if he develops a consistent jumper. He’s a must-own player in keeper leagues despite having modest averages of 8.4 points, 4.2 boards, 1.7 assists, 0.7 steals and 0.9 3-pointers in 23.4 minutes.
Dwight Powell and Justin Anderson– They should probably be owned already based on how they have played in their last two games. I know for a fact that several of you guys are just as high on these two as I am, and both players have been on the radar since lighting it up during the summer league. They’re finally getting an opportunity in Dallas, so you need to act quickly or it will be too late. The Dirk Nowitzki era is quickly coming to an end and Dallas could lose Chandler Parsons this summer, so Powell and Anderson could have sizable roles next season.
I want to put Joel Embiid on this list, but nobody knows how his health will be prior to next season. The fact that he won’t even play in the summer league also scares me, but keep in mind that Sam Hinkie‘s job depends on Embiid. Might as well give him a shot.
Matt Stroup (@MattStroup)
Mario Hezonja – Evan Fournier is headed for restricted free agency this summer. If the Magic don’t keep him, Hezonja — the No. 5 pick with a buttery jump shot — could leap directly into the Fournier role.
Tim Hardaway Jr. – I can’t imagine he’s widely available in keeper leagues given his improved play lately, so this is just a reminder to owners in any format that Hardaway could be headed for a major spike in value next year. The reason? Kent Bazemore will be a free agent, and even if he doesn’t get DeMarre Carroll money, someone is likely to make him a big offer that could price him out of ATL. Given the makeup of the roster at the moment, Hardaway has a pretty reasonable shot to be the Hawks’ starting SG or SF next season.
Walter Tavares – This may be a reach considering that Tavares is nowhere close to the Hawks rotation, but I have a theory here. My theory is that Tavares — as more of a traditional (and by traditional, I mean not-3-point-shooting) big man — isn’t really in the Hawks’ long-term plans. As a result, I wouldn’t be at all surprised to see them trade him elsewhere. And in the (very) limited amount I’ve seen, I’ve been impressed with his potential as a rebounder/shot-blocker. Plenty still needs to happen for this to work out, but if the stash options are scarce, Tavares is worth a look.
Ethan Norof (@Ehtan_Norof)
Dennis Schroder: One way or another, I think Atlanta’s point guard situation gets solved this offseason. Schroder, a per-minute monster, should find himself with a starting job.
Larry Nance: Nance has quickly become a vital part of an uncertain Lakers’ future, and his growing offensive game can only help to supplement the defensive contributions he’s capable of providing.
Mario Hezonja: Super Mario could be getting all of the mushrooms if (when?) Orlando decides to allow Evan Fournier to walk in free agency.
Shabazz Muhammad: With Andrew Wiggins and Zach LaVine, perhaps the Wolves look to trade Muhammad to a team with a void to fill on the wing. The UCLA product has a growing offensive game & could fulfill his once lofty potential in the right environment.
Dario Saric: Philadelphia’s frontcourt is a mess that needs to be sorted out, but Saric should be an impact player immediately upon his arrival.
Norman Powell: Powell can play, and he’s going to carve out a role even if DeMar DeRozan re-signs this summer and DeMarre Carroll (knee) is able to stay healthy next season.
Dante Exum: Despite missing the season with a torn ACL, Exum shouldn’t be on the waiver wire in dynasty formats. He’s the unquestioned starting PG for a team without a current long-term answer.
Walter Tavares: I like Matt’s selection of Tavares, a lottery ticket with immense shot-blocking skills and difference-making potential.
Jared Johnson (@JaredJ831)
Jordan Mickey – Jonas Jerebko, Jared Sullinger and Tyler Zeller are all bound for free agency this offseason, and the Celtics may let a few of those guys walk in order to open up minutes for Mickey. He’s been averaging 17.4 points, 10.3 boards, 1.3 assists, 0.8 steals and 4.4 blocks through 23 D-League appearances this season, so at the very least he should be able to produce as a shot blocking specialist in Boston once the minutes open up for him.
Mario Hezonja – Like Matt said, Evan Fournier is bound for free agency, and if he’s not retained Hezonja will be the next man up in Orlando. Per-36, Hezonja owns averages of 12.1 points, 4.6 boards, 2.6 assists, 0.9 steals and 1.7 triples per contest.
Joel Embiid – We really don’t know all that much about this guy aside from his college acumen, but prior to the foot issues, he was expected to go No. 1 overall on draft day. Obviously missing all 164 games of his first two NBA season with a fractured navicular bone is a major red flag for a 7-footer, but there’s nothing wrong with stashing away the big man in deep leagues given his upside. During his one-and-done college season in Kansas he compiled averages of 11.2 points, 8.1 boards, 1.4 assists and 2.6 swats per contest on 62.6 percent shooting. Sure, he’ll have to compete for minutes with Nerlens Noel and Jahlil Okafor once he is able to get back to the court, but I don’t feel that Philly is all that attached to Okafor after the various antics he displayed during his rookie year, so they may be waiting to see exactly what they have in Embiid before sending away one of their many promising bigs. Again, with all this uncertainty, Embiid is only on the radar as a stash in really deep leagues.
Mike Gallagher (@MikeSGallagher)
Joel Embiid – Yeah, he’s not playing in Summer League, but the 76ers seem like he should be back. He’s not exactly a lock and all that time off has to hurt his chances for production, Why not, though?
Dante Exum – He’s the reason why the Jazz didn’t make a move for a point guard. Exum would be awesome once he figures out how to play. He did show some flashes before his injury, too.
Dario Saric – He might not be in your player pool, but he’s someone to watch.
Jordan Mickey – Hype train! Choo-choo! Lots of blocks and upside.
Walter Tavares – Ditto. If Al Horford is gone, he could have a nice role.
Chris McCullough – Coming of an ACL tear this year. The Nets have nothing coming for next year.
Bruno Caboclo – We can probably cool it with the “Brazilian KD” stuff.
Bogdan Bogdanovic – Should be with the Suns, but where is he going to play?
Cameron Payne – If Westbrook bolts after next year, Payne could be the man.
