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So I’m sitting around and thinking to myself, “you know, I like auction leagues, I like deep leagues, but there isn’t a really deep dynasty/auction league I’m in…”  That’s my inner monologue!  So much deeper than Grey’s random italicized voice.  And it dawned on me that in my short time as Razzball Hoops Editor I’ve made some new industry friends over at Rotogold.com and the TDB Sports Network and wanted them to join in a really intense league that we could play with the loyal Razzball Nation.  So I started the REL (Razzball Elite League) and we currently have 12 spots open at the time of this posting to fill the 20-team league.  If you want in – shoot your e-mail below and I’ll invite ya!  It’s a league that’ll make you grow chest hair.  A league that’ll test your will.  A league that will separate the deep, scouring, fantasy nerds from the semi-manly.  So shoot your e-mail below if you want an invite and we’re looking forward to a nice relaxing Auction draft at 9:30 EST next Thursday.  Bring it!

As I’m sure you’ve probably read ad nasueum, every auction is different, any player can be nominated first and the money/team that guy goes to alters the rest of the draft.  So be sure to adjust accordingly and above all, get the guys you like!  Don’t get too caught up in price enforcing/inflating and enjoy the squad you put together.

What I’ve seen in my Auction Draft thus far is I want to pay a premium for the guys in my 1st and 2nd round, then it’s a big drop off.  And in those top ranks there’s some pretty clear cut tiers – KD, then LBJ, then the big 3 guards, then guys I’m high on and other first-rounders to Deron Williams, and then the big dropoff from Melo to Nicolas Batum.  I feel like I can nab probably one or two of the guys in the top few tiers, and I have enough targets I’m high on later than I can fill my roster with.  For example, I don’t think Jeff Teague goes for $26 or Jonas Valanciunas goes for $20, but I’d be willing to go that high.  So with those guys I personally like at probable discounts, I think I can shape a solid team by nabbing just 1 or 2 high-$ guys.  And I’m shocked at how level the big sites shape the auction-o-sphere.  No way Durant or LBJ goes for only $70 apiece.  No way they should be the same value either.  I think they have some sort of internal ranking limitation or there’s some sort of unwritten rule that they shouldn’t value them over $70/per.  I intentionally made my ranks top heavy because I think the top 22 are worth heavy premiums to build around – and in drafts with real-life players and fans, those guys are going to go closer to the range I have them valued.

Values are based on Yahoo standard line-up (PG, SG, G, SF, PF, F, C, C, UTIL, UTIL, BN, BN, BN) and 12-team leagues (RCL size) with a $200 budget.

Razzball Basketball 2013-2014 Fantasy Basketball Auction Rankings

 PLAYER, POS, TEAMNOTE
 $      98Kevin Durant, SF, OKCWould be willing to dump a huge premium on KD as he’s easily fantasy’s #1 player.  ESPN and Yahoo putting his valuation at $70 is a joke.  A – no way he goes anywhere near there with actual people bidding and B – he just plain is more valuable.  Those guys are kidding themselves if they don’t think Durant can be worth top-end of double-digits $ value, then you can build around him.  I won’t go this high in a deep 20-teamer like the REL league (or maybe I will!), but in 12-team, he’s worth this price.
 $      87LeBron James, SF/PF, MIAStill think an elite season coming, and pretty clear cut second highest $ player.
 $      75James Harden, SG/SF, HOUEasy to forget he was traded less than a week before 12-13 season.
 $      74Chris Paul, PG, LACGame’s best PG, will be leaned on to do everything for Doc.
 $      72Stephen Curry, PG/SG, GSA little worried about career ankle issues, no Jarrett Jack.
 $      66Serge Ibaka, PF/C, OKCI’ll reach in my pockets and spend big, scored 4 more a game, developing deep shot, 57.3 FG% 12-13.  Westbrook injury now has him a key scorer as well, but obviously doesn’t move above the big 5.  Probably won’t go near this value, and that has me buying him in every auction.
 $      65Kyrie Irving, PG, CLEThe additional bigs should give Kyrie all sorts of room to drive and dish.
 $      64John Wall, PG, WASLove Wall, was a first-round talent in last two months of 12-13, healthy offseason, will probably go cheaper and I’d be happy bidding him up to a high premium.  Wall/Ibaka have been my front 2 in many-a-draft.
 $      62Marc Gasol, C, MEMDoes everything, increased scoring with Gay gone in 2nd half 12-13.
 $      60Kevin Love, PF/C, MEMElite money upside, injury downside.  Still buying big.
 $      60Derrick Rose, PG, CHII buy the perimeter game offseason work, excited for a really big season/big Asts.  Looked good back on the court.
 $      60Paul George, SG/SF, INDLove George as a player, think he’s getting overhyped in fantasy.  Will probably go higher in numerous auctions.
 $      51Deron Williams, PG, BKNA bit worried about recent ankle injury, but worth elite range of $.
 $      50Ricky Rubio, PG, MINAnother point I buy the improved perimeter game, fully recovered from ACL.
 $      50Al Horford, PF/C, ATLMillsap is more efficient than Josh Smith, love Teague, big year for big Al.
 $      49Dwayne Wade, PG/SG, MIACareer-high FG% in 12-13, another solid year ahead.
 $      49Anthony Davis, PF/C, NOPlaying at an absolute elite level right now in the preseason.  Yeah I know it’s just preseason, but ready to really spend the extra dollar on him in auctions.
 $      45Al Jefferson, PF/C, CHACharlotte finally has a big, offense will run through him.
 $      44Damian Lillard, PG, PORBuying offseason improvements, FG% to go up, big season.
 $      44Carmelo Anthony, SF/PF, NYElite scoring, sure, think boards go down and a little injury prone.
 $      36Nicolas Batum, SG/SF, PORWrist injury a concern (no surgery), falling numbers and %s in second half scary.  Played a lot of minutes in EuroBasket, has a bad back now.  Big drop in tiers from Melo to Batum.
 $      35LaMarcus Aldridge, PF/C, PORTrade concerns and getting a lot of minor injuries through preseason.  Not ready to spend elite money on him.
 $      30Dirk Nowitzki, PF, DALAfter working his way back, elite Hall-of-Famer we’re used to in 2nd half.
 $      29Ty Lawson, PG, DENNo Gallinari, no Iguodala, will have to do it all.
 $      27Josh Smith, SF/PF, DETHas opportunity, very volatile in his value.
 $      27Joakim Noah, PF/C, CHIInjuries will be concerning, but very big year from Noah in 12-13, Rose = FG% up.
 $      27Larry Sanders, PF/C, MILGM calls him key to the team, contract extension in works, big year ahead.  Will be leaned on to score with no ‘Sova for a bit.
 $      26Tony Parker, PG, SAFire to win the title, elite when healthy.
 $      26Jeff Teague, PG, ATLWill be on all my teams, Millsap will help efficiency, one of my big breakouts.  This $-figure should land you him, and he should go even cheaper.
 $      25David Lee, PF/C, GSOften underrated, not worried about the hip injury that’s healed up.
 $      25Mike Conley, PG, MEMBoosted scoring, assists, fewer TOs when Gay left.
 $      24Russell Westbrook, PG, OKCInjury changes everything, don’t like knee injury for guy that relies on explosiveness.
 $      24Pau Gasol, PF/C, LALBye-bye Dwight, hello to old ways.  Or would it be hola?
 $      24Nikola Vucevic, PF/C, ORLNot only a double-double guy, 2 ast 1 stl 1 blk a game as well.
 $      24Dwight Howard, C, HOUProbably won’t end up on many of my teams and I see him getting bid up by his fans, but upside is obviously still there.
 $      24Tim Duncan, PF/C, SADream season last year, think he’ll come close to duplicating going for title.
 $      23Paul Millsap, PF, ATLOnly 27, played only 30:26 a night last year, will flourish in ATL.
 $      23Rudy Gay, SF/PF, TORBuying all things Raptors, solid multi-cat contributor.
 $      23Kawhi Leonard, SG/SF, SALove him, love the multi-cat game.  Might even go the extra buck to get him.
 $      22Roy Hibbert, C, INDFlashed elite big man potential in playoffs, extremely durable.
 $      21DeMarcus Cousins, PF/C, SACStill risky, one of fantasy’s biggest high risk/reward picks yet again.
 $      21Blake Griffin, PF, LACDespite hardcore fantasy player’s hate, there’s still upside – but I won’t get into a bidding war.
 $      21Jeff Green, SF/PF, BOSHuge, huge upside with extraordinary breakout potential.
 $      20Nikola Pekovic, C, MINAlready great FG% that will go up with Love, dub-dub with stl/blk a night.
 $      20Kobe Bryant, SG, LALCould obviously move up with incoming optimistic news, rehab doing too well to be lower.  Looking like he’ll miss opening night, but not too much more action.  Probably won’t end up paying the premium for his name value.
 $      20Jonas Valanciunas, C, TORIf you’ve read me since last year, he’s my #1 sleeper.  Offense to run through him.
 $      19Chris Bosh, PF/C, MIAUnder-the-radar (at least to me) very productive 12-13 despite dwindling skill set/rebounding.  Some further regression.
 $      19Derrick Favors, PF/C, UTAThe Jazz have a ton of faith in him, oozes potential/high block total.
 $      17Kemba Walker, PG, CHALower than almost anywhere else, don’t think Jefferson fixes bad FG%, low Asts.
 $      16Brook Lopez, C, BKNLove his game, had him top-20 in May.  Foot injury and big trade limits #s.  Better real life ROI than Auction value ROI.
 $      16Monta Ellis, PG/SG, DALExcited to see him play with Dirk, should have a solid season, slight scoring dip.
 $      15Jrue Holiday, PG, NOWhile #1 NO scorer/disher, I won’t be chasing Jrue is his price gets hiked up.
 $      15Greg Monroe, C, DETThink Josh Smith/Jennings actually will help his fantasy value.
 $      15Tobias Harris, SF/PF, ORLMy boyfriend from last year, flashed fantastic goodness in 2nd half.  Will start.
 $      15Chandler Parsons, SF/PF, HOUFantastic 12-13, think he has another great, efficient season.
 $      13Brandon Jennings, PG, DETMessed up tooth and jaw will linger into regular season, not willing to spend a penny more than this.
 $      13Paul Pierce, SF, BKNName value and new locale may have someone keep bidding, but it won’t be me.  Still value here though, he’s been going pretty late in snake drafts.
 $      13George Hill, PG/SG, INDQuiet, unassuming, steady production.
 $      13Eric Bledsoe, PG/SG, PHXFlashed brilliance when starting, polarizing fantasy ranks/valuation, big upside.  Will be a guy I may spend an extra few bucks on later in drafts if I have the pocketbook.
 $      12Jose Calderon, PG, DALA sore hammy but it shouldn’t linger into the season, will be diming like crazy with Dwight and Monta around.
 $      12Ryan Anderson, PF/C, NODespite new faces, don’t think his role/numbers change much.
 $      11Klay Thompson, SG/SF, GSI’ve seen him very overranked and overbid on, ThrAGNOF!
 $      11Goran Dragic, PG, PHXStill upside there, and despite a “bust” last year, still produced at this value.
 $      11David West, PF, INDSolid 12-13, another solid 13-14.
 $      11Zach Randolph, PF/C, MEMRead West, David.
 $      11DeMar DeRozan, SG/SF, TORA big sleeper of mine, TOR a great line-up now, buying the offseason work on 3s.
 $      11Gerald Henderson, SG/SF, CHABack-to-back sleepers I’d hope to get late, Henderson showed elite production in 2nd half.
 $      10Thaddues Young, SF/PF, PHISomeone has to score in Philly, right?  Solid 12-13 as well, but not in love.
 $      10Rajon Rondo, PG, BOSNo need to rush him back in a big rebuilding year – despite him saying he’s already mentally ready.
 $      10O.J. Mayo, SG, MILWill lead offensive attack for the Bucks, solid talent around him.
 $      10Bradley Beal, SG, WASShowed talent at times in rookie season, big injury concern, despite great upside including the big preseason games this week on 10-15 and 10-17.
 $        9Luol Deng, SF, CHITrade/contract issues persist, but solid player and should be with Bulls all year.
 $        8Greivis Vasquez, PG/SG, SACThink there’s multi-cat upside, but ankle injury and IT2 issues remain.
 $        7Andre Iguodala, SG/SF, GSLow floor/low ceiling, moves to another fast-paced team to duplicate 12-13 #s.
 $        7Jimmy Butler, SG/SF, CHIA little surprised I’m higher on him than most, will start, multi-cat goodness.
 $        7J.R. Smith, SG/SF, NYKKnee injury, suspension for smoking, but past those I’m fine with him here.
 $        7Kyle Lowry, PG, TORYou know you’re getting good production, but only when he’s on the floor.
 $        7Gordon Hayward, SG/SF, UTAMinutes, steals, assists up as 12-13 went on, TOs down, Jazz need consistency.
 $        6Ersan Ilyasova, SF/PF, MILDon’t want anything to do with a big on a very bum ankle.  Avoiding as best I can.  Might nominate him early to see if someone in your league thinks he’ll get healthy right away or didn’t see he’s hurt.
 $        6Marcin Gortat, C, PHXAnother guy from the Suns that was a semi-bust but still put up #s.
 $        6Danny Green, SG/SF, SAReally underrated multi-cat season: 1.2 stl 0.7 blk 12-13 a little shocking.
 $        6Enes Kanter, C, UTABig upside in starting role.Saw him play on 10-16 and looked great.
 $        6Wilson Chandler, SG/SF, DENWithout Gallinari until probably February, Chandler a huge breakout candidate.
 $        5Brandon Knight, PG/SG, MILStill very young, think with actual talent around him could emerge.
 $        5Kenneth Faried, PF, DENLove the Manimal in real life, think his fantasy value can be a little overrated and someone will overpay.
 $        4Jeremy Lin, PG, HOUSome upside with reports he and Dwight looking good from the Dream, great Stls.  However, he will be one of the most overpaid players in auction drafts because of his fan base from what I’ve seen.
 $        4Wesley Matthews, SG/SF, PORDon’t see him playing 35 mins a night, even with rook McCollum to miss prolonged time.
 $        4JaVale McGee, C, DENObvious upside with more minutes due to Karl firing, Shaqtin a Fool downside too.
 $        3Victor Oladipo, SG, ORLOnly other rookie in top 100, may start slow but I see bigger role in 2nd half.
 $        3Carlos Boozer, PF/C, CHIOne of my least favorite players, is actually going a bit underrated in 13-14.
 $        3Andre Drummond, PF/C, DETSure some upside, but 37.1 FT%?  Really?
 $        3Raymond Felton, PG/SG, NYStill driving a high-powered offense, think Beno Udrih eats into a few minutes.
 $        3Andrew Bogut, C, GSSays he’s healthy and expects big minutes, multi-cat performer, always injured…
 $        3Steve Nash, PG, LAL39, numerous injuries last year, but still top 100 and more than a $1 flyer value.
 $        3Michael Kidd-Gilchrist, SF, CHAPeople overrate a 19-yr old rookie season and write him off, multi-cat breakout.  Probably can get him for a $1 in most auctions.
 $        3Kentavious Caldwell-Pope, SG, DETFirst Stuckey now Jennings, injuries are ravaging the Pistons backcourt and KCP was looking at a surprise starting gig beforehand.  Willing to pay a few bucks late and not let him go for $1.
 $        2Jamal Crawford, PG/SG, LACWill duplicate what we saw last year, which was top 100 worthy.
 $        2Spencer Hawes, C, PHIHas the 1st half to prove worth until Noel gets minutes, out of position 3s nice.
 $        2Tyson Chandler, C, NYNot a huge fan, injury prone and a wild card, but value has him crack more than a buck, but won’t bid on him a second time.
 $        2John Henson, PF/C, MILInjuires to both Ilyasova and Ekpe Udoh will have Henson seeing tons of minutes, and I see him banking on the production with his solid per/48 numbers last year.  Must own in all leagues.  Save an extra dollar to bid him over the nomiation late, if you can’t nom him yourself.
 $        2Amir Johnson, PF/C, TORDespite probably a sub-10 PPG scorer, gave you 1 stl 1.4 blks last year.
 $        2Cody Zeller, PF/C, CHAA surprise from Summer ball, there’s upside playing next to Jefferson.
 $        2Isaiah Thomas, PG, SACAn unreal second half, potential is there but stifled by new regime/Vasquez.
 $        2Chris Kaman, PF/C, LALThrived when he’s gotten starting minutes, will be vastly undervalued.  Probably can get him for a buck, but I would go $2 or even $3 if I really needed a big late.
 $        2Kevin Garnett, PF/C, BKNKidd says he’ll bench KG on back-to-backs, #s still there last year, down a bit this year.
 $        2Tyreke Evans, SG/SF, NOAnkle dinged up after preseason injury, hate to draft him injured even with report he should make opening night.  Too much upside for only a single Washington.
 $        2Anderson Varejao, PF/C, CLEThe unreal rebounds are tough to ignore, but less minutes, Bynum = less value.
 $        2Kelly Olynyk, C, BOSMinutes and opporunity are there, worth a slight bit of a reach to me over a dollar.  Looked good in both preseason games I’ve seen him in.
 $        2Joe Johnson, SG/SF, BKNSomeone will reach for name value, scoring/3s down with all the options.
 $        1Jameer Nelson, PG, ORLOladipo to play some at point, everyone healthy right now, avoiding.  Everyone else below I wouldn’t spend more than a dollar on if I had a solid team filled out.
 $        1Andrew Bynum, C, CLEDon’t want him, knees hurt again, avoid avoid avoid. Yahoo @ $13 projected and he’s going at a $13.9 average is lunacy.
 $        1Danny Granger, SF, INDLike Bynum, tough to rank and I won’t be reaching for him – 2-10 in preseason opener and sore.  At least Yahoo has him as $4 and not $13!
 $        1Maurice Harkless, SF, ORLFlashed multi-cat goodness with 1.2 stl/0.8 blk in only 25 minutes per game.
 $        1Andrei Kirilenko, SF/PF, BKNNever been a huge fan, but will still get minutes behind elderly former Celtics.
 $        1Harrison Barnes, SF, GSPotential has always been there, but becomes a 6th man with Iggy.
 $        1Arron Afflalo, SG/SF, ORLEmpty scoring, but still produces despite status with Magic in turmoil.
 $        1Shawn Marion, SF/PF, DALI don’t buy a repeat, but Marion was huge last year under-the-radar.
 $        1Jarrett Jack, PG/SG, CLEWahhhhhh, I’m Jarrett Jack!  Will find time at the 2 late in games.
 $        1Michael Carter-Williams, PG, PHIThe FG% will be terrible, but minutes and opportunity are there for the late $1 gamble.
 $        1J.J. Redick, SG, LACLimited upside, but should be able to replicate what he did with the Magic in 12-13.
 $        1Tristan Thompson, PF/C, CLELoved him before Bynum/Bennett/Clark brought in, Bynum hurt, TT could start.
 $        1Reggie Jackson, PG, OKCSure he’s only got the starting gig until Westbrook is back, but Jackson will still get minutes as Russell is eased back in and tremendous upside to start the year.  Worth an extra buck if you need one last depth guy and have the cash late.
 $        1Kevin Martin, SG, MINWill score, but doesn’t get to the line anymore, still doesn’t do anything else. Sore Achilles to start the year as well.
 $        1Randy Foye, PG/SG, DENGallinari hurt, no Brewer, no Iggy, no Koufos, Denver will need scoring.
 $        1Ben McLemore, SG, SACCrowded backcourt, but they seem determined to play him, some upside.
 $        1DeAndre Jordan, C, LACHaving a great preseason and flashing great Board-n-Blocks upside, FT% still a work around though.
 $        1Kyle Korver, SG/SF, ATLDespite my reluctance to bid on 3-point specialists, was solid in 12-13.
 $        1Dion Waiters, SG, CLEJack will take some minutes, a lot of new options on the Cavs.
 $        1Corey Brewer, SG/SF, MIN(three weeks ago)I just think he’s better than Budinger or Shabazz, more multi-cat value than expected. (now) Budinger hurt, Brewer to start.  Me likey.  Can nab him with your last dollar most likely.
 $        1Manu Ginobili, SG/SF, SAInjuries and lower minutes of course lower value, but can still produce.
 $        1Eric Gordon, SG, NOBad knees, ankle still coming along, not touching him before here.
 $        1Evan Turner, SG/SF, PHII just thought he’d be a better NBA player and he’s not, not buying new opportunity.
 $        1Tiago, Splitter, C, SAUnderrated multi-cat year, played 81 games, nice late stat booster.
 $        1Martell Webster, SG/SF, WASPorter’s hip injury lagging deeper than thought, Webster in line to get minutes in his stead.  Wiz to ease Porter in when ready.
 $        1Anthony Bennett, SF/PF, CLEFrontcourt is loaded, but loaded with injury-prone guys.  Still won’t go more than a dollar for #1 pick.  Showing conditioning problems recovering from off-season shoulder surgery. Now reports of asthma and sleep apnea.  All looking bad, but worth the $1 flyer if no one else is nominating him.
 $        1Gerald Wallce, SF/PF, BOSWill get minutes early, he’s getting shopped, probably loses value on deadline deal as I doubt he gets traded into a big role.
 $        1Greg Stiemsma, C, NOGoing to start and get the Robin Lopez role, will block and can board better.
 $        1Andrea Bargnani, PF/C, NYKApparently gelling well with Melo and Amar’e is still hurt.  Not going to go nuts for him, but upside warrants the buy and he’s another guy I might go $2 on if I need to spend late dollars.
 $        1Nene Hilario, PF/C, WASAdds 3 dimes a game, but up there in age and not a guy I’m buying for more.
 $        1Metta World Peace, SF/PF, NYShould play despite not playing under this name.  Probably avoiding.
 $        1Archie Goodwin, SG, PHXThe more I’m looking at guys ranked below him, the more I have the rookie nookie urge to take Goodwin.  6th man role in team that will play him.  Probably can be your last nomination and an easy $1 buy.
 $        1Ramon Sessions, PG/SG, CHAWas on his way to a great 12-13 before a knee injury, should still see good mins.
 $        1Nick Young, SG/SF, LALMight be droppable after Kobe is back, but could have a strong start.
 $        1Alec Burks, SG, UTACould play some point while Burke is out, not ready to bid the extra dollar on him though.
 $        1Iman Shumpert, SG/SF, NYReturned from ACL surgery last year, could be solid after healthy offseason.
 $        1Omri CasspiVery hot preseason and could start at the 4 on a very fast-paced Rockets team.  A nice late-auction target.
 $        1Nate Robinson, PG/SG, DENNot a fan, but will get some run as the 1/2 off the bench and is being reported he could play some with Lawson in shortest backcourt ever.  Next they’ll bring in Spud Webb.
 $        1Andre Miller, PG, DENPlayed in every game past 2 years, Nate Robinson steals the possible min. uptick.
 $        1Omer Asik, C, HOUHuge loss of minutes, Dwight/Asik frontcourt would be worst FT% ever.
 $        1J.J. Hickson, PF/C, DENBehind Faried and McGee, will still get pretty solid minutes.
 $        1Lou Williams, PG/SG, ATLStill recovering from the ACL, will be eased in, but still 2nd half upside.
 $        1Trey Burke, PG, UTAAvoiding at all costs now; he needed every minute of preseason experience and now will be eased in a month or so into the season.  But if you haven’t bought anyone else hurt, he’s worth your last dollar.
 $        1Avery Bradley, PG/SG, BOSYou don’t really want any of the Celtics gaurds, but they’ll play.
 $        1Robin Lopez, C, PORLooking like he’ll start & could repeat 12-13 which has value even though he blows.