Off to the West!
And just a quick reminder, don’t go nuts over exhibition games. It’s not a real competition. So, maybe it’s just for confirmation bias?
Golden State Warriors: The center position is the competition. Al Horford will take his walker up and down the court to start games, based on their practice runs. Think more like 20 minutes more than 30 here. Trayce Jackson-Davis seems to be the odd man out to start. Keep in mind, though, that Draymond Green and Horford are both older players and are likely to rest or miss time with some sort of injury. Then Jacks0n-Davis is starting quality. But you can wait for the injury in a shallower league. I love Jackson-Davis as a player; not sure the role is going to be there though.
Los Angeles Clippers: Team disappointment. Not for success, but for fantasy guys living up to last year’s billing. The Clippers are DEEP. Like, Loch Ness deep. They’re talking about an eleven man rotation.
Hurt by this rotational shift will be James Harden, Ivica Zubac, and Aspiration endorser Kawhi Leonard. They will be fine as players but their minutes will go down, so their counting numbers will too. Zubac especially is a hard fade; that was a career year that won’t be repeated.
My favorite backup here is Kris Dunn. He can back up multiple positions and his defense will keep the playing time safe. Derrick Jones, Jr. can back up both wing positions and should be the same value as last season as well. I don’t want any Brook Lopez; his 20 minutes will exist just to kill Zubac’s value.
I’m probably not ending up with many Clippers except Dunn, and that’s even in a specific build that scoring matters less. The rotation is just too deep to maintain a lot of value for anyone. Too many mouths to feed-unless you’re punting points it’s going to be tough to rely on the Clippers.
Los Angeles Lakers: Not much drama here except De’Andre Ayton at center. Ayton functions well in a supportive yet tough, veteran laden team with a mentor type person to guide him. None of these adjectives apply to LeBron James, though. This may not go well for the elderly appearing Ayton. Don’t be shocked to see Jared Vanderbilt play some center minutes, and fast.
Phoenix Suns: The big man rotation is the area to watch. Mark Williams is basically not doing training camp but says he’s going to be ready for the first game. Sure, Mark, sure. If this actually happens, he and Nic Richards will split the time. Khaman Malauch is the future but is incredibly raw. Probably not worth drafting except in a dynasty. Don’t sleep on Oso Igdaboro either; he has potential for a steal and block per game if he gets the minutes.
Nigel Hayes is coming from overseas to help the forward positions and could carve out a large role as well. The Wisconsin product has been plying his trade in Europe the past seven seasons. He averaged 16-5-2 and was a three point threat as well. Dillon Brooks and Ryan Dunn do still exist, but Hayes needs to be watched to see if he can carve out a role.
Sacramento Kings: I thought for sure I had heard about a Malik Monk injury so was all set to pump up Denis Schroeder as an injury replacement. Then I figured it was because he was always hurt, so it made sense. None of this is true, and Monk is the point guard in name on this team. This is the year to get him.
Drew Eubanks will look for a bigger role and is the big man to watch in case of injury. Keon Ellis looks to gain G/F minutes as the backup at the 2 and 3. Ignore them both though until something happens.
Two more to go!
