Fantasy Basketball 2014-15: Projecting 10 Biggest Risers of the Season
There is a reason that fantasy player rankings are fluid and constantly tweaked throughout a season.
Surges in value can happen at any time. For those fostering thoughts of a league title, it's imperative to start riding those waves before anyone else sees them coming.
Of course, it's hard to keep those waves hidden when fantasy owners have had a full offseason to search for them. With fantasy draft clocks starting to tick, these players' market prices must be adjusted now.
The 10 guys to crack this list are the ones projected to see the largest increase in value from where they finished last season. And those previous values needed to be set for a reason. In other words, rookies or players who missed more than half the year (41-plus games) were not considered here.
Rather, this list reflects players whose real-world situations changed in a way that positively impacted them in the fantasy realm. That could have been something as simple as addressing a nagging injury, or it might have been as dramatic as landing with a new team or seeing a supporting cast radically changed.
Whether rotisserie or head-to-head leagues, 10-teamers or larger, all of these players need to be rostered, and all should be expected to yield significantly higher returns than they did last season.
Eric Bledsoe, PG/SG, Phoenix Suns
1 of 10
2013-14 Averages: 17.7 points, 5.5 assists, 4.7 rebounds, 1.6 steals, 1.2 threes, .477/.357/.772 shooting
2013-14 ESPN Player Rating: No. 134
There was one worrisome number regarding Eric Bledsoe's fantasy output last season, and it obviously was not any of the above.
The number was 43, as in the amount of appearances he was able to sandwich around surgery to repair a torn meniscus in his right knee. When the explosive guard was able to see the floor, he stuffed a sheet as well as anyone.
He was one of four players to average at least 17 points on 47 percent shooting, five assists and four rebounds. The other three—Kevin Durant, Stephen Curry and LeBron James—were the top three players on ESPN.com's player rankings.
Bledsoe returned from that surgery last March and seems to have put both the injury and his lengthy contract negotiations with the Phoenix Suns behind him. He poured in 15 points on 7-of-10 shooting during the Suns' 100-88 win over Rio De Janeiro Flamengo on Wednesday.
The Suns have three strong point guard options (Goran Dragic and Isaiah Thomas are the others), which could hold down Bledsoe's assist total a bit. But it should also help with his turnovers (3.3 last season).
If he can keep finding consistency from three-point range and avoid the injury imp, he will be an elite fantasy option.
Andrew Bogut, C, Golden State Warriors
2 of 10
2013-14 Averages: 7.3 points, 10.0 rebounds, 1.7 assists, 0.7 steals, 1.8 blocks, 62.7 field-goal percentage, 34.4 free-throw percentage
2013-14 ESPN Player Rating: No. 68
How high is the fantasy ceiling for Golden State Warriors center Andrew Bogut? He was a top-70 player last season, despite missing 15 games and seldom being used as even a complementary offensive player.
Imagine the numbers he could put up if a coach actually built him into the offensive playbook. Now stop imagining because rookie Warriors coach Steve Kerr, along with associate head coach Alvin Gentry, is doing just that.
Their idea seems to be that a 7-footer with crafty ball-handling skills, a keen eye for sharing the rock, a soft shooting touch and an array of low-post moves is someone who deserves a few touches. As encouraging as that sounds, it looks even better in action.
Bogut used his 17 minutes of the Warriors' preseason opener to post 10 points (on 5-of-5 shooting), seven boards and two assists. And that was only the first step of what could be a timely process.
As the Dubs get more comfortable using Bogut, he might feel more freedom to take full advantage of his diverse offensive skills. Who knows, maybe that could even get his free-throw percentage back to a reasonable rate. He's been a 56.2 percent shooter from the stripe over the course of his career, so it shouldn't be a lost cause.
With more touches coming his way and the new avenues to production they will bring, he has a real chance to join the ranks of top-shelf fantasy centers.
Luol Deng, SF/PF, Miami Heat
3 of 10
2013-14 Averages: 16.0 points, 2.9 assists, 5.7 rebounds, 1.0 steals, 0.9 threes, .431/.302/.791 shooting
2013-14 ESPN Player Rating: No. 139
If you're searching for inspiration somewhere in those numbers, you can go ahead and stop. Luol Deng's disastrous midseason move to the Cleveland Cavaliers sapped nearly all of his fantasy relevance.
Before being traded, he had put up 19 points on 45.2 percent shooting, 6.9 rebounds and 3.7 assists in 23 games for the Chicago Bulls. He was a three-ball away from being an absolute stud.
Then, he got shipped off to Cleveland, and his production crumbled. He played 40 agonizing games there, averaging 14.3 points on 41.7 percent shooting, 5.1 boards and 2.5 assists.
To contextualize that collapse, there were only five players who matched Deng's stat line with the Bulls. His numbers with the Cavs were matched or topped by 20 different players.
Versatility is key for Deng. He's never going to dominate a few individual categories. But his setting is equally important. He can fade into the background if he isn't utilized enough, or he can look overexposed if he's asked to do too much.
The Miami Heat should help restore his value by finding that comfortable balance in between. Chris Bosh and Dwyane Wade can help carry the scoring load, but this team has a ton of production to replace with LeBron James no longer around. Look for Deng to post impact-supportive numbers, with the chance for those to grow given Wade's constant battles with injury and Miami's question marks at point guard.
George Hill, PG/SG, Indiana Pacers
4 of 10
2013-14 Averages: 10.3 points, 3.5 assists, 3.7 rebounds, 1.0 steals, 1.3 threes, .442/.365/.807 shooting
2013-14 ESPN Player Rating: No. 103
Between Lance Stephenson's exit and Paul George's gruesome leg injury, the Indiana Pacers became substantially worse over the offseason.
George Hill's fantasy prospects, meanwhile, improved by an equally significant margin.
Hill had burned fantasy owners and Pacers in the past by shuffling in and out of the team's offensive attack. Too often last season, he would bring the ball up court then disappear into the corner as a last-ditch outlet.
This season, he says he has no plans of retracing his steps.
"I sold that real estate," Hill told reporters when asked about camping in the corner, via The Indy Star's Candace Buckner. "It was a bad view, didn't make a lot of money. I kind of lost on it, so I sold it."
An aggressive Hill is a difference-maker. His preseason debut hinted at his massive fantasy potential, as he dropped in 17 points, dished out seven assists, grabbed six boards, swiped two steals and even blocked a shot.
He should be a multi-category stud, as the Pacers have few other places to turn to help replace the across-the-board production they had been getting from Stephenson and George.
Jordan Hill, PF/C, Los Angeles Lakers
5 of 10
2013-14 Averages: 9.7 points, 7.4 rebounds, 0.9 blocks, 54.9 field-goal percentage, 68.5 free-throw percentage
2013-14 ESPN Player Rating: No. 132
If Jordan Hill cannot enjoy a breakout season this year, it's time to stop waiting for one from the former No. 8 draft pick.
There shouldn't be anything standing in his way. Mike D'Antoni's perimeter offense is out, replaced by the inside-out style preferred by new Los Angeles Lakers coach Byron Scott, per Eric Pincus of the Los Angeles Times.
Hill is almost without competition at the center spot. Third-year big man Robert Sacre owns a career 10.8 player efficiency rating. Offseason import Ed Davis has seen his playing time decrease during each of his four years in the league.
Scott gave Hill the starting nod for L.A.'s preseason opener, and the energetic big man responded with 11 boards and 10 points in less than 20 minutes of work. He has always been forced to do more with less, so it should be fascinating to see whether his career per-36-minute production (14.7 points, 11.6 rebounds, 1.5 blocks) holds up with an expanded workload.
Hill should at least flirt with a nightly double-double, and his decent work as a shot-blocker is enhanced by the fact he is not a disaster at the foul line (career 67.9 free-throw percentage). If he seizes this opportunity, he could hold a starting center gig on a team that has top-shelf strength in other areas.
Dwight Howard, PF/C, Houston Rockets
6 of 10
2013-14 Averages: 18.3 points, 12.2 rebounds, 1.8 assists, 0.8 steals, 1.8 blocks, 59.1 field-goal percentage, 54.7 free-throw percentage
2013-14 ESPN Player Rating: No. 58
Does the 58th-ranked player in fantasy basketball really deserve a Superman cape? On second thought, don't bother answering that question.
Howard isn't going to stay down long enough for it to matter, anyway.
He hasn't quite been himself these past two seasons. Immediately preceding this stretch, he had a five-year run in which he averaged 20.6 points, 13.9 boards and 2.5 blocks. He hasn't reached any of those numbers, topping out at the 18.3 points he tallied last season and the 12.4 rebounds and 2.4 blocks he averaged the year prior.
A variety of explanations have been offered up for his "struggles." Perhaps the easiest to identify is that these past two years have been his first away from the Orlando Magic. They also mark the first time since his NBA superstardom began that he has had to share the spotlight (first with Kobe Bryant, now with James Harden).
Those items may well have played a part, but the source of his problem could be even simpler: his health. He had back surgery in 2012 and admitted to Yahoo Sports' Adrian Wojnarowski he came back earlier than should have. With more time standing between him and the procedure now, he might want to get fitted for his old cape.
A healthy Howard is a statistically dominant Howard. With fewer hands reaching into the Houston Rockets' offensive pot, he should have every opportunity to reclaim his spot as an elite fantasy force.
Markieff Morris, PF/C, Phoenix Suns
7 of 10
2013-14 Averages: 13.8 points, 6.0 rebounds, 1.8 assists, 0.8 steals, 0.6 blocks, 0.4 threes, .486/.315/.792 shooting
2013-14 ESPN Player Rating: No. 59
As versatile Phoenix Suns big man Markieff Morris laid siege to one career high after another last season, some fantasy owners may have confused his work with a breakout year.
But that's making it bigger than it was. For the 25-year-old, the 2013-14 campaign was just a stepping stone to where he's really headed as a fantasy star.
He compiled all those numbers while logging only 26.6 minutes a night. That number should skyrocket this season, both as a reflection of his new contract (four years, $32 million) and as a way to offset the loss of stretch big man Channing Frye.
Morris can space the floor, though that was one of the areas he actually declined last season. His three-point makes (34), attempts (108) and percentage (31.5) were all career lows.
If he adds perimeter shooting back to his lengthy list of talents, he should help in just about every category. He's a borderline 80 percent shooter at the foul line who is capable of flirting with 10 boards, a steal and a block on a nightly basis.
Even if his scoring plateaus, he should be a fantasy goldmine.
Mirza Teletovic, SF/PF, Brooklyn Nets
8 of 10
2013-14 Averages: 8.6 points, 3.7 rebounds, 0.8 assissts, 0.4 steals, 1.9 threes, .418/.390/.710 shooting
2013-14 ESPN Player Rating: No. 188
There is a chance Brooklyn Nets swingman Mirza Teletovic flew far enough off the fantasy radar last season that his name won't draw a mention in your draft. He won't stay out of the conversation this year, but keep his perception in mind to avoid a costly overpay.
That value is important to keep in mind, because at the right price, Teletovic could be your league's biggest steal.
Only Deron Williams and Joe Johnson saw more minutes during the Nets' preseason opener. While that trend may not hold, playing time should never be hard for Teletovic to find.
Paul Pierce and Andray Blatche are no longer taking up minutes on Brooklyn's frontcourt. A path to major minutes could open at any time should any member of the oft-injured trio of Andrei Kirilenko, Kevin Garnett and Brook Lopez be forced out of the action.
Teletovic should be a high-volume, high-efficiency shooter, making him an immediate target for any team light on three-point threats. But he can also be an explosive scorer (eight games with 18-plus points) or an active presence on the glass (16 games with six or more rebounds).
His fantasy ascension is coming sooner than later, and when it does, it will shatter his current perception (119.1 average draft position on ESPN.com).
Russell Westbrook, PG, Oklahoma City Thunder
9 of 10
2013-14 Averages: 21.8 points, 6.9 assists, 5.7 rebounds, 1.9 steals, 1.5 threes, .437/.318/.826 shooting
2013-14 ESPN Player Rating: No. 91
It speaks volumes about Oklahoma City Thunder point guard Russell Westbrook that he could miss nearly as many games as he played (36 to 46) and still produce one of the league's top 100 fantasy seasons.
But that doesn't come close to capturing how special of a talent he really is.
Eight players have averaged at least 22 points over the last four seasons. Among those eight, Westbrook ranks second in assists (1,958), first in steals (500) and fifth in rebounds (1,371). For those worried about injury risks, he also ranks tied for third in games played (276).
With a little more ball control (3.8 turnovers last season) and better shot selection, he would essentially grade out as elite at every perimeter category, plus a few not typically associated with guards.
"He's a dynamic scorer built to create havoc with his lightning quickness and penchant for stopping on a dime for pull-up jumpers," wrote Bleacher Report's Stephen Babb. "His length and athleticism have made him a versatile two-way threat capable of overwhelming many an opposing point guard."
Westbrook dominates the game, and his superior play easily translates in fantasy script. This season, he'll get back to being a top-10 talent, and even that might be underselling his skills.
Deron Williams, PG, Brooklyn Nets
10 of 10
2013-14 Averages: 14.3 points, 6.1 assists, 2.6 rebounds, 1.5 steals, 1.5 threes, .450/.366/.801 shooting
2013-14 ESPN Player Rating: No. 70
Deron Williams literally limped through a disappointing 2013-14 season. He was injured before training camp, missed nearly the entire preseason and battled with his ankles throughout the year.
It wasn't all that different from his 2012-13 season. He suffered the most statistical damage this past year, but he hasn't been right for a while.
After undergoing surgeries on both of his ankles in May, though, the hope is that he can finally get back to his old form. It's too early to tell if that's possible, but already he has felt more freedom to play ball without thinking about his body, per Newsday's Roderick Boone:
"I think when you are in practice, you are kind of thinking about it because it's more controlled, you have more time to kind go plan out. When it gets to a game, things are happening fast. You can't really do that, and that's a good thing because I did that the last two years. I knew I couldn't step certain ways or go certain ways, so I had to, in my mind, choreograph what I was going to do. Now, I really don't have to do that.
"
If he really feels this healthy, the potential for his production is astounding. He can bolster a fantasy roster both with his scoring and distributing, and he's a bigger three-point threat now than he's ever been. He has outpaced his career averages in terms of three-point attempts and three-point percentage in each of the past two seasons.
With Brooklyn still hoping for playoff success, Williams should have a wide window to substantial stat sheets—as long as his ankles can carry him through.
Unless otherwise noted, statistics used courtesy of Basketball-Reference.com and NBA.com. Position designation coincides with players' eligible positions on Yahoo Sports.
