RADIO
The NBA draft on Thursday was eventful as always, as the drafting of Kristaps Porzingis literally brought Knicks fans to tears of despair, the University of Kentucky tied its own record by having six players taken in the draft, and Kelly Oubre wore shoes that could be considered deadly weapons. However, and more importantly, several players were drafted who have the talent, skill, and the opportunity to make an immediate fantasy basketball impact in the 2015-2016 NBA season.
The analysis that follows consists of eight first round draftees with great rookie production potential, and three second round sleepers who fans might be forgetting about because these players were drafted in the bottom 30. Due to the fact that NBA games are played at a faster pace than college games, the players average statistical output over 100 possessions will be the most frequent statistic referenced so to better compare the players level of play to the quick pace of the NBA. Also, just so you can get a feel for the player's team and their pace of play, the teams' average number of possessions per game over the last season will be presented next to the team name.
First Rounders
Karl-Anthony Towns (Minnesota Timberwolves, 97.0 possessions used per game)
Karl-Anthony Towns showed that he was special in his time in Lexington, Kentucky. What is really impressive is how little playing time it took him. Towns averaged only 21.1 minutes per game, but his production in this limited time was of extreme volume. Over 100 possessions, Towns would average 20 rebounds, 6.7 blocks, and 30.6 points. Towns was able to jump into the number one spot in the draft because he impressed Minnesota with his shooting ability at 6'11'', going 81.3% from the free throw line. Considering Towns's ability to do damage from everywhere on the floor and his incredibly clear path to the starting lineup, fantasy basketball owners should count on Towns to help their team considerably in his rookie season in points, blocks, rebounds, FT%, and will make more three-pointers than most centers.
D'Angelo Russell (Los Angeles Lakers, 96.3 possessions used per game)
While it was certainly surprising when the Lakers picked D'Angelo Russell over Jahlil Okafor, it is no secret why they would want the Ohio State product. In college, Russell averaged 10.1 rebounds, 8.9 assists, and 34.4 points per 100 possessions, almost averaging a triple double at an NBA pace. Russell also shot very well from long range with a 41.1% 3pt percentage, and he was one of the most efficient floor generals in college with a 30.1% Assist percentage (an estimate of teammate field goals the player assisted while on the floor). With Jeremy Lin departing and Jordan Clarkson being more of a scoring threat than the Lakers' point guard of the future, expect Russell to immediately be the starting point guard in LA and contribute for fantasy basketball managers in points, rebounds, assists, and 3pt field goals.
Jahlil Okafor (Philadelphia 76ers, 98.3 possessions used per game)
Philadelphia must have felt like they were dreaming when the most dominant "back to the basket" offensive center in the draft fell to them at pick number three. Exactly how dominant was the 6'11'' Okafor while at Duke? Okafor was third in the nation last season in effective FG percentage (a statistic that takes into account that a 3pt field goal is worth one more point than a 2pt field goal) with a .664 and was 20th in the nation with a true shooting percentage (statistic that accounts for 2pt field goals, 3pt field goals, and free throws) of .641. Over 100 possessions Okafor averaged 17.1 rebounds and 34.9 points. Okafor's path to production is a little unclear for the Sixers, who already have Joel Embiid and Nerlens Noel, but with Okafor's talent, it is a good bet that Philadelphia will find him playing time any way that they can. If they do, expect Okafor to produce heavy statistics in points, rebounds, and FG%.
Frank Kaminsky (Charlotte Hornets, 95.3 possessions used per game)
Frank "the Tank" Kaminsky is the best pure scoring threat entering the NBA this year. At seven feet tall, Kaminsky shoots 41.6% from three point range along with an effective field goal percentage of .590 and a true shooting percentage of .628. While at Wisconsin Kaminsky also averaged 16.4 rebounds and 37.6 points per 100 possessions. Although Charlotte already has good depth at Center, they had the second worst TS% in the NBA last year with a .498. With Marvin Williams being the team's best PF, it seems like Kaminsky will get plenty of opportunities to get in the game and produce. If he does so in his rookie season fantasy basketball managers can expect solid production in points, rebounds, FG%, and many more three-pointers than the average seven footer.
Myles Turner (Indiana Pacers, 95.5 possessions used per game)
Myles Turner is a game-changing rim protector. At 6'11'' with a 7'4'' wingspan, Turner's length allowed him to block 7.5 shots per 100 possessions at Texas and have a 12.3 block percentage (an estimate of amount of opponent possessions that end with a block by player while he was on the floor). Turner is still developing his other skills, but in his rookie season, he will block shots. Turner will see the floor due to the Pacers' need for frontcourt depth, and when he does, fantasy basketball managers can expect Turner to immediately produce in blocked shots.
Jerian Grant (New York Knicks, 93.7 possessions used per game)
The Knicks traded Tim Hardaway Jr. for Jerian Grant, meaning they want him to be their starting point guard. The Knicks have a tremendous need for an efficient backcourt, and the Notre Dame alum will provide it. This year in college Grant averaged 2.8 steals and 11.3 assists per 100 possessions, had a great Assist percentage of 33.6%, and a solid TS% of .592. Grant will see the floor a lot this year as a rookie, and fantasy basketball managers should expect Grant to produce quality numbers in assists, steals, and points.
Delon Wright (Toronto Raptors, 95.4 possessions used per game)
Greivis Vasquez was just traded away, and Louis Williams is a good scorer, but he leaves a lot to be desired in terms of running the offense. This creates wiggle room for Delon Wright of Utah to make his presence felt in Toronto during his rookie season behind Kyle Lowry. This year in college Wright averaged 9.8 assists, 4.0 steals, 27.9 points, and only 3.7 turnovers per 100 possessions. Wright also had a TS% of .619. If Wright locks up consistent time as Lowry's backup or playing side by side with Lowry as a SG, fantasy basketball managers can expect solid production in assists, steals, and points.
Sam Dekker (Houston Rockets, 99.3 possessions used per game)
The Rockets quick pace of play really favors the former Wisconsin Badger Sam Dekker. This year in college Dekker averaged 30.2 points per 100 possessions, had a TS% of .605, and an effective FG% of .586. Due to Houston's depth at SG and SF, Dekker has an unclear path to playing time. If he sees the court, Fantasy Basketball Managers could see Dekker put up a lot of points in Houston's blistering paced offense.
Second Round Sleepers
Jordan Mickey (Boston Celtics, 98.4 possessions used per game)
Mickey is a short PF at 6'8'', but he has a 7'2'' wingspan that allowed him to have a 9.6% block percentage and average 16.4 rebounds and 6.0 blocks per 100 possessions while playing at LSU. Thanks to his short height but huge length, Mickey may be able to play in several different places on the court around Jared Sullinger, Kelly Olynyk, and Tyler Zeller. He is a far greater defensive player than Brandon Bass. If Mickey finds a path to playing time, he is a sneaky pickup for fantasy basketball managers to produce quality rebounds and a lot of blocked shots.
Dakari Johnson (Oklahoma City Thunder, 98.3 possessions used per game)
With Enes Kanter entering free agency, there is some room possibly being created for another big man to see the floor, and it is possible that room could accommodate the 7'0" Dakari Johnson out of Kentucky. Johnson averaged only 16.3 minutes per game this year. Per 100 possessions Johnson would've averaged 17.7 rebounds, 3.6 blocks, and 24.5 points. He also has a developing jump shot, as his FT% went from 44.7% to 62.5% this season. If the Thunder find themselves needing a cleanup Center with good size to take the floor, Johnson is a sneaky pick for fantasy basketball managers to grab rebounds, block shots, and score on the low block.
Joseph Young (Indiana Pacers, 95.5 possessions used per game)
The Pacers aren't exactly the strongest in backcourt depth. That may be why they selected elite scorer Joseph Young out of Oregon in the second round. In his entire college career, Young was a 39% three point shooter. This season Young averaged 33.1 points and 6.0 assists per 100 possessions, and he was second in the nation with a 92.5% FT%. Young could put up numbers similar to Jordan Clarkson's last season, especially if Paul George has any more complications with his leg. If Young gets his chance, he is a savvy pickup for fantasy basketball managers to produce points, assists, 3pt field goals, and a near perfect FT%.
