While the NBA playoffs are ongoing and a number of players are still showing the basketball world what they can do, we have already seen enough from the regular season to make the necessary assessments and projections to our draft boards for the next NBA fantasy season.
One of the most important aspects of building a strong fantasy team is the ability to project players that are set to exceed expectations before it happens in order to land them and that is why we are doing that now. Here is a look at four point guards that are on the rise in the NBA looking forward to next season.
Jeff Teague, Atlanta Hawks
Teague really emerged in the 2014 playoffs, produced a solid fantasy season in 2015 and is reinforcing his case as one of the top point guards in the Eastern Conference with the Hawks in these playoffs. Even so, he still seems to be an underrated player. Teague averaged 15.9 points, 7.0 assists, 2.5 rebounds and 1.6 steals per game during the regular season and his postseason numbers are on par. However, recall that the Hawks were shot out of a cannon to start the season and faded down the stretch. Next season, if they can maintain, expect to see better numbers from Teague the entire way through. Take a look at his splits:
Before the All-Star Break: 17.0 PPG, 7.5 AST, 2.5 REB, 1.1 3PM, 1.7 STL, 0.5 BLK
After the All-Star Break: 13.5 PPG, 6.0 AST, 2.5 REB, 0.8 3PM, 1.7 STL, 0.3 BLK
It’s most likely he let you down in the second half of the season as well as the fantasy playoffs, but the Hawks faded as a team. If they can play more consistently next season, we should see more of what Teague did in the 50 games before the All-Star break.
George Hill, Indiana Pacers
Hill isn’t one the same elite level as Teague but he is a talented, underrated point guard that has the potential to put up better numbers next season than some project that he will. Hill averaged 16.1 points, 5.1 assists, 4.2 rebounds and 1.0 steals per game during the regular season. He really stepped up in the final 28 games of the season as the team was making a push for the playoffs. He had 17.2 PPG, 5.,8 AST, 4.6 REB, 1.6 3PM and 1.2 STL in that span.
With Paul George back at full strength and a strong supporting cast, he has the potential to at least maintain or improve his overall numbers as a point guard on the rise next season.
Elfrid Payton, Orlando Magic
The former first-round pick is still just 21 years old and he has the potential to take a major step forward after putting up decent numbers last season. Payton averaged 8.9 points, 6.5 assists, 4.3 rebounds and 1.7 steals per game with Orlando a year ago but with him being a rookie, you really have to examine his splits.
Before the All-Star Break: 7.9 PPG, 5.7 AST, 3.7 REB, 1.6 STL
After the All-Star Break: 11.1 PPG, 8.3 AST, 5.4 REB, 2.1 STL
Clearly, he looks like a player who finished strong and is on the rise. With the Magic building around their young core and the potential for him to improve on his own as an individual, there is every reason to like Payton as a point guard on the rise looking forward to next season.
Jordan Clarkson, Los Angeles Lakers
The Lakers roster will undoubtedly be better next season when Julius Randle and Kobe Bryant return along with whoever Los Angeles signs in free agency and drafts with the second-overall pick. That is good news for their starting point guard Clarkson. The 22-year-old took on a bigger role last year as he progressed and he handled it well. He averaged 11.9 points, 3.5 assists, 3.2 rebounds and 0.9 steals per game on the whole but finished the year very strong. Clarkson averaged 19.4 PPG, 6.8 AST, 4.6 REB, 1.6 STL and 1.3 3PT in April and in general, was very strong from the start of February and beyond. He’s still a sleeper but with more help around him next year, he should be a quality option for your team.
