The 2016-17 NBA season is right around the corner and that probably means you are doing your research to prepare for your fantasy draft. The draft is one of the most exciting times of the year and the managers that do the best job in their preparation will be rewarded for their hard work. One of the biggest mistakes that fantasy managers make is reaching for players that have a strong potential to be fantasy busts. We took the time to identify a handful of players that could fall in to that category this season. Here is a look at five potential NBA fantasy busts to avoid in 2016-17.
C: Andre Drummond, Detroit Pistons
Drummond led the NBA in rebounds last season and averaged more than a block per game. His point totals could improve this season with a few more touches per game. So why is he on this list? Drummond is among the worst free throw shooters in NBA history, which means he deserves a significant downgrade in any leagues that count that statistic. Drummond can singlehandedly cost a manager that category in head-to-head matchups for every week of the regular season and that limits his potential upside. There are plenty of options out there that could help you earn rebounds and blocks without destroying your free throw percentage so be aware of Drummond as a potential fantasy bust.
SG: Klay Thompson, Golden State Warriors
An argument can be made that Thompson has been the Warriors’ third-best fantasy player behind Stephen Curry and Draymond Green over the last couple of seasons. So what happens now that they have added Kevin Durant to the mix? This Warriors’ team has the potential to be one of the best in NBA history but the fact that there will only be so many touches to go around every night limits the fantasy potential of every single player on the roster. Thompson could take the biggest hit now that he is Golden State’s third scoring option behind Curry and Durant. He’s a guy that’s being drafted very early in NBA fantasy drafts and it seems like there is more downside than upside, so be aware of that if you invest early.
PG: Derrick Rose, New York Knicks
The Knicks brought in Rose to be their franchise point guard but they aren’t moving away from the triangle offense and that could mean a bad fit for the former MVP. Rose isn’t nearly as big of a threat without the ball in his hand and his poor outside shooting limits his potential in this offense. Rose could have a decent season if he manages to stay healthy but a relatively poor fit in this system combined with his injury history dramatically increases the probability that Rose will be a bust. If he falls to you later on in your NBA fantasy drafts, take a flier but don’t be the guy that overpays for him.
PG: Rajon Rondo, Chicago Bulls
Rose’s replacement in Chicago led the NBA in assists last season but he might not be nearly as ball dominant as he was in Sacramento now that he has to share the rock with Dwyane Wade. Jimmy Butler is another high usage guard that loves to have the ball in his hands at the offensive end of the floor. Rondo isn’t a great scorer, so a dip in his assists total could result in him becoming a major NBA fantasy bust this season.
SF: Harrison Barnes, Dallas Mavericks
Anybody thinking that the max contract Barnes signed with Dallas in the offseason will lead to him becoming a more productive NBA fantasy option with the Mavericks could be in for a big surprise. Barnes averaged just 11.7 points and 4.9 rebounds in 30.9 minutes per game for Golden State last season and the fact that he averaged just 1.8 assists per game on such a stacked team is a good indicator that number will dip in Dallas. Barnes is a capable forward with room for growth but the potential is there for him to be a major NBA fantasy bust this coming season.
