Although the 2015 NBA Draft was just completed, we’re continuing with our fantasy review of the picks from the 2014 Draft. We continue our 2014 fantasy rookie recap breaking down picks 10 through 15 with a look back at how they performed last year as well as their potential going forward.
15. Adreian Payne, Atlanta Hawks
Payne was another player that was limited playing behind a strong starting five in his rookie year but he still managed to play in 32 games averaging 6.7 points and 5.1 rebounds in just over 23 minutes per game. Payne started off as a member of the Hawks but it became clear early on that they simply wouldn’t have the minutes for him with Al Horford, Paul Millsap, DeMarre Carroll and Pero Antic soaking up the minutes in the frontcourt. As a result, they shipped him to Minnesota where he compiled the aforementioned so-so averages. It doesn’t look like he’ll receive more playing time this year as the T-Wolves just drafted Karl-Anthony Towns and still have Anthony Bennett, Nikola Pekovic and Gorgui Deng.
14. T.J. Warren, Phoenix Suns
Phoenix was high on Warren as a future starting wing and while his fantasy impact was limited in his rookie year, he did enough to believe he could be a valuable fantasy small forward with a bigger role in the future. Warren averaged 6.1 points and 2.1 rebounds in just 15.4 minutes per game over 40 appearances and he will have a bigger role as he continues to develop at the NBA level in years to come.
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13. Zach LaVine, Minnesota Timberwolves
While all of the chatter around the T-Wolves is the three first first-overall picks they have on their roster, one recent rookie that isn’t talked about enough is LaVine. The former UCLA star was an absolute stud for Minnesota in his rookie year as he averaged 10.1 points, 3.6 assists and 2.8 rebounds in 77 games this season. He mostly got his opportunity thanks to Ricky Rubio’s injuries. Many people recall him standing out in the dunk competition but he’s much more than just that. The evidence lies in how he ended the season, contributing 21.1 points per game with 6.6 assists, 5.8 rebounds and 0.8 steals in the month of April.
12. Dario Saric, Philadelphia 76ers
Saric was moved to Philadelphia in the trade that landed Payton in Orlando but he didn’t play a single game for the 76ers this past year. He revealed earlier this week that he won’t play for them next season either. Saric is under a three-year contract with Anadolu Efes in Turkey, so it will take at least a couple more years before he finally makes his way to Philadelphia.
11. Doug McDermott, Chicago Bulls
McDermott was drafted by the Denver Nuggets and traded to the Bulls where he was used in a limited role. However, he did make progress throughout his rookie season. Former coach Tom Thibodeau worked his starters hard and limited the rookie’s minutes as he only played in 36 games this past year. However, McDermott has all of the measurable that made him such a highly regarded prospect and with the size, athleticism and three-point shooting ability to become a star so despite having no fantasy impact last year.
10. Elfrid Payton, Orlando Magic
The Magic traded for the player they feel can be their franchise point guard for years to come and Payton certainly looked good in his first season. The former Louisiana-Lafayette star averaged 8.9 points, 6.5 assists, 4.3 rebounds and 1.7 steals while playing just over 30 minutes per game in 82 games for Orlando in his rookie year and he has the potential to improve those totals as he develops and the Magic surround him with even more talent in the years to come. What you have to like about Payton is the trajectory as he had 11.1 points per game with 8.3 assists, 5.4 rebounds and 2.1 steals after the All-Star break. He need to work on his shooting some but other than that, he looks to be a fantasy player on the rise.
