The 2015 NBA season is right around the corner and that means now is the time for fantasy basketball drafts to get going. As this time of year rolls around, there’s always a hype train for a handful of players that really starts to steam. The following four guys are flying up draft boards and while your draft guide might project a certain average draft position (ADP) for them, don’t be surprised when someone reaches for them super early.
Rudy Gobert, Utah Jazz
Center
Anybody that has had a chance to watch Gobert shine for the Jazz down the stretch last season understands just how high his potential is as a young player. He’s only really started for half of a season but he’s already a fantasy stud at the center position. Gobert has all of the physical traits to dominate as a 7’1’’ and 245-pound center and his splits from last season are telling. He averaged 11.1 points, 13.4 rebounds, 2.6 blocks, 1.8 assists and 1.0 steals per game over Utah’s final 29 contests.
Those are ridiculous numbers for a young athlete that is just entering his prime and playing against some pretty talented opponents in the loaded Western Conference. The double-double points and rebounds would be strong production along but when you add in the incredible amount of blocks plus a decent amount of steals, it’s clear why everyone wants to have this guy on their roster.
The sky is the limit for the 23-year-old French international. He had a very strong finish to his 2014-15 campaign and everyone is expecting him to carry over that momentum.
C.J. McCollum, Portland Trail Blazers
Shooting Guard
The Trail Blazers lost a ton of talent in the offseason and as a result, their hand has been forced when it comes to giving their young stars a bigger opportunity. No player fits that criteria better than McCollum. The 2013 first-round pick averaged 6.8 points, 1.5 rebounds and 1.0 assists in just 15.7 minutes per game over 62 contests last season but he is bound to get a significant boost in playing time after a very productive postseason. He gave the team 17.0 points, 4.2 rebounds, 1.2 steals and 1.0 threes per game in the playoffs. The hope is that he can carry that performance over into the regular season.
Portland lost LaMarcus Aldridge, Robin Lopez, Nicolas Batum and Wes Matthews this past offseason and if there is one young player on their roster that is poised to break through as a result of the turnover, it is McCollum.
[related_post_one]
Aaron Gordon, Orlando Magic
Power Forward
Gordon was mostly a disappointment when he averaged 5.2 points and 3.6 rebounds in just 17.0 minutes per game in 47 contests last season before suffering a broken jaw. After spending the entire year rehabbing and working on his overall game, he really looked good in the NBA Summer League play. Most people were starting to move him into the bust category before he dominated the Summer League and that’s when his hype train began.
Gordon has an excellent combination of size and touch, so if he continues to make progress, he could jump over Channing Frye and become Orlando’s starting power forward. The Magic know what they have in Frye and they aren’t going anywhere with him as the starter. The hope is that Gordon can take the role from him and run with it. That’s why fantasy guys are investing now.
Julius Randle, Los Angeles Lakers
Power Forward
The Lakers could very well decide to start Brandon Bass ahead of Randle at the power forward position but it is only a matter of time before they turn to their 2014 first round pick. The former Kentucky star missed all of last year after suffering a broken leg in his first career NBA game. However, he has rehabbed and gotten back to full strength and he is poised for a breakthrough season. It might take some time early on for Randle to find his groove but he is a future star in this league; Bass is just a plugger. Like Gordon, his value is even greater in keeper leagues where you can lock him in as a future star.
