Fantasy Baskeball: Point Guard Value Picks
The top point guards in your fantasy draft will likely fly off the board in the first two rounds. This will leave you deciding on the best mid-round options as the draft continues. Making a smart decision here could provide owners with a considerable advantage at the most important position in fantasy basketball. Save your high-risk picks for the later part of your draft and target one or two of the sleepers below.
Eric Bledsoe, Phoenix Suns
Eric Bledsoe took advantage of the playing time he received in 2012-13 when Chris Paul missed time in January with a bruised right kneecap. For a nine-game stretch, Eric Bledsoe was able to demonstrate what he is capable of when he receives starter’s minutes. Paul’s injury allowed Bledsoe to play more than 35 minutes per game during that nine-game stretch. Bledsoe shined for the Clippers, averaging 15 points, 5.8 assists and 2.4 steals per game as a starter.
Bledsoe was traded to the Phoenix Suns during the offseason and he will see the court as a starter for the entire season for the first time in his career. The Suns are clearly in rebuilding mode and their roster is in serious need of a capable scorer. Bledsoe is an explosive guard who plays bigger than his 6’1” height would indicate.
The Suns traded Marcin Gortat to the Washington Wizards on Oct. 25th and they are reportedly open to dealing point guard Goran Dragic for the right offer. If the Suns move Dragic at any point during the season, they will be counting on Bledsoe to lead their young team on the court. Bledsoe will provide scoring, steals and a solid number of assists in the mid-rounds of your fantasy draft. His shooting percentage and turnovers are the only negatives that come with this energetic young combo guard.
Mike Conley, Memphis Grizzlies
Mike Conley is a quality point guard you can draft after the big names have gone off your draft board. Conley has seen his scoring average increase in each his six NBA seasons. Unlike many of the young, up and coming point guards, Conley will provide solid all around numbers without compromising your field goal and turnover percentages.
The midseason Grizzlies trade that sent small forward Rudy Gay to Toronto was quietly beneficial to Mike Conley’s fantasy value. Conley’s scoring-average increased from 13.3 to 16.7 after the Rudy Gay trade.
The Grizzlies new head coach, Dave Joerger, has expressed his desire for the Memphis Grizzlies to push the tempo in 2013-14. If these reports are indeed true, Conley’s numbers will be beneficiary of this change in the Grizzlies style of play.
Kemba Walker improved in every key statistical category in his second season in the league. Photo Credit: Keith Allison, Flickr.com
Kemba Walker, Charlotte Bobcats
Kemba Walker’s progression from his rookie year to his second year in the league was impressive. Walker saw his scoring average increase from 12.1 to 17.1 per game in 2012-13. If that was not enough, Walker’s assists and steals per game, along with his field goal and 3-point percentages, all improved as well.
Walker enters his third season with a new weapon in the post in power forward Al Jefferson. Jefferson averaged 17.8 points per game last season for the Utah Jazz. Walker’s assists per game should benefit from the new weapon on the interior.
There is virtually no risk in drafting the ascending point guard from Charlotte. Walker is a healthy, consistent player entering the prime of his career.
Click here to see our list of power forward value picks.
[slider_pro id=”31″]