We continue our analysis of non-playoff teams with good fantasy options by switching focus to the Western Conference. First up is the Southwest Division, where the three teams that qualified last year are going to repeat the feat this year. San Antonio, Dallas and Memphis remain the class of the division, meaning Houston and New Orleans are again left out.
The Houston Rockets completely revamped their roster this off-season, and as a result of jettisoning some of their better players, the Rockets will be hard pressed to equal last year’s win total of 34. The New Orleans Hornets are a team going in the other direction. They made some nice moves in the off-season, picking up Ryan Anderson and Robin Lopez, resigning Eric Gordon and drafting Austin Rivers and Anthony Davis. The youth movement is in full swing in New Orleans; however, their strength is also their weakness as they lack cohesiveness and experience.
The Rockets have some nice looking rookies that figure to play prominent roles as the season unfolds. However, it is the eight-year veteran, Kevin Martin that is the best fantasy player on this team. The Hornets have players with great upside, but it is the former Indiana Hoosier Eric Gordon that will rise to the top.
Kevin Martin – Houston Rockets
This returning veteran will be playing alongside a lot of new faces as the Rockets brought in Jeremy Lin to play the point, and recently signed Carlos Delfino to start at small forward. Kevin Martin will likely have to work harder this season to get his points, as the absence of Luis Scola, Marcus Camby and Kyle Lowry will allow for defences to key more so on him. Martin remains the best fantasy option on this roster.
I could actual see Martin’s scoring, rebounding and assist totals all increase this season, as Martin is in a contract year. He will be looking to justify that $12.9 million and show some other team that he is worth a new contract of similar value. Martin will not finish out the year on the Rockets. He will be moved prior to the trade deadline to a team looking to make a playoff run.
Eric Gordon – New Orleans Hornets
Coming off a season ending injury that saw him miss all but nine games last year, the Hornet’s Eric Gordon returns with a renewed sense of confidence to go along with a newly minted contract. Gordon will be fired up to prove his worth, and this will translate nicely into some great fantasy numbers. I rank Gordon as the second-best fantasy option, in the Western Conference, among all two guards. Obviously, Kobe Bryant will put up better numbers, but after that, look at this dynamic guard in New Orleans. Gordon will continue to score better than 20 points per game; watch his assists creep up closer to five a contest while still rebounding at a rate of about three per game.
Gordon should be viewed as a top pick for shooting guards in all leagues. In salary cap leagues, he might even be undervalued due to missing all that action last season. Let other General Managers take James Harden off the board, you keep your eye on this former Hoosier, as he could be a fantasy beast for your roster.