Our NBA player fantasy rankings continue as we look at the point guard position which is an incredibly deep position within the league as teams are becoming more guard driven. Gone are the days of unproductive point guards plodding along; teams being content with minimal scoring, and average assist totals.
Despite the depth at this position, if you want an absolute fantasy stud you will need to burn a high round pick on a top 15 player. The depth here allows you to wait it out on taking a second point guard and see how your draft is playing out.
If you don’t have a preference out of the top point guards, play it safe and draft other positions first. When you see your league starting to snap up the guards, jump in a take your guy. For me, I’d prefer to take a top notch small forward and shooting guard, while I’ll settle for any one of the top ten point guards.
In reality this list could have been expanded to the top 40, as guys like Jason Kidd, Luke Ridnour, D.J Augustin and Jarrett Jack didn’t make the cut here. Well we have to draw the line somewhere so here are the Edraft rankings for point guards 16- 30:
16- Goran Dragic – Phoenix Suns
To properly assess Dragic’s fantasy worth, look at last year’s games in which he was the starter. For a 28 game stretch Goran was running the point in Houston during which time he averaged 18 ppg and 8.4 apg. During that same stretch, he posted seven double-doubles and scored 20 + points on 12 occasions. Despite this play, the Rockets signed Jeremy Lin and let Goran go back to Phoenix. Dragic has big shoes to fill in Phoenix with the departure of Steve Nash and while he won’t be winning any league MVP’s, he is a very good point guard and represents excellent value at the point guard spot.
17- Jeremy Lin – Houston Rockets
There are those who believe that Jeremy Lin is capable of sustaining a 20 ppg and 9 apg averages and there are those who think that he more likely to get about half that stat line. Feel free to put me in the later of the groups. There is no possible way; given Lin’s field goal percentages and the fact that the opposing defenses are going to be keying on him, that a repeat of last season is doable. Call me pessimistic, but this Rockets team is nowhere near as talented as the Knicks squad and this will impact Lin’s value. The assist totals will remain as will the steals; however, don’t count on scoring much over 14 ppg. Let other fantasy GM’s draft off name recognition.
18- Jrue Holiday – Philadelphia 76ers
Jrue should see an increase in fantasy worth as Louis Williams and Andre Igoudala are no longer with the team. With the departure of those two guys; Holiday will get the opportunity to be the playmaker and rack up better assist numbers. Having Andrew Bynum on board should be advantageous for the pick and roll offense; teams will sag off to play Bynum allowing Jrue to launch that 16 foot jumper. I see an increase in averages from last year; expect something around 15 ppg, 6.5 apg and 3.5 rpg in about 34 minutes of playing time.
19- Mike Conley – Memphis Grizzlies
This 25 year old is entering his sixth NBA season. He has been a consistent starter for the past four seasons and is entering this year as a lock for the starting gig. Not a flashy player or one that will get you 20 points a night. Nonetheless consistency is Conley’s trademark as he averages a steady 13 ppg, 6.5 apg and 3 rpg. With the departure of O.J. Mayo, it seems likely that Conley will get a larger role offensively. The true fantasy value with Conley lies in his 2 steals per contest and 86% free throw shooting. A great value pickup for your fantasy team.
20- Jameer Nelson – Orlando Magic
No longer the beneficiary of Dwight Howard’s presence; Jameer Nelson won’t get the same open looks he used to. Nelson will likely score more this season, mostly out of necessity as there isn’t much in the way of offensive firepower to the Magic’s roster. Regardless of how well he shoots, Nelson will be green-lighted to let the rock fly, as someone on the roster is going to have to try and keep the blowouts to a minimum. A descent option for a backup point guard on your fantasy team; if you are relying on Nelson to be your number one guy, you are going to have some problems.
21- Damian Lillard – Portland Trailblazers
Expectations are high for this 22 year old future franchise point guard. Damian Lillard hails from little known Weber State but still managed to get noticed and ultimately drafted sixth overall in last year’s entry draft. Competing in NBA Summer League action, Lillard led the league in scoring at 26.5 ppg and chipped in 5.3 apg and 4.0 rpg and ultimately earning co-MVP honors. There is no doubt that Lillard will be running the point for the Trailblazers this season. The true value in Lillard will be how quickly he acclimatizes to the NBA; once he settles in the stat production will follow.
22- Rodney Stuckey – Detroit Pistons
Probably not the everyday starter for the Pistons at either the one or two guard spot, but still a player who will fill in and get about 30 minutes a night. Stuckey is almost a poor-man’s Andre Igoudala as he score about 14 ppg and still rebounds at 3 per game while dishing out 4 assists a night. Downside for Stuckey has been his field goal percentages; if he can get a hot hand shooting the ball then more opportunities will come his way.
23- Darren Collison – Dallas Mavericks
Collison has been a consistent starter the previous two seasons with the Indiana Pacers. This year marks the first as the Dallas Mavericks point guard and potentially the last as this is a contract year for Darren. Although too many Collison disappointed in Indiana, he remains a quality point guard due in large part to his scoring contributions. So far this preseason he has showed a flare for getting his teammates involved which should help his assist totals. With Dirk Nowitzki out, Collison will be called upon to push the pace and find some easy transition points out there.
24- Ramon Sessions – Charlotte Bobcats
I don’t know that the Charlotte Bobcats have decided upon their starting point guard just yet. The likely starter is Kemba Walker; however, Ramon Sessions is far more productive at the position. Regardless of starting or not, a platoon role will still net Sessions 28-30 minutes a night. Given that playing time expect averages around 11 ppg, 5.5 apg and 3.5 rpg. If Walker struggles in running the offense or continues to shoot 36%; Sessions will get the call to run the team as his 48% shooting is a massive improvement.
25- Jeff Teague – Atlanta Hawks
The decision on a starting point guard for the Atlanta Hawks seems to have been made and Jeff Teague will be the guy. In his first real action as a starter, Teague gave good scoring, assist and steal numbers while shooting an impressive 47% from the field. Fantasy drawback for Teague is his three point shooting and 2:1 assist to turnover ratio. Still a very serviceable backup option on your fantasy roster who with spot starts or a hot hand could get you some nice points.
26- Kemba Walker – Charlotte Bobcats
Early projections have Walker slated as the starter ahead of Ramon Sessions; however, he might not be the better fantasy option. Walker is not a great shooter as he shot 36% from the field and a dismal 30% from behind the arc. Walker can get his shot off and he does at a clip of about 15 per game, unfortunately he just can’t make enough of them. Assist totals are a bit low for a starting point guard and rebounding numbers are nothing of consequence. I’m not sold on Kemba Walker as a viable fantasy option; in fact I’d buy Sessions ahead of Walker.
27- Brandon Knight – Detroit Pistons
Knight started 60 games last season for the Pistons and as a rookie he played quiet well. It would seem that enough of an impression was made as Knight is the projected everyday starting point guard going into the season. Concerning from a fantasy perspective was the low assist totals that one wouldn’t expect from a point guard. Knight averaged only 3.8 dimes per game last year to go along with 3.2 rpg and 12.8 ppg. Watch for better assist totals this year, once those are up to 6.5-8 per game, Knight will provide excellent fantasy value.
28- Jose Calderon – Toronto Raptors
No longer is Jose calling the shots in T.O. The Raptors brought Kyle Lowry in this offseason to address some consistency issues at the position. This translates into a limited role for Calderon and the only reasons to expect much from Calderon will be spot minutes in relief of Lowry and the fact the Raptors want to keep the trade value up on him. Definitely count on a statistical drop-off for Calderon and it is unlikely that a trade will land him a starting gig either.
29- Raymond Felton – NY Knicks
The new point guard for the Knicks will have his work cut out for him. Firstly getting over the Garden faithfull’s disappointment over Jeremy Lin and perhaps even more daunting a task will be getting the rest of the team to share one basketball. I do not like Felton as a viable fantasy option. Too many factors are contributing to his decline; Carmelo Anthony is an isolation wing player, Amare Stoudemire creates his own shots near the basket, Felton shoots a really poor 40% from the field and finally the offense will not be geared toward him scoring. All in all look for a decline in Felton’s fantasy value this year.
30- Greivis Vazquez – New Orleans Hornets
Vazquez was the fill in starter for when Jarrett Jack was injured. In those 26 starts, Vazquez posted solid 12 ppg and 7 apg averages. This season he figures to be the starting point guard with Eric Gordon playing more of a two guard. The Hornets also drafted Austin Rivers in the entry draft and they are likely going to see what kind of contribution he can make at this level. Vazquez may not hold onto the starting spot all season; however, he should continue to see decent minutes even if he is coming off the bench.
Best of the rest, potential waiver wire pickups:
Jason Kidd – NY Knicks
Austin Rivers – New Orleans Hornets
Luke Ridnour – Minnesota Timberwolves
Kirk Hinrich – Chicago Bulls
Nate Robinson – Chicago Bulls
CJ Watson – Brooklyn Nets
Devin Harris – Atlanta Hawks
Mario Chalmers – Miami Heat
Norris Cole – Miami Heat
Andre Miller – Denver Nuggets
Jarrett Jack – Golden State Warriors
DJ Augustin – Indiana Pacers
Delonte West – Dallas Mavericks