The 2015-16 NBA regular season is quickly approaching as teams prepare to play their final few exhibition games. Generally speaking the NBA preseason means little in terms of predicting just who will have a great regular season as most teams are resting their starters and allowing for non-guaranteed contracts and end-of-the-bench type players a chance to prove themselves. Teams often use these preseason games as an opportunity to round out their benches rather than press their starters with 30-plus minutes a night.
Having said that, there is still some analytical value in studying the preseason stats as some players have changed teams, signed new contracts or are coming back off injuries. The preseason action does offer a glimpse at team lineups as well as a sneak peak at just how ready some players are for the start of the regular season. With that in mind we kick off a two-part look at the preseason players who are making some noise early on and who might be worth watching come fantasy draft day. We start in the Eastern Conference.
Kyle Lowry - Toronto Raptors
Lowry is posting the best stat line of this preseason as he is playing a healthy 25 minutes a night and giving 30.3 ppg, 3.7 apg and 1.7 rpg while shooting a blistering 68.3% from the field to go along with an equally hot 64.7% from beyond the arc. Lowry came into training camp with questions swirling about his recent weight loss and slim down. Usually known for his strength and durability; many folks wondered how this body transformation might affect his on-court play. Needless to say that Lowry has proven those naysayers wrong and he looks primed for the start of the regular season.
Doug McDermott - Chicago Bulls
A change on the sidelines for the Chicago Bulls brought in new coach Fred Hoiberg and with it a massive switch in coaching philosophies. Don’t be at all surprised if players like McDermott get a real opportunity to contribute under coach Hoiberg as he truly embraces the offensive side of basketball and seems to embrace the three-ball. McDermott can flat out score as he was nicknamed ‘Dougie McBuckets’ in college and if he can get the chance to show off those offensive skills he could become a regular rotation player for the Bulls this season.
Isaiah Canaan - Philadelphia 76ers
Canaan is going to be the starting point guard for the Philadelphia 76ers come opening day. He will get every opportunity to prove that he can handle that job, partially because the 76ers are ok with losing games and secondly they just don’t have anyone else at this point to do it. Regardless, Canaan is a decent player who can shoot the ball well and still contribute from the point guard spot with some assists and rebounds as well. Given the fact than Canaan will be getting 28-plus minutes a night and every opportunity to prove himself; he just might be one of the most underrated starting points guards, in terms of fantasy value, in the entire league.
Jeremy Lin - Charlotte Hornets
Few expect Jeremy Lin to have much of a fantasy impact this season as he is expected to primarily play as a backup to Kemba Walker and baring injury Lin just won’t see significant minutes out of the rotation. Lin has played quite well for the Hornets over their last five preseason games and on numerous occasions, Lin has been the best point guard on the Hornets roster. it wouldn’t be at all surprising to see the Hornets deploy a backcourt comprised of Lin and Walker at the two-guard spot at times throughout the season.