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RotoBaller NBA Season Preview with Jake and Trevor

It's finally here! The NBA season tips off today. Before diving into regular season fantasy hoops coverage, it's time for one last set of predictions for the year.

RotoBaller experts Trevor Crippen and Jake Finnen are here today with their final picks for fantasy MVP, biggest bust, NBA Champion and more.

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RotoBaller's 2016-17 NBA Season Preview

Most Disappointing NBA Team for Fantasy

Jake's Pick: Dallas Mavericks

Jake: There are a lot of weird things on this roster. They have 4 guards which right off the bat seems a little low. Anyway, Dirk is getting older so fantasy wise he's a risk. Bogut could be a good option depending on the matchup but otherwise, the rest of the roster is inconsistent. Harrison Barnes can't keep it together in the playoffs so I'm not sold on him whatsoever. I'll wait for them to prove me wrong.

Trevor: I see a lot of signs for deep sleepers on this team -- I'm all aboard the Seth Curry bandwagon, for example (we'll get to him soon). Also, four guards is the number of point guards they have -- not just the number of "guards" right? They basically only have ball-handlers like Curry, Deron Williams, Devin Harris, and J.J. Berea or big wings like Wesley Matthews and Justin Anderson, right? I have to give it to Jake, though... this is one team that's very low on top-end fantasy talent, with Dirk Nowitzki still the first player coming off the board in fantasy drafts.

Trevor's Pick: Chicago Bulls

Trevor: This may already be baked into player values, since Jimmy Butler, Rajon Rondo, and Dwyane Wade are all ranked well below where they would normally be based on last year's stats.  However, I'm still pessimistic about this situation, the spacing, and the chance for a meltdown.  I'm still disappointed we didn't get to see what could've been an interesting younger Bulls team, too, if they'd chosen to hand the team over to Butler and feature more of their young talent like Denzel Valentine, Doug McDermott, and (assuming they'd kept him in this scenario) E'Twaun Moore.

Jake: This is hard to disagree with but I'm going to say that Rondo at the helms of the Bulls offense can only mean good things. In Sacramento he was the leader of an offense that finished third in team PPG and tied for third in assists per game. Rondo knows how to find open shooters and with Wade, Butler, Mirotic, and even Robin Lopez can score and have high quality jumpshots. I'm not saying the Bulls will make a playoff run but their offense is going to be on a different level, and their fantasy production will be fine.

 

Best NBA Team for Fantasy

Jake's Pick: Boston Celtics

Jake: Exploding with talent. They needed a good big man and they got one. I really think this team could make a Finals push is all falls together but the Celtics are full of athleticism, defenders, and shooters. Al Horford gives them an extremely versatile big men while sneaking in Gerald Green off the bench. I bought a Jae Crowder jersey and I'm a Knicks fan. That should say something about how excited I am to see how the Celtics fare this season.

Trevor: I love the Celtics this year, too.  My one disappointment is the injury just suffered by Marcus Smart that will keep him out for the first few games.  I was really thinking this could finally be his year to breakout, and I'd hate to see a bunch of minor injuries hold that back again.

Trevor's Pick: Houston Rockets

Trevor: This team is going to score, and score, and score.  Harden is going to be a one-man wrecking crew.  Trevor Ariza will bring great value in efficiency, treys, and defensive stats. Ryan Anderson will be a must-own C for FG% punting teams. Clint Capela could break out in a big way. I don't know how all the scoring is going to shake out with this team, but I'm trying to get a piece of it wherever I can in fantasy leagues.

Jake: All I think is how Harden is going to be everything in Houston. At the point he has full control and he is going to use it. Of course his stats are going to increase, last year was a seemingly dilapidated Rockets team in the playoffs. They took a downturn from the year before and Harden at point could be the answer. Ryan Anderson is a prolific scorer and Eric Gordon is streaky so the outcome is a little hazy. Clint Capela lacks a jump shot and Trevor Ariza seems to be aging daily. I see three Rockets being fantasy relevant. Just three.

 

Fantasy Breakout of the Year

Jake's Pick: Julius Randle, PF, Los Angeles Lakers

Jake: Near the end of last year he started becoming a ball hog and taking the ball up the court which clearly impressed some people. They started letting him do it and he struggled but improved throughout the game and actually managed to rack up some assists. I'm not sure if he will be used the same but versatility is versatility and Randle has the skills needed to be very good this year. I think he steals the show from D’Angelo Russell.

Trevor: We both like the fit of Luke Walton in Los Angeles, and without Kobe there to vacuum up all the shots, someone is going to break out.  Julius Randle is the more unconventional pick, but he still looks quite solid.  That said...

Trevor's Pick: D'Angelo Russell, PG, Los Angeles Lakers

Trevor: There's going to be inefficiency from Russell in the form of a poor FG% and lots of turnovers.  That might give you pause in roto setups, but those numbers are something it's easy to work around in H2H fantasy leagues.  Russell is the type of guy who could finish in the top 15 in each of scoring, assists, and threes.  He's going to be a monster fantasy producer.

Jake: D’Angelo is on everyone's radar this year but I think it's a year early. He is going to be a franchise player but I don't see him really hitting his stride till after the All-Star break. It's hard to go against him because he has splashes of greatness but I don't think he'll be a consistent player until later in the year...and I picked Julius Randle. Maybe he'll prove me wrong but until he is producing every night, I'm not sold on the sophomore guard.

Fantasy Bust of the Year

Jake's Pick: Matthew Dellavedova, PG/SG, Milwaukee Bucks

Jake: I'm sorry but he is not good. If anything positive comes from Dellavedova it's that he got to play with Lebron and win a championship. I think now that he is in Milwaukee and starting, he is going to be a cringe worthy addition to a team that does not deserve the pain.

Trevor: Boy, Jake just hates Delly.  I find it hard to call anyone I'd select with a late pick a bust, though.  It just doesn't matter that much if those picks don't work out.

Trevor's Pick: Derrick Favors, PF/C, Utah Jazz

Trevor: It's not that I'm scared about the production out of Favors.  I just don't like big men with balky knees.  Most busts end up being due to injuries in one way or another.  I'm not in the mood to spend a third round pick on a guy who's already limping around and at risk of sitting out games at a moment's notice -- especially when so many high upside guys are on the board.

Jake: I'm not scared of the knee.  With Gordon Hayward out for a some time, Favors is going to shine. He is a versatile PF with shooters around him that can create some space. He shot 51% from the field and was close to averaging a double double last season. (16 PPG / 8 RPG) He can handle the workload while Hayward is out and see him being a very quality PF for the time being.

 

Favorite Deep Sleeper

Jake's Picks: Maurice Harkless, SF, Portland Trailblazers and E'Twaun Moore, PG/SG, New Orleans Pelicans

Jake: Both these dudes ball out and have been overshadowed by other players. I think Harkless in the starting role is going to be perfect for him and he is going to be producing quality numbers early this season. He will probably fizzle out but I think he cements a starting spot.

As for Moore, he went crazy a few times in Chicago and New Orleans is going to be desperate for guard production. I think Galloway shoulders the defensive burden and Moore shines in the limelight in NOLA.

Trevor: Can't argue too much with these guys -- both starters barely being drafted.  Moore's ability as a ball-handler may allow him to outshine his much more hyped rookie teammate Buddy Hield, while Harkless is a solid across the stat-sheet contributor if he keeps his minutes.

Trevor's Pick: Seth Curry, PG/SG, Dallas Mavericks

Jake: Where is he even playing? Dallas? He's behind Deron and JJ Barea but he's also one of 4 guards on the roster. Hard to argue with minutes.

Trevor: I'll keep hammering on this pick.  I love guys who make a high percentage of threes, because they allow you to get production there without hurting your FG%.  Curry also adds some assists to the equation, which sets him apart from typical three point specialists.  I love the situation for him to get playing time now and have upside for more.  This is a Dallas team under Rick Carlisle that used three guard lineups a ton last year, with Deron Williams, Raymond Felton, and Wesley Matthews able to simultaneously get close to starter's minutes.  Curry can slide into that Felton secondary ball-handler role.  Meanwhile, the guards ahead of him on the roster are all old and/or injury prone, making it basically a lock injuries increase his value.

 

Fantasy MVP

Jake's Pick: Russell Westbrook, PG, Oklahoma City Thunder

Jake: So. Many. Triple. Doubles. I'm predicting at least 20 this season. Hoping his assists totals don't hit rock bottom...which is completely plausible with the team around him. It'll be between Russ and Harden all year.

Trevor: I kind of think Westbrook's not going to try to carry the team with his shooting as much as people expect him too.  He'll make an effort to get his teammates involved.  That could be a good thing, as it'll help his assists and not hurt his FG% quite as much.  I think he's always been a bit higher rated than he really is in fantasy, though, so even if he does take a leap in production, I think he's essentially just playing catch-up to the other top dogs in Harden, Durant, and Curry.

Trevor's Pick: James Harden, PG/SG/SF, Houston Rockets

Trevor: You read what I said about the Rockets.  Harden's going to have a monster year -- he's not out of shape and won't get off to a slow start like he did last year coming off his Kardashian offseason.  Plus, even if you have him and Westbrook neck-and-neck for production, Harden's positional flexibility -- where you can slot him into the SG or SF spots in a league stacked with point guards -- is worth the tiebreaker every time.  It makes it so much easier to punt FG% and TO going forward if you can still target as many point guards as you want.

Jake: I've predicted Harden is going to lead the league in scoring and that is basically MVP type production. I had Westbrook because you know, triple-double +3. Harden is going to drop 60 more than once this season. Calling it.

 

NBA Champions

Trevor's Pick: Golden State Warriors

Trevor: Easy.

Jake: Easy.

Jake's Pick: Golden State, if I had to make it more interesting... Boston Celtics

Jake: The Dubs are too good. BUT I really want to the Celtics to go to the Finals cause I think they are the only team capable of beating them. I think defensively they can match up, or try to match up with them just as well as anyone. I think Brad Stevens knows what he doing on the sideline.

Trevor: Oh, Coach Stevens knows what he's doing, but I still don't think anyone's beating a healthy Warriors team.  And if there's one team (and person) capable of beating them, it's not the Celtics and Brad Stevens... It's still the Cleveland Cavaliers and LeBron James.  I think it's another rematch in the Finals.

REAL-TIME FANTASY NEWS

Mitchell Robinson

Available for Game 3
Chicago Bulls

Bulls Hire Alex Kaufman as Windy City Bulls General Manager
E.J. Liddell

Agrees to Two-Year Deal with Greek Club Aris
Matas Buzelis

Will Play for Lithuania This Summer
Giannis Antetokounmpo

Has Concerns About Heat Roster If Traded to Miami
Bobby Witt Jr.

Exits Early with Knee Soreness
Mitchell Robinson

Has Technical Foul Rescinded After Game 2 Win
Jarquez Hunter

Is it Time for Dynasty Managers to Move on From Jarquez Hunter?
Elijah Arroyo

Worth Buying Low on in Dynasty Formats?
Tre Tucker

Profiles as a Dynasty Sell-High Candidate Entering 2026
Jack Bech

Should Dynasty Managers Target Jack Bech as a Buy-Low Candidate?
Jaydon Blue

a Dynasty Buy-Low Candidate After Underwhelming Rookie Year?
Saquon Barkley

in Line for Larger Pass-Catching Role in 2026?
Karl-Anthony Towns

Eligible for Massive Extension
Isaiah Stewart

Could Draw Trade Interest
Chase Briscoe

Is Chase Briscoe Worth Rostering for DFS at Michigan?
Philadelphia 76ers

Jameer Nelson Promoted to Executive Vice President
Domantas Sabonis

Could be Traded This Summer
Ty Gibbs

Is Ty Gibbs Worth Rostering at Michigan This Week for DFS?
William Byron

Will Start at the Rear at Michigan After Unapproved Adjustments
NASCAR

Should DFS Managers Roster Bubba Wallace at Michigan?
Joey Logano

Is Joey Logano Worth Rostering In DFS Lineups for Michigan
Daniel Suarez

Might Have Tournament Appeal for Michigan DFS Lineups
Jonah Coleman

Is Jonah Coleman the Most Valuable Broncos Running Back in Dynasty Leagues?
William Carrier

Suffers Upper-Body Injury in Game 3 Versus Golden Knights
Darius Slayton

Will Darius Slayton Be Phased Out of New-Look Giants Offense?
Sebastian Aho

Records Two Assists in Losing Effort
Keaton Mitchell

Can Keaton Mitchell Carve Out a Large Enough Role for a Fantasy Breakout?
Jordan Staal

Scores in Third Consecutive Game
Shea Theodore

Caps Multi-Point Effort With Game-Winning Goal Saturday
Kayshon Boutte

Will Attend Mandatory Minicamp
Denny Hamlin

Puts DFS Managers in Tough Spot for Michigan
Chase Elliott

Can Chase Elliott Get Back to His Old Ways at Michigan?
Chris Buescher

Looking for Another Solid Run at Michigan
Tomas Hertl

Collects Two Points in Overtime Win
Jonathon Brooks

to Be Carolina's Lead Back in 2026?
Carson Hocevar

Qualifies Second, Seeking Redemption at Michigan
Ross Chastain

Can DFS Managers Trust Ross Chastain at Michigan?
Mitch Marner

Scores Fastest Hat Trick in Finals History
Brad Keselowski

Has Been Solid at Michigan
Will Smith

Scratched With Neck Stiffness, Expected to Return on Sunday
Kenneth Gainwell

Standing Out at OTAs
Bhayshul Tuten

"Picking Up Steam," More in-Tune With New Scheme
Auston Matthews

Maple Leafs Confident of Keeping Auston Matthews
Andrei Vasilevskiy

Wins Second Vezina Trophy
Brayden McNabb

Uncertain for Game 3 Against Hurricanes
Jadarian Price

Is Jadarian Price Still Undervalued in Dynasty Formats?
Isaiah Bond

Is Isaiah Bond Still Worthy of a Dynasty Roster Spot?
Michael Pittman Jr.

Dynasty Outlook Clouded by Long-Term QB Uncertainty
Stefon Diggs

Win-Now Dynasty Managers Have a Buy-Low Window on Stefon Diggs
Will Howard

Is it Time for Dynasty Managers to Drop Will Howard?
DK Metcalf

Dynasty Stock is Declining Rapidly Entering 2026
Hunter Greene

Could Return Before the All-Star Break
Isaac TeSlaa

How Will Isaac TeSlaa Follow Up on a Strong 2025 Finish?
Troy Franklin

a Dynasty Hold with Potentially Rough Times Ahead
Dylan Harper

Remains a Bright Spot for San Antonio
De'Aaron Fox

Shoots Well in a Loss to the Knicks
Victor Wembanyama

Scores 29 Points in Game 2 Loss
OG Anunoby

Anchors Knicks' Defense in Finals Game 2
Mikal Bridges

Helps Knicks Secure a Game 2 Victory
Karl-Anthony Towns

Records Another Finals Double-Double
Jalen Brunson

Overcomes Cold Night to Seal Game 2
Michael Harris II

Dealing With Back Tightness, Not Believed to be Serious
Byron Buxton

Suffers Shoulder Contusion After Colliding With the Wall
Sacramento Kings

Kings Want to Trade Their Larger Contracts
Chicago Bulls

Darius Acuff Jr. Works Out for Bulls
Jaime Jaquez Jr.

Could Get Traded
MIN

Marcus Johansson Returning to Europe
Thomas White

Likely to Miss Rest of Season With Shoulder Capsular Sprain
Mitchell Robinson

is Upgraded to Available for Game 2
Cole Caufield

Earns Lady Byng Trophy
Nick Suzuki

Lands Selke Trophy
Jose Altuve

Astros Reinstate Jose Altuve From the Injured List
CFB

Reed Harris Hoping to Fill Void in Arizona State Receiving Room
CFB

Nick Marsh Gearing Up for Breakout
CFB

Drew Mestemaker Looking to Catapult Oklahoma State Offense in 2026
CFB

Rocco Becht Brings Experience to New-Look Nittany Lions
CFB

Can Trey White, Adam Trick Keep Texas Tech's Defensive Front Elite?
CFB

Devon Dampier is Key to Success for Morgan Scalley in Year 1
Aaron Judge

Yankees Officially Place Aaron Judge on Injured List With Fractured Rib
Francisco Lindor

Expected to Return in "About a Couple Weeks"
Corey Seager

Rangers Activate Corey Seager From the Injured List
Gabriel Bonfim

Set For UFC Vegas 118 Main Event
Belal Muhammad

In Dire Need Of Win
Edmen Shahbazyan

An Underdog At UFC Vegas 118
Shayne Gostisbehere

Dishes Out Two Power-Play Assists in Comeback Win
Brendan Allen

Looks For His Third Win In A Row
Seth Jarvis

Ties Finals With Power-Play Goal
Mark Stone

Scores Sixth Playoff Goal in Overtime Defeat
Tom Nolan

Searches For His Fifth Consecutive Win
Mitch Marner

Records Two Assists in Game 2 Loss
Farés Ziam

Fares Ziam A Favorite At UFC Vegas 118
Brett Howden

Matches Franchise Record With Another Productive Outing
Brayden McNabb

Hospitalized After Taking Puck to Face
Aaron Judge

Diagnosed with Stress Fracture, Out 4-6 Weeks
Shohei Ohtani

has "Small" Blister, a "Non-Issue" for his Pitching Starts
Brent Rooker

Out on Thursday Due to Knee Soreness
Frederik Andersen

Hurricanes Retain Confidence in Frederik Andersen
Vincent Trocheck

Maple Leafs Interested in Vincent Trocheck
Dylan Larkin

Requests Trade From Red Wings
Corey Seager

Expected to Return This Weekend
Lucas Erceg

Royals to Mix and Match in Ninth With Lucas Erceg Struggling
Aaron Judge

to Undergo Additional Imaging
Ketel Marte

Out on Wednesday With Back, Hamstring Injuries
Corbin Burnes

has Teres Major Strain, Unlikely to Return Until September
Rickie Fowler

Looks To Continue Resurgent Season At Memorial
CFB

Can Eric Singleton Jr. Fully Break Out at Third School?
CFB

Katin Houser Steps into QB1 Role for Illinois
CFB

Savion Hiter an Immediate Impact Freshman for Michigan
CFB

Isaiah Horton Set to Take Over KC Concepcion's Role
CFB

UCLA Transfer Karson Gordon Signs with Austin Peay
CFB

Will Muschamp Bringing New Intensity to Texas Practices
Gary Woodland

Brings Boom-or-Bust Potential to Memorial
Jordan Spieth

Still Searching for a Breakthrough
Alex Smalley

Brings Elite Form to Memorial Tournament
Justin Rose

Looks to Recapture Memorial Tournament Success
Cameron Young

Looks to Get Back to His Contending Ways at Murifield Village
Chris Gotterup

Needs to Find Fairways at Muirfield Village
Si Woo Kim

Looks to Stay Hot at Memorial Tournament
Matt Fitzpatrick

Positioned for Success at Muirfield Village
Keegan Bradley

Looking for Another Strong Finish at Muirfield
Justin Thomas

is an Exciting Play This Week in Ohio
Scottie Scheffler

Looks to Win Memorial Tournament for Third Consecutive Year
Rory McIlroy

Looking for Better Performance at Muirfield Village
Drake Baldwin

Could Return During Braves Next Homestand
Garrett Crochet

Diagnosed With Low-Grade Lat Strain
Russell Henley

Coming to Ohio on the Heels of Latest Victory
Tommy Fleetwood

Looking for Better Iron Play at Memorial Tournament
Patrick Cantlay

Looks to Continue Dominance at Muirfield Village
Ludvig Aberg

a Great Fit for Muirfield Village
Aaron Judge

Out on Tuesday With Rib/Shoulder Injury
CFB

SEC Coach Calls Buster Faulkner a "Home-Run Hire"
CFB

Auburn a Sleeper in the SEC Under Alex Golesh?
CFB

Noah Fifita Primed for Strong 2026 Campaign
CFB

Oregon Assistant Coach Charged with DUII, Reckless Driving
CFB

Tight End Nick Pollack Commits to Clemson
Akshay Bhatia

Needs the Driver to be True in Ohio
Aaron Rai

Primed to take on the Memorial Tournament
J.J. Spaun

Rebounded at Charles Schwab Challenge
Xander Schauffele

One to Watch This Week in Ohio
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