October 13, 2016

Joey Haverford looks at three overvalued NBA guards to avoid as potential draft busts in 2016-17 fantasy basketball leagues. Think twice before drafting them.

The NBA season rapidly approaching means fantasy basketball drafts are here to provide us with anxiety in each round. We’re all looking for diamonds in the rough with sleepers and the best value picks to deliver results all year.

You have to find your elite guards to dominate the stats to traditionally come from the position. There are quite a few guards being highly overvalued with their selections coming too early in drafts. We’ll break them down here with three names you probably should avoid.

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Three Overvalued Guards in Fantasy Basketball

Stephen Curry, PG/SG, Golden State Warriors

The average draft position of Stephen Curry is currently third overall just behind fellow guards Russell Westbrook and James Harden. Curry is definitely one of the best basketball players in the world as the reigning two-time MVP. The problem is Kevin Durant joining the Golden State Warriors will cut into Curry’s stats more than anyone else on the team.

Curry already had to share the ball with Klay Thompson and Draymond, but the most prolific scorer in the NBA joining his team is damaging his value. We can no longer expect Curry to average 30+ points per game. Steve Kerr has already gone on record to say Curry is definitely not going to reach 400+ three-pointers again this season.

Curry knows this too as one of the main factors in recruiting Durant was stating he is willing to sacrifice his place as “the guy” on the team. The value of Curry is still worth a mid-to-late first round pick but he is flying off the boards too early above better picks like LeBron James.

Rajon Rondo, PG, Chicago Bulls

Rajon Rondo joining the Chicago Bulls has added excitement to fantasy basketball with drafts seeing him get selected as the 45^th average draft position, 19^th among guards. The elite assist total usually makes Rondo a valuable commodity in fantasy. Sadly, he is terrible across the board at many stats including free throw percentage.

One of your guards struggling at the free throw line will kill your ability to recover at that stat unless you intentionally draft multiple big men that offset it. The main issue with Rondo is Chicago signed him before realizing they would get Dwyane Wade. Rondo will no longer have the freedom to control the ball. His style of play is becoming outdated with ball handlers needing to have an efficient and effective scoring game.

The Bulls will ultimately want Wade and Jimmy Butler to get enough time handling the ball to create their own plays. Rondo’s assists will take a hit and his weaknesses at other stats make him a worthless pick where he’s being picked.

Jeff Teague, PG, Indiana Pacers

The Indiana Pacers acquiring Jeff Teague has created hope for his fantasy value with an overall draft position of 51^st overall, 20^th among guards. Teague should definitely help the Pacers compete with great talent at every position.

That doesn’t necessarily mean he’ll see his numbers rise to fantasy prominence following a disappointing season last year in Atlanta. Teague will have to share the ball with Paul George and Monta Ellis. While that should give hope for his assist numbers to rise, George and Ellis require the ball handling to be their best.

Everyone will have to sacrifice numbers this season for the greater good of the team. Teague has the most question marks surrounding him and folks are reaching too early for him in drafts.