This league is chock full of guards that are able to contribute. Finding guards who are undervalued that you can target later in the draft while stocking up on the more talented big men in the beginning is always a sound strategy. While you don’t want to wait too long to get your starting guards, these guys are being drafted way below their potential.

The number one determining factor for figuring out who is being undervalued: how many more shots and playing-making opportunities will this guy be getting this year compared to last? All three of these guards will be given the chance to show just how valuable they are and all of them should do just that.

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Guards to Target in Fantasy Basketball Drafts

Position eligibility and ADP based on Yahoo! fantasy leagues

Goran Dragic, PG/SG, MIA

ADP: 62.2

Goran Dragic had his worst statistical season in five years last season while still playing around the same amount of minutes (32 MPG). The immediate reaction is to assume that he’s aging and the decline has to do with that. As a result, he is being taken behind the likes of Rajon Rondo and Ricky Rubio. These two guards will probably see less opportunities this season because of their crowded back courts, while Dragic no longer has to deal with the Dwyane Wade show.

I would argue that the main reason for Dragic’s decline last year was mainly because of how good DWade was. The Miami Heat did not need Goran to do much more than he did during the regular season because they still managed to finish third in the east. Now that Wade is gone much more of the burden will fall on Dragic’s shoulders and I fully expect him to get back into borderline All-Star form.

The Heat are going to be a Dragic-Whiteside medley of pick and rolls surrounded by a bunch of unproven guards and wings figuring out where they belong.  While guys like Justise Winslow, Josh Richardson, and Tyler Johnson are fun to dream on, they're not to the point of being true creators on offense in the NBA.  The only constant and steady playmaker that coach Erik Spoelstra can trust will be his 30-year-old Slovenian point guard.

D’Angelo Russell, PG, LAL

ADP 90.7

D’Angelo “Ice in my veins” Russell is going to go off this year. I don’t know if people are punishing their fantasy teams because of the whole Nick Young fiasco or if they just don’t get how good this young guard is. He is now the dominant player on the Lakers and second place really isn’t close. Brandon Ingram will take some time to get used to the physicality of the league while Jordan Clarkson, Julius Randle, and others are just role players.

Russell was taken with the second overall pick for a reason.  Now that the Kobe Bryant retirement tour is over he is going to be getting five to six more shots per game. Expect Russell to go from 13 points and 3 assists to somewhere in the range of 18 and 7 per game. You cannot judge this young man on his body of work but have to project where he will be by the end of the year. There isn’t a more exciting young prospect at the guard position than Russell.

Dennis Schroder, PG, ATL

ADP 70.3

The Hawks have finally decided to let Schroder loose. Remember Reggie Jackson while he was on the Thunder and people weren’t sure if he was ready to take over as “the main guy”? Basically the same situation is playing out right now in Atlanta. Just like Jackson, Schroder fully expects to be the guy and wants all of the pressures and accolades that come with the title. His career 10 points and 4 assists per game are going to be bumped up quite a bit by the end of the season.

With both Jeff Teague and Al Horford gone from Atlanta, the amount of shots and opportunities that come Schroder’s way will be more than he can probably handle. Schroder should be drafted higher based strictly on talent level and volume of opportunity. I wouldn’t be surprised if he finishes the season ranked ahead of guys like Ricky Rubio, Mike Conley, and former teammate Jeff Teague.