Atlantic Division:

The Atlantic Division really comes down to the haves and the have nots.  The Knicks and Nets are expected to battle it out all season long, while the Celtics, Raptors, and 76ers are all in some kind of rebuilding mode.  Let’s take a look at each team’s real life direction and fantasy basketball outlook.

Team: New York Knicks

Last Season Record: 54-28

Key Fantasy Additions: Andrea Bargnani, Beno Udrih, Metta World Piece

Key Fantasy Losses: Chris Copeland, Jason Kidd

2013 Draft Picks: Tim Hardaway Jr.

Team Overview: The New York Knicks won their division last season, ousted the Boston Celtics in the opening round of the playoffs, but were then ousted in the second round by the Indiana Pacers.  Much of their success came from taking care of the ball and hitting the three.  It is a philosophy that doesn’t seem to be changing, so they can be relied on to deliver a lot of three pointers for fantasy teams this season. 

The Knicks lost Jason Kidd to the Brooklyn Nets coaching job and Chris Copeland to the Pacers, but they managed to stay relatively intact, considering their salary cap situation.  Carmelo Anthony returns with fantasy relevant players such as Tyson Chandler, Raymond Felton, J.R. Smith, and possibly Iman Shumpert.  Newly acquired Beno Udrih could take over Jason Kidd’s role in the two-point guard rotation the Knicks used in 2013.  Metta World Piece will likely help the Knicks more than your fantasy team, but Udrih could be an interesting waiver wire addition and may be able to help fantasy teams for stretches during the season.  Tim Hardaway Jr. may get some playing time initially because of JR Smith’s injury, but he it would be surprising if he was fantasy relevant this season.  Andrea Bargnani is the most intriguing addition from a fantasy basketball standpoint.  It looks like the Knicks can put out a lot of interesting and different lineups.  Assuming everyone stays healthy (except Stoudemire), they should be a strong team once again this season.

Pressing Questions: The Knicks have a strong team, but their title chances may come down to whether or not Amar’e Stoudemire will ever be the same again.  It was already an unlikely occurrence, but recent news about a July knee surgery dampens his season outlook even further.  Andrea Bargnani is the new big man in town, but he comes with questions after two disappointing season in Toronto.  However, he has scoring ability and if he could post a nine category line similar to what he did in 2008, then he will be a valuable piece to both the Knicks and fantasy teams.  J.R. Smith is coming off of knee surgery and will also be suspended five games for failing a drug test.  He is coming off a strong season, but there are obvious immaturity issues here and he just got paid.  Iman Shumpert has the upside of Latrell Sprewell, but that doesn’t mean he will get there.  He has to learn how to get to the hole and finish.  He has shown the ability to hit the three and he has a high steals upside, so he still could have fantasy value.

Sleeper: Beno Udrih

Breakout Candidate: Iman Shumpert

Rebound Candidate: Andrea Bargnani

Bust Candidate: J.R. Smith

Depth Chart:                                

Position	Starters	2nd String	3rd String
Point Guard	Raymond Felton	Beno Udrih	Pablo Prigioni
Shooting Guard	Iman Shumpert	J.R. Smith	Tim Hardaway Jr.
Small Forward	Carmelo Anthony	Metta World Peace	C.J. Leslie
Power Forward	Andrea Bargnani	Kenyon Martin
Center	Tyson Chandler	Amar’e Stoudemire	Cole Aldrich/ Jeremy Tyler

 

Team: Brooklyn Nets

Last Season Record: 49-33

Key Fantasy Additions: Paul Pierce, Kevin Garnett, Andrei Kirilenko, Jason Terry

Key Fantasy Losses: Gerald Wallace, Kris Humphries, C.J. Watson, Marshawn Brooks

2013 Draft Picks: Mason Plumlee

Team Overview: The Brooklyn Nets made a bold move during the offseason.  Although at its surface, it makes plenty sense.  A “new” franchise should look to win as soon as it can, especially when you have competition in your area.  However, the loss of their future draft picks and lack of mobility because of the CBA could rear its ugly head quite quickly.  The big offseason splashes help eliminate the memory of many who saw the Nets inexplicably lose on their home floor to a very beat up Chicago Bulls team in the opening round of the playoffs. 

The additions greatly outweigh the losses and this team doesn’t seem to have any holes.  Deron Williams and Brook Lopez are the fantasy headlines of this bunch.  When playing, Kevin Garnett should provide nice value at the center position for fantasy teams.  Paul Pierce can still get it done, but it may be best to assume his numbers go down across the board.  If AK47 was in a different situation, he would be more intriguing from a fantasy standpoint.  He still should get enough minutes to be helpful to owners and could be very useful for stretches during the season as it is likely KG and Pierce deal with health concerns.  Jason Terry was disappointing for most of last season, and could just be on his last legs, but perhaps he can be fantasy relevant if Joe Johnson continues to have health concerns.  Andray Blatche needs to be remembered as it wasn’t long ago that Brook Lopez couldn’t stay on the court.  It will be interesting to see how this team comes together.  In all, the Nets did what they did knowing the risks, and they should have taken said risk.  But you can’t help but wonder what madness will occur if this team gets off to a slow start.

Pressing Questions: There are two main questions for the Nets: age and health.  There are already murmurs that Kevin Garnett will not play in back to backs and Paul Pierce will be 36 this month.  Deron Williams and Joe Johnson have both dealt with injuries that could end up being of the chronic variety.  Brook Lopez had a screw replaced in his foot during the offseason.  Jason Kidd is an inexperienced head coach, but is that really a concern when you have guys like KG running the locker room (Kidd will be suspended two games to begin the season for a DWI – a bigger concern).  How they come together as a team remains to be seen, but if everyone stays healthy, there isn’t a reason to think it won’t work.

Sleeper: Shaun Livingston

Breakout Candidate: Andray Blatche

Rebound Candidate: Jason Terry

Bust Candidate: Joe Johnson

Depth Chart:                                

Position	Starters	2nd String	3rd String
Point Guard	Deron Williams	Shaun Livingston	Tyshawn Taylor
Shooting Guard	Joe Johnson	Jason Terry	Alan Anderson
Small Forward	Paul Pierce	Andrei Kirilenko	Tornike Shengelia
Power Forward	Kevin Garnett	Reggie Evans	Mirza Teletovic
Center	Brook Lopez	Andray Blatche	Mason Plumlee

 

 

Team: Boston Celtics

Last Season Record: 41-40

Key Fantasy Additions: Gerald Wallace, Marshawn Brooks, Kris Humphries

Key Fantasy Losses: Kevin Garnett, Paul Pierce

2013 Draft Picks: Kelly Olynyk

Team Overview: After being ousted by the Knicks in the first round, it was obvious changes had to be made (to be fair Rajon Rondo was out).  And despite how much it hurts Boston fans to not see Paul Pierce retire as a Celtic, this was the best move for the organization moving forward.  Gerald Wallace was a terrible contract to take on, but the Celtics have a collection of picks (including a 2018 Nets’ pick that has a chance to be high), and will have a manageable number to deal when it comes to the salary cap after this season. 

Rajon Rondo may be out until December.  If you watched the Celtics at all last season, you know that is a problem.  Scoring will be an issue for this team, especially with Rondo out.  Jeff Green is expected to lead the charge and he could deliver strong fantasy numbers.  If Jared Sullinger can get and stay healthy, he showed enough promise to be a fantasy contributor.  Brandon Bass has never put it all together, so there is a chance Sullinger can overtake him at the PF position.  Humphries is expected to start at center and can go back to delivering his double-doubles for a terrible team again.  Gerald Wallace is expected to come off the bench and as of now, there isn’t a reason to consider him for your fantasy team.  Marshawn Brooks is another interesting player.  He has the offensive skill, but his inconsistency and lack of defense could hurt his playing time.  Avery Bradley is expected to start at PG, but I think we have seen enough to know that he is thus far incapable of running the position.  Jordan Crawford may have a better chance at running PG, and he is what we would call a “chucker”.  Kelly Olynyk showed well during the summer league and there is a chance he could see some minutes.  Vitor Faverani is expected to come off the bench and should be watched from the waiver wire.

Pressing Questions: The offense is the most pressing question.  Rajon Rondo is the next big question.  When to draft him will come down to the wire as we get more information on his progress from knee surgery.  Even with the lack of talent around him, Rondo is great enough to put up strong fantasy numbers again.  It all comes down to health.  Stevens should be able to get the attention of his team, but that doesn’t mean they will be very good.  The future is set up nicely, however.

Sleeper: Marshawn Brooks

Breakout Candidate: Jared Sullinger

Rebound Candidate: Kris Humphries

Bust Candidate: Avery Bradley

Depth Chart:                                

Position	Starters	2nd String	3rd String
Point Guard	Rajon Rondo	Avery Bradley	Phil Pressey
Shooting Guard	Courtney Lee	Marshawn Brooks	Jordan Crawford
Small Forward	Jeff Green	Gerald Wallace
Power Forward	Brandon Bass	Jared Sullinger	Kelly Olynyk
Center	Kris Humphries	Vitor Faverani

 

Team: Toronto Raptors

Last Season Record: 34-48

Key Fantasy Additions: Tyler Hansbrough, Steve Novak, D.J. Augustin, Austin Daye, Dwight Buycks

Key Fantasy Losses: Andrei Bargnani, Sebastian Telfair, Alan Anderson

2013 Draft Picks: Mason Plumlee

Team Overview: Perhaps the biggest offseason addition for the Toronto Raptors is GM Masai Ujiri.  He gained a first round pick for a potential buyout candidate Andrei Bargnani, although there was reported interest by other teams (Golden State Warriors) in the big man.  So perhaps the competition for the big man’s services forced the hand of the Knicks.  Plus, Ujiri took back an extra year of Steve Novak’s over-priced contract.

The Raptors are going to be competitive and have an outside shot at making the playoffs.  Rudy Gay got Lasik, so perhaps his downtown shooting will improve.  If that FG% does improve, he will give his owners some very nice fantasy lines.  Coming off what many consider to be a poor season, he could have nice ADP value.  Kyle Lowry’s FG% and health are the two main things keeping him from being a fantasy stud.  Now a full time starter, Amir Johnson has a real chance to provide owners with nightly double-doubles and blocked shots.  DeMar DeRozan may be overvalued this season.  His role seems likely to decrease.  There are a few reasons for that, including Gay and Lowry taking up most of the usage, but center Jonas Valanciunas is expected to make a big leap this season.  He is generating a lot of buzz and with Valancinius becoming more of an offensive threat, there will be even less opportunities for DeRozan.

Pressing Questions: Lowry’s health and Gay’s vision/shooting will dictate how valuable they will be in fantasy and for the Toronto Raptors.  Will Valancinius justify and exceed his ADP value (74) or fail to make the jump?  This is a team in rebuild mode with a new direction.  Anyone with a long-term contract that performs has a chance to be moved at the trade deadline.

Sleeper: Amir Johnson

Breakout Candidate: Jonas Valancinius

Rebound Candidate: Rudy Gay

Bust Candidate: DeMar DeRozan

Depth Chart:                                

Position	Starters	2nd String	3rd String
Point Guard	Kyle Lowry	D.J. Augustin	Dwight Buycks
Shooting Guard	DeMar DeRozan	Landry Fields	Terrence Ross
Small Forward	Rudy Gay	Steve Novak	Austin Daye
Power Forward	Amir Johnson	Tyler Hanbrough	Quincy Acy
Center	Jonas Valancinius	Aaron Gray

 

 

Team: Philadelphia 76ers

Last Season Record: 49-33

Key Fantasy Additions: Nerlens Noel, Michael-Carter Williams, Royce White, Tony Wroten, James Anderson

Key Fantasy Losses: Jrue Holiday, Dorrell Wright, Nick Young,

2013 Draft Picks: Nerlens Noel, Michael-Carter Williams

Team Overview: This season is going to be extremely tough for 76er fans, but fear not, your team’s future (at least potentially) looks bright.  The 76ers biggest move was obtaining Nerlens Noel and a top-5 protected pick next season from the New Orleans Pelicans for Jrue Holiday.  On the surface this seems like an odd move, but when you dig deeper, it is a move easily justified.  Holiday is talented, but extremely inefficient and will soon want a large contract.  Noel is coming back from injury, and is considered raw offensively, but immediately can be penciled in as the 76ers starting centers for the next several seasons.  Next season’s pick comes in what will be seen as deep draft.

Michael-Carter Williams will be the starting point guard and should be drafted.  However, there is a chance he will struggle for most of the season.  He is on a team with a lack of talent, and some question his as well. Thaddeus Young will be helpful to owners and could improve his offensive numbers as he has to take on a bigger usage role.  Noel won’t be back until at least December.  Your league format will determine if he is worth a late flier.  Evan Turner should likely start, as well as Spencer Hawes.  Both can actually put up some useful fantasy stats, so don’t ignore them completely.  There is a chance Hawes gets significant minutes all season, as there is a chance both he and Noel can be on the floor at the same time.  Lavoy Allen will either start the season at PF, or James Anderson will start at SG, but that isn’t decided as of yet.  If Royce White ever overcomes his mental health issues, he could eventually make his way into some minutes.

Pressing Questions: Michael-Carter Williams running the point is a big question mark.  He has shown some struggles during the summer league and his ability was already being questioned before, during, and after the draft.  He recently admitted to being overwhelmed in training camp.  Noel’s injury and recovery is a big question mark for everyone.  When healthy, he is certainly worth an add just on the hopes he gives you a big boost in rebounds and blocks.

Sleeper: Evan Turner

Breakout Candidate: Spencer Hawes

Rebound Candidate: Royce White

Bust Candidate: Michael-Carter Williams

Depth Chart:                                

Position	Starters	2nd String	3rd String
Point Guard	Michael-Carter Williams	Tony Wroten	Darius Morris
Shooting Guard	Evan Turner	Jason Richardson
Small Forward	Thaddeus Young	James Anderson
Power Forward	Lavoy Allen	Nerlens Noel	Royce White
Center	Spencer Hawes	Kwame Brown	Tim Ohlbrecht