Staff Fantasy Basketball Draft Recap: Analysis of Our 12-Team Head-to-Head League
Round 8
| Pick | Overall | Player | Position | Writer |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 85 | Jose Calderon | PG | Sam Hauss |
| 2 | 86 | Brandon Jennings | PG | Brandon Gdula |
| 3 | 87 | Giannis Antetokounmpo | SG/SF | Galin Dragiev |
| 4 | 88 | Joe Johnson | SG/SF | Brett Oswalt |
| 5 | 89 | Tyson Chandler | C | Daniel Lindsey |
| 6 | 90 | Rajon Rondo | PG | Mike Comerford |
| 7 | 91 | George Hill | PG/SG | Russell Peddle |
| 8 | 92 | Isaiah Thomas | PG | Kyle Stanzel |
| 9 | 93 | Markieff Morris | PF/C | Bryan Mears |
| 10 | 94 | Andre Iguodala | SG/SF | Brett Weisband |
| 11 | 95 | Eric Gordon | SG | Shae Cronin |
| 12 | 96 | Jared Sullinger | PF/C | Mike Hurley |
There was a running joke in the draft room up to this point, where we were all playing a game of chicken with Rajon Rondo, imploring others to take him so we wouldn't have to. Rondo, at his current 50ish ADP, doesn't really stack up - even more so with the broken hand. His future in Boston is uncertain and we don't really have enough proof that he can be as good as he was when he was playing with the now-departed "Big Three" on the Celtics. His assists and steals are gangbusters, but what else do you get now that both his percentages are so low and his turnovers are so high? Even so, can't fault Mike Comerford for taking him this late, but we still project him at 154 this year, even lower than last year's 141st-ranked finish in nine-category leagues.
Jose Calderon is one of my favorite sleeper point guards this year and is a great get in this range for Sam Huass. We have Jose projected at 66 this season as the de facto starting point guard for the Knicks in a triangle offense that should heavily favor his skill set. After a down year in assists, those should rise again without Monta Ellis around to hog ball-handling duties and they'll go nicely with his elite threes, free throw percentage, and low turnovers (especially for a point guard).
Bryan Mears' Markieff Morris pick could be a steal here with his breakout looking imminent. I also like the value of Andre Iguodala for Brett Weisband and sleeper pick Jared Sullinger for Mike Hurley.
My pick: George Hill, PG/SG - Our algorithms project Hill as the 78th-ranked fantasy player this coming season, even ahead of where we have Derrick Rose (79). Hill is only two years removed from a 42nd-ranked finish and should be in for a lot of responsibility with Paul George injured and Lance Stephenson gone to Charlotte. Nothing about his stat line stands out at first glance, but the threes, assists, steals, free throw percentage, and low turnovers are all solid enough to make him a great glue guy with upside here for my utility slot (or as a fill in for both guard spots if something goes wrong with Rose or Wade).
