However, when October 1st rolls around it will be time to make those final cuts to get down to your final list of keepers. I'm going to see if I can predict who gets dumped backed into the Auction.
Arctic (3 spots available on final roster). Currently still has 5 players on his roster. The 2 locks, in my opinion, are Ibaka ($14) and Faried ($11). That leaves 3 guys vying for one spot. DeRozan ($15), Favors ($13) and Sessions ($6) are hoping to land that final spot. I think Sessions is out of the question at this phase. He's just signed in Charlotte but that's a young team and should be building around Kemba, Biyombo, Kidd-Gilchrist, Henderson and others. I think Sessions will be serviceable but not a bargain at $6 bucks. It's down to Favors or DeRozan. Both are fighting are playing time with others on their teams. Does Arctic want some scoring with DD or does he want a beast-mode front line? Favors has 'potential star' written all over him while DD is who he is (I think). DD is the safe pick while Favors is the home run or strike out. Tough call but I'm predicting Arctic goes for the large front line and he keeps Favors.
Bangkok (2 spots). It's only Alonzo Gee ($8) left on the roster. The question is - does even Gee make the final cut come October 1st? I don't think he's even got his deal done with the Cavs yet. And on top of that, he now has to fight with CJ Miles for playing time?? I wonder if the Kok even keeps him??
Brussels (no keeper spots). The world is your oyster young man. A fresh canvas for your new creation. The biggest question will be if Brussels can find a dance partner for his #2 pick? Timbo will likely try to leverage a player and a lower pick for the rights to that #2 rookie.
Chilliwack (4 spots). Benny still has 6 players on his roster and has to cut 2 guys. Blake Griffin ($59) seems a little pricey but at least you'd know what you're getting. Because of this price, I'm thinking Blake's on the outside and looking in already. So, we're down to 5 guys for 4 spots. Paul George ($13), Mayo $12, Turner $8, Lowry $36 and McGee $21 are the other choices. I think George and Mayo are locks because of their upside. Turner has some potential now that Iggy is out of town. However, look at his numbers and he really doesn't help much in those 'stock' categories. McGee is a blocking machine and Lowry was having a monster season before getting hurt. Does Benny believe in McGee and Lowry? Does he have faith that Evan Turner can make the jump? I think Benny goes with Lowry, McGee, George, and Mayo as his final 4 picks.
French Lick (4 spots). Hildy has narrowed his choices to 5 guys. Three of those guys, in my opinion, will be back in French for another season. Ty Lawson $15, Ryan Anderson $7, and Jeff Teague $11 are pretty much locks in my books. Even with Devin Harris arriving in ATL that doesn't change my opinion on the kind of year Teague will have. Those 3 are back in French. The final spot comes down to Drew Gooden $6 or LaMarcus Aldridge $45. Tough decision. The cheaper route is Gooden but he's going to have to fight for PT with Ersan, Sammy D, John Henson, Sanders, Udoh, and others. The other choice is more expensive ($45) but he's an All-Star. Aldridge is a stud. And $45 bucks is probably a good price for him too. The question will be if French believes LA is 100% after his torn labrum surgery and if he wants to build around the only true stud in PDX. I love Aldridge and would be happy with $45 bucks so I'm thinking French signs him on the dotted line.
Golden (4 spots). Just 5 players remain. Three of those players will be back (barring injuries in September). Gortat $20, Ilyasova $6, and Pekovic $12 will all return to Golden. The final spot is between Isiah Thomas $6 and Tim Duncan $33. The youngster PG in Sactown who may have to fight for minutes with Aaron Brooks? Or the aging veteran who continues to put up solid numbers year after year after year? Unless I hear/read otherwise about Thomas not being the starter - I expect him to win the final spot (mostly because he's cheap). It's no secret, for those who have inquired, that I am looking at potentially packaging Pekovic or Thomas with my #5 pick for a lower pick and player. I like the rookie depth in this draft and would be willing to move down because I think there is value in 8-10 rookies.
Idaho (3 spots). Idaho has the list down to 4 guys. 2 are locks in my opinion. Bynum and Harden are 2 of the best keepers going so they'll be back. The final spot is either Rubio $15 or DeAndre Jordan $11. The challenge with Rubio is his injury status. How many games will he play? 40? 50? 60? If he was healthy I think he's the choice - but the injury leaves some doubt. Jordan is a shot blocking machine and with a Center combo of Bynum and Jordan - Idaho would be rock solid in the middle. The downside to Jordan is that I think he is who he is. I don't see him ever being a 15/10/2 guy. He's around 8-8-2 with good FG%. He can rebound and block shots. A nice complimentary piece. Rubio or Jordan? Jordan or Rubio? Tough one...
Seoul (3 spots). Seoul has released everyone and is starting fresh. Good on ya Philly Woo.
Manhattan Beach (1 spot). Hmmm. Lebron for $77? Anyone? Ummm, yes please. Get used to it fellas, Lebron will be taking his talents to Manhattan Beach in 2012/13.
Montreal (2 spots). There are still 4 guys on the roster but I really think it's down to 3 guys for the 2 spots. Chandler Parsons $6 is still on the roster but really don't see him being a legit option compared to the other 3 guys. The choices are Marc Gasol $33, Jeremy Lin $12, and Kyrie Irving $20. Irving would be in Year 2 of a potential 5 year JBL rookie scale contract. Kyrie has to stay. He's a huge bargain. Plus, Kyrie gives us Uncle Drew. The 2nd choice is either Gasol or Lin. For trade market alone - it has to be Lin. 2 stud PG's in Montreal to start the year. Make it so.
Yuma (3 spots). Still 6 players on this roster. 3 more cuts to come by October 1st. The most shocking survivor of cut downs to date has to be Jimmer Fredette $12. Why is he still around? I don't consider him an option for one of the 3 spots. Another guy at peak value is Pau Gasol ($54). Is he a good keeper at that price? Not sure. I do like 2 guys a lot. Kawhi Leonard $10 and Kris Kardashian, er, Kris Humphries $20. Those 2 guys are locks. The final spot is between an aging Paul Pierce $32 and a young and emerging PG Brandon Jennings $22. I think, despite his 41/33 %'s, that Jennings may get the nod due to his youth, his health, and being the cheaper option.
Maui (1 spot). Despite only having 1 keeper spot available there are still 6 players left on this roster. All are very cheap options but only one can survive. Iman Shumpert $6 is a good young fantasy player but is injured and miss some time. He's not the best option right now. Jordan Crawford $6 is cheap but can't shoot (40/28%) so he's out. Al Harrington $6 is an aging veteran on a rebuilding team in Orlando. He can't be trusted. I would say no. Samuel Dalembert $16 can block shots but has to fight for minutes in Milwaukee. Not sure he's actually a bargain at that price either. So, it comes down to 2 guys - Lou Williams $8 or Gerald Henderson $6. Both are appealing options in my books. They aren't studs by any means but both offer some cheap scoring and upside because of their situations. Flip a coin because both are solid #3 or #4 Guard options on a Fantasy team.
Juan de Fuca (4 spots). 6 players still on the roster. Durant 72, Cousins 39, Chandler 28, Brandon Knight 9, Camby 9, and Gordon Hayward 6. I don't see how Camby fits as a keeper at this point of his career so I'm ruling him out. That leaves 5 guys for 4 spots. If Juan keeps Durantula and Cousins then their team is already shaped for next season as that's big dollars spent before the Auction has even started. The thing is, both those guys are good values at those prices. So, in a way, they have to keep them. Don't they? Brandon Knight, despite the fact he would be in year 2 of a potential 5 year rookie salary is the least appealing of the 5 guys remaining. If they went with KD, Cousins, Chandler and Hayward they will have spent $145 already heading into the JBL Auction. But what a core. Or, will Juan go the cheap route and keep Cousins, Chandler, Hayward, and Knight? Lots of options in Juan. That's why I saved them for last because they are the toughest for me to predict.
That is my rant for tonight....have a good one.
