As a break to all the trade news, we present you with the next installment of RookieWatch 07-08, with picks #21-25 of the 2007 NBA Draft. Don’t forget to check out the fantasy analysis of first round picks #1-20 here: #1-5 | #6-10 | #11-15 | #16-20.

21. Daequan Cook, Miami Heat – The third and least famous member of that Ohio State freshmen class (all with agents Mike Conley, Sr.), Cook surprisingly opted to leave the Buckeyes after one year and joined the Heat as a 3-point specialist with untapped ability. Cook was one of the reasons the Heat let Jason Kapono (the 3-point champion) leave, but he has faltered in his first season, even with adequate playing time. He is shooting under 30% from threes and under 40% overall, although he could help with FT % (over 90%, but does not attempt many). Recently, with the acquisition of Shawn Marion, it seems that Cook has been buried deep on the bench and even with the Heat out of contention in the lowly East, may not see many minutes the rest of the way.

    Recommendation: Look elsewhere for 3-point shooting help.

    

22. Jared Dudley, Charlotte Bobcats – A four-year player at Boston College, Dudley was an absolute star his senior season, but did not have huge upside and fell to this part of the first round. Dudley has not adapted quickly to the NBA, and with superstud Gerald Wallace ahead of him, struggles to see consistent minutes. Recently, he has been able to score, and if he sees regular action, may actually be able to help in both FG and FT percentage, steals, and rebounds. However, with just about everyone in the thick of a playoff race in the East, Dudley may not get his fair share of minutes down the stretch.

    Recommendation: Keep an eye on him. Too solid a player to ignore if he gets the minutes.

23. Wilson Chandler, New York Knicks – Leaving DePaul after his sophomore year, Chandler rose into the first round due to his length and athleticism, which made Isaiah Thomas draft him over more established college forwards. So far, Chandler has been unable to break a surprisingly deep Knick rotation. In fact, he has barely played all season. There is no reason to think that will change since Thomas really likes his current rotation (another reason he should be fired as coach).

    Recommendation: Simply ignore. Will continue to be raw potential

24. Rudy Fernandez, Phoenix Suns – Fernandez actually had his rights traded to the Portland Trailblazers along with James Jones for cash. He is not expected to play in the NBA until at least the 2008-2009 season, since his contract with Joventut of the Italian League is until 2011 (which means expensive buyout).

    Recommendation: Pick up if you want to finish in last place.

25. Morris Almond, Utah Jazz – A pure scorer, Almond was truly a wildcard coming into the draft, having played at a weak college school. However, with the emergence of players such as Ronnie Brewer and a midseason trade for Kyle Korver, Almond has not played much this year (has not seen minutes outside practice since early January). Although he has the length that teams love (reminds me a bit of Thabo Sefolosha of my Chicago Bulls in size), he is not developed enough to log minutes during an intense playoff race.

    Recommendation: Keep moving along.

So it seems that none of these later first round picks have panned out, which usually happens. But keep an eye on Dudley. I think he will one day turn into a decent NBA player.

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Mike
Senior Writer

We’re all excited about our new site. So without further ado, for the next installment of RookieWatch 07-08, we look at picks #16-20. Don’t forget to check out fantasy analysis of picks #1-5 | #6-10 | #11-15.

16. Nick Young, Washington Wizards – Young shot up into the mid-first round with a great NCAA showing with USC. With the current injuries to the Wizards, Young has seen an increase in playing time that has led to an outburst in scoring. A long, lanky athlete, he has the potential to be of the Josh Howard mold, but still has a lot of raw ability that needs to be harnessed. Furthermore, with the impending return of Caron Butler, Gilbert Arenas, and Antonio Daniels, Young should find himself deep on the bench once again in the near future.

    Recommendation: Only a very short term option, but you are probably better off going another way.

17. Sean Williams, New Jersey Nets – The Nets were taking a huge chance on Williams, who had been suspended for the second part of the Boston College season. However, they could not pass on the athletic and shot-blocking potential, and have been rewarded so far this season, as have fantasy owners who have picked up this rookie. Williams has entered the starting lineup and has earned more playing time, and his points, rebounds, and blocked shots have all increased. Williams is a nice complementary role player to get for one of your last two roster spots.

    Recommendation: For help in blocked shots, FG%, and rebounds, pick up this man now!

18. Marco Belinelli, Golden State Warriors – Former teammate of Manu Ginobili, Belinelli had a monster NBA Summer League campaign before leaving to go back to Italy for Eurobasket 2007. Now back with the Warriors, Belinelli has not seen any consistent playing time, although he has the capability to score in bunches, similar to his former teammate Ginobili. With the style of the Warriors and their deep bench, Belinelli will continue to see little playing time.

    Recommendation: Ignore for this current season.

19. Javaris Crittenton, Memphis Grizzlies – Traded to the Grizzlies from the Lakers in the Pau Gasol trade, Crittenton had no fantasy value until leaving LA. Although his value is still not high, being on a perennial loser will only get him more playing time. He has shown flashes of the ability to score and if he can consistently break into the Grizzlies’ rotation, he may be a viable player for one of the last slots on your team. With the potential to shoot well and score, Crittenton could be a possibility for the last few weeks of the season.

    Recommendation: Put him on your watch list.

20. Jason Smith, Philadelphia 76ers – Smith was drafted by the Miami Heat and then shipped to Philly on draft day. A big seven foot center, Smith has struggled to adapt to the NBA and has been buried behind Samuel Dalembert, who has had a break-out season. Smith has shown the ability to shoot well, score, and rebound when given some consistent minutes. However, he has been unable to break into the regular rotation, even with the 76ers’ season going nowhere.

    Recommendation: Smith also should be going nowhere near your fantasy roster.

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Mike
Senior Writer

For those who still need fantasy basketball action on Super Bowl Sunday, here is the analysis from RookieWatch 07-08, picks #11-15. Don’t forget to check out Picks #1-5 and #6-10.

11. Acie Law IV, Atlanta Hawks – Expected to come in and fill the void at point guard for the Hawks (who notably took Marvin Williams over stud point guards Chris Paul and Deron Williams), Law has struggled to adapt to the faster pace NBA and has played a backup role all season to veteran Anthony Johnson. Always a streaky shooter while in college (with almost no rotation on his shot), Law has struggled to shoot a consistent percentage from the field and has only four double-digit scoring games all year. With the Hawks currently in the 7^th seed in the East, it looks like they will play their veterans to make a playoff push, meaning low minutes and little production from Law.

    Recommendation: Monitor and consider only if playing time improves significantly, above 25 minutes/game.

12. Thaddeus Young, Philadelphia 76ers – Young, along with Javaris Crittenton (just traded from the Lakers to the Grizzles, click here for fantasy impact), left Georgia Tech too early in order to become first round picks in the draft. Although blessed with size and length, Young’s game is still unrefined. However, he has been gaining more minutes in the 76ers rotation and has even made some starts recently. Look for this trend to continue since Philly is not competitive, and Young may be a sneaky wire pick towards the end of season who can help in FG%, points, and rebounds. Although he may hold no value currently, more playing time next to a star such as Andre Iguodala and a floor general like Andre Miller can only help fantasy stats.

    Recommendation: Consider in the deeper leagues if he continues gaining minutes.

13. Julian Wright, New Orleans Hornets – Picked to improve depth on the front line for the Hornets, he has been stuck all season behind All-Star David West. Wright has been unable to break into the New Orleans rotation and has picked up little minutes outside of garbage time. Although he has tremendous tools, he is also quite unsophisticated as a player, and with the Hornets playing for a top seed in the West, it looks like Wright will be sitting on the bench cheering on his teammates unless there is an injury.

    Recommendation: Ignore unless you are trying to lose your league

14. Al Thornton, Los Angeles Clippers – Listed in the honorable mention of top midseason gems, Thornton seems to be gaining the trust of his coach, and with injuries to the front line, has logged many more minutes, culminating in a 33 point effort Wednesday against the Hawks. Although not shooting a great percentage from the field or line, he has provided increased scoring recently to go with better play in peripheral categories. With the Clippers once again staring down a lottery pick, Thornton should be a solid fantasy option in deeper leagues (unless Elton Brand comes back healthy).

    Recommendation: Take a flyer on him if he is still available in your league and you need points or rebounds. He is most likely better than the worst player on your current roster.

15. Rodney Stuckey, Detroit Pistons – Drafted as one of the top scorers in college basketball out of Eastern Washington, Stuckey was supposed to enter the Pistons rotation and score with the second-team. However, an early injury and inconsistent play has placed him on the bench behind fellow-first round draft pick Aaron Afflalo, who also is a candidate to improve in the second half. Without any consistent playing time and with Rip Hamilton and Tayshaun Prince in front of him in the rotation, Stuckey holds very little fantasy value.

    Recommendation: Unless there is an injury or he logs playing time for good effort (a la Jason Maxiell), Stuckey will have no fantasy impact this year.

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Mike
Senior Writer