The 2015-16 NBA regular season is quickly approaching as teams prepare to play their final few exhibition games. Generally speaking the NBA preseason means little in terms of predicting just who will have a great regular season as most teams are resting their starters and allowing for non-guaranteed contracts and end-of-the-bench type players a chance to prove themselves. Teams often use these preseason games as an opportunity to round out their benches rather than press their starters with 30-plus minutes a night.
Having said that, there is still some analytical value in studying the preseason stats as some players have changed teams, signed new contracts or are coming back off injuries. The preseason action does offer a glimpse at team lineups as well as a sneak peak at just how ready some players are for the start of the regular season. With that in mind we kick off a two-part look at the preseason players who are making some noise early on and who might be worth watching come fantasy draft day. We already a peak in at the Eastern Conference so let’s wrap it up with a look at the West.
John Jenkins - Dallas Mavericks
Jenkins is well poised to be a contributor this season for the Mavericks as the newly acquired Wesley Matthews is still making his way back from that achilles injury. Given that Matthews has only just begun contact drills, it seems likely that it will take a few months before all of his strength and basketball skills return fully. In that time look for Jenkins to be called upon to provide some offence for the Mavericks. In the Mavericks four preseason games thus far, Jenkins has played a healthy dose of minutes and he has shot the ball quite well and put up some decent scoring numbers. The Mavericks will need both Jenkins and Matthews to contribute this season as they try to compensate for the loss of Monta Ellis.
Marco Belinelli - Sacramento Kings
The European Basketball Championship that recently concluded seemed like a tremendous confidence booster for Belinelli. Belinelli played very well for Italy in the tournament and he will be looking to carry that success over into this upcoming NBA season. It remains to be seen just how Belinelli will fit into coach George Karl’s system in Sacramento; however, if the preseason is any indication it looks like Belinelli will see a sixth man type role behind Rudy Gay.
C.J. McCollum - Portland Trailblazers
Rumblings in the fantasy hoop circles have McCollum being tabbed as the potential breakout fantasy player of the year. While it might be too early to make such a prediction, there are many a good signs that success lies ahead for this young man. Starting with last season’s individual success versus Memphis in the playoffs where he averaged 17 ppg and 4.0 rpg. This season has started off well for McCollum too as he is seeing quality minutes at both the shooting guard spot and as the backup point guard. This kind of versatility will help McCollum get his minutes behind both Damian Lillard and Gerald Henderson. If there is any kind of injury to either of those guys, look for McCollum’s stock to soar.
Emmanuel Mudiay - Denver Nuggets
It didn’t take long for Mudiay to be anointed as the Denver Nuggets starting point guard and with that came the high expectations of the first-year player. There is little doubt that Mudiay will see a ton of court time this season; however, there are some reservations about how that jump shot of his will fair over the long NBA season. Mudiay’s game will be very much predicated on attacking the basket and there will be a significant amount of flare to his game which, while looking nice on the highlight reels, will lead to turnovers. It remains to be seen just how sites like FanDuel will value Mudiay to start the season. If he comes out high it would be worth holding off as he will likely struggle a bit to start. Let the price come down before jumping on here.
Alec Burks - Utah Jazz
An interesting battle is emerging in Utah between Alec Burks and Rodney Hood for the role of starting shooting guard. If not for the shoulder injury that claimed three quarters of the season from Burks, it would have been a foregone conclusion that the $10 million a year player would be the starter; however, in Burks absence it was Hood who really stepped up and showed off his promising skill set. Obviously Burks does have more value as a starter than as a backup and I do think that he will be out there opening day. Burks could play some point guard too and that will help in keeping him on the court as the season progresses.