Post by ucfinfan86 on Sept 10, 2019 11:41:58 GMT
It's a weaker class at the top without any complete studs like Mannion or Baylor. There are some really good players though with decent depth.
1. SF Modestas Paulauskas – 27 – B A B B+ B+ C
He’s a very good player that has elevated his game over the past few seasons. He’s probably weak as far as #1 player in a FA class, but he’s a top 5 SF. He’s an awesome 3pt shooter with 3 straight seasons over 46% as well as 3 straight with FG% over .475. He’s a very good rebounder and the 2nd best point per game scorer at the position (behind Schmidt). His flaw is the B+ defense and that translates to the box score with only 1.5 stocks over the past 2 seasons. At just 27 though, I’m expecting him to land a massive contract.
He’s a very good player that has elevated his game over the past few seasons. He’s probably weak as far as #1 player in a FA class, but he’s a top 5 SF. He’s an awesome 3pt shooter with 3 straight seasons over 46% as well as 3 straight with FG% over .475. He’s a very good rebounder and the 2nd best point per game scorer at the position (behind Schmidt). His flaw is the B+ defense and that translates to the box score with only 1.5 stocks over the past 2 seasons. At just 27 though, I’m expecting him to land a massive contract.
2. PG KC Jones – 30 – C A- A+ A+ C- C
KC was long overrated due to the massive contract he received and then all of a sudden in 2043 something happened and he blossomed into a very good PG. He went from averaging in the mid-teens to 23 overnight. Despite being just an average 3pt shooter, he’s excellent from the line. He’s one of the best PG defenders in the league with 4 defensive awards on his resume and limits the turnovers. He’s average at best as a rebounder/passer, but when you combine the defense with now above average scoring ability, he’s close to a top 10 PG.
3. C Leroy Edwards – 32 – A_ C C+ A+ A- D
Leroy is the reigning Defensive Player of the Year and continues to solidify his HOF candidacy. The main downside with him is the D potential at 32 years old. He’s a career 45% shooter, a good FT shooter and will get you 18-13-4. Rog stole him back on a 1yr deal last season and I expect him to get a similar type of contract this year. He’s a top 5 Center in the league.
4. PF Bailey Howell – 26 – A- B- C A+ A C
Heat could have kept him for another year at around $9mil with a loyalty contract extension. He’s a 2-time allstar and only 26 years old. He really improved his rebounding this year to over 13 a game. I love his ability to shoot outside as a PF with a career 39% 3pt. His only real flaw is his lack of blocks, but the A+ defense suggests he’s super athletic with near 100 post defense.
5. SF Drazen Dalipagic – 32 –B+ A+ D A- C+ D
Probably one of the best players in the league to have never made an all-star team. His scoring dipped as a 3rd option/non-option this season, but nearly shot 50%. He’s good for 2 steals, high efficiency, and limited TOs. His only real flaw is he’s an average rebounder and has D potential.
6. C Tom Barlow – 33 – B C D+ A+ A+ D
Barlow still sports his A+ Defense/Rebounding but his numbers continue to decline since his peak years with the Raptors a few seasons ago. You have to still love the 5 stocks a game, but he was a lot more valuable when he was rebounding mid 13s+. I still think he’s a really valuable player, but at 33 with D potential you have to imagine that the decline will continue. It’s a shame he never made an all-star team or he’d be a very good mentor.
KC was long overrated due to the massive contract he received and then all of a sudden in 2043 something happened and he blossomed into a very good PG. He went from averaging in the mid-teens to 23 overnight. Despite being just an average 3pt shooter, he’s excellent from the line. He’s one of the best PG defenders in the league with 4 defensive awards on his resume and limits the turnovers. He’s average at best as a rebounder/passer, but when you combine the defense with now above average scoring ability, he’s close to a top 10 PG.
3. C Leroy Edwards – 32 – A_ C C+ A+ A- D
Leroy is the reigning Defensive Player of the Year and continues to solidify his HOF candidacy. The main downside with him is the D potential at 32 years old. He’s a career 45% shooter, a good FT shooter and will get you 18-13-4. Rog stole him back on a 1yr deal last season and I expect him to get a similar type of contract this year. He’s a top 5 Center in the league.
4. PF Bailey Howell – 26 – A- B- C A+ A C
Heat could have kept him for another year at around $9mil with a loyalty contract extension. He’s a 2-time allstar and only 26 years old. He really improved his rebounding this year to over 13 a game. I love his ability to shoot outside as a PF with a career 39% 3pt. His only real flaw is his lack of blocks, but the A+ defense suggests he’s super athletic with near 100 post defense.
5. SF Drazen Dalipagic – 32 –B+ A+ D A- C+ D
Probably one of the best players in the league to have never made an all-star team. His scoring dipped as a 3rd option/non-option this season, but nearly shot 50%. He’s good for 2 steals, high efficiency, and limited TOs. His only real flaw is he’s an average rebounder and has D potential.
6. C Tom Barlow – 33 – B C D+ A+ A+ D
Barlow still sports his A+ Defense/Rebounding but his numbers continue to decline since his peak years with the Raptors a few seasons ago. You have to still love the 5 stocks a game, but he was a lot more valuable when he was rebounding mid 13s+. I still think he’s a really valuable player, but at 33 with D potential you have to imagine that the decline will continue. It’s a shame he never made an all-star team or he’d be a very good mentor.
7. SG Eddie Palubinskas – 29 – B+ A+ C+ A D C
Eddie is someone I’ve always had a soft spot for that I tried acquiring since he was a rookie. He’s a super-efficient scorer and generates a ton of steals. Unfortunately the lack of rebounding takes away from his overall value. I will still take 20+ ppg on 50% shooting and 2.5 steals any day though. He has backup PG ability, which could make him an amazing super-sub that may mask his lack of rebounding a bit.
8. C Slim Wintermute – 32 – A- C C+ A+ A C
He’s a good starting center and someone that probably got overlooked much of his career playing on bad teams during his prime. He consistently scores 18-20 with 3+ blocks and A+ defense. Unfortunately his rebounding has fallen to 11.4 and 12 the past 2 years, which is below average for a Center. If he could get his rebounding back into the 13 range, he’d be a top 8ish guy. As a plus, he has mentor ability.
9. SF Chia Chungchang – 33 – A- A C A A- C
He’s long been a polarizing figure in this league because of his turnover issues, although they had leveled out to around 3 the past 3 seasons. While that’s not great, it’s not as debilitating as when he was averaging 4+. Outside of Schmidt, he’s probably the best rebounder at the position and is solid defensively. If you could pair him with a low turnover PG/SG I think he’s pretty good, but he needs to be on the right team.
10. SG Nikos Galis – 31 – A- A+ B- B D+ C
Pretty much Palubinskas 2.0. The reason I rate Eddie higher is age and efficiency. Galis doesn’t generate quite as many steals and scores at a bit of a higher volume, but has the same rebounding issues. Much like a couple of the players above him, you’re perfectly fine with him as a starter and he’ll be pretty good, but probably someone you are always looking to upgrade from.
Honorable Mention (in no particular order)
C Neil Johnson - Good shot blocker/rebounder and an efficient scorer on limited usage.
PF Jack Coleman – Borderline all-star this year, but is 36 with D potential. Averaged 18-12-3 on 44% shooting.
PF Johnny Green – Only 26 with B potential still. Could average double-double with 2.5 blocks if a starter.
SF Musa Jallow – 29 and coming off a career year. One of the best wing defenders in the league.
SG Belus Smawley – Just missed the top 11 list. A good scorer, generates steals and is a good rebounder. Is 34 with D potential though and turns it over a bit too much.
SG Kareem Queeley – Age may have finally caught up with him, but he took a backseat with the Jazz last season, could be a buy low candidate
SG Frank Ramsey – A very good combo guard with backup PG ability coming off a career shooting year
PG Milos Teodosic – Average starter with good 3pt and steals, but too much TOs.
PG Zoran Slavnic – 23yo with A potential. Sadly was never camped in his career
PG Jalen Lecque – A below average starting PG. With his TOs and his rebounding ability, would probably be best off as a backup combo guard.
Eddie is someone I’ve always had a soft spot for that I tried acquiring since he was a rookie. He’s a super-efficient scorer and generates a ton of steals. Unfortunately the lack of rebounding takes away from his overall value. I will still take 20+ ppg on 50% shooting and 2.5 steals any day though. He has backup PG ability, which could make him an amazing super-sub that may mask his lack of rebounding a bit.
8. C Slim Wintermute – 32 – A- C C+ A+ A C
He’s a good starting center and someone that probably got overlooked much of his career playing on bad teams during his prime. He consistently scores 18-20 with 3+ blocks and A+ defense. Unfortunately his rebounding has fallen to 11.4 and 12 the past 2 years, which is below average for a Center. If he could get his rebounding back into the 13 range, he’d be a top 8ish guy. As a plus, he has mentor ability.
9. SF Chia Chungchang – 33 – A- A C A A- C
He’s long been a polarizing figure in this league because of his turnover issues, although they had leveled out to around 3 the past 3 seasons. While that’s not great, it’s not as debilitating as when he was averaging 4+. Outside of Schmidt, he’s probably the best rebounder at the position and is solid defensively. If you could pair him with a low turnover PG/SG I think he’s pretty good, but he needs to be on the right team.
10. SG Nikos Galis – 31 – A- A+ B- B D+ C
Pretty much Palubinskas 2.0. The reason I rate Eddie higher is age and efficiency. Galis doesn’t generate quite as many steals and scores at a bit of a higher volume, but has the same rebounding issues. Much like a couple of the players above him, you’re perfectly fine with him as a starter and he’ll be pretty good, but probably someone you are always looking to upgrade from.
Honorable Mention (in no particular order)
C Neil Johnson - Good shot blocker/rebounder and an efficient scorer on limited usage.
PF Jack Coleman – Borderline all-star this year, but is 36 with D potential. Averaged 18-12-3 on 44% shooting.
PF Johnny Green – Only 26 with B potential still. Could average double-double with 2.5 blocks if a starter.
SF Musa Jallow – 29 and coming off a career year. One of the best wing defenders in the league.
SG Belus Smawley – Just missed the top 11 list. A good scorer, generates steals and is a good rebounder. Is 34 with D potential though and turns it over a bit too much.
SG Kareem Queeley – Age may have finally caught up with him, but he took a backseat with the Jazz last season, could be a buy low candidate
SG Frank Ramsey – A very good combo guard with backup PG ability coming off a career shooting year
PG Milos Teodosic – Average starter with good 3pt and steals, but too much TOs.
PG Zoran Slavnic – 23yo with A potential. Sadly was never camped in his career
PG Jalen Lecque – A below average starting PG. With his TOs and his rebounding ability, would probably be best off as a backup combo guard.
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