Fantasy Hoops Preview: Guards

brad beal

Keepers

Bradley Beal, Wizards: The 19-year-old should get a chance to start at some point this year, and by next season he should be a top-50 pick. Threes will be his thing, but he can score off the dribble and is an outstanding rebounder for a guard.

Eric Bledsoe, Clippers: Bledsoe was the Clippers’ third-best player in last year’s postseason, and while it’s tough for him to pair up with Chris Paul in a small backcourt, he’d start on just about any other team if traded.

Damian Lillard, Blazers: Lillard’s skill set is similar to Kyrie Irving’s: He can get into the lane and finish, and he can really shoot it. He should already be a mid-round pick as a rookie, and he could be a top-25 pick in a season or two.

Eric Maynor, Thunder: Maynor was one of the NBA’s best backup point guards before tearing his ACL last year. He’s a restricted free agent after the season, and once he proves he’s healthy he’ll get plenty of attention as a potential starter in 2013-14.

Sleepers

Klay Thompson, Warriors: Thompson was Golden State’s best player in and 2.14 3PG over 28 starts to finish the season. He’ll pile up enough threes to be a mid-round value.

Aaron Brooks, King: Brooks butted heads with coaches in Houston then Phoenix and spent last year in China. He’s the most talented guard on an uptempo Sacto squad and has big upside if he keeps his head on straight.

Mo Williams, Jazz: Williams will get to run the show in Utah. The last time he was a starting point guard, in Cleveland three years ago, he averaged 15.8 PPG, 5.3 APG, 2.3 3PG and shot 89.4 percent from the line. He should be a solid mid-round pick.

Ramon Sessions, Bobcats: After a solid run with the Lakers, Sessions will be the best player in Charlotte this year. With his ability to get into the lane and create, he could pile up points and assists while not hurting your percentages.

Rodney Stuckey, Pistons: Stuckey was hampered by injuries last season, but the Pistons desperately need him on the offensive end. He attacks the basket as well as anyone and looks poised for a career year, especially in the scoring department.

Greivis Vasquez, Hornets: Vasquez is the closest thing the Hornets have to a point guard. Eventually NOLA will force Austin Rivers into that role, but he looks to be years away. Vasquez averaged 12.0 PPG and 7.0 APG in 26 starts last year.

Busts

Steve Nash, Lakers: Mike Brown has talked about turning the offense over to Nash, but Kobe Bryant has been an iso player for 16 seasons now. Assuming old habits die hard, Nash’s numbers should drop to career-low levels.

Dwyane Wade, Heat: Between his age (30) and playing style, Wade is just not built to last this season. With Ray Allen coming to shoulder some of the load, Wade should see a career-low in minutes and all-around production.

Raymond Felton, Knicks: You might expect Felton to revert to the 2010-11 form he had in New York (17.1 PPG, 9.0 APG). Don’t. The new Knicks offense is Carmelo Anthony-iso heavy, and Felton isn’t very good anyway.

Jose Calderon, Raptors: Tough to figure where his career path will go next, but it looks like Calderon won’t have a starting job. The Raptors have moved on after watching him struggle on the defensive end for years.

Previously: The Five Biggest Mistakes Roto Owners Make