DNB's Fantasy Guru: Atlantic Division Depth Charts

Atlantic Division

Each team in the Atlantic Division has seen its fair share of roster changes, with the rebranded Brooklyn Nets leading the charge. How do the roster changes affect the depth charts and distribution of minutes?  Let’s take a look:

Brooklyn Nets

Position	Player	Player	Player	Player
C	B. Lopez	R. Evans
PF	K. Humphries	A. Blatche	M. Teletovic
SF	G. Wallace	J. Childress
SG	J. Johnson	M. Brooks	K. Bogans
PG	D Williams	C.J. Watson

The Nets have re-upped Brook Lopez and traded for Joe Johnson.  Their starting line-up is as set as any team in the Atlantic.  Lopez should get back to producing for fantasy GMs and could get back to his 2010-11 form.  Wallace has always been a steady fantasy player and can be a strong and reliable mid-round pick. 

Deron Williams should see a boost in his assist average.  He will be running the best line-up that he has had his entire career this up-coming season.  Watch out for second year player Marshon Brooks.  His minutes have been hampered by the arrival of Johnson and his production and growth may be affected. 

Humphries will always be a good source of rebounds.  However, the Nets have recently signed Andray Blatche and, if Blatche can get back to his old form of 16ppg and 8rpg then Humphries may see a decline in minutes.

Sure Bets: Williams (early), Johnson (early-mid), Wallace (mid), Humphries (early-mid), Lopez (mid)

Sleepers: Brooks, Blatche

Pass-on: Childress, Watson, Evans

 Philadelphia 76ers

Position	Player	Player	Player	Player
C	A. Bynum	K. Brown
PF	S. Hawes	T. Young	L. Allen	A. Moultry
SF	E. Turner	D. Wright	T. Young
SG	J. Richardson	N. Young
PG	J. Holiday	R Ivey	E. Turner

The Sixers made a significant trade that had Andre Iguodala leaving and Andrew Bynum coming in.  Bynum instantly becomes the best player on this roster.  His production value in L.A. was regarded as a sure-fire #1 center option and should stay the same in Philadelphia.

Jrue Holiday took a step back in his progress last season and was, at times over shadowed by back-up guard Lou Williams.  Look for Jrue to have a better year of production and get back to being a reliable guard option in the league.

Second year player, Evan Turner, still has many question marks surrounding his value and role.  He was touted as a great versatile and big-bodied guard who can handle the ball.  Look for Turner to receive a larger role in the offense with Iguodala out of the picture.  If he proves the doubters wrong, he could be a solid stat line stuffer.

A good battle should come out at the power forward position between Spencer Hawes and Thad Young.  Doug Collins has suggested that he likes the pairing of Hawes and Bynum to start the season.  However, Young has been vocal about his desire to start.  Young has the talent but has lacked consistency at times.  I’d definitely take a chance on him for his rebounding in the mid to late rounds.

Sure bets: Bynum (early), Holiday (mid)

Sleepers: Turner, Young, Richardson, Wright

Pass on: Young, Ivey, Brown

Boston Celtics

Positions	Players	Players	Players	Players
C	K. Garnett	J. Collins
PF	B. Bass	J. Sullinger
SF	P. Pierce	J. Green
SG	A. Bradley	J Terry
PG	R. Rondo	A. Bradley

The aging Celtics have off-loaded one hall of fame guard, in Ray Allen, for another.  As Jason terry comes to this team, he will fill the void left by Allen’s departure.  Terry has been a career 6^th man with Dallas and should see the same type of minutes in Boston.

Avery Bradley has improved significantly with this team and his defensive abilities should get him back into the starting line-up once he comes back from injury.

Garnett and Pierce will both need plenty of rest throughout the season and Rivers may push the younger Celtics a little harder this season.  Sullinger will surely get a chance to show what he has got with a thin Celtic frontcourt.

Look at Jeff Green as a solid sleeper option.  He should be fully healed and ready to show the Celtics that they can invest in him for their future.  He can hit the long ball and also get a decent amount of rebounds.  Folks may pass on Green due to his absence for an entire season and for the fact that he is playing behind Paul, but the Celtics will heavily depend on him to bolster the second unit and also give Pierce some much needed rest.

Sure bets: Garnett (early), Pierce (early), Rondo (early), Terry (mid)

Sleepers: Bradley, Sullinger, Green, Bass

Pass on: Collins

New York Knicks

Position	Player	Player	Player	Player
C	T. Chandler	M. Camby
PF	A. Stoudamire	K. Thomas
SF	C. Anthony	S. Novak	J. White
SG	J.R. Smith	I. Shumpert	R. Brewer
PG	R. Felton	J. Kidd	P. Prigioni

The Knicks have a similar situation with their starting lineups as the Nets.  Chandler, Stoudamire, Anthony, Felton are all but locks to start.  The real question mark on this team is at the shooting guard position. 

J.R. Smith has always been a decent source for threes and points but this season, he has a real chance to be productive.  He has the potential to be a legit sleeper and late round steal.  However, Iman Shumpert is sure to give him a run for his money once he is fully healed from knee surgery.

It would have to be advised to pass on Jason Kidd this upcoming season.  Kidd struggled last season as the starter for Dallas.  He is on the serious decline and all signs point to his best days being behind him.

Raymond Felton should get some fantasy players decent assists and points this upcoming season.  His previous tenure in New York had him producing at high rates.  However, Felton does come with a warning: his fitness level came in to question in Portland.  It would be beneficial to see what type of shape Felton shows up to camp with. 

Sure bets: Anthony (early), Stoudamire (early), Chandler (early)

Sleepers: Felton, Smith, Shumpert

Pass on: Kidd, Thomas, Brewer

Toronto Raptors

Position	Player	Player	Player	Player
C	A. Gray	J. Valenciunas
PF	A. Bargnani	A. Johnson	E. Davis	Q. Acy
SF	D. DeRozan	D. McGuire
SG	L. Fields	T. Ross
PG	K. Lowry	J. Calderon	J. Lucas

Here at the DNB, we hold a special place in our hearts for this depth chart.  Your Toronto Raptors certainly improved over the off-season.  Unfortunately, their depth chart is one of the more difficult to decipher. 

The only sure locks for a starting spot are Andrea Bargnani and Kyle Lowry.  The rest of the line-up is filled with rookies and uncertainties.  Casey will have a difficult time managing minutes at all five positions.

Sleepers abound on this roster.  DeRozan is going into a contract year so look for him to put up shots and this should raise his usage rate.  He also has some serious competition for the starting spot for the first time in his career.  This is a make or break season for DeMar and he could be a great mid round gamble that could pay off.

Calderon’s efficiency should be considered when looking for a late round option at guard.  His FT% is high and turnovers are low.  He may slip far down the draft due to Lowry being in town but he should still get significant minutes as a leader on this team.

If the playoffs are out of the picture come mid-season, Valenciunas will see plenty of minutes.  You may want to pick him up and stash him away for the chance to utilize the rookie.

The frontcourt is too crowded for Ed Davis at this point.  It would be easy to assume that Colangelo will trade either Davis or Amir Johnson this season.  Both players seem to create redundancy.  Davis has never really had a chance on this roster.  This may be a make or break training camp to getting some minutes.  Look at what is coming out of camp to see which one of Amir or Ed will be getting the most minutes in the rotation.  But frankly, both are risky picks due to the competition and future direction of the team. 

Sure bets: Bargnani (early), Lowry (early)

Sleepers: DeRozan, Fields, Ross, Valenciunas

Pass on: Davis, Johnson, Lucas, Gray