Fantasy Basketball: Durant Projections for 07-08 Season??

Question

I was wanting to get some opinions on what Kevin Durant's statline will look like from a fantasy standpoint.

My current projection has him looking like this:

22.0 pts
4.5 boards (since he's playing mostly SG)
2.5 assists (I'm assuming not much passing)
1.0 steals (he's athletic enough that he should get at least 1.0)
2.0 three's per game (he has good range on his shot)
0.7 blocks per game
42-43 FG% (he's a rookie and will be asked to shoot a lot)
77-78 FT% (I'm thinking he will get to the line 6-7 times a game)



So, to me, I'm projecting him to be sort of a poorer shooting version of Michael Redd for this year and I'm thinking he should be drafted between 40-45 (5th round) in a non-keeper. What do you guys think? What are your projections for him for this season?

Answer 1

a very decent projection, if you ask me except for that 22.0 ppg. since he is the only one to watch in Seattle, he will be the target of every opposing team. and if he can reach that average by season's end, i will seriously pick him up in the first round of next year's fantasy draft. 14-19 ppg could be a good start for him this season.

Answer 2

Pretty great projections. I think his steals will be over 1 and closer to 2. Durant is athletic and has the reach of a 7+ footer. I think his rebounding numbers might be higher too. If I were you I would have him closer to 6 or 7. Remember... in college he was among the league leaders in rebounds and I expect that to continue to some extent even if he is getting a majority of the minutes at SG. As far as when to draft him... 4th is probably going to be too late. If you really want him you're probably going to have to take him in the second round. Sure he's only going to produce 4th round numbers but I'm positive there's at least one person in every league who is going to pick Durant way too early. Truthfully... someone might even try grabbing him in the first round. So if you really want him BUT don't want to waste a first round pick on him, I'd aim for him in the second round. Well that's my $.02 anyway.

Answer 3

Some of the sleepers may be guys who make the roster because of their camp. It's possible Toews and Kane could be paired up in Chicago. Gagner may make the Oilers. A few others but as far as drafting goes It's not worth blowing an early pick on a potential sleeper. Get a solid roster first and make sure you have at least one really good forward for points, Dman for +/- and goalie for wins in the first three rounds.

Answer 4

12 points

i will agree with the rest.