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2009-10 Fantasy Basketball Rankings: Small Forwards 1-20 | SFs 21-40
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LeBron James, Cavaliers
He is good. He is in a contract year. He has a true big man to help him out. He should be your first overall pick. Enough said.
Projected 2009-10 Fantasy Basketball Stats: 29.0 ppg, 7.5 rpg, 7.5 apg, 1.75 spg, 120 3PTM
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Kevin Durant, Thunder
Durant is the next big fantasy stud. He made a huge leap during his second season in the league and will only get better on an improving Thunder team. Durant should be in that second tier after LeBron, Paul, Wade, and Kobe.
Projected 2009-10 Fantasy Basketball Stats: 27.5 ppg, 7.0 rpg, 2.5 apg, 1.25 spg, 145 3PTM
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Danny Granger, Pacers
Granger is a stud. He racks up points, boards, blocked shots, and hits a ton of three-pointers. Mike Dunleavy’s return and the growth of Brandon Rush might stunt his growth just a tad bit, but he is still a great mid-first round option and would be a great get late in the first.
Projected 2009-10 Fantasy Basketball Stats: 25.0 ppg, 5.5 rpg, 3.0 apg, 1.25 spg, 175 3PTM
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Carmelo Anthony, Nuggets
Anthony took a step back last year as his scoring average dropped for a second straight year. That is a major concern since points is the Anthony’s strongest asset as a fantasy player. However, I fully expect him to bounce back but would still hold off from taking him too early as someone else in your league might overvalue him due to his big name status.
Projected 2009-10 Fantasy Basketball Stats: 25.5 ppg, 7.0 rpg, 3.5 apg, 1.00 spg, 85 3PTM
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Gerald Wallce, Bobcats
Wallace’s point total dropped last season, but he continues to be a great source for rebounds and steals, plus his free throw percentage has vastly improved. The Bobcats were the worst offensive team in the league last and Wallace will need to become even more of a scorer with the off-season trade of Emeka Okafor.
Projected 2009-10 Fantasy Basketball Stats: 18.0 ppg, 7.5 rpg, 3.0 apg, 2.00 spg, 55 3PTM
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Caron Butler, Wizards
Gilbert Arenas is back and the Wizards acquired Randy Foye and Mike Miller to help out on the perimeter so Butler will have less of a scoring role this season. He is too talented not to get his share of touches, but I’d be surprised if he matches his career scoring total from the past two years.
Projected 2009-10 Fantasy Basketball Stats: 18.5 ppg, 6.0 rpg, 3.5 apg, 1.75 spg, 55 3PTM
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Paul Pierce, Celtics
He is not the Paul Pierce from year’s past as he is getting up their age and is a step slower. The Celtics added Rasheed Wallace and Marquis Daniels to help take some of the load off Pierce, Allen, and KG meaning their fantasy production is on the decline. Don’t take him too high, but if he falls into the fourth round, could me a great value.
Projected 2009-10 Fantasy Basketball Stats: 19.0 ppg, 5.0 rpg, 3.5 apg, 1.00 spg, 120 3PTM
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Rashard Lewis, Magic
His draft worth takes a slight drop with the acquisition of Vince Carter and return of Jameer Nelson from injury. Still, Lewis should be gunning three pointers and get his share of points with the Magic.
Projected 2009-10 Fantasy Basketball Stats: 17.0 ppg, 5.5 rpg, 2.5 apg, 1.00 spg, 205 3PTM
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Rudy Gay, Grizzlies
Allen Iverson and Zach Randolph’s arrival in Memphis takes a major toll on Gay’s ranking. He would be poised for a big season if A.I. and Randolph weren’t on the team. His number will undoubtedly drop for a second straight year, but is still worthy of a starting small forward spot on your roster.
Projected 2009-10 Fantasy Basketball Stats: 17.5 ppg, 5.5 rpg, 1.5 apg, 1.25 spg, 75 3PTM
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Hedo Turkoglu, Raptors
Turkoglu is coming off the best two seasons of his career, but how will his move to Toronto affect his fantasy ranking? I still think he will get his numbers with the Raptors, but I am not expecting a major jump in any category except maybe three-pointers.
Projected 2009-10 Fantasy Basketball Stats: 16.5 ppg, 5.0 rpg, 3.5 apg, 0.75 spg, 155 3PTM
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Ron Artest, Lakers
Artest was well behaved and forced to be an offensive threat in Houston due to the injury to T-Mac. He is expected to take a complimentary role in L.A. to Kobe and Pau Gasol so expect a drop in his numbers all across the board. He’s not the defensive player he was a few years ago and there is always the risk of his craziness returning and causing fantasy owners headaches so be careful if you draft him. His low field goal percentage is also a negative.
Projected 2009-10 Fantasy Basketball Stats: 16.0 ppg, 5.0 rpg, 3.0 apg, 1.50 spg, 125 3PTM
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Trevor Ariza, Rockets
Known primarily for his defensive prowess with the Lakers, Ariza will be asked to become more of a scorer in Houston with T-Mac and Yao banged up. His ability to get steals is a plus, but he is a less than average shooter from the perimeter.
Projected 2009-10 Fantasy Basketball Stats: 15.0 ppg, 5.5 rpg, 2.5 apg, 2.00 spg, 75 3PTM
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Shawn Marion, Mavericks
Once a fantasy goldmine, Marion’s numbers have significantly dropped since he left Phoenix. In signing with Dallas, his value increases a bit but will not be near what it once was. He has also become a non-factor from beyond the arc.
Projected 2009-10 Fantasy Basketball Stats: 14.0 ppg, 7.5 rpg, 2.0 apg, 1.25 spg, 30 3PTM
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Luol Deng, Bulls
Injuries have been a setback for Deng’s career and fantasy status. He could be bound for a break-out season similar to what he experienced a couple seasons ago. Ben Gordon is gone so the Bulls will be looking for somebody to step up and take on more of a scoring role. I’d play it safe though and likely target him in a back-up role for my fantasy team.
Projected 2009-10 Fantasy Basketball Stats: 16.5 ppg, 6.5 rpg, 2.0 apg, 1.00 spg, 20 3PTM
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Richard Jefferson, Spurs
Now that he is in San Antonio, Jefferson goes from being a go-to scorer to the third or fourth option on an established Spurs team. It is very possible that he could experience his lowest statistical season since his rookie year, but should still be a productive fantasy producer.
Projected 2009-10 Fantasy Basketball Stats: 16.0 ppg, 4.0 rpg, 2.0 apg, 1.00 spg, 65 3PTM
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Thaddeus Young, 76ers
Young’s scoring and three-point shooting took major strides in his second year in the league. But with Elton Brand returning from injury, I would not expect the same type of production.
Projected 2009-10 Fantasy Basketball Stats: 14.5 ppg, 5.0 rpg, 1.0 apg, 1.25 spg, 50 3PTM
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Lamr Odom, Lakers
Like a true professional, Odom embraced his role as a sixth man even though it resulted in a career-low in points and assists. Still, his all-around ability makes him a valuable mid round pick despite the recent addition of Ron Artest to the Lake Show.
Projected 2009-10 Fantasy Basketball Stats: 12.0 ppg, 7.5 rpg, 3.5 apg, 1.00 spg, 35 3PTM
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Andrei Kirilenko, Jazz
Just a few years ago, AK47 was regarded as a first round fantasy basketball player. He is far removed from that status as his numbers have dropped drastically especially since becoming a sixth man last season. Scoring was never his strong suit, but his all-around totals including steals and blocked shots will find him a spot in the mid-to-late rounds.
Projected 2009-10 Fantasy Basketball Stats: 12.0 ppg, 5.0 rpg, 3.0 apg, 1.25 spg, 15 3PTM
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Al Thornton, Clippers
The expected emergence of Eric Gordon and addition of Blake Griffin will likely translate into less fantasy production from Thornton. His ability to score the basketball will still earn him his share of touches, but he doesn’t stand out in any other fantasy category which hurts his stock.
Projected 2009-10 Fantasy Basketball Stats: 15.0 ppg, 5.0 rpg, 1.5 apg, 0.75 spg, 35 3PTM
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Tayshaun Prince, Pistons
Prince isn’t going to blow you away in any category, but his all-around consistency still makes him a decent mid-round target on draft day. Ben Gordon and Charlie Villanueva’s arrival will have a negative impact on his numbers though.
Projected 2009-10 Fantasy Basketball Stats: 12.5 ppg, 5.5 rpg, 3.0 apg, 0.75 spg, 45 3PTM
2009-10 Fantasy Basketball Rankings: Small Forwards 1-20 | SFs 21-40
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Written by Paul Banks of NBC Chicago and the Washington Times, and David Kay of the The Sports Bank.
Send Paul an e-mail here: paulb05 AT hotmail DOT com.
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