Opening Night for the defending champion Golden State Warriors went rather well Tuesday night, as PG Stephen Curry contributed 67 fantasy points in an easy victory over the dysfunctional Los Angeles Lakers. Eight Warriors played at least 20 minutes, and while it is hard to not watch the team's very veteran players -- Curry, SG Klay Thompson and PF Draymond Green -- in what may be their final campaign as legendary, ring-earning teammates, intrigued fantasy managers must pay attention to the young bench options, too.
After all, C James Wiseman, the No. 2 pick in the 2020 NBA draft who missed time as a rookie and did not play at all last season, provided more punch -- too soon? -- for ESPN Fantasy hoops managers than Green, outscoring him 17 to 16 in points formats, and in fewer minutes. Wiseman is an unfinished product for sure, but a true center learning the pick-and-roll and featuring enticing scoring, rebounding and shot blocking measurables. He's 21 and he's going to play a lot. He's a big part of the future.
It wasn't a great statistical night for SF/PF Jonathan Kuminga, the No. 7 pick in 2021, as the interesting athlete missed each of his field goal attempts and turned the ball over twice, but the Congo native remains a likely future starting wing, capable of hitting 3-pointers and earning a place defensively. He looked great in the preseason. Kuminga is 20 and yes, he's going to play as well.
Arkansas product Moses Moody is also 20. He wasn't shy in his brief run Tuesday, hitting one of his three shots from deep range, and while he may never become a multi-faceted fantasy option, well, neither is Thompson, really. Thompson is a shooter. Moody can shoot. He's going to play, too.
The Warriors can't afford to keep everyone beyond this season, and coach Steve Kerr is going to have to utilize a deep bench this season, a mixture of veterans and raw youth. The bench went 11 deep on Tuesday. PG/SG Jordan Poole may be the top reserve scorer, but Wiseman, PG/SG Donte DiVincenzo and PF JaMychal Green will help as well. It's quite a reserve unit, likely the best in the league. Poole is universally rostered in fantasy, but there is also a pathway to relevance for others. Wiseman could push aside PF/C Kevon Looney, too.
Thompson and Green may be elsewhere by this time next season, and perhaps phased out a bit this season, as Poole and SF/PF Andrew Wiggins were the ones recently earning long-term contract extensions. They're sticking around. Wiseman, Kuminga and Moody will surely have larger roles as the team adopts its motto of "Strength in Numbers."
It means they will feature a deep bench and starter's minutes may be in check. Fantasy managers in redraft formats may be interested in only the proven players, but watch the bench, for it is quite possible several newcomers become relevant as well.
Other thoughts on my mind
I think the Los Angeles Lakers are scared to bring moody, irascible PG Russell Westbrook off the bench. Westbrook clearly doesn't want this as well, even blaming a recent hamstring strain on the changing role. While it may seem like he was a draft-day bargain in ESPN leagues -- eighth round! -- after scoring 34 fantasy points in the opener, I would not trade much for him. It's hard to see how this Lakers season goes positively. Westbrook is hard to trade in real life. See if you can do it still in fantasy.
I am a huge Tyrese Maxey fan and think the Philadelphia 76ers PG/SG third-year star may end up averaging more than 20 PPG this season, perhaps even more than James Harden. It's different in fantasy. Maxey had one rebound and two assists in the opener at Boston. Harden, who provided 60 fantasy points in the dispiriting loss, surely isn't sharing any passing duties. Nobody defended well for Philly. It was one game, but I think Maxey may end up a more impactful NBA player this season than a fantasy option.
Perhaps few are watching the reloading Utah Jazz except in fantasy, where three players show on the most added list before they played a game. SG Malik Beasley and SF/PF Lauri Markkanen should be added, and I see the reasoning on SG Jordan Clarkson, though he doesn't do much for fantasy. Someone has to score on this team. Beasley should shoot a ton of 3-pointers, and hopefully not tank a fantasy team's field goal percentage. I stashed Cs Walker Kessler and Udoka Azubuike in a roto format for the potential boards and blocks. Hey, bad teams aid fantasy managers, too.
I'm a huge Brandon Clarke investor and think he really takes off for the Grizzlies with PF/C Jaren Jackson Jr. (foot) out for probably a few months. I laughed when I saw Jackson on ESPN's most dropped list. Um, we told you he wouldn't play until January, probably, so why draft him? Try to stash him if you have room. Celtics C Robert Williams III (knee) isn't playing until January as well, at least.