DFSA001: NBA Southeast Division Preview
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In this episode I will take a close look at the offseasons of the Eastern Conference’s Southeast Division teams. It has been a very busy couple of months since the season ended and I feel like it is a good time to recalibrate our view for each team. In this podcast I will go over for each team:
- News and Notes
- Acquisitions and Departures
- Injury Updates
- Depth Chart Analysis
- 3 things to watch for next season
I will revisit each team before the season starts but there is a lot to be gleaned from what we know at this time. I have intentionally left off some acquisitions and departures for each team as I feel the particular player will not have a daily fantasy sports impact as the rosters are constructed at this time.
Atlanta Hawks
2014-2015 Record: 60-22
Division Titles: 1
Head Coach: Mike Budenholzer
Headlines
- Hawks resign Paul Millsap to a 3 year $60 million deal with the 3rd year being a player option
- Source USA Today: Report: Hawks reach agreement to resign Millsap
- PF Mike Scott is facing felony drug charges after being pulled over with over an ounce of marijuana and 10.9 grams of MDMA (Molly)
- Source Bleacher Report: Mike Scott Arrested: Latest Details, Mugshot and More on Hawks Forward
- Atlanta Hawks partner with FanDuel for the 2015-2016 season
- Source NBA.com: Hawks Announce Partnership With FanDuel For 201516 Season
Acquisitions and Departures
- Demarre Carroll, SF (Departure Free Agency)
- Pero Antic, C (Departure Signed in Europe)
- Tiago Splitter, PF/C (Acquisition Trade with Spurs)
- Jason Richardson, SG/SF (Acquisition Free Agent)
- Justin Holiday, SG (Acquisition Free Agent)
- Tim Hardaway Jr., SG (Acquisition Trade with Knicks)
Injury Update
- Kyle Korver (Ankle and Elbow surgery) Hopeful he will be ready for training camp
- Thabo Sefolosha (Broken right Fibula) Questionable for start of season
- Shelvin Mack (Right Shoulder surgery)
Depth Chart Breakdown
PG
- Jeff Teague
- Dennis Schroeder
- Shelvin Mack
SG
- Kyle Korver
- Tim Hardaway Jr.
- Justin Holiday
- Thabo Sefolosha
- Kent Bazemore
- Jason Richardson
PF
- Paul Millsap
- Mike Scott
- Mike Muscala
C
- Al Horford
- Tiago Splitter
- Walter Tavares
3 Things to Watch
- Who will replace Demarre Carroll?
- How will Dennis Schroeder be used next year?
- Will Budenholzer go full Popovic mode?
Charlotte Hornets
2014-2015 Record: 33-49
Division Titles: None
Head Coach: Steve Clifford
Headlines
- The Hornets extended Michael Kidd-Gilchrist contract 4 years for $52 million
- Source ESPN.com: Reports: Hornets sign Michael KiddGilchrist to 4year, $52M extension
Acquisitions and Departures
- Bismack Biyombo, C (Departure Free Agency)
- Mo Williams, PG (Departure Free Agency)
- Spencer Hawes, C (Acquisition Trade with Clippers)
- Nicolas Batum, SG (Acquisition Trade with Blazers)
- Jeremy Lin, PG (Acquisition Free Agency)
- Tyler Hansbrough, PF (Acquisition Free Agency)
- Frank Kaminsky, PF (Acquisition Draft: 9th overall pick)
- Aaron Harrison, PG (Acquisition Undrafted)
Injury Update
- Michael Kidd-Gilchrist (Ankle) Looks good for the start of the season
- Al Jefferson (Knee) Fully cleared for next season
- Cody Zeller(Shoulder) Will be ready for training camp
Depth Chart Breakdown
PG
- 1. Kemba Walker
- Jeremy Lin
- Brian Roberts
- Aaron Harrison
SG
- Nicolas Batum
- Jeremy Lamb
- Troy Daniels
- Elliot Williams
SF
- Michael Kidd-Gilchrist
- P. J. Hairston
- Sam Thompson
PF
- Frank Kaminsky
- Marvin Williams
- Tyler Hansbrough
- Cody Zeller
C
- Al Jefferson
- Spencer Hawes
- Jason Washburn
3 Things to Watch
- Al Jefferson’s health and how he plays at a lower weight
- Michael Kidd-Gilchrist’s evolution
- How will Batum fit into the offense
- Dwyane Wade opted out of the final year of his contract but later resigned with the Heat
- Source Bleacher Report: Dwyane Wade ReSigns with Heat
- Heat resigned Goran Dragic after acquiring Dragic in a trade last season
- Source Yahoo Sports: Goran Dragic agrees to $90 million deal with Heat
Acquisitions and Departures
- Michael Beasley, SF/PF (Departure Free Agency)
- Henry Walker, SF/PF (Departure Waived)
- Shabazz Napier, PG (Departure Trade with Orlando)
- Justise Winslow, SF (Acquisition Draft: 10th overall pick)
- Gerald Green, SG/SF (Acquisition Free Agency)
- Amar’e Stoudemire, PF/C (Acquisition Free Agency)
Injury Update
- Chris Bosh (Lungs) - Should be ready for the start of training camp
- Josh McRoberts (Meniscus) – Will be ready for next season
Depth Chart Breakdown
PG
- Goran Dragic
- Mario Chalmers
- Tyler Johnson
SG
- Dwayne Wade
- Gerald Green
- Josh Richardson
SF
- Luol Deng
- Justise Winslow
- James Ennis
PF
- Chris Bosh
- Josh McRoberts
- Udonis Haslem
C
- Hassan Whiteside
- Amare Stoudemire
- Chris Andersen
3 Things to Watch
- Heat’s pace of play
- Will Wade’s minutes and usage be monitored this season?
- How will Whiteside and Bosh fit together
Orlando Magic
2014-2015 Record: 25-57
Division Titles: 3
Head Coach: Scott Skiles
Headlines
- The Magic resigned forward Tobias Harris for 4 years $64 million
- Luke Ridnour was traded 4 times this offseason before being waived
Acquisitions and Departures
- Ben Gordon, PG (Departure Waived)
- Kyle O’Quinn, C (Departure Free Agency)
- C.J. Watson, PG (Acquisition Free Agency)
- Shabazz Napier, PG (Acquisition Trade with Miami)
- Jason Smith, C (Acquisition Free Agency)
Injury Update
- Aaron Gordon (Fractured Jaw) - Expected to be back for training camp
Depth Chart Breakdown
PG
- Elfrid Payton
- C.J. Watson
- Shabazz Napier
SG
- Victor Oladipo
- Evan Fournier
- Devyn Marble
- Tyler Harvey
SF
- Tobias Harris
- Mario Hezonja
- Melvin Ejim
PF
- Aaron Gordon
- Channing Frye
- Andrew Nicholson
- Dewayne Dedmon
C
- Nikola Vucevic
- Jason Smith
3 Things to Watch
- How will Victor Oladipo be used next season?
- Will the daily fantasy community catch on to just how good Nikola Vucevic is?
- Will Tobias Harris become an even bigger part of the offense now that he got paid?
Washington Wizards
2014-2015 Record: 46-36
Division Titles: None
Head Coach: Randy Wittman
Headlines
- #KD2DC: Wizards will be going all in for Durant for next season.
- Source Washington Post: Wall on #KD2DC
Acquisitions and Departures
- Paul Pierce, SF (Departure Free Agency)
- Rasual Butler, SG/SF (Departure Free Agency)
- Kevin Seraphin, C (Departure Free Agency)
- Jared Dudley, SF (Acquisition Trade with the Bucks)
- Kelly Oubre, SF (Acquisition Draft: 15th Overall Pick)
- Gary Neal, SG (Acquisition Free Agency)
- Alan Anderson, SF (Acquisition Free Agency)
Injury Update
- Jared Dudley (Back) - Shooting for an early November return
Depth Chart Breakdown
PG
- John Wall
- Ramon Sessions
- Garrett Temple
SG
- Bradley Beal
- Gary Neal
- Martell Webster
SF
- Otto Porter
- Jared Dudley
- Alan Anderson
- Kelly Oubre
PF
- Nene Hilario
- Kris Humphries
- Drew Gooden
C
- Marcin Gortat
- Dejuan Blair
3 Things to Watch
- How much will the Wizards use small ball?
- Source CBS Sports: Examining the Washington Wizards and the smallball NBA craze
- The Evolution of Bradley Beal
- How will the front court shake out?
That is it for this episode. Please check out the blog for more great content that will help you improve your daily fantasy sports skills. Thank you for listening and good luck in all of your daily fantasy sports contests.