Fantasy Basketball: Which rookies can you trust?

The 2014 NBA draft was loaded with talent. Your job as GM of your fantasy basketball team is to figure out which of these players can have an immediate impact on your team. Some teams draft for the future, while others are willing to put their stars in and learn on the fly, like the 76ers did with Michael Carter-Williams last season.

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Obviously if you are in a dynasty or a keeper league, most rookies should be owned for the potential alone. But in ESPN standard leagues where there are only three bench slots, you need to maximize games in your lineup to win the week. Keeping rookies on the bench isn’t always the best strategy. Rookies are only worth keeping around if they are going to contribute.

Here is a list of rookies worth rostering in standard leagues:

Oct 19, 2014; Tulsa, OK, USA; Minnesota Timberwolves guard Andrew Wiggins (22) handles the ball against the Oklahoma City Thunder during the fourth quarter at BOK Center. Mandatory Credit: Mark D. Smith-USA TODAY Sports

Jabari Parker, Bucks: The Bucks are rebuilding, so there is no reason for them to sit Parker. Giannis Antetokuompo will slide to SG to give Parker the starts at SF so long as he can hold off Khris Middleton. O.J. Mayo is likely the odd man out on the Bucks once again. Playing time will be in abundance for Parker, so he finds himself in a great situation.

Andrew Wiggins, Timberwolves: Make no mistake about it, Wiggins was the centerpiece of the Kevin Love deal. Now the franchise just needs to learn how to treat star players so they don’t chase them off as soon as their rookie contracts expire. Alexey Shved was let go, and J.J. Barea was waived, so the Timberwolves no longer have as crowded of a backcourt. At this stage in his career, Kevin Martin is mostly just a shooter, and he doesn’t really fit in the the rebuilding of the team. They will likely try to trade Martin again. Until they do, there is always a chance that Wiggins will take a hit in playing time, but I wouldn’t worry too much about that. The Wolves want to play with their new toy as much as possbile. They will also need to give him consistent floor time to sell tickets now that fan-favorite Kevin Love was dealt.

Nik Stauskas, Kings: He will be fighting for minutes with last year’s first rounder Ben McClemore. That said, until one of them seizes the job, they should both get 20+ minutes a game. That makes Stauskas worth rostering, at least for now.

Elfrid Payton, Magic: With Victor Oladipo out for a least a month, Payton will likely start until Oladipo comes back. If he performs well, veteran Luke Ridnour could be pushed to a bench role. As of now though, you have a month to enjoy what Payton can offer. His shooting has been a work in progress, so pursue him in category or roto leagues at your own risk, but he will be a solid contributor in points leagues.

Doug McDermott, Bulls: The only thing standing in his way for starters minutes is an aging an ineffective Mike Dunleavy. McDermott is a great shooter, and can contribute in other categories as well. He should be starting sooner rather than later, but even if he does not start right away, he should still rack up some points. Everyone on the team is a good passer, so McDermott should see some wide open shots.

Bojan Bogdanovic, Nets: Bogdanovic seems to be the starter at SG for the Nets. At the very least, he only has to compete with Alan Anderson, and he seems to be the better option for the Nets. So long as the Nets would rather have Andrei Kirilenko coming off of the bench, Joe Johnson will start at SF, leaving the SG slot to Bogdanovic. He is worth rostering for now unless something trends the other direction.

K.J. McDaniels, 76ers: His only competition for minutes seems to be Alexey Shved and Hollis Thompson. McDaniels definitely has more upside than the other two, and he will likely see big minutes from the beginning of the season whether he starts or not.

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