Debate Team: Whose Fantasy Value Rose the Most During the 2015-16 Season?
Each week, two of theScore's Fantasy experts weigh in on a contentious topic. This week: whose fantasy value rose the most during the 2015-16 season?
Esten McLaren:
In his first full season with the Boston Celtics, PG Isaiah Thomas has set new career highs in points, assists and rebounds per game. He's already started a career high 69 games (through Wednesday) and is making a career high 7.2 field goals per game on 16.8 attempts.
It's a resurgence for Thomas, after a trade which sent him from the Phoenix Suns to the Celtics at the 2014-15 trade deadline marked his third team in three years. While the Suns and the Sacramento Kings before them can be considered more than adequate at the point guard position, they must wish they had received more for him.
Thomas has been the best offensive player on a surprising Celtics team bidding for a deep playoff run in the Eastern Conference. He's proven he can handle plenty of minutes and a large workload. The fifth-year guard will run Boston's offense for many years to come as they build a true championship contender.
Jason Wilson:
In a just world, we'd sing the praises of both players and call it a day. I love Thomas and everything he brings to the table. But as good as he is, and as huge as the strides he's made have been, Portland Trail Blazers SG C.J. McCollum has gone from off-the-radar entirely to one half of one of the most dynamic backcourts in the NBA.
He averages 20.9 points per game, while adding a few assists and rebounds for good measure. He has improved every stat in his arsenal after being given the reigns of starting shooting guard. He averaged under 16 minutes per game a year ago and is just under 35 this season. Opportunity knocked and McCollum answered. Repeatedly.
The Trail Blazers were predicted by many to be among the worst teams in the NBA with only star PG Damian Lillard preventing an apocalyptic season. McCollum's rapid ascent has helped fantasy teams find their diamond in the rough. And those 7.2 field goals from Thomas? McCollum drains 8.1 of his own.
Esten McLaren:
Yes, McCollum has risen to stardom and his ascension has been far less likely than that of Thomas, who had shown significant signs of offensive promise in each of his previous two stops. The biggest difference separating the two heading forward is in their respective positions.
As a shooting guard, McCollum is already second string to Trail Blazers PG Damian Lillard. As the Blazers improve their roster over the next several seasons, it's McCollum's usage which will suffer, not Lillard's.
Meanwhile, as the point guard in Boston, Thomas will only stand to improve as his team makes additions. Adding a second, true offensive threat will increase his assist averages, and his field goal percentage.
Jason Wilson:
Maybe so, but we're talking about whose value has jumped the most this season, not whose value will be higher if they stay on their respective teams two seasons from now. Thomas has always averaged north of 25 minutes per game. There were expectations even if he wasn't guaranteed to start.
That lack of expectation is a huge reason why I chose McCollum. I saw the light back in October. McCollum was barely being drafted in the top 100 in most standard drafts. Thomas started the DFS campaign at a much higher salary. It corrected quickly enough, but McCollum's upward momentum has been at a much steeper incline.
With Portland in flux, McCollum had a starting position locked up at first. He's passed this audition with flying colors. Maybe he gets short-changed if the Blazers add a proper big - or if C Meyers Leonard actually develops - but you can't bet on them squandering this opportunity. If Kyle Lowry and DeMar DeRozan can co-exist and return consistent value, so can Lillard and McCollum.
Esten McLaren:
As you've said, McCollum never really had any competition to be Portland's second-best player. While few expected him to be this good, he was always going to have a long leash and access to playing time.
Thomas has emerged from a crowded pool of guards in Boston. Sophomore PG Marcus Smart was supposed to be the starter. His early-season injury opened the door for Thomas, and he hasn't looked back. Guards Avery Bradley and Evan Turner have plenty of experience and share minutes with Thomas - as does a healthy Smart - while Thomas continues to hold them off.
He provides stability and elite production from a more important fantasy position than McCollum. In keeper leagues, Thomas is someone owners can build around for many years to come.
Jason Wilson:
The Trail Blazers have incentive to keep McCollum productive. It helps the team in the long run. It seems like a ridiculous proposition that he's going to fall off as soon as next year.
Something that has played in his favor this season has been his position eligibility. Thomas can only be rostered as a point guard while McCollum can play both guard positions in fantasy. This flexibility combined with the strides he's made as a scorer make him the better target for next year.