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Playing the Futures Game

© Kirk Raymond

For some of us, the only consolation of a failed draft and miserable trades is the opportunity to buy some risky investments in the NBA futures market. Like any futures market, it is highly speculative and people can and do lose but if you hit the right player, you can help rebuild an otherwise moribund fantasy basketball franchise quickly. Dabbling in this market means that you must look beyond the here and now and divine how future currents may reshape NBA rosters to your benefit. Here's a small helping of some guys whose present values may be negligible but who have a chance to become fantasy contributors in the future:

Andre Miller Cleveland - The Cavaliers #1 pick this year got a chance to play starters minutes this weekend when Brevin Knight got dinged up on Friday. Here's how he responded: 34 minutes 18 points 3 rebs 2 assts. on 7/14 shooting on Friday then this monster game on Saturday 47MP 28 points 10 rebs. 12 assists 1 steal on 10/24 shooting. Admittedly, the Saturday game was a mess but you can't ignore the triple double. Remember the last time the Cavs had two quality point guards? Terrell Brandon and Kevin Johnson. This situation will get sorted out and Miller looks like he might be the real deal.

Howard Eisley Jazz - Despite being mired in a horrible shooting slump, Eisley is leading the Jazz bench in scoring. Many teams have tried to pry Eisley away from the Jazz but they've held onto him. As John Stockton's Hall of Fame career winds down, Eisley will undoubtedly move into the starting point guard role. And with Stockton's age, it's not out of the question that Stockton could get injured leaving Eisley with starters minutes and the Mailman this year.

Travis Best Pacers - I could say the same thing about Best as I do about Eisley. About the only difference between them is that Best sees minutes in the 4th quarter crunch time right now. Mark Jackson is on the downside of a good career and the Pacers are trying to get younger and more athletic. That will mean Best gets his shot at starters minutes soon.

Baron Davis Hornets - You have to think that the Hornets didn't pass on Lamar Odom because they we're totally comfortable with their point guard situation long term. Davis is logging inconsistent minutes right now but the David Wesley/Bobby Phills situation as well as the investment the Hornets franchise made in Davis points towards Baron getting starters minutes soon.

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