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After drafting your superstar guard, forward or centre to lead your team. It is now time to draft your second-in-command for your team, the Robin to your Batman. The second round is important because you need this player to compliment your leader and score equally good points.
On that note, here is a list of players to draft in round two:
#1 Kawhi Leonard (F, San Antonio Spurs)
The 2014 NBA Finals MVP and two-time NBA Defensive Player of The Year Kawhi Leonard aka 'THE CLAW' is clearly a top drawer two-way player in the NBA.
With a career best season of 25.5 points, 5.8 rebounds, 3.5 assists and 1.8 steals per game he justified his elite status again last season.
He is predicted to be in the MVP race again this year and would again lead San Antonio's challenge in the Western Conference. If it weren't for the unfortunate injury in the first Conference Finals game things might have been different for the Spurs last year.
This year he will be back with the same hunger and goal.So make sure you utilize it fully by drafting him into your team.
#2 Nikola Jokic(C, Denver Nuggets
)
A future MVP candidate and one of the most lethal centres offensively Nikola Jokic aka "The Joker" is coming into his 3rd NBA season. Many consider this can be his breakthrough year after he put up numbers such as 16.7 points, 9.8 rebounds and 4.9 assists per game last season, all career high stats.
In my opinion, the Nuggets made one of the best moves this offseason when they signed Paul Milsap from the Atlanta Hawks. He covers Jokic's biggest weakness i.e defence and also allows him more freedom to concentrate on his offensive game.
Since moving to starting position in mid-December, Jokic has averaged 20.6 points, 10.3 rebounds and 5.5 assists in 29.4 minutes. With an all-star calibre player in Paul Milsapp assisting him this year, the sky will be the limit for the youngster.
#3 Rudy Gobert (C, Utah Jazz)
NBA all-defensive first team member and leader of blocks Rudy Gobert comes into this season as the alpha dog for Utah. The Jazz lost their All-Star forward Gordan Hayward and guard George Hill this offseason leaving Gobert with a huge workload.
This may work in our favour as Gobert's usage will increase translating into fantasy points. Also, the addition of talented guard Ricky Rubio will be quite beneficial because of Rubio's elite passing skills.
He averaged a double-double last season with 14 points, 12.8 rebounds and 2.6 blocks per game. Points scoring may not be his biggest strength but he makes it up with other aspects of his game and with the current situation in Utah be ready to see a huge spring in these stats.
#4 Chris Paul (PG, Houston Rockets)
Assist king Chris Paul aka CP3 will suit up as a rocket this season. Playing alongside him will be MVP runner-up James Harden.
This pairing has taken a lot of fantasy managers to dreamland everybody expecting havoc from both of them. That will be easier said than done as both are ball dominant superstars. Still, a lot of stars have played alongside each other with success example GSW, Heat.
CP3 scored 18.1 points, 5.0 rebounds & 9.2 assists per game last season, lower than 15-16 season but injuries played a major part in it. At 32 he isn't getting any younger and with Harden doing the bulk of scoring a dip in points is expected but assists column can see a major bump.
All in all this partnership between Harden and CP3 is something to be wary of but Paul is a superstar and this year won't be any different.
#5 Hassan Whiteside (C, Miami Heat)
NBA rebounding leader in 2016-17 Hassan Whiteside's meteoric rise in the NBA continued so has his fantasy value.
He had a career high in all but one department of his game last season and averaged a double-double. With 17.0 points, 14.1 rebounds and 2.1 blocks per game he showed why he is considered one of the best defenders in the NBA.
With his ever improving offensive game Whiteside's importance in fantasy cannot be undermined.
#6 Kyrie Irving (PG, Celtics
)
2015 NBA champion and two-time NBA finalist Kyrie Irving aka Uncle Drew finally got his wish when he got traded to Celtics. Kyrie will get to come out of LeBron's shadow and lead a team this season.
His usage rate is surely going rise and we expect his production of 25.2 points, 3.2 rebounds and 5.8 assists per game to rise too with nobody to object his shoot on sight policy.
He is mostly a scorer and won't provide you much use if you are after rebounds or assists. But he makes up a lot with his scoring and surely deserves a spot on your roster.
#7 Jimmy Butler (G-F, Minnesota Timberwolves )
Three-time all-star Jimmy Butler aka Jimmy 'G' Buckets was one of the stars players who changed teams this offseason. He was traded by the Bulls to Minnesota on draft day for along with Bulls' first round pick for Zach Lavine, Kris Dunn and the Timberwolves first round pick.
An elite two-way player and one of the best at his position Butler now joins forces with one of the best big men and an athletic force on the wing in Karl-Anthony Towns and Andrew Wiggins in order to bring an end to NBA's longest standing playoff drought and rattle a few cages up in the Western Conference. He also gets to work under coach Tom Thibodeau who made him the player he is today.
Jimmy averaged 23.9 points, 5.8 rebounds and 4.9 assists per game last season, having the same stats might be a bit difficult as KAT is the main man on this team and not him. We can still expect 18+ points, 4+ rebounds and 4+ assists each night from him.
#8 Damian Lillard (PG, Portland Trail Blazers
)
2013 NBA Rookie of the year and two-time all-star Damian Lillard makes up one-half of the Portland 'Splash Brothers'.
He comes into this season after averaging a career high in points (27 points per game) and rebounds (5.8 points per game) while also averaging 5.9 assists per game which is sure to increase this season.
With the team set to build around him, it might be his best fantasy season this year.
#9 Kristaps Porzingis (F, New York Knicks)
Kristaps Porzingis aka The Unicorn took the NBA by storm in his very first game and has kept everyone on their toes ever since. With the melodrama surrounding Carmelo Anthony and the Knicks, Porzingis enters the season as the team's alpha leader.
This is his 3rd year in the NBA and many consider this to be his breakout season. With his stats of 18.1 points,7.2 rebounds and 1.5 assists and 2.0 blocks per game all set to rise this season.
The Unicorn might be the one to take your team to unknown heights this season.
#10 Paul George (F, OKC)
Four-time NBA all-star Paul George aka PG-13 will start this season alongside MVP Russell Westbrook after he moved to OKC via a trade in the offseason. Rumours were that he was keen on joining the LA Lakers but the team Lala Land didn't have assets that attracted the Pacers after George let the organisation know that he would move at the end of his contract.
This pairing looks pleasing to the eye but in fantasy terms, PG-13 might see a dip in numbers with Westbrook running the show in Oklahoma.
His 23.7 points, 6.6 rebounds and 3.3 assists per game might have to be shared with Russ but he is still a solid addition to your roster this season.
Guess the Lakers players!
