Toronto Raptors Fantasy Basketball: Who should you target?

Marc Gasol:

The biggest fantasy question mark on the Toronto Raptors, Marc Gasol embodies uncertainty. Will he be the player he was with Memphis, a positive fantasy contributor? Or will he be the player who tanked fantasy teams when he landed in Toronto?

Marc Gasol’s age and mileage make it difficult to give him the opportunity bonus we’ve been laying on other Raptor’s for this season. It’s just as likely he continues to play reduced minutes in the final season of his big-money contract.

Coming off a FIBA-world cup championship run in which he contributed 14.1 points, 5.5 rebounds and 4.1 assists per game, Gasol displayed his ability to be a leader and statistical contributor even at his advanced age.

However, playing the full tournament with a competitive slate of games, not to mention the following celebration, will cost him much-needed weeks of rest and recuperation.

Gasol is pegged at the 74th draft slot, ahead of both Lowry and Ibaka on the Yahoo rankings. This is a classic example of a player so clearly on the decline with the only upside he presents being getting somewhere close to his former level of production.

This early in the draft, managers should be targeting higher upside players with breakout upside. Even if he does slide to a later round, Gasol is best not touched with a 10-foot pole.

Just ask last season’s owners if you should spend a mid-round pick on 9.1 Points, 6.6 Rebounds, and 4.7 Assists.

Verdict: Do Not Draft