The best thing about playing in dynasty leagues is that the future is always bright. No matter how your team did this year it can turn around quickly with the right moves. The owners that put in the work to analyze rosters and keep up with transfers are the ones that usually “luck” out. None of the recruiting services thought two years ago when Derrick Williams arrived on the campus of Arizona that he would blossom into an All-American candidate. The owners who did their homework may have seen that minutes were available in the frontcourt though and took a flier on him late. As the season winds down it might be time to cut some dead weight and take a chance on hitting the jackpot next year. Here are the players for each team in the Pac 10 that could surprise next year with a little more playing time.
Arizona – Kevin Parrom, Sophomore, Forward
The scary news for the rest of the league is that the Wildcats only have one senior on the roster (Jamelle Horne). The good news is that Williams most likely will head to the NBA which will leave a giant hole up front. The 6-foot-6 Parrom doesn’t project to start at power forward (that will probably be an incoming freshman) next year but he should see a considerable increase in minutes. He averages 7.4 points, 3.6 rebounds, and 2.0 assists in 19.1 minutes while shooting 52% from the floor, 43% from beyond the arc, and 80% from the charity stripe. We know he can score when needed as he poured in 13 of his career-high 25 points after regulation in the triple overtime win against Cal (Williams had fouled out in regulation). He should comfortably raise his scoring average into double figures while providing over five boards a game next season.
Arizona State – Freshmen guards Keala King, Chanse Creekmur, and Corey Hawkins
The Sun Devils lose three senior starters but have three talented freshmen waiting in the wings to make their mark next season. King hasn’t had the season that many had predicted. He needs to really work on his shot (1-for-15 from beyond the arc and 48% from the free throw line) but he has all the talent in the world. I expect him to take a giant leap forward next year. Creekmur got his first start of the season on Saturday and calmly nailed five three-pointers en route to a career-high 18 points. He should be a valuable asset as a spot up shooter for the next three years. Hawkins hadn’t played much this season before drawing his first start of the season Saturday as well. He only scored three points in 29 minutes but he has the reputation as a guy who can light it up in a hurry (averaged 36 points during his senior season in high school). It might be time to pick a couple of these guys up as the Sun Devils may use them a lot going down the stretch which could catch the attention of a savvy owner.
Cal – Richard Solomon, Freshman, Forward
The Golden Bears should return four starters next year but they will be looking for a replacement for center Markhuri Sanders-Frison. The 6-foot-10 Solomon has played well off the bench this season and should step right into the starting lineup next season. He averages 5.3 points, 4.1 rebounds, 0.6 steals, and 0.7 blocks in just over 14 minutes. If he can add some weight to his slender frame, he should be a double-double threat every night out with the possibility of two blocks. Young bigs are hard to find in the fantasy world so take a chance on Solomon if you are weak up front.
Oregon – Devoe Joseph, Junior, Guard (transfer from Minnesota)
The Ducks don’t have the most talented roster in the Pac 10, so Joseph could see immediate playing time once he becomes eligible in December. He averaged 11.3 points and 3.5 assists in eight games for the Gophers before deciding to head to Eugene. He has struggled with his field goal percentage (40% on his career) but he does have a nice stroke from three-point land (38% on his career). It is possible that he replicates his numbers from this year once he goes “deep in the woods” in late 2011.
Oregon State – Devon Collier, Freshman, Forward
The 6-foot-7 native of the Bronx, NY has played well during his first season in Corvallis. He has started 21 games but may be under the radar due to his averages of 6.3 points and 3.9 rebounds. He has played much better than that recently highlighted by his performance against Washington State (16 points, ten rebounds, and four blocks). He may never develop into a big time scorer but could be the type of player that scores 14 points, grabs seven rebounds, and averages over one steal and two blocks per game.
Stanford – Anthony Brown, Freshman, Forward
The Cardinal don’t have a single senior on the roster and should return all five starters next season barring a transfer or a defection to the NBA Draft. Forward Dwight Powell came into the season as the most heralded recruit but Brown may turn out to be the better player in the long run. The 6-foot-6 Brown played point guard primarily in high school and has transitioned nicely to the small forward position. He has started the last seven games and has been in double-figures in four of those contests. He has a chance to be a special scorer in a couple of years.
UCLA – Sophomore forwards Travis Wear and David Wear (transfers from North Carolina)
The Bruins are another team that doesn’t have a senior on the roster. They could be nasty next year if the Wear twins live up to the hype. Both are 6-foot-10 and former McDonald’s All-Americans. David (2.9 points and 1.7 rebounds) may have a little more upside than Travis (3.5 points and 2.2 rebounds) based on his perimeter shot (8-for-16 from three-point land at UNC). Neither should have a huge statistical season next year though as UCLA could have the deepest frontcourt in the country with Reeves Nelson, Tyler Honeycutt, and Joshua Smith set to return.
USC – Aaron Fuller, Junior, Forward (transfer from Iowa)
The Trojans could be awfully thin in the front court next season. Senior center Alex Stepheson (9.7 points and 8.7 rebounds) is set to graduate and junior forward Nikola Vucevic (17.1 points and 10.2 rebounds) could be eyeing the NBA Draft. The 6-foot-6 transfer from Iowa showed some skills as a sophomore when he averaged 12.3 points and 9.7 rebounds in Big Ten play. He had six double-doubles including a monster performance against Michigan (30 points and 13 rebounds). He should be an immediate impact player next season.
Washington – Desmond Simmons, Freshman, Forward
The Huskies could look considerably different next season. Senior forwards Matthew Bryan-Amaning and Justin Holiday are set to graduate and junior guard Isaiah Thomas could test the waters in the NBA. Assuming Thomas does come back, the biggest hole will be at power forward. The Huskies have more than enough on the wings (C.J. Wilcox and Terrence Ross) to replace Holiday but they will need an inside presence. The 6-foot-7 Simmons is currently redshirting after undergoing surgery on his right knee before the season. He is a little undersized but he isn’t afraid to mix it up as he grabbed over 1,500 rebounds in his high school career. He may not start right away but he will challenge for significant minutes.
Washington State – Brock Motum, Sophomore, Forward
The Cougars are without a senior as well but could potentially lose Klay Thompson to the NBA. If he decides to come back for his senior season then the roles on this team shouldn’t change all that much. If he goes then the Cougars will be searching for more scoring options. Faisal Aden is the obvious replacement in the starting lineup for Thompson but he is probably already owned in most Pac 10 dynasty leagues. Motum, a 6-foot-10 import from Australia, has been a highly efficient player this year off of the bench for the Cougars. He has scored in double-figures on six occasions including a 19 point effort against Cal. He is more of a jumpshooter than post player but he is still shooting 62% from the floor. He is averaging 7.1 points and 2.9 rebounds in 18 minutes a night but could easily approach 12 points and six rebounds should he get more minutes and opportunities.