Chauncey Billups
Although Chauncey Billups’ stats have slowly been going downhill in recent years, look for him to have a very good season this year for the Nuggets. Coach George Karl has given him complete control of the team and Billups is even more involved than he was with Detroit. Additionally, Karl is playing Billups a bit at shooting guard, which should help Billups’ scoring numbers. Overall, Billups looks like he’s going to have a great 2008 fantasy basketball campaign.

Carmelo Anthony
With Iverson, Carmelo Anthony is once again the team’s number one scoring option. He should eventually be able to get his scoring average back up around 30 points per game. He’s also rebounding more and getting more assists, which should make fantasy basketball owners very happy. With Billups passing him the ball and a non-offensive player in Dahntay Jones replacing Iverson at shooting guard, Carmelo has a chance to have a monster season.

Nene
With Marcus Camby out of the picture, Nene has established himself as the center for the Nuggets. With Billups able to set him up, Nene should have a very good season. He seems to have overcome his injuries and illnesses and is now a full blown beast down low.

Kenyon Martin
Now one year removed from major knee surgery, Kenyon Martin looks even better athletically. He’s not going to do much more than he did last season but even at that production level, he’s a decent fantasy basketball option.

JR Smith
JR Smith might be the one player hurt by the loss of AI. The run and gun, shoot whenever you want days in Denver seem to have left with AI. Now with Billups in control, there are much fewer wild shots. Plus with Smith coming off the bench, it’s going to be hard for him to live up to the hype he was garnering in the preseason.

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Larry Hughes, Cleveland Cavaliers
Hughes returned from his injury to put up 22 points for the Cavs. While he’s far from a sure thing, there’s always a chance that he can return to his former status as being one of the better fantasy player in the league. If you have room, sign him off the waiver wire and watch how he plays. If he starts getting big minutes, he’ll most likely become a startable player at that point.

Anthony Carter, Denver Nuggets
Carter has been starting at point guard for the Nuggets and has played pretty well. He’s had a couple of explosive outings, which could help him land the job permanently. With Allen Iverson and Carmelo Anthony as teammates, it isn’t hard to imagine Carter averaging a lot of assists.

Kenyon Martin, Denver Nuggets
Martin is playing really well as his minutes have recently been increased. Coming off his second microfracture surgery, the Nuggets brought him along slowly. However, now he’s routinely playing more than 30 minutes and is putting up nice stats. Pick him up if you can.

Chris Quinn, Miami Heat
With Jason Williams sidelined by an injury, Quinn got the start and played big minutes for the Heat. Williams is expected to miss at least a couple more games and Quinn will continue to start until he comes back. Although, Pat Riley has benched Williams already this year, so if Quinn plays well, he could actually win the starting job.

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Andray Blatche, Washington Wizards
Blatche busted out in a big way on Tuesday. Against the Philadelphia 76ers, Blatche had 26 points, eight rebounds, four assists and a block. Equally impressive was his shooting – 12-of-14 from the field, including 1-for-1 from three-point land. Brendan Haywood turned an ankle during the game, which could spell more playing time for Blatche. Pick him up if you have the chance.

Kenyon Martin, Denver Nuggets
If you watch Martin play, you would never guess that he has had to undergo two microfracture surgeries. He’s still explosive and can attack the rim as aggressively as anyone. While the Nuggets have been cautious as they bring him back, expect Martin to play more and more. Now might be a good time to pickup Martin and the wait for his minutes to increase.

Jordan Farmar, Los Angeles Lakers
Rarely are backup point guards overly valuable in fantasy basketball, but Farmar has looked really good lately. He’s in great shape and his athleticism seems improved from last year. He’s had a string of good games and it’s not inconceivable that Farmar could replace Derek Fisher as a starter at some point in the season.

Charlie Villanueva, Milwaukee Bucks
Villanueva was horrible to begin the season. However, now he’s started to turn it around for the Bucks. He’s still coming off the bench but his production has been much better. He’s had 13, 17 and 17 points in his last three games, respectively. He has immense talent and is certainly a player to keep an eye on.

Antoine Walker, Minnesota Timberwolves
Don’t look now but Walker may be inching his way back to fantasy relevancy. In the beginning of the season, Walker wasn’t getting much playing time. In the last three games for the T’Wolves, Walker has played at least 24 minutes and has double figures in all three games. If Minnesota keeps playing him, Walker could quickly become a really nice fantasy option.

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Robert Swift, Seattle Supersonics
Swift is a major sleeper this season.  After missing all of last season when he tore his ACL in preseason, he’s flying way under the radar.  However, he could very well be worth a draft pick this year.  He has put on upwards of 40 pounds of muscle this offseason and could start at center for the Sonics.  Keep an eye on him.

Nenad Krstic, New Jersey Nets
Another center flying below the radar is Krstic.  Krstic also tore his ACL last season but is scheduled to go when the season tips off.  He’s a very skilled bigman who can do a little bit of everything.  With the scorers and playmakers around him, he could be the ultimate garbage man for the Nets this season.

Bobby Simmons, Milwaukee Bucks
Simmons missed all of last season with injuries to his right foot.  When healthy, Simmons is a solid fantasy player.  The problem with him right now is his role is unknown.  After missing the time he did, it’s unsure what the Bucks will do in their swingman rotation.  If Simmons is starting, he could very well be worth a draft pick.

Kenyon Martin, Denver Nuggets
Martin missed all but two games for the Nuggets last season.  After undergoing his second microfracture surgery (one on each knee), who knows if Martin can return to even a shell of his former self.  If he can return and gets a starting spot for the Nuggets, he’s a viable fantasy player.

Elton Brand, Los Angeles Clippers
Brand is a bit of a different story.  Brand tore his Achilles tendon this summer while working out in early August.  The notable part of this story is Brand vows to be back this season.  When healthy, Brand is a very good fantasy player.  If you have a lot of roster spots, it could be worth drafting Brand and stashing him to see if he indeed comes back.

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