This article is part of our NBA Draft Kit series.
Can Houston and San Antonio keep up with Golden State? The big move in Houston is certainly entertaining. San Antonio, by staying still, seems to have taken a step backwards. This could be a long season in Dallas, New Orleans and Memphis. Let's dive into the details of the position battles.
Dallas Mavericks 
This is a very shallow team with aging vets. That means secondary players could have primary roles mid-way into the season. Formerly ageless Dirk Nowitzki is 39 years old and looks 39. Wesley Matthews is 30, but looks 55. The backcourt, and lot of shot attempts, is wide open for a new star to rise.
Ball handlers: Dennis Smith, Yogi Ferrell, J.J. Berea, Seth Curry, Devon Harris
Yogi Ferrell saw a surprise 29 starts last year, despite going undrafted last summer and later being cut by the Nets. That's how wide open the Mavs backcourt was last year. But clearly the franchise doesn't believe in the generously listed 6'-0" Indiana product or his more familiar PG mates Berea and Harris. With the 9th pick this summer, Dallas snagged Dennis Smith, who many expected to go earlier.
To some, the point guard position might seem like a toss up due to so many familiar names on the Dallas roster. But this job is owned, flat out, by Dennis Smith. I'd be shocked if Smith doesn't see 30 minutes per game this season. The Mavs have nothing to lose and desperately need an injection
Can Houston and San Antonio keep up with Golden State? The big move in Houston is certainly entertaining. San Antonio, by staying still, seems to have taken a step backwards. This could be a long season in Dallas, New Orleans and Memphis. Let's dive into the details of the position battles.
Dallas Mavericks
This is a very shallow team with aging vets. That means secondary players could have primary roles mid-way into the season. Formerly ageless Dirk Nowitzki is 39 years old and looks 39. Wesley Matthews is 30, but looks 55. The backcourt, and lot of shot attempts, is wide open for a new star to rise.
Ball handlers: Dennis Smith, Yogi Ferrell, J.J. Berea, Seth Curry, Devon Harris
Yogi Ferrell saw a surprise 29 starts last year, despite going undrafted last summer and later being cut by the Nets. That's how wide open the Mavs backcourt was last year. But clearly the franchise doesn't believe in the generously listed 6'-0" Indiana product or his more familiar PG mates Berea and Harris. With the 9th pick this summer, Dallas snagged Dennis Smith, who many expected to go earlier.
To some, the point guard position might seem like a toss up due to so many familiar names on the Dallas roster. But this job is owned, flat out, by Dennis Smith. I'd be shocked if Smith doesn't see 30 minutes per game this season. The Mavs have nothing to lose and desperately need an injection of youth. My apologies if it seems like I'm fudging the column format, but I want to make sure all fans catch Smith's rising stock. Curry should still see plenty of minutes at the two-guard, but expect fewer shot attempts than Smith. Berea and Harris should start reviewing their NBA Pension paperwork.
Houston Rockets
I took a long nap this summer, did anything change in Houston? Just kidding. With James Harden and Chris Paul, the Rockets might have the greatest backcourt of the decade (my apologies, Golden State). That's great for Rocket fans, but not fantasy fans, as one must assume they'll eat into each other's stats.
I'd like to stir up controversy, but roles are clearly defined in Houston. The starting five is locked into Harden, Paul, Trevor Ariza, Ryan Anderson and Clint Capela. And Eric Gordon is the go to "points off the bench, Vinnie Microwave Johnson" guy. The only battle will be whether Paul or Harden gets more assists – Paul is the early favorite. Expect Harden's dimes to return to the 7.5 per contest that he dished back in his shooting guard days – that's still awfully darn good for a shooting guard!
Memphis Grizzlies
Whenever I think of the Griz, I hear Stealers Wheel's Stuck In The Middle With You :
This is a nice team with some talented vets that will once again finish a hair over .500 and go nowhere in the playoffs versus the rest of the loaded Western Conference. Will anyone in the two through four spots have fantasy relevance?
Wings & Power Forwards: Chandler Parsons, JaMychal Green, Ben McLemore, Tyreke Evans and James Ennis
Sure, those guys can compete with the Warriors, Thunder and Rockets (note deep, heavy sarcasm). If Parsons and his wobbly knees can play 55+ games, it might be a miracle. That said, there isn't really anyone on this Grizzlies roster than can challenge an even semi-healthy Parsons. Green will be the starting power forward by default, which clearly not even Memphis is excited about – they waited until September 27th to resign him. He'll get you seven boards a game and very little of anything else.
Tyreke Evans, who admittedly has had his own health problems, might be the hidden gem in this cesspool of mediocrity. Gunners with position flexibility are always valuable on shallow clubs. His improved three point shooting has us forecasting 1.4 made threes and 1.1 steals per game, which are always valuable. And roughly four dimes a game are a nice added bonus. Evans will start at the two while McLemore recovers from a right foot injury. The no-longer-a-sleeper former King isn't expected to return until mid-November. Is anyone really worried about Ben McLemore stealing minutes from anyone? I'm not.
New Orleans Pelicans
So as the rest of the league goes small, the Pelicans are going big. Hmmm…this will either be fantastic or terrible. Based on Pelican history, I'm betting on terrible. They'll have a two-headed PG backcourt with Rajon Rondo and Jrue Holiday, and a two headed center tandem of Anthony Davis and DeMarcus Cousins? So who will be the glue guy at small forward to make this work? And will that person have any fantasy relevance? (Hint: No.)
Small Forwards: Dante Cunningham, E'Twaun Moore, Tony Allen, unnamed player they'll trade for in February
Good lord, I half threw up in my mouth just typing those options. Cunningham averaged 6.6 points per game last year playing 25 minutes per contest. How does one do that? Also, he's 30 years old with no upside. Nice starter, Pelicans. At least Tony Allen is an amusing "grind house" character who will make one highlight worthy defensive play each game. But Allen will turn 36 in January. There can't be much left in the tank. Both Cunningham and Allen have zero fantasy relevance. That leaves Moore, who at least knocks down one trey per game. Expect Moore to win the "no one but fantasy writers care about this" position. And if you are desperate for 3's, keep Moore in mind.
This situation is so terrible, I wonder if they'll deal their 2018 first round pick to find a serviceable three. Cousins contract expires at the end of this season. To make him willing to stay, they somehow have to convince him they can win now. And I can't see them winning with these current small forwards.
San Antonio Spurs
Full confession, I love this organization. I'm not sure they'll be able to keep up with the other Western juggernauts, but I'll be routing for them. Danny Green, Kawhi Leonard, LeMarcus Aldridge and Pau Gasol are the clear starters. Rudy Gay will provide instant offense off the bench. And 35 year old Tony Parker is expected to return mid-December. But at that age, can he still direct the Spur attack?
Point Guards: Tony Parker, Dejounte Murray, Patty Mills
None of these three seem fantasy relevant in standard 12-team leagues. Murray is the guy with upside to keep an eye on. He's only 21 and during his one year at University of Washington he averaged 16.1 points, 6.0 rebounds, 4.4 assists and 1.8 steals. As the youngster continues to develop, you must wonder if the Spurs are quietly grooming their future Parker replacement. I'm intrigued.
That's it for job battles in the Southwest. Next up, the Northwest.
