BENCH
G- Langston Galloway
2K16: 72 (finished season at 71)
Projection for 2K17: 72
My thinking: Just a reset. Galloway is in a better position to succeed this season, and as a young player, obviously didn’t lose any of his skills. I wrote last season about Galloway’s potential as a three-and-D guard if given the time to improve and get in rhythm; on a deep Pelicans team, Alvin Gentry will have the opportunity to sic him as a ravenous Designated Hitter on defense.
Trajectory: Static. Similar to Hield, 2K ought to let things settle in the Crescent City before adjusting the game for most of these guys in any way.
G- E’Twaun Moore
2K16: 70 (finished season at 73)
Projection for 2K17: 75
My thinking: Moore earned a victory in the bank and on the small screen of basement TVs across the country with his big season in Chicago last year. I think the 2K gods give him the benefit of the doubt with a more consistent role this season.
Trajectory: Up. He still has the potential to win the starting spot over Buddy Hield, and his game could blossom if Gentry hands more ball-handling and point guard-defending duties to him right away.
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F- Dante Cunningham
2K16: 69 (finished season at 72)
Projection for 2K17: 72
My thinking: Nothing over the offseason really changed how we should view Cunningham. He improved his shooting range last year, and continued to rebound and defend at a high level when moving up a position in small lineups.
Trajectory: Down, unfortunately. Solomon Hill is ready to take most, if not all of Cunningham’s minutes. And if Dante doesn’t demonstrate improvement and consistency from the outset, Quincy Pondexter and Tyreke Evans will arrive later in the year to soak up the rest of those minutes.
F- Terrence Jones
2K16: 75 (finished season at 74)
Projection for 2K17: 73
My thinking: It seems 2K was just as confused last season as we were concerning Jones’ fall from starting caliber-production in Houston. They didn’t bump him down as much over the course of the season as they ought to have, so I’ll drop him another point under the expectation that they over-correct in the new edition.
Trajectory: Static. Another “wait and see” guy. He could flourish immediately next to his old Kentucky teammate Davis, or he could settle into the end of the bench as Gentry plays the guys he’s more familiar with and makes Jones earn it.
C- Alexis Ajinca
2K16: 74 (finished season at 72)
Projection for 2K17: 70
My thinking: What are fantasy video game worlds for if not bias? I’m so, so low on Ajinca heading into the year. He’s displayed so little improvement on both ends that it seems he’s already past the point of no return. On a cheap deal, he could even get cut eventually.
Trajectory: Down like her temperature.
Next: EXCLUSIVE: Interview with camp signee Shawn Dawson
Imagine the incarnation of that song on a basketball court; that’s how low I am on Ajinca’s prospects heading into this season. Don’t be surprised if he’s out of the rotation by March.