Michael Finley

Finley struggled from the floor for the third straight season with the Spurs (41.4 percent). Finley averaged 10.1 points per game but is a far cry from the player he was in Dallas. Still, if Ginobili is out or slowed by his injury for any length of time, look for Finley's minutes to increase early on, as he is more experienced than any of the Spurs other options.

Finley struggled for most of the first half of last season shooting below 40 percent and averaging just eight points per game in the 53 games prior to the All-Star break. But after the break, Finley came on, averaging 11 ppg on 45.3 percent shooting. Still, Finley has shot just 41.2% in his two seasons with the Spurs, and his scoring average has gone down in each of the past seven seasons. While Finley is a valuable member to the Spurs' team in terms of leadership and experience, his days of being the player he was in Dallas are long gone.

Finley had the worst statistical season of his 11-year NBA career as he had career lows in all major fantasy categories, except free-throw percentage. At times he appeared lost in the Spurs half-court system and had trouble adjusting to his role coming off the bench. Now that Finley has had a year in the Spurs system, look for better production, but nothing to resemble his days with the Mavericks.

While Finley’s 11th hour decision to join the Spurs bodes well for his chances of taking home a ring, it’s also probably the worst place he could land as far as his fantasy value’s concerned. Moreover, Finley averaged his lowest point totals since 1996 this past season (15.7 per game), partially due to advancing age (32 years old) but also because of competition from Jerry Stackhouse, Josh Howard, and Marquis Daniels for playing time and offensive touches in Dallas. It won’t get any easier in San Antonio with Manu Ginobili, Bruce Bowen and Brent Barry around. Finley figures to give the Spurs a scoring lift off the bench and an extra long-range shooter, but don’t expect consistent production on a team this deep.

Finley is one of fantasy basketball’s most underrated players. Year after year, Finley puts up solid, but not spectacular numbers but goes unnoticed. Don’t equate his lack of spectacular performances as the sign of an average player. Finley’s consistent contributions in threes and points should offset the lack of 40-point games and highlight-reel dunks. The Mavericks were extremely busy in the offseason, acquiring Erick Dampier and Jerry Stackhouse among others in an attempt to bolster their lineup into a championship contender. With Stackhouse on board, Finley’s minutes might take a bit of a hit this season, and his production could decrease across the board slightly. Still, Finley should make for a fine late round four or early round five selection.

Finley remains one of the NBA's most consistent scorers. Regardless of the options that the Mavericks have on the floor, Finley will be good for 17-20 shots a game. In addition to his scoring ability, Finley is also a very adequate rebounder. Finley has missed 13 games in each of the two past seasons due to various injuries.