Jodie Meeks

Meeks held up his reputation as a three-point marksman last season in Orlando, making 1.6 threes per game at a 40.9 percent clip en route to 9.1 points per game. He also chipped in 2.1 rebounds and 1.3 assists across 20.5 minutes per game. While his numbers aren’t the flashiest, Meeks has been a consistent source of threes as a (mostly) reserve shooting guard for his eight-year career. That role seemingly won’t change with him signing a two-year, $7 million deal to join the Wizards over the summer. He’ll likely play a backup role to starting shooting guard Bradley Beal and could also see some time at small forward behind Otto Porter, though Meeks’ 6-foot-4 frame isn’t ideal at that position. Overall, he can probably still be avoided in the majority of Fantasy formats considering his projected role, though could make for a decent play in DFS if he’s in line for extended run.

Meeks has long been known as a self-starting offensive spark in the NBA. Last season, he appeared in 60 games for the Pistons, averaging 11.1 points, 1.2 three-pointers, 1.7 rebounds, 1.3 assists, and 1.0 steals in 24 minutes per contest from the bench. While he has seen starter's minutes for most of the season some years, 2014-15 was different as Meeks started the season with a stress-reaction in his lower back, causing him to take a back seat to Kentavious Caldwell-Pope at the starting shooting guard spot. If Meeks returns healthy, he could rival Caldwell-Pope for the starting spot at the two guard with his experience and perimeter scoring prowess. Should he fail to overtake Caldwell-Pope in the starting lineup, Meeks will make Detroit one of the deeper teams on the wing as they boast Brandon Jennings, Reggie Jackson, Steve Blake, Darrun Hilliard, Stanley Johnson, and Danny Granger on the roster. Regardless of his stature on the depth chart, Meeks will most likely play a good share of minutes and provide valuable production in three-pointers for deep leagues.

Meeks cashed in on his career year with the Lakers by signing a long-term deal in Detroit. The sixth-year guard was handed a three-year, $19-million deal by the Pistons to provide the team with some much-needed three-point shooting. Backed by his sweet three-point stroke, Meeks averaged a career-high 15.7 points while playing 33 minutes per game in 77 contests for the Lakers last season. He was highly efficient from all areas of the court, knocking down 46 percent of his attempts from the floor, 40 percent of his three-pointers, and 86 percent of his free throws. His 162 three-pointers (2.1 per game) ranked 17th in the league and was a big driver for Meeks' breakout in fantasy leagues last season. While Meeks isn't considered much of a defender, he did manage to rack up a career-high 1.4 steals to further boost his value. The one caveat here is that Meeks' breakout came while playing for a horrible Mike D'Antoni coached Lakers team that saw inflated stats for numerous players. With that said, Meeks is an elite three-point shooter who fits new Pistons' coach Stan Van Gundy's style of play perfectly. It's still not clear if Meeks will earn a spot in the starting lineup, but his shooting stroke will surely find him plenty of minutes whether he's starting or not.

Meeks' minutes have been benefited by the absence of Kobe Bryant. Since Bryant's return date is still questionable, Meeks should continue to start for the Lakers at shooting guard. Meeks has taken advantage of his increased role and has continued to take his shots within the Lakers' offense. The valuable minutes Meeks should see early on in the season with Bryant out of the lineup will provide Meeks a good opportunity to get off to a good start. Even when Bryant does return, Meeks could see decent minutes off the bench if he continues to produce.

A perfect fit for this Lakers team, Meeks will serve as Bryant’s primary backup and one of Nash’s favorite spot-up three-point shooters. Last season after shooting 40 percent from downtown in the first half, he shot just 31 percent in the second half, but he should have a bevy of open looks this year, with the Lakers’ weapons in the post.

Last year's starting off guard for the Sixers, Meeks will have tough competition from Evan Turner for that starting spot and most think that Turner will be the starter. Meeks is the team's best outside shooter (39.7 three-point percentage), averaging a career-high 10.5 points per game. The big question is the emergence of Turner. If Turner becomes the player he's supposed to be, Meeks will take a hit in playing time and his numbers will suffer.

The drafting of Turner nullified any real opportunity that Meeks’ strong play at the end of last season may have opened up, but he could also be the first player to benefit if Turner suffers any significant injury this season.