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Fantasy Basketball: 10 Most Disappointing Early-Round Picks

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By @b2brennan

Fantasy Basketball: 10 Most Disappointing Early-Round Picks

Brooklyn Nets v Cleveland Cavaliers
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They say hindsight is 20/20. At the time these picks seemed like sure things or even steals, but now the owners of these players in fantasy basketball are shaking their heads. Here are the top 10 most disappointing early-round draft picks in fantasy basketball this season.

10. Luol Deng

Miami Heat v Sacramento Kings
Rocky Widner - Getty Images

10. Luol Deng

Miami Heat v Sacramento Kings
Rocky Widner - Getty Images

I think Deng was a higher draft pick because of the void left by LeBron James in Miami and the state of Dwyane Wade's health. Deng was expected to fill James' shoes somewhat and put up serious numbers when he was signed, but he hasn't quite lived up to expectations for the struggling Heat.

9. Paul Pierce

Washington Wizards v Chicago Bulls
Joe Murphy - Getty Images

9. Paul Pierce

Washington Wizards v Chicago Bulls
Joe Murphy - Getty Images

A lot of people thought Pierce would fit in perfectly for the Wizards and be the second scoring option behind Bradley Beal while John Wall facilitated the offense. Even with Beal hurt for a lot of this season, Pierce hasn't put up fantasy-worthy numbers, and it's been kind of disappointing to people who thought Pierce would get back to his old scoring ways.

8. Nicolas Batum

Nicolas Batum
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8. Nicolas Batum

Nicolas Batum
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Batum has the rare combination of all-around talent at the small-forward position and is a walking triple-double. He is averaging his worst numbers in the past three seasons and is scoring under 10 PPG, his worst mark since his rookie year. Batum's been a big disappointment so far this year.

7. Josh Smith

Smith
David Liam Kyle - Getty Images

7. Josh Smith

Smith
David Liam Kyle - Getty Images

I'm sure a lot of fantasy owners thought Smith would be a statistical machine while on a bad team in Detroit, but I'll bet none of them thought he would be waived midseason. Smith went from a starter to a bench player real fast, and his career has taken one of the biggest declines in all of the NBA.

6. Rajon Rondo

Dallas Mavericks v Oklahoma City Thunder
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6. Rajon Rondo

Dallas Mavericks v Oklahoma City Thunder
Layne Murdoch - Getty Images

Rondo was another walking triple-double guy, but he hasn't experienced the same success he had in recent years. His move to Dallas hasn't work out as well as everyone thought it would, and with the talent in the NBA at the point-guard position, Rondo is taking a backseat to a number of other players.

5. Brook Lopez

brook lopez 0207 - text
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5. Brook Lopez

brook lopez 0207
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Every year Lopez is thrown into the top centers discussion, but he's not even close now. There aren't many centers who can score consistently in the league which is why Lopez typically gets so much praise, but he's never healthy and just isn't as good as many believe him to be.

4. Deron Williams

DeronWilliams
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4. Deron Williams

DeronWilliams
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It's tough to swallow the disappointment that Deron Williams must have right now. Most people who drafted him probably hoped he could return to his old self, but Williams is way past his prime.

3. Lance Stephenson

Chicago Bulls v Charlotte Hornets
Brock Williams - Getty Images

3. Lance Stephenson

Chicago Bulls v Charlotte Hornets
Brock Williams - Getty Images

Stephenson took a great season with the Indiana Pacers and got a huge contract and a bench spot with the Charlotte Hornets. I don't know if many people saw this much of a decline from the young Stephenson, but people who drafted him in hopes of those triple-doubles continuing are definitely kicking themselves.

2. Derrick Rose

Chicago Bulls v Golden State Warriors
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2. Derrick Rose

Chicago Bulls v Golden State Warriors
Noah Graham - Getty Images

I don't like to put players on here because of injuries, but if you thought Rose could make it through a full season you were being naive. A very small percentage of players ever come back from this many knee injuries, and unfortunately Rose has fallen in that category once again. I'm sure he went in the top two or three rounds of most drafts, and if you took a chance and prayed he would be healthy then you have to be truly disappointed.

1. Kevin Love

Sacramento Kings v Cleveland Cavaliers
David Liam Kyle - Getty Images

1. Kevin Love

Sacramento Kings v Cleveland Cavaliers
David Liam Kyle - Getty Images

We all knew Love's numbers would decline a little bit after being paired with LeBron James and Kyrie Irving, but no one thought they would suffer this much. Nine points less per game and over two rebounds and two assists per game less than last season is just mind boggling. If I told you at the beginning of the season that Love wouldn't be an All-Star you would have laughed in my face. Love has been the ultimate disappointment this year.

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