Fantasy Basketball: Kevin Durant’s Injury Impacts Oklahoma City Thunder, Opponents Alike

By Anthony F. Irwin @AnthonyIrwinNBA on October 13, 2014

Before breaking a bone in his foot, Kevin Durant had missed only 32 games through the first seven years of his NBA career. He’s been a consensus top-two draftee in fantasy leagues for obvious reasons. The injury affects that and the value of players like Russell Westbrook and Serge Ibaka.

Durant’s injury will leave an almost unfathomable hole for the Oklahoma City Thunder. Last year, he averaged 32 points and 5.5 assists per game, accounting for anywhere from 43 to 48.5 of the 106.2 points the team averaged last year. Those numbers will have to come from somewhere; it’s just a matter of who steps up.

Westbrook is the obvious benefactor whenever Durant doesn’t play. He’s a freak of nature athlete who can do nearly anything on the court. His numbers as the top dog are astronomical and should be drafted in the top 5. Owners can expect 27 points and eight assists per game, with noticeable increases in his rebounding and defensive statistics as well. Watch for the Westbrook-for-MVP headlines after the first month of the season.

Ibaka is a little more difficult to figure out. One would think his numbers would benefit  from more shots to go around, but that’s not necessarily the case. With Durant out, Ibaka becomes the second scoring option and, as such, has more defensive attention. Ibaka’s game is nowhere near polished enough to score one-on-one beyond catch and shoot mid-range shots, let alone against a double team. If the Thunder hope to make it through the next couple months, Ibaka will have to improve on that side of the ball.

Opponents can actually breathe a little easier on offense with Durant out as well. It’s easy to forget that he is essentially a seven-footer playing the small forward, making for one of the longest frontcourts in the league. Durant averages 7.4 rebounds, 0.7 blocks and 1.3 steals per game greatly in part because of his otherworldly length. You can’t teach height, and no other player at his position sizes up nearly as well. Watch for teams to rebound and score at better rates against Oklahoma City this season.

Even if Durant misses the maximum eight weeks, he is still worth taking with a high to middle second-round pick. When healthy, he is the most proficient fantasy basketball player in all standards leagues. You’ll have to tread water and there is risk involved, but he’s more than worth it.

Anthony F. Irwin is an NBA, NFL, MLB and NCAA Football contributor for www.Rantsports.com. Follow him on Twitter, “Like” him on Facebook or add him to your network on Google. Send him an email at .