RADIO
The center market is filled with young guys getting a chance. One of these players is due to break out this season and establish himself as a valuable rotation to a fantasy lineup. Actually, there's a chance all four guys could be that by the end of the year...there's also the chance none of them will. Making sure you have them in your line up while the team's figure out whether or not they're the big men of the future will win you your league right now though.
Be sure to check out RotoBaller's other Week 8 NBA coverage, including our Week 8 Waiver Wire Guards and Week 8 Waiver Wire Forwards.
Position Eligibility & Ownership Rate Based on Yahoo! Fantasy Basketball Player List
NBA Centers: Week 8 Waiver Wire Pickups & Sleepers
Jon Leuer (PHO, PF/C) 31% Owned
Leuer has been amazing for the last week. He is starting to really take advantage of the chances he's getting. The Suns run through Eric Bledsoe and Brandon Knight, but they are in desperate need of quality big men play. Markieff Morris seems to be in the doghouse with a mysterious illness that keeps him from playing. While Morris has been dealing with that, Leuer is averaging 13.8 points, 7.5 rebounds, and one made three per game over his last five games. I love Leuer's game and the way he has been getting better every night. He might be the most underrated and unknown fantasy player in basketball right now. Leuer should be added to all lineups and if the situation with Morris continues to deteriorate, that will only mean more minutes and chances for big Jon.
Cody Zeller (CHA, PF/C) 12% Owned
Zeller will be getting an uptick in usage with Al Jefferson out for five games with a suspension. Also, Jefferson has been inconsistent and starting to look his age -- Charlotte's offense has actually looked more dynamic without him. All of these factors lead to more opportunities for Cody Zeller. When he gets over 25 minutes a game he is a double digit scorer with good percentages and below average everything else. Zeller was a high lottery pick that seems destined to be a valuable role player but someone with very little fantasy value. Once Jefferson comes back Zeller's value likely goes back to being nonexistent.
Kelly Olynyk (BOS, C) 33% Owned
Olynyk has been on fire for the last fourteen days. During that time he's averaged 16.5 points and 3.8 rebounds. He has three 21+ point performances in his last six games. But, in two of those six he also scored under double-digits. Olynyk has yet to earn consistent minutes and opportunities because of his inconsistent play. But Olynyk's recent run has seen him be more of a focal point of Brad Stevens' offense. Olynyk fits the stretch four mold with at least five three pointers made in three of his last four games. I see his ceiling as potentially being Ryan Anderson. The Celtics play around 57 guys in their rotation so there's a chance this is just Olynyk's chance to get his shots up. If this is actually sustainable then he should be grabbed up immediately because of the versatility he offers from the big man spot.
Ian Mahinmi (IND, C) 27% Owned
Both Ian Mahinmi and Jordan Hill are still very relevant. I'd recommend looking at both and deciding which one you need more. Hill scores more but less efficiently, and also rebounds, steals, and blocks at a lower rate than Mahinmi. Since Hill is only owned by 21% of Yahoo! Fantasy Basketball owners you could get both and then basically guarantee all of Indiana's rebounds. I wouldn't do this because they tend to steal stats from each other and well, and they're both just not that good. Mahinmi is getting a solid 24 minutes a game and producing classic center numbers at just under a double-double. He might not have a higher ceiling than his current production but it always a good option to stream or replace an injured player.
