January 2, 2017

Milos Zvekic recommends NBA forwards and centers (PF, C, PF/C) as waiver wire pickups for fantasy basketball in Week 11. These centers and forwards can be fantasy sleepers.

This year, RotoBaller is separating its waiver wire recommendations by position a little differently.  In our three position breakdowns, we'll be separating players into GUARDS, including point guards (PG), shooting guards (SG), and combo guards (PG/SG); WINGS, including small forwards (SF), swing men (SG/SF), and small ball fours (SF/PF); and BIGS, including power forwards (PF), centers (C), and bigs who play both front court spots (PF/C).

Today we are looking into some potential Week 11 waiver wire pickups for power forwards and centers who might fit well with your team and are sitting on the waiver wire in about a half or more of the Yahoo! leagues. So if you're in the market for a big to help your team fill out it's needs, one of the players from this article might just be what you're looking for.

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Standard League Waiver Wire Big Adds

Joakim Noah PF/C, NYK (49% Owned)

It's common knowledge that Joakim Noah is a great defensive player. His output in rebounds, blocks and steals is constant and he even gets his owners some out of position assists. But it's his scoring and free throws that keep him from being the great fantasy player he was a few years ago. He is averaging only 5.3 PTS this season with percentages of 48.5 FG% and just 44.2 FT%. He does make up for it by adding 8.5 REB, 2.5 AST, 0.7 STL, 0.9 BLK and 1.2 TO in 22 minutes a game. But those stats are just not worth it in standard leagues.

But Noah is on the rise. In his last six games he has double-doubled three times and is averaging 9.0 PTS on 55.3 FG% and 75.0 FT%, 11.3 REB, 2.0 AST, 0.7 STL, 1.0 BLK and 1.5 TO in 27 minutes per game. Now during that period both his backup Kyle O'Quinn and his frontcourt partner Kristaps Porzingis missed a game a piece and Carmelo Anthony played under 20 minutes in two of those games due to knee issues. That could have bolstered Noah's playing time a bit. But nevertheless, Noah is finally showing why he was worth the 4-year, $72 million contract this past off season.

Even though it's not very likely for Noah to score in double digits every game, if he can keep up what he has been doing in the previous period he will be worth a roster spot even in shallower leagues. For now, he is a good source of rebounds and defensive stats for teams that don't pay too much attention to FT% and points.

Dario Saric PF, PHI (40% Owned)

Now we're talking talent! A 22-year-old forward with rich European experience currently in his rookie season with the Philadelphia 76ers. Dario Saric is very versatile. He can play at the SF and PF spot, and can even be moved to SG if needed and that can get him a couple of extra minutes a night. Furthermore, the return of Nerlens Noel hasn't taken playing time away from Saric, and the rumors of either Noel or Jahlil Okafor being moved before the deadline could give Saric even more space to produce. And the 76ers aren't looking for a playoff berth so their sole intentions are to develop their talent. Saric, the 12th pick of the 2014 draft, should be one of the beneficiaries of "The Process".

Saric hasn't really overwhelmed with his performances so far this season with averages of 9.5 PTS with 1.3 3PM on 38.7 FG% and 77.4 FT%, 5.9 REB, 1.7 AST, 0.5 STL, 0.2 BLK and 1.8 TO in 24 minutes per game. But the two-time winner of the FIBA Europe Young Men's Player of the Year Award (in 2013 and 2014) is still getting used to NBA basketball. Moreover, he has picked it up a bit in the last week averaging 13.0 points with 1.0 triple on 45.5% from the field and 75.0% from the line, 8.0 boards, 2.7 dimes, 0.3 steals, 0.3 blocks and 1.3 turnovers in 27 minutes per game. So he is definitely a little engine that could. The only question is if he WILL. I believe so.

Perhaps Dario can keep up his play as of late and even improve, and his talent suggests he can. Philadelphia has got a disgruntled frontcourt and one of the players there should be on the move soon which could open up even more minutes for Saric. If Saric shows off his true potential, takes advantage of the situation in Philly and gets time on court around the 30 minute mark he could be one of the best pickups off the waiver wire this season. And so late in the season too...

Standard League Honorable Mentions: Alex Len (43% owned), JaMychal Green (44% owned)

Deep League Waiver Wire Big Adds

Frank Kaminsky PF/C, CHA (18% Owned)

Here we have another young player with potential in Frank Kaminsky. The ninth pick of the 2015 draft is in his second year in the NBA and is taking on a larger role with the Charlotte Hornets. He has his work cut out for him since his competition in the frontcourt consists of Marvin Williams, Roy Hibbert, Spencer Hawes and Cody Zeller. Despite that, Kaminsky has secured himself 25 minutes per game this season with averages of 10.3 PTS with 1.2 3PM on 37.9 FG% and 72.3 FT%, 4.7 REB, 2.2 AST, 0.6 STL, 0.4 BLK and 1.0 TO. Now those percentages are a buzzkill, but the rest of the stats are pretty decent. The threes and assists for a PF/C are a nice bonus and around one combined block and steal never hurt anyone.

More time on the court would certainly mean more fantasy appeal for Kaminsky. Hibbert has already missed six games this season, and so did Marvin Williams. Hawes seems to be out of the rotation having played a total of 25 minutes since Dec. 10. All that could mean that more minutes are in store for Kaminsky going forward. If he can earn some extra minutes and improve his play even further he could become a fantasy relevant player with his contribution in three-pointers, rebounds and defensive stats along with a few assists and double-digit scoring.

Deep League Honorable Mentions: Marreese Speights (24% owned), Montrezl Harrell (27% owned)