RADIO
With the season just around the corner, it's important to be prepared for your upcoming draft. NBA preseason is currently underway and it's always helpful to scout out some position battles during these games, as teams are trying to figure out some of their rotations. In this article, we take a look at some of the centers who are being overlooked a bit this season, in which they may be ranked too low in ADP (average draft position) which could mean getting good value at their current draft position. Please be advised that big men are available in the middle rounds if you missed out on key big man early, but tend to dry up towards the later part of the draft!
As a reminder this season, it’s recommended you choose to join leagues that will end a bit early this season (and possibly moving forward). It’s recommended that your playoffs will begin on Week 20, and conclude on Week 22, opposed to ending on Week 23, which is April 5th. The reason being that key players will be at risk of sitting out games during that period in anticipating for playoffs. You hate to lose in a championship round because of DNP – Load Management, right?
It’s never too early to do your homework, and we’re here to bless you all with everything you guys need to stay ahead of your opponents in all your fantasy leagues. Below are some of the undervalued picks of the fantasy basketball season, and you’re going to want to target some of these players! Especially if you’re looking to get the most value. Target who you want to select based on your needs and strengths. Build your team based on your top tier selections, and don't be afraid to punt! May the odds be in your favor for your upcoming drafts!
Editor's Note: Our incredible team of writers received five total writing awards and 13 award nominations by the Fantasy Sports Writers Association, tops in the industry! Congrats to all the award winners and nominees including NBA Writer of the Year, Best NFL Series, MLB Series, PGA Writer and Player Notes writer of the year. Be sure to follow their analysis, rankings and advice all year long, and win more with RotoBaller! Read More!
2019-2020 Fantasy Basketball Undervalued Centers
Please note I go by Yahoo! standard league 12 teams 9-category formats
Kevon Looney, C - Golden State Warriors (ADP 132.6)
Looney is a favorite to start at center this year for the Warriors, and he's been available in most drafts towards the end of drafts because he's still dealing with a hamstring injury. He's the Warriors best interior defender next to Draymond Green, and his upside to provide nice percentages along with defensive stats makes him a great bargain towards the end of drafts. Kerr has spoken about playing him over 30 minutes a night, and I do not believe Willie Cauley-Stein as a threat to Looney's abilities to carve out top-100 value this season.
JaVale McGee, C - Los Angeles Lakers (ADP 116.9)
McGee looks energetic thus far this preseason, and the positional battle between him and Dwight Howard will keep him engaged and disciplined to play smart. He's blocking shots, being active on the boards and he's getting great looks playing along side LeBron James and Anthony Davis. McGee was a top-55 player last season in 9-category leagues with averages of 12.0 points, 7.6 rebounds, and 2.0 blocks per game on an efficient 62 percent from the field. He'll have to share some minutes this season, but we're not expecting a sharp decline.
Thomas Bryant, C - Washington Wizards (ADP 67.2)
Thomas Bryant will have all the opportunities in the world on this Wizards team to produce on a nightly basis, and there's little competition to be a threat to his minutes. Bryant was inside the top-100 last season in just 20.8 minutes of action, and we expect that number to be around 32-32 minutes this season. With that said, Bryant will have no trouble averaging close to a double-double with solid percentages. If all goes well and he can produce at least close to 1.5 blocks per game, he could be a top-35 player. Another upside is his ability to stretch to the 3-point line as well, where he shot 33% on 1.4 attempts per game. He'll have to play smart and learn how to stay on the floor without fouling though.
Wendell Carter Jr. C - Chicago Bulls (ADP 81.7)
Wendell Carter Jr. is coming off an injury prone season, where he's currently dealing with an ankle and a bruised tailbone. He's been cleared to practice and all signs are looking good towards opening night, but he'll have to earn his minutes with solid play right out of the games if he's going to be a positive contributor from the start of the season. He's arguably the third option on the Bulls behind Zach LaVine and Lauri Markannen, but he'll still average somewhere close to 13-15 points per game on solid rebounding and block numbers. Carter Jr. averaged 1.3 blocks per game last season in just 25 minutes per game. Target Wendell Carter Jr. in the latter point of the middle rounds.
Alex Len, PF/C - Atlanta Hawks (ADP 124.1)
Alex Len connected on 1.9 triples per game after the break last year on 41% from deep. Needless to say, that's impressive for a center who did not take a 3-point in his first three seasons in the NBA. Len is currently nursing a nagging back and ankle injury during the preseason, but he's still a favorite to start at center on opening night along side John Collins. He's a nice target late in drafts if you are looking for a big man who can snag some rebounds and blocks.
Zach Collins, PF/C - Portland Trail Blazers (ADP 130)
Collins is another sleeper this season that not many is talking about. He's got an extremely fantasy friendly game with his ability to fill up the box score with a little bit of everything. Look for Zach Collins to be a threat to flirt with 1/1/1 (Average 1.0 3-pointers, 1.0 steals, and 1.0 blocks) this season on solid percentages as he will be the starting power forward for the Portland Trail Blazers this season.
Kristaps Porzingis, PF/C - Dallas Mavericks (ADP 32.5)
Kristaps showed a great deal of chemistry with Luke Doncic in his first game back since his ACL injury back in the 2017-2018 season. The "Unicorn" was not shy on getting his shots on Wednesday against the Pistons, making 7-of-18 from the field for 18 points with seven rebounds, two assists, one steal and two 3-pointers in 19 minutes. He's currently being drafted on the back end of the third rounds in most drafts, where I am a firm believer he could finish in the top-20 this season when it's all set and done. I have no problem getting KP as early as the back end of the second round this season.
