RADIO
Hello and welcome to another group of forwards who are pleading to see the light of more rosters for Fantasy Basketball Managers. After the All-Star Break, these three players could capitalize in a big way for those willing to give them the opportunity to pickup where they left off before the break commenced. These players are owned in between 83% and 94% of Yahoo leagues, and we begin with a familiar face who probably isn't too familiar with 6% ownership.
Please note that in most leagues, "Week 16" is actually two calendar weeks, comprised of the games on either side of the All-Star Break.
Position Eligibility & Ownership Rate Based on Yahoo! Fantasy Basketball Player List
NBA Forwards: Week 16 (Post All-Star) Waiver Wire Pickups & Sleepers
Amar'e Stoudemire (PF/C, MIA) - 6% Owned
With his current numbers a shadow of his career averages of 31.6 minutes, 19.3 points, 8.0 rebounds, and 1.3 blocks, Amar'e Stoudemire has fallen far from his days running the pick n' roll with Steve Nash. At just 14.2 minutes per game in 25 games with Miami, Stoudemire has produced 5.4 points, 4.5 rebounds, and 0.8 blocks per game. This may seem minuscule for the six-time All Star, but it isn't that bad at a second glance. Per 36 minutes he would be averaging 13.7 points, and very impressive figures of 11.5 rebounds and 1.9 blocks.
Rewarded for his solid play, Stoudemire has averaged 17 minutes per game for the last five Heat games and has averaged 6.2 points, 7.2 rebounds, and 1.6 blocks which was good for 14th in the NBA among forwards for that span of games. Amar'e may not be the force he once was, but with slightly increased playing time -- something that could happen as a result of the current questionable status of Chris Bosh and/or a trade of ill-fitting center Hassan Whiteside -- Stoudemire would be a zombie pick for double-double production and he is already blocking shots at an encouraging rate. Don't sleep on the forgotten veteran.
Gerald Henderson (SG/SF, POR) - 12% Owned
At his height of semi-stardom in Charlotte; Gerald Henderson was averaging 15.5 points, 3.7 rebounds, 2.6 assists, and 1.0 steal per game. Obviously, at 18 minutes per game and 0 out of 45 games started, he has taken a more reserve role in Portland. However, that doesn't mean he hasn't contributed. In Henderson's last five games, he has averaged 28 minutes, 13.8 points, 5.0 rebounds, and 1.0 steal per game. Gerald Henderson is a great pick for "vulture like" scoring. If another player struggles or gets hurt, Henderson can always come right in and score 15 points and grab a steal without missing a beat. He can also use his fantastic athleticism to sky high for more rebounds than the typical scoring SG/SF combo. Points in high volume can be hard to come by, but not when Gerald sees the floor for more than 20 minutes.
Cody Zeller (PF/C, CHA) - 17% Owned
Cody Zeller has shown steady improvement every year in the league out of Indiana. He has increased his points per game from 6.0 to 7.6 to 8.8; his rebounding from 4.3 to 5.8 to 6.2; his steals from 0.5 to 0.5 to 0.9; and his blocked shots improved and have stayed steady from 0.5 to 0.8 to 0.7. At 24.8 minutes per game, this is even more impressive, as he would be averaging 12.7 points, 9.0 rebounds, 1.3 steals, and 1.0 blocks over 36 minutes. In Zeller's last five games, he has averaged 25 minutes, 7.2 points, 0.8 steals, 0.8 blocks, and an impressive 8.6 rebounds per game, a number that ranks 16th in the NBA among all forwards in this span of time. Zeller has steadily improved in virtually every aspect of the game since his 2013 debut. He has become as steady as they come among players who play about 25 minutes per contest. Zeller is a double-double threat who can play solid defense in the form of steals and blocks. At 83% availability, Cody is becoming a greater bargain than his older brother Tyler Zeller.
