🦃 BLACK FRIDAY - TAP TO SAVE 50% WITH CODE THANKS
X
Lost password?

Don't have an account?
Gain Access Now

X

Receive free daily analysis

NFL
NBA
NHL
NASCAR
CFB
MLB
MMA
PGA
ESPORTS
BETTING

Already have an account? Log In

X

Forgot Password


POPULAR FANTASY TOOLS

Expert Advice
Import Your Leagues
Weekly Rankings
Compare Any Players
Projections
Articles & Tools
Weekly Planner
24x7 News and Alerts

Players to Target When Punting 3PM in Fantasy Basketball Drafts

Brad Leibfried looks at three players to target in the mid to late rounds when punting 3PM in fantasy basketball drafts. Follow RotoBaller for more fantasy basketball strategy, rankings, and more.

In today’s NBA everyone is shooting a ton of three pointers and thus the category has been one of the more difficult ones to punt on.  There are two ways to look at punting the category, if you are able to draft Stephen Curry in round one, you may be able to do a near punt the rest of the draft and he will still be able to carry you to top finish in the category.

The other punt may come if you go big early with players such as Hassan Whiteside or DeMarcus Cousins.  If you do decide to punt this category, here are some viable options to target later in the draft that will not be big contributors from downtown, but will perform well in other categories.

Editor's Note: RotoBaller has the best Premium NBA Subscription, only $29.99 for the full season. We have all the preseason tools to help win your drafts, and in-season tools to win your seasonal and daily leagues: Draft Kit, Premium Rankings, Sleepers List, Late-Round Fliers, Early-Round Avoids, DFS Cheat Sheets, Lineup Picks, Expert Lineups, Stacks and Avoids.

 

How to Punt Treys and Still Win Drafts

Goran Dragic, PG, MIA

With no Dwyane Wade, Chris Bosh, or Luol Deng in Miami, a ton of the offensive usage will fall to Dragic this season.  His downside as a guard comes with his limited three point range that saw him average just 0.9 three’s per game last season, but he makes up for it with a spectacular all-around game.

Last year with a usage rate of 22.3, Dragic posted 14.1 points, 5.8 assists, 3.8 rebounds and 1.0 steals per game.  He also is a good source of effeincency stats with a 47.7% shooting percentage, 72.7% rate from the free throw stripe and just 2.6 turnovers per contest.  Last season without Deng, Wade, and Bosh on the floor Dragic’s usage jumped up to 30.5, if you are not worried about your guards making three’s, Dragic would make a great option in the mid-rounds.

Others to consider: Andrew Wiggins, Dwyane Wade, Ricky Rubio

 

Jabari Parker, SF, MIL

When Khris Middleton when down with a torn hamstring, Parker’s already high ceiling went to another level.  The former Duke wing, Parker is one of the top young offensive players in the NBA, however his outside shot is not quite up to current NBA levels and he only had nine three pointers made last year on just 35 attempts.  Despite that, he was still able to score 14.1 points per game while also pulling down 5.2 rebounds per game.

Like other top forwards, Parker is a good shooter from inside with a field goal percentage of 49.3% and free throw rate of 76.8% last year.  Assuming his usage bumps up with the loss to Middleton, it is likely that Parker sees his numbers jump to around 18 points, 7 rebounds and 1 steal per game, if you are not looking for a three-point threat on the wing he will provide a great option.

Others to consider: Thaddeus Young, Julius Randle, Myles Turner

 

Jusuf Nurkic, C, DEN

In the past any center you would draft would be a blank in the three-point category, however in the current NBA stretch fives are become more and more popular.  Early-round centers such as Al Horford and DeMarcus Cousins both averaged over 1.1 three’s per game last year which is a big reason for their high-end value.  Nurkic however is a low post monster that will not venture out towards the three-point arc.

The Nuggets big man is getting far less hype than is teammate Nikola Jokic as his 109.2 ADP suggests, however it is Nurkic who is dominating this preseason having posted a couple double-doubles.  Although he is not expected to quite see 30+ minutes per game, Nurkic did have per 36 minutes numbers of 17.3 points, 11.5 rebounds, 2.9 blocks and 1.6 steals.  He provides a great low-post only option late in drafts.

Others to consider: Marcin Gortat, Tristan Thompson


By popular demand, RotoBaller has aggregated all of our fantasy basketball NBA waiver wire pickups into a running list of NBA waiver options, so bookmark the page and check back often for updates.

POPULAR FANTASY TOOLS

Expert Advice
Import Your Leagues
Weekly Rankings
Compare Any Players
Projections
Articles & Tools
Weekly Planner
24x7 News and Alerts

REAL-TIME FANTASY NEWS

Jameson Williams

Explodes for 144 Yards, Touchdown on Thanksgiving
Dontayvion Wicks

Breaks Out for Two Touchdowns on Thanksgiving
Jordan Love

Lights Up Lions for Four Touchdowns on Thanksgiving
Stephen Curry

Expected To Miss About A Week With Quad Injury
Michael Porter Jr.

Won't Play Friday Versus 76ers
Paul George

Faces Game-Time Call Against Nets
VJ Edgecombe

Sidelined Again Against Nets
Joel Embiid

Out Again Friday vs. Nets
Paolo Banchero

Ruled Out Again Friday With Groin Injury
Jalen Williams

Set to Make Season Debut Friday
Chris Olave

Misses Thursday's Practice
Amon-Ra St. Brown

Will Miss 1-2 Weeks
DeVonta Smith

Off the Injury Report, Cleared for Friday's Game vs. the Bears
Jaxson Dart

Clears Concussion Protocol, Set to Return vs. the Patriots
Amon-Ra St. Brown

Downgraded to Out, Won't Return on Thursday
Daniel Jones

Dealing With Fractured Fibula, Will Play Through it
Jonathan Kuminga

Hoping to Return on Saturday Versus Pelicans
Stephen Curry

to Undergo an MRI
Josh Jacobs

Feels Close to 100%
Brady Tkachuk

Aims to Return Friday
Matthew Tkachuk

Resumes Skating
Jakob Chychrun

Stretches Point Streak to Nine Games
Matej Blumel

Expected to Miss Some Time
Marcus Foligno

Exits With Injury Wednesday
Jaden Schwartz

Suffers Lower-Body Injury Wednesday
Trendon Watford

to Sit Out at Least Two Weeks
Gradey Dick

Injured on Wednesday
RJ Barrett

to Be Re-Evaluated in One Week
Anthony Davis

on the Cusp of Returning
Gary Payton II

Hurt in Wednesday's Loss
Stephen Curry

Diagnosed With Quadriceps Contusion
Alvin Kamara

Doesn't Practice on Wednesday
Lukas Dostal

Out Wednesday Night
Sean Durzi

Available Against Canadiens
Thomas Chabot

to Remain Out Wednesday
Jared McCann

Expected to Rejoin Kraken Lineup Wednesday
Andre Burakovsky

a Game-Time Decision Wednesday
Zach Edey

Good to Go Versus New Orleans
Mikko Rantanen

Returns to Stars Lineup Wednesday
J.K. Dobbins

Could Return Later This Season
Shai Gilgeous-Alexander

Available on Wednesday
Mark Stone

Ready to Return Wednesday
Nikola Jović

Nikola Jovic Good to go on Wednesday
Dylan Cease

Agrees With Blue Jays on Seven-Year, $210 Million Deal
Norman Powell

Back in Action Wednesday
Giannis Antetokounmpo

Ruled Out on Wednesday Evening
Andrew Wiggins

Will Suit Up Against Milwaukee
Terry McLaurin

Plans to Play on Sunday Night
Anthony Rendon

Angels Could Buy Out Final Year of Anthony Rendon's Contract
Brandon Aiyuk

49ers Won't Open Brandon Aiyuk's Practice Window This Week
Joe Burrow

Bengals Officially Activate Joe Burrow for a Return on Thanksgiving
C.J. Stroud

Practicing Wednesday
Trey Benson

Spotted at Practice on Wednesday
Marvin Harrison Jr.

Back at Practice Wednesday
DeVonta Smith

Missing From Practice Again on Wednesday
Josh Hader

Says his Shoulder is "Back to Normal"
Ketel Marte

Diamondbacks "Actively Listening" on Ketel Marte
Jaxson Dart

to be a Full Participant at Wednesday's Practice
Dalton Kincaid

has "a Chance" to Play in Week 13
Josh Norris

Nearing Return
Kevin Lankinen

Not Traveling With Canucks
Zach Werenski

Escapes Serious Injury, May Play Wednesday
Auston Matthews

Could Be an Option Wednesday
Jason Robertson

Scores in Seventh Consecutive Game
Wyatt Johnston

Ends Dry Spell With Four-Point Performance
Vinnie Hinostroza

to Miss 4-6 Weeks
Pyotr Kochetkov

Dealing With Undisclosed Injury
J.T. Realmuto

Red Sox Showing Interest in J.T. Realmuto
Sonny Gray

Red Sox Acquire Sonny Gray From the Cardinals
CFB

Jeremiah Smith, Makai Lemon, Skyler Bell Named Biletnikoff Award Finalists
Shohei Ohtani

to Play for Team Japan in 2026 World Baseball Classic
Colorado Rockies

Warren Schaeffer to Stick Around as Rockies Manager in 2026
CFB

Chris Bell Out for Rivalry Matchup Against Kentucky
Ryan Helsley

Tigers Eyeing Ryan Helsley as a Starter
Dan Hooker

Suffers Second-Round Submission Loss
Marcus Semien

Shipped to the Mets on Sunday
Arman Tsarukyan

Gets Submission Win
Brandon Nimmo

Traded to Texas
Belal Muhammad

Loses Back-to-Back Fights
Belal Muhammad

Ian Machado Garry Outpoints Belal Muhammad
Alonzo Menifield

Suffers First-Round Knockout Loss
Volkan Oezdemir

Gets Back In The Win Column
Jack Hermansson

Gets Knocked Out
Jack Hermansson

Myktybek Orolbai Knocks Out Jack Hermansson
Shamil Gaziev

Suffers First-Round Knockout Loss
Waldo Cortes-Acosta

Shines At UFC Qatar
Tagir Ulanbekov

Suffers Third-Round Submission Loss
Kyoji Horiguchi

Makes Triumphant UFC Return

RANKINGS

QB
RB
WR
TE
K
DEF
RANKINGS
C
1B
2B
3B
SS
OF
SP
RP