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

Three Undervalued Forwards for Fantasy Basketball Drafts

CC BY-SA 2.0

Johnathan Chan looks at three NBA forwards to target late in your fantasy drafts. 2016-17 fantasy basketball draft sleepers to help win your drafts.

Forward is normally a deep position in fantasy basketball. Many owners look for their forwards to be solid all around producers in the mold of Draymond Green or Kristaps Porzingis.

When getting to the later rounds of the draft, forwards become more one dimensional contributors who only provide one or two category boosts such as Kenneth Faried. Here are three deeper forward options that can provide value later in drafts. Position eligibility based on Yahoo! fantasy leagues.

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.

 

Target These Forwards in Fantasy Basketball Drafts

Dario Saric, PF, Philadelphia 76ers

Current ADP: 172

So far, Saric has been lost in the rookie hype of Ben Simmons and Joel Embiid. However, with the foot injury suffered by Simmons, owners should be looking to Saric as a late round flier who has the potential to vastly out perform his FantasyPros ADP of 172.

Over his European career, Saric averaged 15.5 points, 9.3 rebounds, 2.9 assists, 1.0 steal, and 0.7 blocks per 36 minutes. The 12th overall pick in the 2014 draft has the skills and draft pedigree to maintain this type of all around production in the NBA. Saric impressed in his debut, scoring 10 points and adding six rebounds, two assists and one block.

He was never a three-point threat early in his European career. In 2015, Saric made significant strides in that area, averaging 1.2 three pointers at a 40% clip. If Saric can continue his development from deep, he will provide a valuable weapon for a shooting deprived Sixers team.

After five years playing professional basketball in Europe, Saric is also one of the most experienced players on the team. If Saric can earn a starting role to start the year, look for him to provide above average assists (for a big man), three pointers, and just under one steal and block at the end of your draft.

 

Ryan Anderson, PF/C, Houston Rockets

Current ADP: 78

Do you want three pointers? Because drafting Ryan Anderson is how you get three pointers. Anderson had a career year in 2013-14, with averages of 19.8 points, 6.5 rebounds and 3.0 three pointers per game. His three point attempts have dipped over the last couple years, reaching a five year low at only 5.4 attempts last season.

Now playing in Mike D'antoni's system in Houston, expect those attempts to hover around his career high of 7.5. With a suddenly thin Houston front court, you can also expect Anderson to play heavy minutes and increase his rebound totals in a high tempo offense.

He will most likely be James Harden's main target on kick outs which will lead to plenty of three pointers. While Anderson won't provide many assists, blocks or steals, massive three point boost will allow owners to address those categories elsewhere in the draft.

He is also huge value due to his Yahoo! center eligibility for anyone punting FG% and/or blocks.  With a FantasyPros ADP of 78, Anderson has the chance to return a lot of value for a middle round pick.

 

Robert Covington, SF/PF, Philadelphia 76ers

Current ADP: 89

For those of you punting FG%, Covington is a forward that should be squarely in your sights. In 28 MPG last year, Covington averaged 12.8 points, 6.3 rebounds, 2.5 threes and 1.6 steals per game. While he shoots a horrid 38% from the field, he makes the perfect pairing for low percentage guards like James Harden and John Wall. With the Sixers' lack of three point shooting,

Covington will again be the high volume outside shooter for the young Philly team. An influx of inside talent (Saric and Embiid) should free up some space for Covington to let it fly. His contribution in the steals category is valuable, as that is arguably the hardest category to find on the waiver wire.

Expected improvement and a starting spot in the Sixer lineup makes Covington an excellent value pick for those with the right team build.

 


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

Aaron Rodgers

Won't Need Surgery on Fractured Wrist, Could Play in Week 12?
Davis Mills

Prepping for Third Straight Start in Week 12?
CFB

Sam Leavitt Set to Enter Transfer Portal?
Mason Rudolph

Could Make His First Start of 2025 in Week 12
Brock Wright

Sets Career-High in Targets; Lined Up for More Work?
Stephon Castle

Out Against Grizzlies
Kimani Vidal

Struggles Again and Faces Role Uncertainty After Bye
Dak Prescott

in Full Command Monday Night With Four Touchdown Passes
Quentin Johnston

Posts Zero Catches During Offensive Collapse
George Pickens

Erupts for 144 Yards, Touchdown in Monday Night Win
Jrue Holiday

Unlikely to Play Tuesday
CeeDee Lamb

George Pickens Benched for First Drive
LeBron James

Officially Listed as Questionable for Tuesday
Jose Altuve

Undergoes Foot Surgery
Giannis Antetokounmpo

Exits Monday's Game With Groin Injury
Julian Strawther

Out on Monday
Cameron Johnson

Cleared for Action Monday
Nikola Jokić

Nikola Jokic Available Against Bulls
Zaccharie Risacher

Considered Questionable for Tuesday's Game
Onyeka Okongwu

Iffy for Tuesday
Kristaps Porzingis

May Miss Another Game Tuesday
Jalen Suggs

Listed as Questionable for Tuesday
Paolo Banchero

to Remain Out Tuesday
Ayo Dosunmu

Playing on Minutes Restriction Monday
Tre Jones

Still Out Monday
Saddiq Bey

Won't Play Against OKC
Zion Williamson

Still Out on Monday Night
Jamison Battle

Available Monday
Ochai Agbaji

Remains Out Monday
Alex Singleton

Broncos Optimistic Patrick Surtain, Alex Singleton Will Return After the Bye
Trey Hendrickson

Doubtful Again in Week 12
Ausar Thompson

Misses Fourth Straight Game
Jalen Duren

Returns Against Pacers
Shedeur Sanders

Expected to Make First Career Start in Week 12
Cade Cunningham

Remains Out Monday
Josh Jacobs

Dealing With Knee Contusion
Mikael Granlund

Unavailable Monday
Alex Bregman

Red Sox Going for Either Alex Bregman or Pete Alonso?
Conor Garland

Misses Monday's Game
Eetu Luostarinen

Out on Monday
Drake London

Considered "Week-to-Week"
Drew Doughty

Listed as Week-to-Week
Ja'Marr Chase

Being Suspended for One Game for Unsportsmanlike Conduct
John Carlson

a Game-Time Call Monday
Viktor Arvidsson

Out Week-to-Week
Charlie McAvoy

Out Against Hurricanes
CFB

James Franklin to be Virginia Tech's Next Head Coach
Brandon Aiyuk

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

Could Do 11-on-11 Work This Week in Practice
Michael Penix Jr.

Heads to Injured Reserve, Could Need Full Knee Reconstruction
Tyrod Taylor

Taking Over as Jets' Starting QB
Josh Jacobs

' Knee Injury is Not Serious, but he Could Miss Week 12
Lane Johnson

Expected to Miss 4-6 Weeks With Foot Injury
CFB

Fernando Mendoza the Clear Heisman Trophy Favorite?
CFB

Beau Pribula Has Chance to Face Oklahoma on Saturday
Mitchell Marner

Establishes Vegas Record Sunday
Mats Zuccarello

Logs Two Assists in Overtime Victory
Lucas Raymond

Leads Red Wings to Victory at MSG
Quinn Hughes

Delivers Four Assists in Sunday's Win
Conor Garland

Limited to Handful of Minutes Sunday
Ryan Hartman

Suffers Lower-Body Injury
Adrian Kempe

Agrees to $85 Million Extension With Kings
Jack Della Maddalena

Gets Dominated
Islam Makhachev

Claims UFC Welterweight Belt
Zhang Weili

Gets Outclassed
Valentina Shevchenko

Wins Unanimous Decision At UFC 322
Sean Brady

Suffers First-Round TKO Loss
Michael Morales

Remains Unbeaten
Leon Edwards

Suffers Second-Round Knockout Loss
Leon Edwards

Carlos Prates Becomes The First Man To Knock Out Leon Edwards
Beneil Dariush

Suffers Brutal First-Round Knockout Loss
Beneil Dariush

Benoit Saint Denis Knocks Out Beneil Dariush In 16 Seconds
Josh Naylor

Mariners Finalizing Five-Year Contract
Scott Mayfield

Available Sunday
NYI

Max Shabanov Returns From 12-Game Absence Sunday
Samuel Honzek

Out Week-to-Week
Kirby Dach

Sidelined for 4-6 Weeks
Thatcher Demko

Considered Week-to-Week
Filip Hronek

Good to Go Sunday
Quinn Hughes

Back in Action Sunday
CFB

Jeremiah Smith, Carnell Tate Not Dealing With Long-Term Injuries
CFB

Virginia Tech Close To Naming James Franklin As Head Coach
CFB

Garrett Nussmeier Doubtful vs. Arkansas On Saturday
Edwin Díaz

Blue Jays Interested in Signing Edwin Diaz?
Jacob deGrom

Named AL Comeback Player of the Year
Ronald Acuña Jr.

Ronald Acuna Jr. Wins NL Comeback Player of the Year Award
Aroldis Chapman

Named AL Reliever of the Year
Edwin Díaz

Edwin Diaz Named NL Reliever of the Year
Justin Thomas

Will Miss Start Of 2026 After Undergoing Back Surgery
Islam Makhachev

Set For UFC 322 Main Event
Jack Della Maddalena

Set For His First Title Defense
Zhang Weili

Can Become The New Women's Flyweight Champion
Valentina Shevchenko

Set For UFC 322 Co-Main Event
Michael Morales

Looks To Remain Undefeated
CFB

Mario Craver a Game-Time Decision for Week 12
Sean Brady

Set For Title Eliminator Bout
Carlos Prates

A Favorite At UFC 322
Leon Edwards

Looks To Get Back In The Win Column
Benoît Saint Denis

Benoit Saint Denis Set To Open Up UFC 322 Main Card
Beneil Dariush

Looks To Win Back-To-Back Fights
CFB

Virginia's Chandler Morris Trending Toward Facing Duke on Saturday
Edwin Díaz

Edwin Diaz Says There's a "50-50" Chance he Returns to Mets
Shohei Ohtani

Wins his Fourth MVP Award
Aaron Judge

Wins AL MVP Award Again
Raisel Iglesias

Dodgers Interested in Signing Raisel Iglesias
Pete Alonso

Orioles Could be in the Mix to Sign Pete Alonso
Félix Bautista

Felix Bautista Could Return in Second Half in 2026
Kodai Senga

Attracting Trade Interest, Will the Mets Move him?
Yordan Alvarez

Expected to be Ready for Spring Training
Byron Buxton

Could Waive his No-Trade Clause
Paul Skenes

the Unanimous NL Cy Young Winner
Tarik Skubal

Wins AL Cy Young for Second Straight Year

RANKINGS

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