Mark L. Baer-USA TODAY Sports
It’s early, folks.
Heading into Week 3 of the fantasy hoops season, owners have a pretty firm idea of how both their players and teams are shaping out. But again, two weeks doesn’t make or break your fantasy season. Still, it’s always wise to add more depth to your roster, especially in fantasy basketball when there are boatloads of free agents on the wire. Add guys according to the categories you are in need of. Add guys to simply block the opposition from grabbing them. Just don’t ever think your team is good enough.
There’s always room for improvement.
Note: Ownership percentages are based off ESPN leagues.
Vitor Faverani, Boston Celtics (13.3%): Faverani may be a rookie in the big leagues, but he’s been playing overseas for quite some time, so the experience is there. Averaging just 19.4 minutes per game, Faverani is making the most out of his playing time, averaging 6.1 points, 5.3 rebounds and 1.6 blocks per contest. Those numbers are basically better than rookie Kelly Olynyk’s, despite playing almost four less minutes per game. Head coach Brad Stevens is still tinkering with his starting lineup, and while Olynyk started Boston’s last game, Faverani had started the prior six games. He’ll be very involved in this offense this season, and could very well log starter’s minutes the rest of the way. If you need blocks and rebounds, Faverani is definitely worth a look.
Dion Waiters, Cleveland Cavaliers (37.2%): Coming out of college, Waiters was thought of as a talented combo guard who can get on a hot streak scoring the basketball. He’s done just that recently, netting 21 points per game over his last three contests. Logging a healthy 31 minutes per game and playing alongside Kyrie Irving, Waiters will continue to see plenty of opportunity in this Cavaliers offense. Averaging 14.4 points, 2.3 assists and 3.4 rebounds per game isn’t the sexiest stat line, but he is averaging a very impressive two steals per game, which is gold for fantasy owners. Waiters is also taking 14.1 shots per game, averaging 1.4 three-pointers in the process. He can get on a hot streak, and when he does, fantasy owners should continue to ride it. This could be the start of a breakout season for the second-year Syracuse product.
Andrea Bargnani, New York Knicks (47.1%): With Tyson Chandler (leg) sidelined for the foreseeable future, newly acquired Bargnani has stepped in as the Knicks’ starting center. It will be interesting to see how the Knicks fare, especially considering that Chandler and Bargnani are two polar opposites at the center position. Chandler, one of the best rebounding and defensive bigs in the game, versus Bargnani, a straight shooter. His first start was a memorable one, netting 25 points, while adding an uncharacteristic eight rebounds and five blocks. You won’t see those totals again, but when he’s hot, Bargnani can score 20 with ease, especially in an offense that will draw defensive attention towards Carmelo Anthony. If you are in need of some three-pointers, Bargnani is your guy, averaging 1.4 three-pointers per game on 3.4 attempts. He’s averaging a solid 30.5 minutes per game in his two starts at center, and is a must-add if you need a big man.
J.J. Hickson, Denver Nuggets (47%): Another injury creates opportunity for a young big man. I’ve always been a fan of Hickson’s game, and when given more usage, he can be an All-Star. We saw that during his final season with the Cavaliers, where he 14 points, eight rebounds and 1.1 assists. Hickson is immensely talented, and still just 25-years of age. If he can see 30 minutes each night, he’ll flirt with double double potential. On Monday night, Hickson will make his third straight start at center with JaVale McGee out with a broken leg. He has more experience at the center position than Timofey Mozgov, having started 80 games last season with the Trail Blazers, and I think he is the guy going forward for the Nuggets with McGee sidelined.
Adam Pfeifer is a featured fantasy sports columnist for Rant Sports.
You can follow him on Twitter @aPfeiferRS.
