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Fantasy Basketball: 10 Most Surprising MVP Candidates

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By @adammcgill83twitter.com

10 Dark Horse Fantasy MVP Candidates

russell westbrook oklahoma city thunder pg point guard
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Obviously players like LeBron James, Anthony Davis, Stephen Curry and James Harden are expect to be among the best players in the game. Their MVP-like play is hardly surprising, so it isn’t fair to include them on this list. With that in mind, here are 10 players who are putting MVP numbers this fantasy season.

10. C Hassan Whiteside, Miami Heat

Miami Heat v Boston Celtics
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10. C Hassan Whiteside, Miami Heat

Miami Heat v Boston Celtics
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Whiteside has emerged as the main frontcourt threat in Miami. He has averaged an impressive 15.6 points and 14.4 rebounds per contest over the last eight games. Not to mention his insane triple-double that included a 12-block performance at the end of last month.

9. C Andre Drummond, Detroit Pistons

Denver Nuggets v Detroit Pistons
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9. C Andre Drummond, Detroit Pistons

Denver Nuggets v Detroit Pistons
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Drummond may only be averaging a meager 12.6 points per game, but his true value comes from his 12.6 rebounds and 1.8 blocks per contest. He has become one of the top rebounding sources in all of fantasy.

8. PF Zach Randolph, Memphis Grizzlies

Memphis Grizzlies v Minnesota Timberwolves
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8. PF Zach Randolph, Memphis Grizzlies

Memphis Grizzlies v Minnesota Timberwolves
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Randolph has always been an underrated big man, but he has been as consistent as they come this season. Z-Bo is scoring 16.8 points per game, but more importantly he is grabbing a gaudy 12 rebounds per contest. He has also registered a double-double in 20 of his last 24 games.

7. PF DeMarcus Cousins, Sacramento Kings

Sacramento Kings v Utah Jazz
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7. PF DeMarcus Cousins, Sacramento Kings

Sacramento Kings v Utah Jazz
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People seem to take advantage of the 20-10 that Cousins averages each night. However, his 23.8 points and 12.5 rebounds is a step up from the 22.7 points and 11.7 boards he averaged last season. The forward continues to improve year after year and he should at least be in the conversation for fantasy MVP this season.

6. PG Kyrie Irving, Cleveland Cavaliers

Charlotte Hornets v Cleveland Cavaliers
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6. PG Kyrie Irving, Cleveland Cavaliers

Charlotte Hornets v Cleveland Cavaliers
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Despite the presence of King James, Irving has still maintained a strong scoring presence. He is dropping 21.7 points and 2.2 triples per game. Not to mention his 5.3 assists, 3.3 rebounds and 1.5 steals. Irving will be a perennial fantasy MVP candidate as long as he remains in Cleveland.

5. PG Damian Lillard, Portland Trail Blazers

Boston Celtics v Portland Trail Blazers
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5. PG Damian Lillard, Portland Trail Blazers

Boston Celtics v Portland Trail Blazers
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The point guard is dropping 21.5 points and 2.5 triples per. He is also adding a hefty 6.3 assists, 4.6 rebounds and 1.5 steals per contest. The 2013 NBA Rookie of the Year has continued his ascension into fantasy superstardom.

4. PG John Wall, Washington Wizards

Washington Wizards v Los Angeles Lakers
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4. PG John Wall, Washington Wizards

Washington Wizards v Los Angeles Lakers
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Wall is scoring 17.4 points per game to go along with a league-leading 10.1 assists. He is also grabbing 4.5 rebounds and 1.9 steals per game. Wall is putting up some of the best numbers among all the one-gaurds this fantasy season.

3. PF Pau Gasol, Chicago Bulls

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3. PF Pau Gasol, Chicago Bulls

Gasol
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Gasol has embraced the change of scenery this year. The forward is averaging a healthy 18.4 points, 12.1 rebounds, 2.1 blocks and 3 assists per contest. He is also posting an impressive 49.3 percent field goal percentage and a 81.0% free throw percentage. Gasol has been a legitimate MVP pickup this offseason.

2. SG Klay Thompson, Golden State Warriors

klay thompson 2015
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2. SG Klay Thompson, Golden State Warriors

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Stephen Curry may be among the frontrunners for fantasy MVP this year, but his fellow Splash Brother is having a break out season in his own right. He is posting a gaudy 22.1 points per game this year to go along with 3.4 rebounds and 2.9 dimes per game. Thompson has been a dark horse MVP candidate since the bringing of the fantasy season.

1. PG Russell Westbrook, Oklahoma City Thunder

Oklahoma City Thunder v Cleveland Cavaliers
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1. PG Russell Westbrook, Oklahoma City Thunder

Oklahoma City Thunder v Cleveland Cavaliers
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Westbrook had a knee injury at the beginning of the season, and as a result, the point guards missed 14 games. Since coming back, though, he has been one of the best players in fantasy. He is posting 25.8 points, 7.6 assists and 6.3 rebounds per game. He is a walking triple-double for fantasy fans.

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