When it comes to finding the elite fantasy basketball players at their position, there is always an element of added value that applies to those that are able to fill the largest variety of statistics across the board. That includes the areas that players at their position aren’t known for producing high volumes in, such as rebounding with guards.
While the top fantasy guards are expected to produce points, assists and even three-point shots, the one area were some of the best are able to separate themselves from the rest the most is in terms of rebounds. Here are five guards that can give your rebounding a boost:
1. Russell Westbrook – Oklahoma City Thunder
Westbrook has put up MVP level numbers this season and from a fantasy perspective, it’s difficult to overstate the important of his league-leading 10 triple-doubles this season. Westbrook can do it all and one area that separates himself from other elite guards is his consistent production on the boards as he has averaged nearly 10 rebounds per game this season. The absence of Kevin Durant has allowed Westbrook to shine as the Thunder’s top player and he has rewarded his fantasy owners with 30.4 points per game, 10.5 assists, 8.9 rebounds 2.0 steals and 1.5 threes per game since the All-Star break. He’s on pace to finish with 8.6 rebounds per game this season, which would be a career-high mark for him.
2. James Harden – Houston Rockets
Harden is the second-best option on the board behind Westbrook in a number of categories this season as he has averaged 27.5 points and 7.0 assists per game while also contributing on the boards with an average of 5.7 rebounds. Those assist numbers have been even better in the second half of the season as he’s averaging 7.4 compared to 6.8 before.
Harden’s durability has been among his biggest assets and even though he plays on a team with Dwight Howard, Terrence Jones and Josh Smith, he’s still found his way to the rebounds. While the debate will continue about who the better option is between Westbrook and Harden, the stats indicate that the Rockets MVP is the second-best option on the boards.
3. Rajon Rondo – Dallas Mavericks
Rondo’s production has slipped somewhat from his glory days with the Boston Celtics but he is still a steady contributor. And in terms of rebounds, he’s still a primary source among guards. Rondo has averaged close to a double-double with 11.7 points and 9.8 assists last season and while his point totals have dipped this season, the rebounding is far off. He was actually collecting 7.5 rebounds per game with Boston, which would have been a career-high. However, Dallas has more size, so he hasn’t been asked to do as much in that realm with the Mavs.
Rondo might not be at his best this year because of all of the turmoil and changes, but he could be a guard to keep an eye on as a quality producer across the board if he ends up in a better situation as a free agent this summer.
4. Jimmy Butler – Chicago Bulls
One of the bright spots for the Bulls this season has been the play of Butler, who has emerged as arguably the team’s go-to guard ahead of Derrick Rose. Butler has been able to contribute at a high level across the board and has been a steady contributor on the boards with an average of 5.9 rebounds per game. That’s the fourth-best rebounding number among guards.
5. Ricky Rubio – Minnesota Timberwolves
Rubio might always have trouble staying healthy but when he isn’t injured, he is a quality contributor and a quality source of rebounds among guards. Rubio has averaged 10.3 points, 8.8 assists and 5.7 rebounds per game this year. Those are excellent averages and could go up across the board as the young players around him improve. If he was ever able to stay healthy for an entire season, he’d be one of the best options at the position.
