The rise of Blake Griffin as one of the most dangerous fantasy players in the NBA with the Los Angeles Clippers combined with Pau Gasol finding the fountain of youth with the Chicago Bulls has resulted in both players being set to make tremendous leaps when it comes to what their average draft positions will be in annual NBA fantasy leagues next season. Griffin and Gasol aren’t alone on the list of power forwards set to move up on draft boards. Here are five guys who had excellent seasons that will be going much earlier in drafts this time around:
Blake Griffin, Los Angeles Clippers
Griffin was already among the top players taken in annual NBA fantasy leagues this past year but his ADP of a second round pick isn’t likely to happen again next year. Griffin finally put it all together this season when he averaged 21.9 points, 7.6 rebounds and 5.3 assists and the potential is definitely there for him to slightly top those averages again next year. Just take a look at his playoff numbers: 25.5 points per game, 12.7 rebounds, 6.1 assists, 5.4 free throws, 1.0 blocks and 1.0 steals. If you believe he can play like that the whole season, then he’s got to be in the conversation as a top-three pick as he enters the prime of his career. Griffin has the numbers to be a franchise player at the power forward position for a fantasy team and he will undoubtedly have a high first-round grade on him following this year’s performance.
Pau Gasol, Chicago Bulls
Gasol was undoubtedly among the best value bargain players in annual fantasy leagues with an average draft position of 58.7, which translates to a fifth or sixth round pick this season. Gasol turned back the clock as he put up the numbers of a potential second round pick as he averaged 18.5 points, 11.8 rebounds, 2.7 assists and 1.9 blocks per game. Gasol played in 78 games for Chicago, which was a pleasant surprise considering he had only played in 60, 42 and 65 games the previous three seasons. With another full year of experience and chemistry with his Bulls’ teammates and perhaps a new head coach in Chicago that will be more offense-oriented, the potential is there for Gasol to be picked between the second and fourth rounds as one of the first power forwards off the board.
Nerlens Noel, Philadelphia 76ers
Griffin and Gasol might both go earlier than Noel in annual NBA fantasy leagues but expect the 76er to be one of the highest risers. He was a sixth round pick on average last season but that won’t be the case again this year. The potential is there for Noel to make a serious leap in production in his second full season and the main reason for it is how he finished the season. After the All-Star break, he averaged 13.1 points per game with 10.0 rebounds, 2.3 blocks, 2.1 steals and 1.9 assists. Those are some monstrous numbers – especially the blocks and steals, which are usually tougher stat categories to fill. Noel will be a hot commodity at the front end of drafts next season. Don’t expect him to last beyond the third round of standard leagues.
Tobias Harris, Orlando Magic
Harris averaged 17.1 points, 6.3 rebounds, 1.8 assists and 1.0 steals per game in his fifth NBA season and it’s amazing that he has already logged as many seasons and is just 22 years old. Similar to Noel, you have to like the way he finished the season. Harris averaged 18.7 points, 8.1 rebounds, 1.9 threes, 1.0 assists, 2.6 free throws, 0.7 steals and 0.6 blocks in the final month of the season.
Harris has all of the tools to be a quality contributor in annual NBA fantasy leagues and considering his average 94.6 overall section spot, which translates to a ninth round pick this year, he should be one of the major risers among power forwards looking forward to next season.
