Anybody can load up on superstar players that score in bunches every night and enjoy enough success to at least make their fantasy NBA playoffs. But in order to actually win a championship, general managers have to be able to fill out a number of statistics across the board. A big man that can register a double-double every night isn’t nearly as effective if he can’t block, has terrible field goal and free throw percentages. That leads to situations where players that have a positive impact in one area could have a very negative impact in another.
There are some big men that do a good job of contributing to the “big man” categories, but also can chip in with stats that you’d expect from a guard, like three-point shooting. On that note, let’s take a look at the top big men in the NBA that can help you with you 3-pointers.
Kevin Love – Cleveland Cavaliers
For all of the talk this season about the areas where Love can be better in order to help the Cavaliers reach their championship aspirations, it is hard to find a better big man in terms of overall fantasy production. Love has averaged 16.5 points and 10.0 rebounds per game this season but it is his contributions in other key categories that make him such a dangerous weapon. Love has averaged nearly two three-point shots per game along with a couple of assists and a .433 field goal percentage on the year. There aren’t many big men that can stretch the floor and consistently contribute three-point shots like Love does. And the way the Cavs offense has been setup, he’s been asked to stretch the floor more than play in the post. He still maintains quality point and rebound totals, and that is what separates Love from the others as such a valuable fantasy commodity.
Channing Frye – Orlando Magic
In terms of centers that can match Love’s production purely from a three-point production standpoint, there is nobody else out there other than Frye. The former Arizona big man parlayed a successful run in Phoenix in to a new deal with the Magic and while he has maintained his three-point shooting ability with an average of two per game, his overall numbers have been a major disappointment.
Frye has averaged just 7.5 points and 4.0 rebounds this season, so while he is capable of providing three-point shots as a big man, he can’t be relied on for much more than that in fantasy basketball leagues.
Ryan Anderson – New Orleans Pelicans
Anderson can’t be slotted in to the center position in NBA fantasy leagues but his average of 2.1 three-point shots per game this season is slightly better than both Love and Frye, and he is a steady contributor across the board as an excellent value option at the power forward position. Anderson has averaged 14.6 points and 5.1 rebounds per game for the Pelicans this season and it’s important to fact that he’s been banged up this season. While he doesn’t provide much in terms of blocks, steals or assists, the fact that he can hold his own in terms of points, rebounds and of course three-point shooting makes him a valuable fantasy commodity.
Marcus Morris – Phoenix Suns
Morris is another example of a role player that might not provide elite numbers across the board but can be a steady contributor and provide extra value as a big man that can shoot the three-ball. Morris has averaged 10.6 points and 4.6 rebounds per game for Phoenix this season and he’s played even better since the All-Star break, averaging 12.4 points, 6.4 rebounds, 2.2 assists, 0.8 steals and 1.5 threes.
On the season, his healthy contribution of 1.4 three-point shots and his 44.3% shooting makes him a quality fantasy find in a depth role at the power forward spot.
