If you’re looking at the waiver wire this early in the season, it could mean one of two things: either you’re a diligent fantasy general manager who is always on the lookout for who’s got next, or your team is in trouble already. Hopefully it’s the former. On that note, let’s take a look at some of the early power forwards that are being added in fantasy basketball leagues.
Gorgui Dieng
Minnesota Timberwolves
Karl-Anthony Towns has been an absolute monster in his rookie season for Minnesota but beyond him, the Timberwolves haven’t gotten much production from their big men so far. Dieng, Nemanja Bjelica, Adreian Payne and Kevin Garnett have split minutes in Minnesota’s rotation but Dieng has looked like the best of that group, which means he could be in line for a bigger role. Dieng has averaged 6.8 points, 4.6 rebounds and 1.0 steals in just 20.6 minutes per game this season. If he gets a stronger push at any point, he would have the potential to become a legitimate fantasy option.
Aaron Gordon
Orlando Magic
Gordon was on the majority of sleeper fantasy pick lists before the season started but if he was passed on in your league, then you better grab him now before he is gone. The fourth-overall pick from the 2014 NBA Draft has averaged 9.6 points, 5.3 rebounds and 0.9 blocks in just 18.6 minutes per game this year. He should only continue to see more playing time as he grows more comfortable with the Magic. However, keep in mind that Scott Skiles is something apprehensive when it comes to trusting young players and you can see that with Gordon. He’s played as many as 32 minutes in a game and as little as four since November 3rd. Nikola Vucevic and Tobias Harris probably limit his ceiling a little bit but it’s been clear early on that there is room for all three of them to get minutes and contribute.
Meyers Leonard
Portland Trail Blazers
Leonard was another popular sleeper pick before the season but after struggling through Portland’s first four games, he was dropped in a number of leagues. That means he could be available on the waiver wire right now. Leonard has averaged 15.5 points, 3.5 rebounds and 2.0 threes in 30.0 minutes per game in his last two starts. It’s clearly evident just how valuable of a player he can be when he gets minutes. In the month of November, he’s averaged 9.6 points, 4.6 rebounds, 1.6 assists, 1.0 threes and 0.6 blocks. That’s just in 26 minutes, which we should expect to see climb. Once he starts playing in the 30’s, he’s going to be a valuable commodity. There aren’t many big men who can offer you three-pointers, so if you’re looking for a sneaky source, he’s a good player to own.
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Dwight Powell
Dallas Mavericks
The DeAndre Jordan offseason debacle left the Mavericks in a difficult position up front as they are very thin on talent and depth. As a result, Dallas has been forced to rely more heavily on their young players and one of the biggest beneficiaries of the bigger role has been Powell. The 2014 second-round pick is just 24 years old but appears to be coming into his own. He has averaged 11.1 points, 7.7 rebounds and 1.3 assists and 0.7 blocks in 21.9 minutes per game this season and those are decent numbers when you consider the minutes and the fact that he’s not starting. When you start looking at the other options the Mavericks have up front, it’s pretty clear that the potential is there for Powell’s numbers to get even better throughout the season. He’s competing with guys like Charlie Villanueva, Dirk Nowitzki, Jeremy Evans, Zaza Pachulia and JaVale McGee for minutes. All of those guys are veterans who are past their prime whereas Powell could be a core piece of the future. He’s a reasonable add in this spot.
