The 2020-21 NBA season is set to begin this month and that means it’s time to start prepping for fantasy basketball. There are tons of power forwards who are being undervalued and we’ve identified some worth keeping an eye on. Let’s take a look at four sleepers who could outperform their ESPN ADP.
Note: Average Draft Position on ESPN can be found via FantasyPros.
Christian Wood, Houston Rockets
ESPN ADP: 101
ESPN seems ridiculously low considering on Wood and I think he’s primed for a breakout year in his first season with Houston. His 2019-20 stats were watered down because he started in a bench role but he tallied 22 points and 10.6 rebounds per 36 minutes in his final run with the Detroit Pistons. He has two elite pick-and-roll guards in James Harden and John Wall and is a capable three-point shooter who shot 38.6 percent from deep last season. There’s a good chance he plays around 30 minutes per night and carries the rebounding load for a Rockets team that’s known for small ball.
Brandon Clarke, Memphis Grizzlies
ESPN ADP: 100
Clarke looked like the steal of the 2019 NBA Draft for stretch last season and will step into a larger role early on while Jaren Jackson is on the shelf recovering from the torn meniscus he suffered in the bubble. His per 36 averages of 19.4 points and 9.6 rebounds are encouraging. He should be a nightly double-double threat for as long as Jackson is out, in my opinion.
Serge Ibaka, Los Angeles Clippers
ESPN ADP: 98
Ibaka put up a career highs in points (15.4) and rebounds (8.2) per game last season while splitting minutes between power forward and center. It’s impressive that he posted those numbers off the bench and he’ll fill the void for a Clippers team that lost the reigning Sixth Man of the Year in Motrezl Harrell. Kawhi Leonard and Paul George will do the heavy lifting on offense, but Ibaka is a capable pick-and-pop shooter and could be the biggest man in Los Angelels’s starting lineup. His rim protection and rebounding will keep him on the floor.
Chris Boucher, Toronto Raptors
Yahoo ADP: 145
ESPN doesn’t have an ADP available for Boucher but he’s in position to be one of the fastest risers at the power forward position. He’ll likely play some 4 and 5 and has a chance to win a starting job with the Raptors. Serge Ibaka and Marc Gasol are gone so the 2019 G League MVP and Defensive Player of the Year has a clear path to consistent minutes. He runs the floor well, shoots threes, blocks shots, and rebounds at a high level and has averaged 19.3 points and 12.3 rebounds per 36 over the last two seasons. Aaron Baynes is 33 and has only played more than 20 minutes per game once in his career. It’s only safe to say that Boucher will get plenty of burn.