RADIO
With the 2014-2015 NBA season coming up, we take a look at a few late round NBA centers that could help your team go straight to the top of the standings.
Do Not Forget the Following Centers on Draft Day
Jared Sullinger (BOS)
We are cheating a touch here, as most people have Sullinger listed as a forward. However, some sites do give him center eligibility, which in turn gives the Celtics' big man even more value. One of the knocks throughout Sullinger’s career has been his inability to stay healthy, but last season he was able to play in 74 of 82 games. He comes into this year fully healthy and could easily be the top scoring option for Boston.
In 2013-14 Sullinger posted 13.3 points to go along with 8.1 rebounds and 0.7 blocks per game. A big concern was his low 42.7 percent clip from the field, but that seems likely to go up this season. If he can find a way into the mid-high 40’s, Sullinger could bump his scoring up into the 18-20 point range. He will not be a huge contributor in blocks or steals, but not too often do you find a number one scoring option in the mid-to-late rounds of a draft.
Steven Adams (OKC)
The former first-round pick is loaded with talent, but never received a real chance to showcase his skills during his rookie campaign of 2013-14. Last season, Adams saw the court for just 15 minutes per game and thus was only able to post averages of 3.3 points, 4.1 rebounds and 0.7 blocks. However, The Thunder finally appear ready to give him the starting center role over veteran Kendrick Perkins.
Through the team’s first three preseason contests, Adams has been given nearly 24 minutes per game and has put up 18.7 points, 6.0 rebounds, 2.0 blocks and 2.0 steals. Perhaps the biggest question mark is if the second-year player can stay out of foul trouble enough to be a solid fantasy producer.
Adams will likely never be a top flight scorer, but with Kevin Durant missing a few weeks, the young 7-footer may see a few more shots to start the year. If he can get in the 28-minute range on a nightly basis, it is not out of the question for Adams to average 10 rebounds and 2.5 blocks per game.
Gorgui Dieng (MIN)
Dieng is another second-year center looking to build on a respectable rookie season. Last season, the 24 year old from Senegal averaged just 14 minutes per game, but did mix in several strong double-doubles while teammate Nikola Pekovic was injured. In 15 starts, Dieng played an average of 32 minutes and contributed 12.2 points, 12.0 rebounds and 1.7 blocks.
Dieng should be solid from the field while not turning the ball over, which is key for a late-round flyer with immense upside. He will start the year on the bench, but with Kevin Love now in Cleveland and Pekovic having a long list of injuries, Dieng is slated for an increased role this year.
Samuel Dalembert (NYK)
Dalembert can be a frustrating player to own because of his inconsistent play, but has always shown the ability to be a fantasy ace. A perfect example of this trend came last year when he went on a three-game stretch totaling 32 points, 36 rebounds and nine blocks only to follow it up with back-to back duds.
This year Dalembert moves from a Dallas team that used him primarily as a backup to a Knicks team that will sorely need his defense and rebounding on the interior. With three forwards like Carmelo Anthony, Andrea Bargnani and Amare Stoudemire, Dalembert will be the only thing resembling frontcourt defense. You should be able to pick him up in one of the last few rounds, which is excellent for a player that could be elite in blocks, field-goal percentage and rebounding.
