Punting free throw percentage (FT%) usually isn’t a draft strategy done by choice, but it can be a viable strategy nonetheless. If this type of punt is done with a solid draft plan, you can build a really strong fantasy basketball team on draft day.
If you find yourself drafting John Wall, Andre Drummond, DeAndre Jordan, Dwight Howard, Rudy Gobert or even Hassan Whiteside, a punt FT% team build is something you should consider. If you choose to take this route, there are a few players that you should target in drafts. While others may stay away from them, you can probably draft them at a discount.
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How to Punt FT% and Still Win Drafts
Guard - Rajon Rondo (PG, CHI)
For point guard, by far the best option for a FT% punt strategy would be Rajon Rondo. His FT% sits right around 60%, but Rondo can really help in most of the counting stats from that PG position. Rando was top ten among PG in assist (he led the league), rebounds, FG%, and steals. Rondo has the ability to stuff the stat sheet, and is ranked low enough that you can get him at a really great value.
Forward - Nerlens Noel (PF/C, NO)
When it comes to the forward position, a player that really performs across the board is Nerlens Noel. Also around a 60% FT shooter, if you can absorb this hit the production everywhere else is worth it. Noel was a top ten player for the forward position in FG%, blocks, rebounds and steals. A key point to also take into consideration is the fact that he would likely be dealt before the end of the season, and traded to a team that would showcase his abilities even more.
Center - Clint Capela (C/PF, HOU)
When drafting centers, it is really easy to get stuck with a sub-60% FT shooter. With that in mind, if you have to roster a low FT% player you can at least draft a center that can really gives you some great production in the other categories. Clint Capela has a small sample size when you look at his stats from last year - but with Howard being shipped out of town, he has a chance to really bump up his numbers. If you look at his production per 48 minutes, Capela lands in the top seven for centers in steals and blocks. He also falls just out of the top 15 in rebounds. Capela shot 58% from the field last year, and with D’Antoni's new offense I can see that going up above 60% this year.
Other Options
Other players to note that are pretty good for punt FT builds are: Michael Carter Williams, Thaddeus Young, Elfrid Payton, Rondae Hollis-Jefferson, and Jared Sullinger. All of these players sit outside of the top 50 rankings, and can give you great production in counting stats (as well as some out-of-position stats like rebounds).
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