Larry Nance, Jr. (PF, LAL) - NBA Waiver Wire Pickups

BALLER MOVE: Add for Rebounds and High FG%

OWNED: 12% of Yahoo! Fantasy Basketball Leagues

Larry Nance Jr. may never be able to escape his famous last name, but at least it makes him pop off the page almost as much as his college career at Wyoming did. Nance was a late first round pick when many expected him to fall to the second round, and so far, Nance has rewarded the Lakers for the chance that they took on his talent. So far this season, Nance has averaged 5.8 points, 4.8 rebounds, and 0.6 steals per game while starting 15 out of his 30 games played and averaging 20.1 minutes per contest. This is equivalent to 10.3 points, 8.7 rebounds, and 1.1 steals per 36 minutes played. So Nance on the season has been offering solid production in three statistical categories.

He has especially stepped it up in the last two weeks.  In his last five games, Nance has averaged a double-double with 11.6 points and 10.4 rebounds, all while shooting for a monstrous .700 FG%. Coach Byron Scott has praised Nance's work ethic, hustle, and athleticism, while blasting the lackadaisical play of Nance's competition for playing time, Julius Randle. Nance has proven so far that he is capable of contributing on the defensive end more than Randle -- which should continue to earn him playing time on its own. The fact that he has cemented himself as a solid scoring option and a real monster on the glass is icing on the cake.

While Nance gets you almost nothing in several categories -- threes, assists, and, most annoyingly, blocks -- he is also nothing in a good way in two categories, as he only turns the ball over 1.8 per 36 and his 1.1 FTA per 36 means his .632 FT% won't hurt you. And when it comes to his positive categories, he has turned into a massive source of rebounds and FG%. Add Nance now before it's too late.