Welcome to Week 3 of the NFL season. Today on RotoBaller, we will be taking a closer look at four forwards available in most leagues who can provide a spark in the coming week. Be sure to also check out our Week 3 Waiver Wire Centers and Guards.
Position Eligibility & Ownership Rate Based on Yahoo! Fantasy Basketball Player List
NBA Week 3 Waiver Wire: Forwards
C.J. Miles (SG/SF, IND) - 18% owned
Coming into this year, C.J. Miles had only started 43% of games out of 575 career games spread across ten NBA seasons. He averaged only 21 MPG. This year in Indiana, Miles has gotten the start in four out of five games he's played, averaging a career best 27.8 MPG. Miles offers solid versatility for a sleeper. He currently averages 11.6 points per game, holds a solid eFG% of .500, and has solid career figures of 35% from beyond the arc and 80% from the FT line.
On top of solid offensive contributions this season, Miles has also exploded defensively for two steals a game. If you consider the metrics, it shouldn't be a huge shock. If Miles has career average of 1.3 steals per 36 minutes with no season with a lower average than a steal per game. Most telling: Miles currently has a Steal% of 3.6%, good for sixth in all of the league. If you need solid contribution in scoring and shooting with a heavy emphasis on swipes, C.J. Miles is a great option.
Josh Smith (SF/PF, LAC) - 15% owned
Since when did 85% of owners need a reminder to take advantage of Josh Smith? I guess since he's playing on arguably the most loaded front court in basketball. Regardless of Smith's severely diminished playing time (13.7 MPG), he is still averaging 4.1 rebounds and 1.6 blocks per game. That averages out to 10.9 rebounds and a fantastic 4.1 blocks per game over 36 minutes. Smith also has a career Steal% of 2% to accompany his excellent career Block% of 4.6%. His Block% this season of 8.2% would rank 5th in the NBA behind Karl-Anthony Towns if Smith had enough minutes to qualify. He is as sure a bet as anyone on the waiver wire to produce blocked shots as a SF/PF combo, with massive upside if minutes open up.
Clint Capela (PF/C, HOU, Owned in 13% of Yahoo leagues)
Clint Capela feels so familiar to me despite having only played in 19 total games (three games started this season) and just 222 minutes in his NBA career. This year he's started to play a more consistent role, with 18.9 MPG. No matter how long he is on the floor; Capela is a threat to efficiently score, grab rebounds, and block shots. Capela currently leads the NBA with a .794 FG% in averaging 8.6 points per game. In 11.7 MPG Capela has averaged 4.8 points, 4.3 rebounds, and 1.2 blocks in his career. Per 36 minutes, those rates extrapolate to 14.9 points, 13.3 rebounds, and a remarkable 3.6 blocks. His current Block% of 7.5% ranks sixth in the NBA. Clint Capela is a rising 21 year old prospect from Switzerland who is shining in his limited court time. His upside if his minutes continue to grow is sky high. Owners in deeper leagues should add him while they have a chance.
Matt Barnes (SG/SF, MEM, Owned in 7% of Yahoo leagues)
At 22 MPG for the Memphis Grizzlies, Matt Barnes is once again staying in line with his consistent career average of about 23.1 MPG. It is no secret that Barnes's strength lies in his defense. Since 2003, Barnes has career figures of 0.7 blocks and 1.2 steals per 36 minutes played, and this season is averaging 1.8 steals and 1.6 blocks per 36 minutes played. 4% is a pretty good Block% for a 6'7'' SG/SF combo. In his current actual playing time Barnes averages 1.1 steals and 1.0 block per game along with 6.8 points and 3.6 rebounds. If you are in a deeper league and are looking to pack defensive prowess into every available roster spot, Matt Barnes is playing solid defense for his 13th consecutive season.
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