Aday Mara is making a real push to be a fantasy threat entering his rookie season, putting up major preseason numbers with the Oklahoma City Thunder.
The NBA preseason has provided some breakout players making a final push to land a roster spot or prominent place in a team’s rotation. As fans gear up for fantasy basketball season, some of these names could end up on your Yahoo High Score teams moving forward. Here are five notable preseason standouts with their High Score fantasy points per game.
Aday Mara, Oklahoma City Thunder
36.8 High Score fantasy points per game (4 games)
There’s a reason to believe Mara can establish himself with the Thunder’s rotation as a legitimate backup center after watching him through four preseason games. The 12th overall pick in this year’s NBA Draft is averaging 15.3 points, 7.3 rebounds, 3 assists and an eye-popping 2.8 blocks thus far.
Oklahoma City shouldn’t have any issues protecting the paint when Mara is on the floor, but his court vision has also been impressive in watching him this preseason. The 7-foot-3 big man can see over defenders easily, operating closer to the 3-point line and finding teammates cutting off the ball.
Yaxel Lendeborg, Golden State Warriors
36.3 High Score fantasy points per game (4 games)
Much like his Michigan teammate in Mara, Lendeborg has also been an all-around contributor this preseason. Golden State’s lottery pick has put up 15.3 points, 8.3 rebounds and 3.8 assists a night while shooting 54.8% from the field and 38.5% from 3-point range.
Lendeborg could end up as a starting forward, benefiting from the likes of Stephen Curry and Draymond Green. His two-way impact could mean big numbers for fantasy users entering Year 1.
Kyshawn George, Washington Wizards
33.3 High Score fantasy points per game (3 games)
Washington’s rotation will be extremely competitive with Anthony Davis and Trae Young fully healthy, but George could remain a starting guard based on last season. The preseason only backs that up.
Through three games, the 6-foot-8 sniper is averaging 15.7 points, 3.7 rebounds, 3 assists, 1.3 steals and 1.3 blocks, contributing on both ends of the floor. That’s the kind of production that gets you integrated in your team’s rotation, which bodes well for fantasy users.
Luka Garza, Boston Celtics
33 High Score fantasy points per game (2 games)
The Celtics’ center room got crowded with the addition of Mitchell Robinson this offseason, but Garza could make a name for himself in Boston as a floor spacer, alternating between the forward and center positions.
Garza has a total of 30 points and 17 rebounds through two preseason games, and after a career-high 8.1 points and 4.1 rebounds per game last season, he could still land opportunities in Boston’s rotation.
Tristan da Silva, Orlando Magic
31.7 High Score fantasy points per game (3 games)
In 22.8 minutes across three preseason contests, da Silva has been an extremely efficient and consistent scorer, particularly from beyond the arc. The third-year forward is shooting 37.5% from 3-point range thus far for an average of 18 points.
That 18 points goes along with 3.7 rebounds, 3 assists and 1.3 steals per game. da Silva should be a viable backup forward in Orlando.
