National Basketball Association

The Phoenix Suns You Should Own In Fantasy Basketball: Part 2

Published Jun. 30, 2017 6:28 p.m. ET

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Here is where it gets more competitive. In our previous article we discussed some Phoenix Suns to keep an eye on, but maybe not own in your fantasy basketball league.

In this second part of our three-piece Phoenix Suns‘ fantasy breakdown, these are some guys you will have to draft, not just look out for on the waiver wire.

(If you missed part one, read it here.)

8.) Marquese Chriss

Edging out the other rookie power forward that was drafted four spots ahead of him, Chriss is better suited to play in the NBA right now compared to Dragan Bender.

Both are raw and will have a steep learning curve, but Chriss’ athleticism alone will allow him to put together a solid stat sheet if granted enough playing time.

Chriss was fairly efficient as a shooter in college (53.0 percent from the floor, 35.0 percentage from three) and likewise should be a safe play in standard scoring leagues. With plenty of other scoring options the Suns have, Chriss will probably not put up a lot of points, but will be efficient.

Chriss is a safe late-round play in any fantasy basketball league, with an extremely high ceiling. Consider reach for him in keeper leagues as well.

2017 PROJECTION: 8.1 PPG, 1.0 SPG, 1.4 APG, 6.1 RPG, 1.2 BPG, 52.2 FG%

7.) Jared Dudley

Speaking of power forwards, Dudley is the guy who could temporarily hold that starting spot before Chriss or Bender move into the role. The former Phoenix Suns’ forward was acquired via free agency this summer, and has done one thing his entire career very well that Suns fans will love seeing again: shoot the three.

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The career 39.9 percent three-point shooter had the best year of his career five years ago in Phoenix. He averaged 12.7 PPG when he shot 48.5 percent and 38.3 percent from distance.

This season Dudley could be on pace for an even better fantasy basketball year if he gets the minutes for it, although those will be tough to come by.

Dudley will be a leader head coach Earl Watson will want on the floor with his young players. It also helps Dudley can play the shooting guard, small forward and power forward (in small lineups).

Reach for Dudley in the later rounds in any rotisserie league or head to head category league that uses three-point percentage as a statistic.

2015-2016: 7.9 PPG, 0.9 SPG, 2.1 APG, 3.5 RPG, 42.0 three-point FG%

2017 PROJECTION: 8.6 PPG, 1.1 SPG, 2.5 APG, 2.8 RPG, 40.6 three-point FG%

6.) Tyson Chandler

Someone has to do the rebounding in Phoenix, and a large part of that will be left up to Tyson Chandler, especially since the Suns are paying the veteran over $12 million. Chandler averaged a team-high 8.7 RPG last season, and will likely put up similar numbers this season.

Rebounding big men are some of the most consistent fantasy players out there, and although Alex Len will probably out-shine Chandler in overall fantasy production, Chandler is a safe, post-10th round pick that is ranked 189th on ESPN’s fantasy board.

2015-2016: 7.2 PPG, 0.5 SPG, 1.0 APG, 8.7 RPG, 58.3 FG%

2017 PROJECTION: 6.2 PPG, 0.4 SPG, 1.2 APG, 9.1 RPG, 59.6 FG%

5.) T.J. Warren

This is his breakout year.

The 2013-2014 ACC player of the year has been bottled up at times (has not played in more than 50 games in either of his first two seasons) by his own coaching staff and injuries.

The small forward will blossom in a new Phoenix Suns’ offense that has plenty of new threats. He will leave no doubt for the Suns to pick up their team option for Warren next season.

Warren will be able to operate inside the three-point line – where he can score consistently in a variety of ways – with the Suns added long-distance threats.

Watson will have plenty of choices at each forward position this year. Warren is on ESPN’s overall list at 367, but do not be afraid to grab him after the 11th or 12th-round. He will be a steady, efficient option in all leagues.

2015-2016: 11.0 PPG, 0.8 SPG, 0.9 APG, 3.1 RPG, 50.1 FG%

2017 PROJECTION: 13.1, 1.0 SPG, 1.1 APG, 3.5 RPG, 51.8 FG%

Any other fantasy basketball questions? Hit me with them on twitter @trox3 and stay tuned for part three of our Phoenix Suns’ fantasy basketball preview.

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