Skal Labissiere

Last year, Labissiere arguably regressed from his rookie campaign -- never an encouraging sign. Despite seeing over two minutes more per tilt, he saw his scoring, rebounding, and field-goal percentage dip. That’s not to say he didn't show flashes, as the second-year big man posted three double-doubles, plus two 20-point games, and four performances with at least three blocks. Regardless, it will be difficult for Labissiere to find more run this season, as the Kings drafted power forward/center Marvin Bagley with the No. 2 overall pick in the 2018 Draft. Willie Cauley-Stein is also expected to continue starting at the five. While Labissiere still makes for a fair Fantasy option in deeper dynasty formats, his upside is severely limited this season.

Labissiere, a rookie during the 2016-17 campaign, emerged for the Kings last year after the team traded away DeMarcus Cousins at the deadline. Post All-Star break, Labissiere provided 10.8 points and 6.0 rebounds across 22.4 minutes while shooting 54.1 percent from the field. While he still has work to do as a stretch-four, hitting three of his only eight attempts from beyond the arc last season, the 7-foot forward out of Kentucky has shown promise as a scorer and rebounder. At only 235 pounds, Labissiere isn’t throwing anyone around on his way to the cup, but has shown promise due to his smoothness and general athleticism in both transition and the halfcourt. He’s not just a dunker, either, as he’s shown legitimate promise as a mid-range shooter, going an efficient 47-of-86 (54.7 percent) from 10 feet to the three-point line. Though he was poised to probably see 30-plus minutes a game before the team signed veteran frontcourt threat Zach Randolph, Labissiere could very well split time with the veteran, which would place him somewhere around the workload he saw after the All-Star break last season. As a result, Labissiere may still be a fringe option in most Fantasy formats, though is certainly worth a look in deeper leagues and should warrant strong consideration in DFS when the Kings suffer a frontcourt injury.

Labissiere wasn't immune to the trend of lesser-accomplished college big men falling out of the lottery in the June draft, but the Kings ended his misery by taking him with the No. 28 overall pick. In heading to Sacramento, Labissiere will find himself in friendly quarters, as he'll be able to learn under two former Kentucky frontcourt standouts in DeMarcus Cousins and Willie Cauley-Stein. Part of the reason Labissiere disappointed during his lone season of college ball was that his skill set didn't fit into what coach John Calipari was looking for from his center. Labissiere belongs on the perimeter as a stretch big, not on the low block as a post presence. He attempted just two three-pointers as a freshman, but that will be a big part of his game if he's to have success in the NBA. In addition to his ability to stretch the floor, the other top tool Labissiere brings to the table is his ability to protect the rim. He averaged 1.6 blocks in just 15.8 minutes per game, and on a per-minute basis, that put him at the same pace as Karl-Anthony Towns, when he was a freshman at Kentucky. There likely won't be many opportunities right off the bat for Labissiere to see many minutes behind Cousins and Cauley-Stein as a rookie, but in time, he could give the Kings the sort of skill set that perfectly complements that duo.