Categories matter in the world of fantasy hoops, but the player providing production in those categories is a big deal. You can typically expect a big to excel in rebounding, blocks, and FG% while struggling with FT%, assists, or threes. Likewise, guards will often negatively impact your blocks, turnovers, and FG%. When you can find a guy who bucks the trend, you’ve got a recipe for success.
Today, I’ll highlight players who provide useful production in categories not typical og their position. Elite players are mentioned, but the idea of this article is to also shed light on players you should be able to draft outside the first few rounds.
Top-150 Player Rankings with Notes 
Rebounds
Josh Hart (NOP): Russell Westbrook led all guard-eligible players in rebounds last season with 11.6. Tied for second? Luka Doncic and Hart with 8.0 apiece.
Donte DiVincenzo (MIL): DiVincenzo averaged 5.8 boards last season in 27.5 minutes per game in 2020-21. His per-36 rebounding numbers are 7.5 in each of his last two seasons.
Other options: Dejounte Murray, Russell Westbrook, Luka Doncic, James Harden, LaMelo Ball, Ben Simmons, R.J. Barrett
Assists
Thaddeus Young (SAS): “Thagic Johnson” averaged a career-high 4.3 dimes last season, and he looked mighty impressive operating as a point forward for Chicago. He’ll get an opportunity to build on that production with the Spurs this season, as the aging vet could play a key role for the rebuilding team.
Mason Plumlee (CHA): Plumlee ranked 11th in assists per game last season (3.6) and has been an elite source of per-minute assists in each of his last six. I wouldn’t bet against him exceeding that 3.6 mark on a team that’s loaded with shooters, scorers, and playmakers.
Other options: Draymond Green, Nikola Jokic, Domantas Sabonis, Giannis Antetokounmpo, Julius Randle, Karl-Anthony Towns, Bam Adebayo, Al Horford
Steals
Larry Nance (POR): Nance was one of the league leaders in steals last season and tied for most per game among center-eligible players with Draymond Green.
Andre Drummond (PHI): Drummond has been a strong source of swipes throughout his career, having averaged 1.6 per game across the last six seasons.
Other options: Draymond Green, OG Anunoby, Robert Covington, Nikola Jokic, Jae’Sean Tate, Domantas Sabonis, Mitchell Robinson, Jaren Jackson
Blocks
Matisse Thybulle (PHI): Thybulle’s 1.1 blocks was most among all guard eligible players who appeared in at least 35 games last season. He also averaged 1.6 swipes, and with Ben Simmons almost certainly done in Philly, there should be more minutes to go around for Thybulle.
Derrick White (SAS): Among the same group of guard-eligible players mentioned above, White was one of only three (Thybulle, Andrew Wiggins) to average at least 1.0 swat per contest.
Other options: Kevin Durant, Jonathan Isaac, Jerami Grant, Aleksej Pokusevski, James Harden, Tobias Harris, Derrick Jones, Andrew Wiggins, Mikal Bridges
Threes
Marcus Morris (LAC): Morris has averaged 2.4 triples per game over the last two seasons, and there’s no reason to expect a dropoff now. With Kawhi Leonard out indefinitely, Morris should see a boost in minutes and offensive usage.
Lauri Markkanen (CLE): One of the most consistent long-range shooting bigs in the game, Markkanen has stroked better than two triples per game throughout his career.
Other options: Kristaps Porzingis, Robert Covington, Christian Wood, Julius Randle, PJ Washington, Davis Bertans, Bojan Bogdanovic
FG%
T.J. McConnell (IND): McConnell has shot 51.0% from the floor over the course of his career, and his elite shooting paired with solid swipes and dimes makes TJM an excellent under-the-radar draft choice.
Joe Harris (BKN): Harris has shot 49.5% from the field over the last four seasons, which is pretty incredible for a guy who’s averaged 9.9 shots, including 5.5 triples per contest.
Other options: Mikal Bridges, Ben Simmons, Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, Jrue Holiday, Jalen Brunson
FT%
Kelly Olynyk (DET): Bigs who can shoot effectively from the charity stripe provide a nice bonus in that category. Olynyk has shot 84.1% from the foul line over the last three seasons.
Al Horford (BOS): He’s shot at least 78% from the free-throw line in five of his last six seasons.
Other options: Nikola Jokic, Nikola Vucevic, Karl-Anthony Towns, Kristaps Porzingis, Brook Lopez, John Collins, Julius Randle, Jaren Jackson, Bam Adebayo
Zachary Hanshew is a featured writer at FantasyPros. For more from Zachary, check out his archive and follow him @zakthemonster.
