Math is the great equalizer. Fantasy basketball is a numbers game in the purest sense. You have X number of lineup spots, and your goal is to maximize the stats that come out of each. How you get to those numbers is irrelevant -- if all your steals come from your centers, who cares? At the end of the day it’s all about who has how many.

Alas, our lineups are still constrained by the traditional positions, even as the game itself becomes increasingly seamless. As such, oftentimes fantasy managers will need stats from positions where they aren’t typically abundant. Let’s bounce around the league to see where you can make up the difference if your wings are poor shooters or your point guards aren’t near the top of the assist leaderboards.

We’ll look at the players who can help in each tier of the draft and then make some final notes about players that you might be able to find in the late rounds/deeper leagues if you’re scrambling.

Most of our attention will be spent on standout performances or players who could be in line for some changes, which means we’re also going to gloss over some of the guys you already know about -- someone like Tobias Harris can hit threes, of course -- and the P.J. Tuckers, Trevor Arizas and Otto Porter types whose stat sets are already understood.

This week we'll look at the forwards and centers who can help you out with threes, assists and steals.

We’d also recommend perusing our Deep-League Cash Counter Specialists article if you’re not looking for certain stats from a certain position.

Shooting Bigs

The 3-pointer has exploded over the last few seasons so this should be a fairly easy category to fill, even if you eschew big 3-point shooters in the early rounds of drafts.

Early Rounds

Karl-Anthony Towns, C, Minnesota Timberwolves

1.8 3-pointers on .400 from deep in 33.1 mpg

It’s been thought that Towns embracing the 3-pointer would chip away at his fantasy value because of the trade-off in efficiency, but as long as he’s hitting them at an elite rate nobody’s going to complain. This is the second consecutive year north of 40 percent for KAT, and he’s added 0.3 3-pointers per game in each of the last two seasons. Hopefully all that continues. You’re unlikely to start off in a 3-point deficit by selecting Towns at the top of drafts.

Blake Griffin, PF, Detroit Pistons

2.5 3-pointers on .386 from deep in 35.0 mpg

Among non-guards, Griffin finished second in 3-pointers per game, trailing only Paul George. While that’s an expected part of his nightly box score now, it’s worth mentioning that Griffin posted the second-best 3-point shooting percentage of his career on huge volume (7.0 per game), and his career-best .400 mark came in a season where he attempted only 25 triples.

Kevin Love, PF/C, Cleveland Cavaliers

2.4 3-pointers on .361 from deep in 27.2 mpg

Love’s injury-riddled campaign featured declines in efficiency and playing time, and yet he still tied his previous career-high in 3-pointers. Health will remain the key but Love is one of the frontrunners to lead all big men in threes.

Middle Rounds

Brook Lopez, C, Milwaukee Bucks

2.3 3-pointers on .365 from deep in 28.7 mpg

Lopez is the poster child for bigs who have completely evolved into floor-spacers. He was the first one to do it and will continue to post big numbers on a three-happy Bucks team. Over 65 percent of BroLo’s shots last season came from behind the arc.

Aaron Gordon, PF, Orlando Magic

1.6 3-pointers on .349 from deep in 33.8 mpg

The athletic upside is what people think of when Gordon enters the mix, but he’s actually become a respectable 3-point shooter over the last couple of years. He set a new personal best in efficiency last season, though his volume dipped as Steve Clifford challenged Gordon to take on more of a team-player role and create for others. Perhaps volume and efficiency will align this year to bring Gordon back up towards 2.0 triples per night.

Don’t Forget: Lauri Markkanen (2.3), Danilo Gallinari (2.4), Tobias Harris (1.9)

Later Rounds & Fliers

Bobby Portis, F/C, New York Knicks

1.5 3-pointers on .393 from deep in 26.0 mpg

Portis came into the league as an energetic glass-crasher who could collect cheap double-doubles, so he gets full marks for working on a key facet of his game. All of his statistics relating to the deep ball -- efficiency, volume, frequency -- were career-highs last season and he really hit the gas pedal in Washington, averaging 1.7 3-pointers on .403 from behind the arc in his 28 games with the Wizards. Last season’s outburst snuck up on a lot of fantasy players and we’re betting that most overlook this new wrinkle in a crowded frontcourt.

Harrison Barnes, F, Sacramento Kings

2.3 3-pointers on .395 from deep in 32.9 mpg

Barnes is a lot like Portis in that his fantasy reputation was pretty well established before a mini breakout. He set career-highs in 3-point makes and attempts last season, though it’s worth pointing out that he hit 2.5 per game with Dallas and only 1.9 per game with the Kings despite an increase in playing time. Even so, his previous career-high was 1.5 per game and Barnes can now be viewed as a player who will help you with more than just empty points.

Davis Bertans, F, Washington Wizards

1.9 3-pointers on .429 from deep in 21.5 mpg

Bertans ranked among the league’s best 3-point shooters last season in a situational role for the Spurs and now heads to Washington, where he’ll have a chance to start at power forward. Defensive limitations will prevent him from becoming a big-minute player but he’s going to start the year as one of the Wizards’ secondary scoring options and should have the green light.

Don’t Forget: Taurean Prince (2.2), Kyle Kuzma (1.8), P.J. Tucker (1.8)

Digging Deep

Marvin Williams, F, Charlotte Hornets

1.9 3-pointers on .366 from deep in 28.4 mpg

Williams just wrapped up his sixth consecutive season with at least 1.2 3-pointers per game, and his fourth with at least 1.6. His role figures to shrink as the Hornets rebuild but he’ll still be called up on for minutes in the low-mid twenties and can help deep-league managers out, especially in 9-cat formats.

Jae Crowder, F, Memphis Grizzlies

2.2 3-pointers on .331 from deep in 27.1 mpg

Crowder gave the Jazz an element of spacing that Derrick Favors could not out of the power forward spot, and he finished 29th in the league (among qualifiers) in threes per game despite shooting below average from distance. That’s part of the deal now with Crowder having just one season over .336 under his belt, but his limited offensive game means that he’s funneled into plenty of attempts.

Luke Kornet, C, Chicago Bulls

1.5 3-pointers on .363 from deep in 17.0 mpg

Kornet is a fantasy cult hero for his ability to hit threes and block shots, though it took him far too long to get going last season as the Knicks constantly screwed around with their rotation. He’s been over 35 percent in both of his NBA seasons so far and he’ll be competing with rookie Daniel Gafford for the backup center spot in Chicago this season.

Don’t Forget: Marcus Morris (1.9), DeMarre Carroll (1.6), Kevin Knox (1.7)

Passing Bigs

Early Rounds

Nikola Jokic, C, Denver Nuggets

7.3 assists per game, 37.0 AST%

The gold standard. Jokic finished 14th in the league in assists and was seventh in assist percentage. Aside from LeBron James, Luka Doncic, Blake Griffin, Giannis Antetokounmpo and Draymond Green, the rest of the top-30 was comprised entirely of guards.

Giannis Antetokounmpo, F, Milwaukee Bucks

5.9 assists per game, 30.2 AST%

It’s almost unfair to include Antetokounmpo on any such list since he can do everything under the sun. He’s not quite at the level of the other guys in this tier but he’s going to be picked the earliest, and fantasy players will still be able to compete in the assist category with him in the mix.

Draymond Green, F/C, Golden State Warriors

6.9 assists per game, 26.8 AST%

That stat above means you shouldn’t be shocked to find Draymond here, and he’s looking at more usage headed his way with Kevin Durant gone and Klay Thompson sidelined, too. Last season’s mark tied him with Dame Lillard and Kyrie Irving.

Blake Griffin, F, Detroit Pistons

5.4 assists per game, 27.1 AST%

Griffin has gone from popcorn player to versatile fantasy producer that can elevate the teammates around him, and it’s been a beautiful transition. The Pistons replaced a pure point guard with a scorer in the second unit and as long as Griffin is healthy, he’ll be one of the team’s primary facilitators. He averaged more assists than Steph Curry last season.

Middle Rounds

Marc Gasol, C, Toronto Raptors

4.4 assists per game, 22.2 AST%

Gasol was averaging 4.7 assists per game prior to being traded, and we’ll consider his 3.9 assists per game with the Raptors a bit on the low side considering how frequently that offense ran through one man. Big Spain took on a winner’s role for the champs and his unselfish brand of basketball should lead to some solid dimes as the Raptors find a more balanced approach to scoring this season.

Al Horford, PF/C, Philadelphia 76ers

4.2 assists per game, 21.2 AST%

Horford was an offensive hub for Boston but now enters a brand new environment in Philadelphia where they have two players that simply aren’t threats off the ball. Big Al’s playmaking is going to serve as the connective tissue that keeps the offense humming and he’ll still play a large role, though a small dip wouldn’t shock us. It’s not like he’ll stop being an excellent frontcourt playmaker.

Larry Nance Jr., PF/C, Cleveland Cavaliers

3.2 assists per game, 17.8 AST%

Nance’s raw numbers aren’t the highest on this list, but it’s worth pointing out that he only played 26.8 minutes per night. That’s a solid 4.3 assists per 36 minutes, and nothing to sneeze at when most of the other bigs at his ADP will be complete dead weight in the category.

Digging Deep

Mason Plumlee, PF/C, Denver Nuggets

3.0 assists per game (21.1 mpg), 19.5 AST%

Plumlee has always been an effective playmaker but is unfortunately stuck behind the league’s best passing big man. At 5.1 assists per 36 minutes, PlumDog is worth a look in deeper formats for some cheap dimes, though you’ll want to be wary of his minutes dipping a bit upon the arrival of Jerami Grant.

James Johnson, PF, Miami Heat

2.5 assists per game (21.0 mpg), 17.0 AST%

Johnson got lost in the shuffle as an offseason hernia procedure kept him off the court to start the year, and a deep Miami rotation kept him off the court in the middle of the year. The Heat have cleared the deck somewhat and Johnson, and his 4.2 assists per 36 minutes, could be back to a Swiss Army knife role. He averaged 3.6 and 3.8 assists per game in his first two seasons with the Heat and should find more playing time this year.

Harry Giles, PF, Sacramento Kings

1.5 assists per game (14.5 mpg), 15.2 AST%

Giles is set to take a step forward for the Kings, who have remained publicly committed to giving him minutes despite adding some frontcourt types this offseason. The scouting reports have always praised Giles’ passing acumen, and while there’s no track record to go off of, deep-league players in need of assists should consider him worth a shot.

Don’t Forget: Kyle O’Quinn (1.2 assists in 8.2 mpg, 22.4 AST%), Pau Gasol (1.7 assists in 12.0 mpg, 19.1 AST%)

Frontcourt Steals

Early Rounds

Andre Drummond, C, Detroit Pistons

1.7 steals per game, 2.5 STL%

Drummond led the league’s big men in steals to go with his 1.7 blocks per game, cementing himself as one of the league’s elite defensive players -- at least in fantasyland. He has at least 1.5 steals per game in four straight seasons and has only dipped below 1.0 once in his seven-year career.

Anthony Davis, F/C, Los Angeles Lakers

1.6 steals per game, 2.2 STL%

Davis set a new career-high in steals last season, and while he also matched his previous personal best in steals percentage, we would be remiss not to mention that AD only played in 56 games. He’s clearly elite, with at least 1.2 steals per game in every season of his career, but 1.6 might be pushing it in a larger sample. Then again, there really isn’t a ceiling with Davis.

Nikola Jokic, C, Denver Nuggets

1.4 steals per game, 2.1 STL%

Seeing Jokic appear in this article twice should tell the full story.

Draymond Green, F/C, Golden State Warriors

1.4 steals per game, 2.2 STL%

The same goes for Dray.

Don’t Forget: Nikola Vucevic (1.0), Deandre Ayton (0.9), Pascal Siakam (0.9), Mitchell Robinson (0.8)

Middle Rounds

Paul Millsap, PF, Denver Nuggets

1.2 steals per game, 2.2 STL%

While Millsap is probably at the bottom of this tier in terms of overall fantasy value, he remains one of the league’s best big men for swipes. Even as his playing time has started to dip, The Sapper actually increased his steals output last year. It has been nine seasons since Millsap averaged under 1.0 steals per game, and he’s never been below 0.8 in any of his 13 seasons. As Denver’s defensive anchor, expect Millsap to keep his steals up even as the rest of his game slides.

Bam Adebayo, C, Miami Heat

0.9 steals per game, 1.8 STL%

Although Adebayo’s 0.9 steals won’t stand out, it wasn’t inconsequential to get from your center spot and there is tons of room for growth moving forward. In 10 games without Hassan Whiteside last season, Bam averaged 1.2 steals in 29.2 minutes a night. The steals percentage ranked him 55th in the entire league (among qualifiers) and Adebayo is going to play a ton with Whiteside out of the picture.

Jaren Jackson Jr., PF/C, Memphis Grizzlies

0.9 steals per game, 1.7 STL%

Jackson’s defensive prowess is obvious, though a rookie season that saw him limited by injury and foul trouble helped disguise some of the upside. With 0.9 steals in 26.9 minutes a night, Jackson registered a rate of 1.2 steals per 36 minutes and will also be able to play more aggressively deep into games as he gets his fouling issues under control.

Steven Adams, C, Oklahoma City Thunder

1.5 steals per game, 2.0 STL%

Adams established a new career-high in steals last season and has had a steals percentage of 1.8 or higher in each of the last three years. The Thunder offense will bring lots of new wrinkles but Adams’ defensive work shouldn’t change.

Larry Nance Jr., PF/C, Cleveland Cavaliers

1.5 steals per game, 2.8 STL%

Nance has always been a fantasy favorite because of his ability to turn limited minutes into lots of cash counters, and last season added another chapter to that story. He finished third in the league (among qualifiers) in steal percentage, setting a career-high with 1.5 steals in 26.8 mpg. The per-minute production will remain elite but we’d keep an eye on his minutes with Tristan Thompson and Kevin Love both entering the season healthy.

Derrick Favors, PF/C, New Orleans Pelicans

0.7 steals per game, 1.5 STL%

We’re excited to see what Favors can do with more playing time. He went from 28.0 mpg in 2017-18 to 23.2 mpg last season and produced the same amount of steals per game, and was able to deliver 0.9 per contest despite 23.7 mpg in 2016-17. Now regarded as part of the Pelicans’ new nucleus, don’t let Favors’ steal-collecting ability sneak up on you.

Don’t Forget: Marc Gasol (1.1), Rudy Gobert (0.8), Myles Turner (0.8), Al Horford (0.9), Montrezl Harrell (0.9)

Later Rounds & Fliers

Willie Cauley-Stein, C, Golden State Warriors

1.2 steals per game, 2.0 STL%

Cauley-Stein’s college reputation as a rim protector hasn’t carried over at all, but he has become adept at racking up steals. Last season saw him post career-highs in steals and steals percentage, though he produced a 1.9 steals percentage in each of the previous two seasons. The Warriors reportedly like his ability to work the pick-and-roll, and we could see him take on more of a prominent role with Golden State’s guard-heavy attack.

Dewayne Dedmon, C, Sacramento Kings

1.1 steals per game, 2.0 STL%

The Dead Man continued to smash his ADP last season on the run-and-gun Hawks, though his biggest statistical gain was quite unexpected. Dedmon averaged 1.1 steals per game, nearly doubling his previous high mark of 0.6 per game despite an increase in playing time of only 0.2 minutes per night. Some regression is to be expected, especially with the competition in Sacramento’s frontcourt, but the fast-paced Kings might keep Dedmon propped up in the rankings.

Thaddeus Young, PF, Chicago Bulls

1.5 steals per game, 2.4 STL%

The Thaditude Era appears to be coming to a close as Young signed with the Bulls and is ticketed for a bench role on a team replete with young talent at power forward. Even so, there are no doubts that Young can produce enough steals to stay on the map in fantasy. He has notched at least 1.0 steals per game in all 12 seasons of his career and has been above 1.5 in each of the last seven. Even if Thad’s minutes dip from 30-plus to low-mid twenties, we’d still expect a steal per game.

Derrick Jones Jr., G/F, Miami Heat

0.8 steals per game, 1.9 STL%

Jones was caught up in a crowded rotation, limited to just 19.2 mpg. The Heat refused to include him in a trade with Dallas this summer -- one that would’ve allowed them to complete the acquisition of Jimmy Butler, mind you -- and there should be more minutes available for the versatile Jones this season. We absolutely love him as a late-round flier who can also help out with blocks and 3-pointers.

Don’t Forget: Cody Zeller (0.8)

Digging Deeper

Nerlens Noel, C, Oklahoma City Thunder

0.9 steals per game, 2.9 STL%

While Noel didn’t play enough to qualify for the leaderboards, his steal percentage would’ve placed him third overall, trailing only Marcus Smart (3.1) and Chris Paul (3.0). For his career, Noel has posted steals percentages of 2.9, 2.9, 3.1, 3.3 and 2.9 again. The upside here is immense should Steven Adams get traded, or if the Thunder just decide to give Noel 18 mpg instead of the lowly 13.7 mpg he received last season.

Mason Plumlee, C, Denver Nuggets

0.8 steals per game, 1.9 STL%

Plumlee appears on this list yet again, and despite his limited role it’s clear that he has a versatile game that can help deep-league managers out in unconventional ways.

Don’t Forget: Marvin Williams (0.9), Al-Farouq Aminu (0.8), Taj Gibson (0.8)

*Originally published September 6, 2019