Luc Mbah a Moute

Mbah a Moute's 2016-17 campaign was his second season with the Clippers. Despite starting 76-of-80 games, he was largely there as a defensive presence, while also adding the occasional three-pointer. He finished the year with averages of 6.1 points, 2.1 rebounds and 1.0 steal across 22.3 minutes, largely keeping him off the Fantasy radar in the majority of formats. That's not going to change much with the Rockets and he could actually see a role reduction in terms of his playing time. While Mbah a Moute shot a career-high 39.1 percent from the three-point line, which would fit well with the Rockets uptempo three-point barrage, he's still going to be a bit buried on the depth chart. Though he has the ability to play both forward spots, Mbah a Moute is stuck behind Trevor Ariza, P.J. Tucker and Ryan Anderson, meaning he could struggle to reach the 20-minute plateau on most nights. The Rockets made it a priority to add defensive-minded players in the offseason, so when Mbah a Moute hits the floor, that should be his main focus.

Luc Richard Mbah a Moute is entering his seventh season in the NBA and his first with the 76ers. He began last season with the Kings but was traded early in the season to the Timberwolves. With the Timberwolves, he averaged 3.3 points, 2.2 rebounds, 0.4 assists, 0.4 steals, and 0.2 blocks in 15 minutes per game through 55 games played. He shot 45 percent from the field on 2.9 attempts per game and 69 percent from the free-throw line on 1.0 attempt per game. All of those values, except for his field goal and free throw percentages, were career lows. Mbah a Moute's reputation is as a defensive stalwart, but despite being only 27 years old, his defense in recent seasons has not been of the same quality as it was when he was younger. In his best seasons, he was a poor scorer but an efficient shooter and was capable of posting slightly above-average per minute rebounds and steals totals. Over the last two seasons, however, he has declined in every category. The 76ers, with their relative dearth of talent at the forward positions, could give Mbah a Moute the opportunity he needs to revive his career. If he struggles, however, that could open the door for Arnett Moultrie or Brandon Davies. Mbah a Moute's presence serves one additional purpose, though it will not help fantasy managers. Mbah a Moute has known and mentored rookie Joel Embiid since Embiid was 16 years old, and the Sixers drafted Embiid with the third pick, so having Mbah a Moute there, even as simply a mentor, is worth the investment for Embiid's development.

Mbah a Moute swapped one crowded depth chart for another this offseason when he came from Milwaukee to Sacramento. Last season as a Buck, even when healthy Mbah a Moute played fewer minutes than he had in any of his previous four seasons, and his numbers fell accordingly. This year, however, he looks to have the edge over Salmons in the battle for small forward. Even if he loses the starting spot, Mbah a Moute should play more than last year, and has a reasonable shot at setting a career high for minutes. But Mbah a Moute is one of those better-in-real-life-than-fantasy players, and needs to improve more than just his minutes totals in order to be valuable in all but the deepest of leagues.

The Bucks’ best perimeter defender, Mbah a Moute will often be counted on to guard the opponent’s top scorer. Unfortunately for Mbah a Moute and the Bucks, it’s looking like he will miss the beginning of the season due to a knee injury. Mbah a Moute is primarily counted on for his defense, so don’t expect much from him on the offensive end. However, he could see a bump in value at some point during the season if he is able to snag the starting small forward role when healthy.

Mbah a Moute is slated to open the season as the Bucks’ starting power forward. The Nuggets signed the restricted free agent to a four-year, $18.7 million offer sheet in December, but the Bucks’ decision to match the deal indicates they think he will be a key player for them in the coming seasons, including this one. Despite his value to the team, especially on the defensive end, Mbah a Moute will probably only average around 30 minutes per game in the Bucks’ crowded frontcourt; and though he is improving offensively, he has averaged just 6.7 ppg in his career. Mbah a Moute is an intriguing player, but he’s only average in the fantasy world.

The Cameroonian prince has quietly become one of the best on-ball defenders in the NBA, capable of guarding anyone from speedy point guards to athletic wings to physical power forwards. However, for all his defense prowess, he's about as limited as they come offensively, and the Bucks' offseason additions at forward will likely cut into Mbah a Moute's playing time. He's much more valuable in real life than in fantasy.

Mbah a Moute surprised many by playing such a large role for the Bucks last season, starting 52 games for the injury-depleted team. Mbah a Moute is a big 6-8, 230 pound wing that has only average athleticism and plays a style of game without huge upside. On the other hand, he was very consistent for a rookie with meager but reasonable averages of seven points, six boards, an assist and a steal in 26 minutes of play. Now that he is more used to the rigors of the NBA it is not unreasonable to think that he could average near a double-double if he plays sufficient minutes as a sophomore, but his lack of three-point range or any other peripheral contribution limits his upside. The Bucks are a team in flux and Mbah a Moute seems more a starter by default than a future cornerstone, but he is still worth keeping an eye on if he keeps getting minutes.