Brandon Bass

From beginning to end, Bass was the Celtics' most consistent performer last season. It was surprising that he stayed on the roster all season as his name was frequently floated in trade rumors. He played 82 games and started a career-high 73. The nine-year veteran averaged 11.1 points on 49-percent shooting with 5.7 rebounds, 1.1 assists, 0.4 steals, and 0.9 blocks in 28 minutes per game. The fact that he carved out such a big niche for himself was somewhat remarkable, considering the team was in rebuild mode from Game 1 and were looking to get minutes for young power forwards Jared Sullinger and Kelly Olynyk. Because Boston lacked a true center, circumstances worked out so that Bass could play the four while the Sullinger/Olynyk tandem saw minutes at the five. The addition of Tyler Zeller, who could emerge as the starting center, means the power forward minutes will be scarce. Bass is heading into the final year of a deal that pays him $6.9 million this year, a price tag Boston may not want to hand out to a depth power forward. The trade rumors from last season could lead to an actual deal this year. There should be a few teams looking for a consistent producer with a good work ethic. As an undersized power forward, Bass won't get big rebounding numbers, but he's staggeringly consistent, is a proficient mid-range jump shooter, and has made himself into a pretty good free-throw shooter.

The eight-year pro started 69 games last year but should expect a smaller role in 2013-14. At age 28, he is now one of the older players on a team that's rebuilding. Bass played a nice complementary role next to Kevin Garnett but now seems stuck behind younger, more upside-oriented talent. The window for Bass to "take the next leap" seems to have closed.

Bass deserves strong consideration entering the 2012-13 season. Once the Celtics bit the bullet and shifted Kevin Garnett to center last season, Bass’ minutes increased. The Celtics will roll with KG at center again this season, leaving Bass as the team’s starting power forward. With a larger role, he averaged career highs of 12.5 points and 6.2 rebounds in 31.7 minutes per game. Bass maintained a field-goal accuracy rate of 48 percent while making 81 percent of his free throws. His season earned him a three-year deal to remain with Boston. Jeff Green could see some minutes at power forward as well, but his primary role is to back up Paul Pierce at small forward. Bass may not play as many minutes this season, but he should remain an option in deep leagues.

Bass is a player whose value this season could skyrocket if and when those ahead of him are injured. Given the condensed schedule and the injury history of both Jermaine O'Neal and Kevin Garnett, that proposition is more "when" than "if." Bass' per-game numbers don't jump out at you, but when factored into his playing time, he becomes a very viable fantasy sleeper given the right opportunity. His per-48 numbers last year averaged out to 20.7 points and 10.3 rebounds (often while sharing the court with Dwight Howard), and his 52% field-goal shooting and 82% from the free-throw line can be valuable as well. If given the opportunity, Bass can certainly shine, and it looks like he'll have that opportunity sometime this season.

Bass played in just 50 games last season, but an impressive preseason has him in position to see increased playing time. He should be more productive this year, but don’t expect him to put up numbers that benefit your fantasy team.

Bass is still mostly an unknown, as he’s yet to see even 20 minutes per game during any of his three seasons in the league. Still, he’s shown promise during limited action, and his free throw shooting (86.7% last year) is worth pointing out since he’s a power forward. No longer stuck behind a deep frontcourt in Dallas, Bass signed a four-year deal with Orlando during the offseason. While that may result in him starting the first 10 games of the season due to Rashard Lewis’ suspension, Bass still doesn’t have a clear cut path to many minutes, as the team unexpectedly matched Marcin Gortat’s $34 million offer sheet. Moreover, when Lewis returns to the lineup, he may see plenty of time at power forward, given the acquisition of Vince Carter and the presence of Mickael Pietrus and Matt Barnes. Bass will see an incremental uptick in minutes and will have early-season value, but his situation in Orlando isn’t much different than what he left in Dallas. At age 24, his game will continue to improve, but he’s once again locked into a playing-time crunch.

Bass had a breakout season last year and is poised to improve on those numbers. He's a monster around the rim and provides the physical presence the Mavericks have so desperately needed. Bass could be worth a late round pick as his game should mesh well with new coach Rick Carlisle's motion sets.

The Mavericks signed Bass to a two-year contract on the heels of his strong 2007 Las Vegas Summer League performance, in which he averaged 14.8 points and 6.2 rebounds. Still, we don't expect Bass to make much of a contribution in Dallas this year, should he even make the final roster at all. Expect Bass to spend much of this year in the NBDL, and he should not be a fantasy consideration.

Bass plays third stringer at the forward position and won’t see much playing time. He is only in his second year and should grow as a player this year, but it will take a year or two before he contributes significantly to the team.