Isaiah Hartenstein

Hartenstein is expected to compete with Paul Millsap and rookie Zeke Nnaji for the top backup role at center behind superstar Nikola Jokic. Over his 23 appearances with the Rockets in 2019-20, Hartenstein was one of the league's stronger producers on a per-minute basis. He averaged 4.7 points, 3.9 rebounds, 0.8 assists, 0.5 blocks and 0.4 steals in 11.6 minutes of run while converting at a 65.7 percent clip from the field. However, given the 22-year-old's expected role this season, he can largely be passed on from a fantasy standpoint.

A second-round pick in 2017, Hartenstein mostly toiled in the G League over his first two professional seasons. The seven-footer averaged 9.5 points and 6.5 rebounds over 38 games for Rio Grande during the 2017-18 campaign before putting up 19.5 points, 14.7 rebounds, 3.8 assists and 2.0 blocks across 32.3 minutes over 26 games for the Vipers last season. Hartenstein also got his first taste of action at the NBA level, appearing in another 28 games for the Rockets during 2018-19 and parlaying a modest 7.9 minutes per contest into averages of 1.9 points and 1.7 rebounds (28 games). Hartenstein then continued his development in the Las Vegas Summer League and was on his way to a stellar showing by putting 16.0 points, 8.7 rebounds, 1.7 blocks and 1.7 steals over his first three games in the desert before a right ankle injury shut him down. As that collection of numbers indicates, Hartenstein has essentially demonstrated improvement on each occasion that he's been given extended playing time, which bodes well for his future prospects. However, in Houston, his path to meaningful playing time to open the new season is blocked by Clint Capela at the top of the center depth chart, along with a pair of grizzled but still capable veterans in Tyson Chandler and Nene Hilario behind him. Therefore, Hartenstein may be set for a modest allotment of playing time for a second straight season when it comes to the NBA level, although it's certainly possible he moves up a notch on the depth chart if Chandler proves to be expendable or experiences a notable downturn in his play during what will be his age-36 season.

Hartenstein was drafted by the Rockets in the second round of the 2017 draft, but spent last year in the G League, where he averaged 9.5 points, 6.6 rebounds and 1.2 assists in just under 19 minutes per game. The German native then joined the Rockets for summer league this July and came out of it with a guaranteed contract. He'll provide depth at both power forward and center, but will likely spend most of the year in a developmental capacity and will likely need multiple injuries to occur to become a relevant Fantasy player.