Per 36 fantasy darlings - Who can take the next step?

For those unfamiliar with Per 36 statistics, this metric aims to project a player's production if said player were given 36 minutes of playing time, i.e. the common workload of an established starter. Per 36 projections are predominantly applied to bench players in order to approximate what they would bring to the table if afforded this standardized amount of playing time.

In terms of fantasy use, Per 36 numbers are a great way to identify unforeseen player value. Should a starter go down or a bench player earn more playing time, Per 36 numbers can help you land an instant fantasy return on an undervalued player.

Looking to the upcoming season, there are already a few players who, based on their Per 36 projections, should provide strong and immediate returns on their draft stock - that is, if they indeed perform to their projections.

PG Dennis Schroder, Atlanta Hawks

With the departure of Jeff Teague, Schroder - Atlanta's longtime backup point guard - is set to assume the starting gig for the Hawks. Last year, Schroder averaged 11.0 points and 4.4 assists in 20 minutes per game. While those numbers are serviceable, what Schroder has in store based on his Per 36 numbers is going to make him a legitimate fantasy PG for the first time.

Over the past two years, Schroder's Per 36 numbers show an eight-point increase and predict a doubling in terms of assists per game. As the starter this year, Schroder conservatively projects to average 17 points, six assists, and three rebounds.

Numbers like that place Schroder ahead of names like George Hill and Monta Ellis and into territory with Zach LaVine and Goran Dragic, both of whom possess ADPs 20 positions higher than Schroder himself.

SF Michael Beasley, Houston Rockets

The name alone will scare most, but Beasley returned to the NBA in surprisingly strong form last year, averaging 12.8 points and 4.9 rebounds in just 18.2 minutes. With a move to Milwaukee and playing time available via the loss of Khris Middleton, Beasley should be a legitimate consideration in the closing rounds of all fantasy drafts.

Though he isn't likely to see starting minutes unless injuries pile up, Beasley still projects to be a strong contributor assuming his minutes rise from 18 to 25. His Per 36 numbers last season had him on pace to average an astounding 25.7 points and 9.7 rebounds. Beasley's career Per 36 projections of 19.2 points and 7.2 rebounds give further credence to his fantasy potential.

If provided with a bit more run in Milwaukee, Beasley could once again turn heads this season and become a hot early season waiver wire addition. Believers in Per 36 projections should debate using a closing round pick on the former second overall selection.

C Enes Kanter, Oklahoma City Thunder

Utah should have been more patient with their third overall pick in 2011. In his past two seasons, Kanter has averaged at least eight boards and 12 points while seeing less than 30 minutes per game. Last season was arguably his strongest, as Kanter posted 12.7 points and 8.1 rebounds in 21 minutes with Oklahoma City.

With a year in OKC under his belt and Serge Ibaka off to Orlando, Kanter could be in for a breakout fantasy season. His career Per 36 numbers indicate double-double potential of 18.1 points and 11.4 rebounds, while his 2015-16 Per 36 numbers show 20 and 12 upside.

With an ADP sitting right around the century mark, fantasy owners who select Kanter early may be rewarded with an offensive center that could produce Nikola Vucevic- or rookie season Karl-Anthony Towns-like numbers. Furthermore, Kanter's Player Efficiency Rating of 24.09, good for 11th in the league, justifies the likely rise in production.

On the other end of the Per 36 spectrum are players who tend to see their production plateau at a certain point. Their career numbers often entail 20-25 minutes per game as they've been identified as being better suited for a bench role. The lack of upside in their Per 36 numbers cements this fact by showing little progression.

SG Lou Williams, Los Angeles Lakers

A former sixth man of the year, Williams embodies this lack of progression despite an increase in minutes. For his career, Williams has averaged 12.4 points, 2.9 assists, and 1.1 3-pointers made per game in 23.5 minutes.

Unlike those mentioned above, Williams' Per 36 numbers show much less progression. If afforded 13 more minutes, his Per 36 numbers increase to only 18.8 points, 4.5 assists, and a slight bump to 1.7 3-pointers made.

C Alex Len, Phoenix Suns

Despite being a young and up-and-coming center who has shown flashes of potential, it may be worthwhile to pump the brakes on Len. The 7-foot Ukrainian is set to enter his fourth NBA season and many are excited about his future with Tyson Chandler's career coming to a close.

Last season, Len averaged 23.3 minutes per game, a typical bench player's workload, and posted averages of nine points and 7.6 rebounds. Expanded into Per 36 format, Len is looking at 13.9 points and 11.7 rebounds. While the double-double average is nice, a four-point, four-rebound increase with 13 extra minutes is less than ideal.

In comparison, Kanter's 2015-16 Per 36 numbers showed potential for an eight-point and five- or six-rebound jump. The main difference between the two can likely be attributed to Len's poor Player Efficiency Rating of 12.49. So even if Len was afforded more minutes, his inefficient style isn't likely to produce a Kanter-like leap.