A back-and-forth slam dunk contest at All-Star weekend provided a showcase Gordon and LaVine don't normally receive, given that both ply their trades outside of the NBA's glamour cities, in Orlando and Minnesota, respectively. With the pair of second-year players available in roughly 50 per cent of fantasy leagues, their dueling star turns perhaps opened prospective owners' eyes. Assuming your league awards no additional points for stylish dunks, should Gordon or LaVine be added to your roster? It depends what you're looking for.
SF/PF Aaron Gordon, Orlando Magic
Gordon's season averages of 7.7 points and 6.1 rebounds are modest, but he spent the first 40 games coming off the bench. Since entering the starting lineup 11 games ago, the Arizona product has put up up 9.7 points, 10 rebounds, 2.3 assists and 1.1 blocks per contest. He also played between 24 and 39 minutes each game in that stretch, never failing to top his season average of 21.8 minutes.
Gordon is far from the first option in Orlando's offense - his 16.4 per cent usage rate ranks well behind that of each other member of the starting five, which typically consists of Nikola Vucevic, Tobias Harris, Elfrid Payton and either Victor Oladipo or Evan Fournier. Rebounding and blocks are his calling cards, which likely won't come as a surprise to anyone who witnessed the 6-foot-9 Gordon's astonishing leaping ability during the dunk contest.
As long as you can live with his inconsistent offense, Gordon represents a reliable source of secondary contributions.
Verdict: DEAL
PG/SG Zach LaVine, Minnesota Timberwolves
Unlike Gordon, LaVine's usage rate sits at 25.7 per cent, second behind Andrew Wiggins' team-leading mark of 27.6 per cent. He's come off the bench for all but seven games this season, though still averages 12.8 points in 24.4 minutes.
His per-36 minute stats extrapolate to 18.9 points, 4.4 rebounds and 4.7 assists, and he's flashed that scoring ability when handed a bigger role of late.
LaVine has played between 25 and 38 minutes in each of the last nine games, averaging 17.6 points over that stretch. The former UCLA Bruin is prone to scoring binges, like when he scored 56 points in just 59 minutes over two games in late January. He's the perfect antidote to fellow PG Ricky Rubio's regular shooting woes. The owner of a career 36.6 field goal percentage, Rubio's averaging 9.7 points in 30.3 minutes this season.
LaVine can also line up at shooting guard alongside Rubio, and with Minnesota's roster lacking much in the way of backcourt depth, ample playing time at both guard spots seems assured as the young Timberwolves play out the string in a losing season.
If your roster is crying out for points, LaVine is a worthwhile addition.
Verdict: DEAL
