Scott Sargent likes how things look this season for Andray Blatche.

This is your last chance before the season begins to get your hands on some quality last-round talent. The recent trade between Miami and Minnesota may work out to the benefit of some players, including (but not limited to) Rashad McCants and rookie Corey Brewer. I’m not quite sure what the ‘Wolves want to do with Antoine Walker, but hey, Minnesota had to take on someone and I bet the Heat couldn’t wait to get rid of the guy.

Recent injuries, roster rotations and coaching decisions have led to even more players getting their shot at fantasy relevance this season. Last week, I brought you a few swingmen that could fill the end of a fantasy roster with ease. This time around, we mix it up a bit with some size. Word to the wise: this will be the final Treasure Hunt before the season begins, so read carefully and get out those fantasy shovels. Let’s dig in…

Andray Blatche, SF/PF, Washington Wizards

What? I said “size?” I know, I know. Typically, when one says size, they’re thinking that they’re going to be getting a certified center, right? Well, this big man may force us to read between the lines a bit. While the rest of your league is querying their waiver wire to return only “C” eligible player, Blatche will be right there for the taking.

Blatche, in his third season out of high school, will be more notably known for his play last season during the absence of current Wizards power forward Antawn Jamison. A quick look at his statistical averages of 2006-07, and nothing will jump out at you as the forward averaged 3.7 points, 3.4 rebounds and 0.6 blocks per game. But if we do some quick math, we’ll see that Blatche only played in 12 minutes per game. If we can extrapolate these numbers to, say, 30 minutes, you’re looking at a double-double with two blocked shots a night.

How will he get those minutes, you ask? Well, while Antawn Jamison is locked in at the power forward slot, back-up center Etan Thomas will likely see an end to his career after undergoing heart surgery. And if you’ve followed the Eastern conference at all over the past few years, there is no guarantee that current center Brendan Haywood gets any minutes at all come the middle of the season as he and Head Coach Eddie Jordan do not always see eye-to-eye.

Now that he has been given the minutes, Blatche has been playing very well in the preseason, even developing a big fan in the form of Gilbert Arenas. Though he will come off of the bench initially, the upside of Blatche coupled with the potential for him to be starting before the end of the season should be enough of a reason to add the up-and-comer to your fantasy squad. And if it is the “C” that you need, all you’ll need to apply is a bit of patience as it will come in due time. Think of it as a “Court of Dreams,” just without Kevin Costner. If you add him, “C” will come.

Aaron Gray, C, Chicago Bulls

While Chicago has often been a fantasy nightmare in terms of player rotations, a recent development in the preseason has to turn the heads of some fantasy owners.

It is no secret that the Bulls have been looking for some low post scoring for quite some time. They thought that they had it with Eddy Curry and Tyson Chandler, but those two decided to not really produce until they were moved to other teams. Last season, the team addressed their needs by adding the offensive force that is Ben Wallace – who provided all of 6.4 points per game.

This year, the Bulls added former Florida standout Joakim Noah to their roster, providing even more of a punch of energy, athleticism and defense…just not a ton of scoring. This is where Aaron Gray steps in. This past week, when Ben Wallace was given a night’s rest, it wasn’t Noah that got to start in his place. It was Gray. The rookie responded with 14 points, four rebounds and three assists, while displaying high efficiency with 4-of-5 from the floor and a flawless 6-of-6 from the line.

If the low rebounding totals worry you a bit, realize that prior to that contest, Gray was averaging 12 points and eight boards a night. He’s a monster at 7’0”, 270 pounds and may just provide Scott Skiles with the type of player he needs down low with his plethora of talent in the back court.

Ben Wallace is not going to be losing his starting role by any means. However, the power forward position may wind up being where Big Ben resides, as Joe Smith is ailing from injuries, and Tyrus Thomas has shown up as more of an athlete than a basketball player. If this is the case, expect a rookie to take the starting spot down low. While Noah may be the big rookie name in Chicago right now, do not be surprised if it is in fact Gray who garners a lot of the attention before the end of the season.

Questions and comments may be sent to scottsargent@sportsgrumblings.com.