FantasyDraft NBA: Value Picks

FantasyDraft NBA: Value Picks

This article is part of our FantasyDraft NBA series.

Each week, RotoWire will provide value plays for your daily fantasy basketball lineups on FantasyDraft. Users have a salary cap of $100,000 to select a lineup comprised of eight players. Of these eight players, you must select three guards, three forwards/centers and two utility players. The scoring is as follows:

Points Scored – 1.0 point for each point scored
3-Point Basket – 0.5 bonus points for each three-pointer made
Assist – 1.5 points for each assist
Rebound – 1.25 points for each rebound
Steal – 2.0 points for each steal
Block – 2.0 points for each blocked shot
Turnover – minus 0.5 points for each turnover
Double-Double – 1.5 bonus points for double-double
Triple-Double – 3.0 bonus points triple-double

FantasyDraft is running contests in beta stage, but full capabilities for their users are available. There are 50/50s, guaranteed tournaments, and more available options in the lobby, so be sure to check it out.

The target for each player to reach value is 2.5x the player's salary. If a player costs $10,000 against the cap, expected value is 25 fantasy points.

Without further ado, here are Wednesday's value plays for daily fantasy basketball on FantasyDraft.

Value Plays

Guard

O.J. Mayo, MIL, $8,400 - Mayo has been a value machine on FantasyDraft, as he has reached or exceeded 2.5x his salary in seven of the Bucks' past 10 games. With his price at $8,400, he is expected to reach 21 fantasy points for value, which is attainable against the Kings. Sacramento has given up the second-most fantasy points to opposing shooting guards in the last 10 games. In one game against the Kings this year, Mayo scored 25 fantasy points in 23 minutes.

Courtney Lee, MEM, $6,000 - Lee's price is the minimum on FantasyDraft, which makes him an option for salary relief in your lineup. At this price, 15 fantasy points is considered value and Lee has exceeded that mark in seven of the past 10 games. With the Grizzlies facing the Thunder on Wednesday, Lee will match up against an Oklahoma squad that defends the shooting guard well, but in two prior matchups this season, Lee has averaged 21.4 fantasy points per game despite the tough matchup. Feel free to use him in cash games and tournament lineups as a salary-relieve option.

Forward/Center

Robin Lopez, POR, $9,600 - Lopez is priced higher than most value plays, but the Trail Blazers' injury situation makes him an interesting option on FantasyDraft. Chris Kaman (ankle) and Joel Freeland (shoulder) are out for Wednesday's matchup with the Lakers, making Lopez a prime candidate for more than 30 minutes. In one game this season where Kaman sat, Lopez registered 11 points, 12 rebounds and four blocks for a total of 35 fantasy points. The Lakers have given up the fifth-most fantasy points to opposing centers this season.

Shabazz Muhammad, MIN, $6,600 - Muhammad has returned to the Wolves after missing a month with an oblique injury. In his first game back, Muhammad was able to score 18 points and grab eight rebounds en route to a productive 27-point fantasy effort. Muhammad's price is still just above the minimum, making him a value for Wednesday's game against the Warriors. Golden State is one of the premier defensive teams in the NBA, but with Muhammad's ability and willingness to take a high amount of shots (over 10 per game on average), he is an excellent option off the bench in your lineup. To reach value, Muhammad would need to score 16.5 fantasy points, which he has done in nine of his last 10 games.

Notable Injuries

Carmelo Anthony (knee) is doubtful for Wednesday's game against the Magic. Lance Thomas and Tim Hardaway Jr. would benefit from Anthony's absence.

Anthony Davis (shoulder) is questionable for Wednesday's game against the Pacers. If Davis rests, Tyreke Evans and Eric Gordon would receive boosts in value.

Tobias Harris (knee) is out against the Knicks on Wednesday. Aaron Gordon will likely start for Orlando, but Evan Fournier receives the biggest boost off the bench in terms of value. Victor Oladipo and Nikola Vucevic also will see an increase in usage.

Draymond Green (ankle) is questionable for Wednesday's matchup with the Timberwolves. If Green is out, Harrison Barnes and David Lee will see a boost in fantasy value.

More injury information can be found here.

Good luck, and do not forget to join the fun at FantasyDraft and sign up now.

The author(s) of this article may play in daily fantasy contests including – but not limited to – games that they have provided recommendations or advice on in this article. In the course of playing in these games using their personal accounts, it's possible that they will use players in their lineups or other strategies that differ from the recommendations they have provided above. The recommendations in this article do not necessarily reflect the views of RotoWire.
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ABOUT THE AUTHOR
Josh Collacchi
Josh previously was a manager at Gambling.com Group and has spent over a decade in the fantasy sports, daily fantasy sports, and legal sports betting industry.
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