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 this week's value plays for daily fantasy basketball on FantasyDraft.
Value Plays
Guard
Aaron Brooks, CHI, $6,600 - With the unfortunate news of Derrick Rose likely to miss the remainder of the season with a knee injury, Brooks will immediately assume a bigger role with the Bulls' first unit. In 11 games without Rose this season, Brooks is averaging 22.1 fantasy points per game, which is well over value on FantasyDraft.
As long as Brooks' price remains under $8,000, he is an excellent play regardless of matchup. Brooks will compete with Kirk Hinrich for minutes at point guard, but Hinrich's upside is limited. Brooks has eclipsed the 20-point mark twice and has five or more assists eight times. In addition, Hinrich is battling an illness, which could give Brooks even more value in the short term.
Isaiah Canaan, PHI, $6,800 - The Sixers waived Tim Frazier on Tuesday to make room for Thomas Robinson. This leaves Ish Smith (averaging six minutes per game this season) as Canaan's only backup. It is clear that Canaan is the Sixers' point guard for the foreseeable future (or this season, at least), which gives him value on FantasyDraft.
In two games as the Sixers' starting point guard, he has averaged 21.4 fantasy points, reaching value in both games. Without Frazier, Canaan is expected to see over 30 minutes. He averages 0.7 fantasy points per minute, translating to value at his current price on FantasyDraft.
Forward/Center
Alexis Ajinca, NOP, $8,400 - Ajinca did not start for the Pelicans on Monday, but he was still able to accrue 16 points and nine rebounds en route to 29.75 fantasy points on FantasyDraft. With Anthony Davis (knee) out for the next two-to-four weeks, Ajinca will be called on to score for the Pelicans' second unit.
In seven games without Davis this season, Ajinca is averaging 28.9 fantasy points per game. This projects him to be close to a $12,000 value on FantasyDraft. Ajinca's current price is far too low, so be sure to enjoy the luxury of him as a value play until his price rises. Ajinca's floor is attractive as well, considering he plays 27 minutes per game and averages over a fantasy point per minute sans Davis.
Ajinca's value sounds too good to be true, which means there is a catch. Ajinca averages 6.1 fouls per 36 this season and 6.9 per game in his career. With the increase in minutes, he could see himself in foul trouble, which will crush his value as a player who plays less than 30 minutes on most nights.
There is a silver lining, however, as he seems to be improving. Ajinca has three fouls or less in four of his last six games when he plays over 20 minutes.
Notable Injuries
Anthony Davis (knee) is out two to four weeks. Alexis Ajinca, Eric Gordon, and Tyreke Evans will receive boosts in his absence.
Derrick Rose (knee) is out. Aaron Brooks and Kirk Hinrich each will see an improvement in value, and Jimmy Butler becomes a top-tier option in Rose's absence.
Kevin Durant (foot) is out for at least another week. Russell Westbrook becomes a near must-play each night with Durant out, and Serge Ibaka's value increases with the Thunder's star on the shelf.
Patrick Beverley (illness) is day-to-day. Jason Terry will receive a boost in the event that Beverley is unable to go.
Taj Gibson (illness) is day-to-day. Nikola Mirotic will take most of the minutes off the bench for as long as Gibson is out.
More injury information can be found here.
Good luck, and do not forget to join the fun at FantasyDraft and sign up now.
