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
Jeremy Lin, LAL, $9,600 –Lin started for the Lakers on Tuesday, and he finished with 32 fantasy points against the Thunder. As a starter this season, Lin has averaged 24.5 fantasy points per game, which is over value at his current price of $9,600. Considering Lin's minutes were increasing prior to his role in the starting lineup, there is no reason to believe he will not continue to start for the Lakers, giving him an upside of over 30 fantasy points per game each night.
Lin has taken 27 shots in the last two games, and he has been one of the focal points for the Lakers offense recently. Be sure to take advantage of his price point and upside in your FantasyDraft lineups.
Randy Foye, DEN, $9,600 – At this price, Foye can provide you with some value, upside and salary cap relief for your lineups. As a starter this season, Foye has averaged 24.4 fantasy points, which is above the average needed to reach value at his price. In Foye's last four games, he has played over 30 minutes while taking at least a dozen shots in each game. Over that four-game stretch, he is averaging 33 fantasy points per game. He has a high floor due to the amount shots he is taking combined with his production in secondary categories. Foye has a reputation as a scorer, but his 4.5 assists per game in the last four games shows that he has been a decent facilitator as well.
Foye's usage rate as a starter this season is 20.4 percent, which is high enough to consider him an option in cash games and tournaments on FantasyDraft.
Lorenzo Brown, MIN, $6,000 – Brown is one of the primary beneficiaries from all the Timberwolves injuries of late. Brown has started twice so far, and he has averaged 46.3 minutes in those games. As a starter, Brown is averaging 5.5 points, 6.5 rebounds and 7.5 assists, which translates to 25.4 fantasy points per game.
It is a small sample size, but Brown is averaging 0.7 fantasy points per minute this season, which is more than enough for him to reach value if he is playing over 40 minutes per game. His price requires 15 fantasy points for value, which can be attained easily with his recent production and playing time. Keep an eye on the Wolves' injury report, but as long as there is a small rotation, Brown is a clear play on FantasyDraft at his price.
Forward/Center
Chase Budinger, MIN, $8,100 – Like Brown, Budinger has benefited greatly from the injuries to the Wolves' lineup. On Monday, Budinger played 39 minutes and contributed 31.8 fantasy points. In the last six games, Budinger has played a major role for Minnesota, as he has averaged 31.6 minutes per game. In those minutes, he has averaged 13.7 points, 4.7 rebounds and 2.2 assists, culminating for an average of 26.3 fantasy points per game. Budinger's price would require at least 20.5 fantasy points for value, which he has exceeded in four of the last six games.
Budinger has averaged 0.7 fantasy points per minute this season. But with over 30 minutes, he can reach value as evidenced from his statistics in his last six games. Should the Wolves' injuries remain the same, Budinger is a prime candidate to reach value at a cheap price each night on FantasyDraft.
Notable Injuries
Kevin Durant (foot) is out indefinitely. Durant was removed from participating in any basketball activities for the time being. Russell Westbrook and Enes Kanter both receive significant value boosts for the remainder of the regular season.
Hassan Whiteside (hand) is day-to-day. Until Whiteside can return to the starting lineup, Chris Andersen will receive the bulk of his minutes at center.
Ricky Rubio (ankle) is doubtful. Rubio, like many other Wolves, has missed time of late. Until Rubio can return to the lineup, Zach LaVine and Lorenzo Brown will be called on to manage the minutes at guard for Minnesota.
Omer Asik (calf) is day-to-day. Until he is able to return to the lineup, Alexis Ajinca will man the center position for New Orleans.
Nikola Pekovic (ankle) is out. Pekovic has been dealing with ankle issues all season, and until he is able to return to the court, Gorgui Dieng will play a large number of minutes at center for Minnesota.
Patrick Beverley (wrist) may be out for an extended period of time. Keep tabs on this situation, but if Beverley is unable to go, Jason Terry and Corey Brewer are the primary beneficiaries.
More injury information can be found here.
Good luck, and do not forget to join the fun at FantasyDraft and sign up now.
