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 three guards, three forwards/centers and two utility players.
FantasyDraft is running NBA contests each and every day. There are 50/50s, guaranteed tournaments and more available options in the lobby, so be sure to check it out. With contests at every entry fee level, there are a ton of options to choose from.
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.
Ish Smith ($9,000)
Smith was recently acquired by the Sixers, and in his first game he had 14 points, two rebounds, five assists, a steal and a block in 31 minutes en route to 27 fantasy points. He's expected to play at least 30 minutes per game for the foreseeable future with Tony Wroten gone and Kendall Marshall/T.J. McConnell playing a minimal role off the bench. With the addition of coach Mike D'Antoni, the Sixers' offense could suddenly be DFS gold, and that all starts with the facilitator, which is the role filled by Smith.
Evan Fournier ($9,700)
Fournier has been on fire of late, which has come with an increase in playing time. He has played 36, 35, 31 and 35 minutes in the last four games, respectively, has scored at least 31.25 fantasy points in three and has at least 26.75 in all four. Given his price under $10,000, he has been a steal at his production. If his minutes continue to stay in the mid-30s, Fournier is an excellent option given his ability to score at a high rate.
Taj Gibson ($9,800)
Gibson has filled in well for Joakim Noah (shoulder), playing at least 32 minutes and averaging nearly 12 points, nine rebounds and three assists for over 28 fantasy points per game. Given his price, that is a bargain over a consistent stretch. Gibson's price will rise soon, so be sure to take advantage in the short term as he continues to start.
Chandler Parsons ($9,700)
Parsons' minutes limit seems to be a thing of the past, as he has played 34 and 35 minutes in each of the last two games, respectively. His price has not reflected the increase yet, so be sure to take advantage. In the last three games when Parsons has played over 30 minutes, he has 37.25, 33.75, and 35.75 fantasy points. At $9,700, that is nearly four times his salary.
Notable Injuries
Blake Griffin (Leg), Out 2-to-4 weeks
With Griffin injured, the dynamic of the Clippers' offense will change. Chris Paul will get more looks, DeAndre Jordan's value dramatically increases and Josh Smith is likely to start. Paul and Jordan become excellent plays in Griffin's absence, and Smith is well worth a punt play if he starts as a very efficient fantasy-point-per-minute player.
Eric Bledsoe (Knee), Indefinitely
Bledsoe could be out a long time, which makes the Suns' fast-paced offense change quite a bit. Brandon Knight becomes the de facto point guard, but Devin Booker is likely to start and play Bledsoe's minutes as a combo guard. Booker is an excellent scorer, and at just $7,000 he is worth looking at as a cheap play to free up some cap room. Keep an eye on the Suns' offense and their usages, because as a fast-paced team they are worth using when the rotation becomes predictable without Bledsoe.
Alec Burks (Ankle), Out 6-to-8 weeks
Burks will miss significant time with a fractured ankle. That frees up 20 to 25 minutes each night for other guards in the Jazz rotation. Trey Burke and Rodney Hood could see a boost in minutes, and Gordon Hayward's already high usage rate will rise even more (over 25 percent without Rudy Gobert/Burks on the floor). He is the top benefactor in terms of DFS value with Burks missing time, but Burke and Hood's minutes will likely increase the most.
Bradley Beal (Leg), Week-to-week
Beal will continue to miss time, and in his absence the Wizards have been favorites in the DFS world. Garrett Temple has played over 33 minutes in each of the last four games, Kelly Oubre has gotten a bump in playing time and value, and John Wall's usage rate has gone through the roof. Wall has at least 50 fantasy points in three of his last four games and he has averaged over 14 assists per game in that stretch. Given the Wizards' fast pace, any of their starters gets a bump at their low prices.
Deron Williams (Hamstring), Questionable
Williams' hamstring ailment has been a blessing to a few players for the Mavericks of late. J.J. Barea has been a star in limited work without Williams. In two games as the starter, he has 53.35 and 38.5 fantasy points. Barea's cost is still just $9,300 and it has risen. If Williams is out again and Barea is named the starter, it is hard to ignore him as a cheap play with incredible upside. When Williams returns, the Mavericks' small point guard will return to 20 minutes or less off the bench and is not worth playing at his current price.
