The NBA is back in full swing, with tantalizing storylines already starting to develop. The stars have shown out, but plenty of quality players are still producing under the radar.
DraftKings is offering a daily contest with the chance to win $50,000. After studying the slate, I’ve honed in on two value plays to help boost your lineup.
Set your DraftKings fantasy basketball lineups here: NBA $150K Fadeaway [$50K to 1st]
DraftKings Value Picks
Norman Powell ($5,800)
Scouring the Los Angeles roster before the season, I wondered how the club would replace the production of the departed Paul George and sidelined Kawhi Leonard. Even with James Harden turning back the clock and dominating the rock, he simply isn’t as effective as his MVP prime. That opens the door for veteran Norman Powell, the flamethrower who knows how to put the ball in the basket.
The 31-year-old is a shifty combo guard who is a sniper from a distance but can also manipulate defenders and attack the cup. He doesn’t offer much playmaking—he’s of the professional scorer mold with a shoot-first, second, and third mentality. Powell is talented enough to take turns being the offensive engine, but this is the first time he’s operated as the number-two threat on a team.
Powell came in at number 98 in my NBA Top 100, but he is experienced enough to ascend to a higher level with an increased workload. Don’t expect consistent 37-point explosions like in his recent outing against Denver, but he should easily be able to average 20 ppg. Golden State has no perimeter defenders to contain him, and I like the matchup at this unreal value.
Scoot Henderson ($5,300)
The sophomore leap is underway for Scoot Henderson. Last year’s third-overall pick had a disastrous rookie slate, struggling to show consistent flashes. Visually, he looks the part—a chiseled frame with a sizzling first step and unreal athleticism. He was often out of control, knifing toward the hoop without any real plan. The jumper never got around, and at 6’3″, that won’t fly in the modern league landscape.
He’s clearly leveled up over the summer and has experience of what it takes at the next level. Even in a small sample size, he’s looked far more in command in his second season. The decisiveness is noticeable, and he’s getting to the paint with ease. He’s putting up around 31 fantasy points per game despite being one from eight from beyond the arc. He likely draws C.J. McCollum, who does not have the footspeed to stay in front of Henderson.
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All odds provided by DraftKings Sportsbook and all odds subject to change.
I am a promoter at DraftKings and am also an avid fan and user (my username is xaiver-aguiar) and may sometimes play on my personal account in the games that I offer advice on. Although I have expressed my personal view on the games and strategies above, they do not necessarily reflect the view(s) of DraftKings and do not constitute a representation that any particular strategy will guarantee success. All customers should use their own skills and judgment in building lineups. I may also deploy different players and strategies than what I recommend above. I am not an employee of DraftKings and do not have access to any non-public information.
