After two weeks of exciting NBA action, the 2024-25 season is in full swing. Still, injuries and ever-changing rotations have made consistent player production hard to come by. That can make finding hidden gems in DFS contests a difficult task. Yet, if you look close enough, there’s plenty of players that could provide value across your lineups. Here are three players from tonight’s three-game slate that are being slept on.
Set your DraftKings fantasy basketball lineups here: NBA $333K Fadeaway [$100K to 1st]
PG/SG Keyonte George, Utah Jazz at MIL ($6,400)
Consistent Jazz players not named Lauri Markkanen are hard to come by, but Keyonte George fits the bill. Although the second-year guard has been a terrible shooter this season (32.7 FG%), he’s racked up plenty of counting stats. Through seven games, he’s averaging 16.4 points, 6.9 assists and 2.9 rebounds over 32.7 minutes per game.
The 1-6 Bucks have plenty of flaws, chief among them perimeter defense. On the year, they’ve given up the third-most DK fantasy points to opposing guards. Considering his hefty workload and a turnstile defense on the other side, George’s price tag shouldn’t be just the eighth-most expensive guard on a thin three-game slate. He’s a great value play if you’re looking to buy a star at another position.
SG/SF Julian Champagnie, San Antonio Spurs vs. POR ($5,000)
Jeremy Sochan’s thumb fracture has opened up a gaping hole in the Spurs’ lineup. With Devin Vassell still injured and rookie Stephon Castle struggling, it’s been Julian Champagnie that has stepped up. The third-year veteran is putting up a respectable 22.4 DK fantasy points per game, but Sochan’s absence opens the door for him to flirt with 30 minutes on a nightly basis.
Over his past two games, the former St. John’s star is averaging 17.0 points and 4.0 rebounds. Those numbers aren’t eye-popping, but it’s not like he was breaking the bank for DFS managers. Even though Champagnie’s $5,000 price tag is his highest of the season, it’s still great value considering the lack of quality options tonight. Considering the Trail Blazers are giving up the sixth-most DK fantasy points to forwards, Champagnie has to be considered in your lineup.
C Brook Lopez, Milwaukee Bucks vs. UTA ($5,700)
Brook Lopez is the ultimate ‘boring’ player that nobody is seeking to bet on, especially with a 39.4% field goal percentage this season. However, while the 36-year-old might not be the player he once was, I’m willing to bank on positive shooting regression going forward. It helps that head coach Doc Rivers, never shy about backing veteran players, is keeping the seven-footer on the floor for 31.4 minutes per game. If that mark stays the same for the rest of the year, it would be Lopez’s highest workload since 2016.
Utah’s defense leaves much to be desired. While the team does employ a good rim protector in Walker Kessler, Lopez’s game isn’t built on points in the paint. His ability from beyond the arc, combined with the defensive attention Giannis Antentokounmpo attracts, should lead to plenty of wide-open shots from deep. At a thin position, getting Lopez as the sixth center off the board makes too much sense.
Set your DraftKings fantasy basketball lineups here: NBA $333K Fadeaway [$100K to 1st]
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I am a promoter at DraftKings and am also an avid fan and user (my username is barmy) 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 skill 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.
