It’s a jam-packed NBA slate on Wednesday, with eleven games set to tip off across the association. That means plenty of big names are expected to take the floor, including LaMelo Ball, Giannis Antetokounmpo, and Nikola Jokic. With so many stars in action, narrowing down a select group to start in season-long fantasy and DFS formats is a difficult task. Here are the three guards at the top of tonight’s fantasy basketball rankings:
Set your DraftKings fantasy basketball lineups here: NBA $300K Fadeaway [$100K to 1st]
1. LaMelo Ball, Charlotte Hornets at UTA ($10,000)
LaMelo Ball’s All-Star caliber campaign has breathed new life into a stagnant Hornets franchise. While Charlotte’s hopes of postseason contention are non-existent at 8-28, there’s finally hope for the future. This season, the former Rookie of the Year is averaging 29.7 points, 5.4 rebounds and 7.4 assists. The guard’s efficiency (42.0 FG%) isn’t great, but that’s not as important when you lead the NBA in usage rate (38.3%).
As the lead option on an otherwise subpar squad, Ball’s floor for production is sky-high. Fortunately for the Hornets, they’ll get to face another cellar-dweller tonight in the 10-28 Jazz. This season, Utah has surrendered the fifth-most points to opponents (117.6) and the second-most DK fantasy points to point guards. Even as the most expensive option, LaMelo is an obvious pick atop Wednesday’s fantasy basketball rankings.
2. Trae Young, Atlanta Hawks at CHI ($9,900)
The Hawks are an inconsistent group, and that’s reflected in the play of their point guard. Trae Young, for all his flaws on defense, is still one of the game’s most exciting players. Through 36 games, the three-time All-Star has recorded 22.5 points, 3.4 rebounds and a league-leading 12.1 assists. The caveat to those terrific counting stats? A career-worst 40.1% field goal percentage (33.9 3PT%).
In the right matchup, the 26-year-old’s brilliance as a playmaker becomes impossible to ignore. That includes tonight against a Bulls team giving up the third-most assists in basketball (28.7). Chicago has had particular difficulty guarding point guards, allowing the third-most DK fantasy points to the position. There’s nothing that suggests Young will struggle against one of the NBA’s weakest defensive units.
*UPDATE: Young (rib) has been ruled out of tonight’s contest vs. Chicago.
3. Kyrie Irving, Dallas Mavericks at NOP ($9,300)
Kyrie Irving returned to action on Tuesday following a 13-day hiatus. The guard only scored 11 points on 4-of-11 shooting vs. the Nuggets, but that’s not too surprising. It will take some time for the veteran to return to 100% after suffering a bulging disc in his back. This season, the eight-time All-Star has put up 24.3 points, 4.6 rebounds and 4.9 assists on 49.0% shooting from the field (44.1 3PT%).
On their own, those numbers aren’t quite good enough to justify a spot on these fantasy basketball rankings. However, with Luka Doncic out due to a calf injury, Irving should have total control of the Mavericks’ offense. That sets up the 34-year-old for a vintage performance tonight against the Pelicans. This season, New Orleans is giving up the sixth-most DK fantasy points to opposing point guards. A still-recovering Kyrie is a bit risky, but he’s a high-upside option for those who want to take a gamble.
