It’s a weird day in the NBA, with games starting as early as noon on the east coast.
In fact, I barely have any time to write this intro. So… Uh… BASKETBALL VALUES! Get excited!
Set your DraftKings fantasy basketball lineups here: NBA $200K Fadeaway [$50K to 1st]
For up-to-the-minute news, analysis and lineups, download the DK Network app. You also can follow DK Network on Twitter @dknetwork.
PF/C Naz Reid, Minnesota Timberwolves at Memphis Grizzlies, $5,000
One of the bigger injury concerns on this afternoon slate is Rudy Gobert ($5,400; ankle), who is questionable to suit up due to a right ankle sprain. The veteran big man has been incredibly durable in 2024-25 and has yet to miss a single contest; however, it’s pretty clear what the plan would be if he were to sit: Naz Reid would join the Timberwolves’ starting five. Reid has not drawn a start this season with Gobert’s good health and fortune, but Reid did start 14 games in 2023-24, averaging 17.6 points and 7.0 rebounds in 29.3 minutes of action. Heck, with how he’s been playing the last couple weeks, Reid might be viable on Monday even if Gobert ends up available. Reid’s registered over 30 FPTS in seven of his past 11 contests. It’s a span where he’s producing 16.4 points per game. In short, he’s locked in at the moment. Keep an eye on this injury report as we get closer to tip-off.
PG/SG Caris LeVert, Cleveland Cavaliers vs. Phoenix Suns, $4,200
LeVert has started two games so far this season, both coming in the past two weeks. One was against the Raptors, where LeVert logged a season-high 36.4 minutes and finished with 18 points, five assists and 32.75 FPTS. The other was this past Saturday versus the Timberwolves in place of the injured Evan Mobley (calf). To be blunt, LeVert was terrible, shooting just 1-for-6 from the field with a microscopic 12.0% usage rate — the lowest of any Cavalier starter. The duality of man, right? Mobley has already been ruled out for Monday afternoon’s tilt with the Suns, so it stands to reason that LeVert will get his third start. I’m willing to bank on the upside. For the season as a whole, LeVert is producing a respectable 0.96 FPTS per minute. He’s an established scorer in this league and he should be able to find success in a matchup with a Phoenix team that’s surrendering 116.3 opponent points per 100 possessions across its last five contests.
PF Gui Santos, Golden State Warriors vs. Boston Celtics, $3,000
Allow me to start by saying this: If Steph Curry ($9,000; ankle) ends up not playing through his questionable tag on Monday, anyone who is available for the Warriors qualifies as a viable value option, as Curry would join Draymond Green (calf), Jonathan Kuminga (ankle), Kyle Anderson (glute) and Brandin Podziemski (abdomen) on the sideline. As we wait on the Curry news, let’s instead focus on Green’s injury. The former All-Star returned from a three-game absence on Saturday, only to hurt himself again after just 3.0 minutes of action. Because of this, Santos is now a name to keep an eye on. The 22-year-old started in place on Green on January 15 and he started the second half of the team’s victory over the Wizards this past weekend. In Golden State’s past four contests, Santos is averaging 0.96 FPTS per minute played, so if he starts tonight, he’s obviously an intriguing asset priced at the bare minimum. I’d also take a serious look at both Kevon Looney ($3,600) and Moses Moody ($3,500).
