An 11-game NBA slate is set to tip off on Saturday, with 22 different teams in action. That means plenty of big names are expected to take the floor, including Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, Jayson Tatum and Nikola Jokic. With so many stars suiting up, narrowing down who to start in season-long fantasy and DFS formats is a difficult task. Here are the three forwards at the top of tonight’s fantasy basketball rankings:
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1. Jayson Tatum, Boston Celtics at NYK ($9,800)
It’s been a predictably great season for Jayson Tatum. Boston’s franchise player has put up 26.6 points, 8.7 rebounds and 5.7 assists through 49 games ( FPTS). However, the forward has hit a bit of a speed bump. Since January 1st, he’s averaged just 23.8 points per game on 42.8% shooting from the field. Most recently, the 26-year-old scored 17 points in a loss to the Mavericks on Thursday.
Saturday night’s primetime battle with the Knicks could bring out the best in Tatum. If New York has one weakness on defense, it’s from beyond the arc. This season, opponents have connected on an NBA-worst 37.8% of their three-point attempts against the ‘Bockers. That’s bad news against a Celtics team that loves to let it fly from long distance. If Tatum’s shots begin to fall early, a vintage performance could be in store tonight at Madison Square Garden.
2. Kevin Durant, Phoenix Suns vs. DEN ($9,000)
It was quite the week for Kevin Durant. Trade rumors, including a return to Golden State, were a frequent talking point prior to Thursday’s trade deadline. Ultimately, the Suns opted to hold onto the 14-time All-Star, hoping to make a late-season playoff push. For all of Phoenix’s shortcomings, KD has been spectacular. The 36-year-old has posted 26.9 points, 6.1 rebounds and 4.2 assists while shooting 52.4% from the field (44.8 FPTS).
Tonight’s game has all the makings of a shootout. The Nuggets have surrendered the seventh-most points (117.5) and the most assists (29.5) per game to opponents. During Durant’s last five games against Denver, the forward has recorded 29.0 points, 7.6 rebounds and 5.4 assists. Assuming the former MVP suits up, he could be a steal on tonight’s fantasy basketball rankings.
*Durant (ankle) is questionable to play tonight vs. the Nuggets.
3. Jimmy Butler, Golden State Warriors at CHI ($8,000)
A Wednesday night blockbuster sent shockwaves around the NBA. Jimmy Butler was traded to the Warriors in exchange for Andrew Wiggins, Kyle Anderson, Dennis Schröder and draft compensation. The move, while risky, gives Stephen Curry his most talented co-star to play with since Kevin Durant. It’s difficult to weigh too much into Butler’s stats with Miami this year, as the forward was in a perpetual standoff with the front office. Still, through 25 games the 35-year-old put up 17.0 points, 5.2 rebounds and 4.8 assists while shooting 54.0% from the field (33.7 FPTS).
Making his debut tonight, I’m expecting a solid first game for Butler. He’ll have an immediate opportunity to produce against a Bulls squad allowing the fifth-most fantasy points to small forwards. Chicago has given up 121.0 points to opponents this season, second-most in the NBA. At just $8,000, Jimmy Buckets could be a Saturday steal going up against his old team.
