Wednesday’s main slate on DraftKings includes the first seven games of the night. DraftKings continues to offer huge contests for DFS players, and below, I break down some of my favorite NBA DFS options at each position.
Set your DraftKings fantasy basketball lineups here: NBA $300K Fadeaway [$100K to 1st]
Guard
Stud
Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, Oklahoma City Thunder at Boston Celtics, $11,400
With Jalen Williams (hip) sidelined, Gilgeous-Alexander easily brings the highest ceiling on the slate. The guard is the MVP frontrunner right now with -500 odds for the award on DraftKings Sportsbook. With Williams off the court this season, Gilgeous-Alexander’s usage rises 4.2 percentage points and his assist rate increases 6.7 percentage points, resulting in an elite 1.8 FPTS per minute.
While heading to Boston to face the Celtics is a difficult task, Gilgeous-Alexander should put on a show against the defending champions with Williams unavailable.
Other Options: Trae Young ($10,000, if active), Ja Morant ($9,300), Dyson Daniels ($7,300), Derrick White ($7,100, if Jayson Tatum is out)
Value
Lonnie Walker IV, Philadelphia 76ers at Toronto Raptors, $4,300
With the 76ers tanking and remaining without Joel Embiid (knee), Paul George (groin) and Tyrese Maxey (back/finger) on Wednesday, Walker is an excellent bargain. With those three starters out for the last three, Walker has scored 24.25, 50.25 and 27.25 FPTS, in that order. During this stretch, he has logged at least 28 minutes and seen a usage rate of at least 22% in every game.
The Raptors are tanking themselves with multiple starters out, so Walker should exceed five-times value with ease in this spot.
Other Options: Bradley Beal ($6,500), Collin Sexton ($5,600), Jamal Shead ($4,400), A.J. Lawson ($4,000)
Forward
Stud
Miles Bridges, Charlotte Hornets at Atlanta Hawks, $8,600
Bridges has been brilliant for the Hornets as of late, scoring over 50 FPTS in four of his past five starts. Since the the All-Star break, Bridges is providing 1.4 FPTS per minute with a 31.8% usage rate while shooting 45.8% from the field.
In a prime matchup against a Hawks team that ranks second in pace and 21st in defensive efficiency, Bridges has 50 FPTS upside and is a compelling spend at this sub $9K salary.
Other Options: Jayson Tatum ($10,700, if active), Jaylen Brown ($8,800), Naji Marshall ($7,500)
Value
Keldon Johnson, San Antonio Spurs vs. Dallas Mavericks, $4,700
For the second game in a row, the Spurs will be hosting the Mavericks. In the first leg of this mini series Monday, Johnson flourished in 29 minutes off the bench, posting 37.75 FPTS per minute. Including this showing, Johnson is amassing 28.1 FPTS in 25.8 minutes per game with Victor Wembanyama (shoulder) sidelined this season.
Wembanyama is done for the year, and Johnson is an awesome value against this depleted Mavericks team that ranks 25th in defensive rating since the All-Star break. Plus, keep an eye on the status of Devin Vassell (questionable, wrist), because if he sits, Johnson will see a larger role and become an even better target.
Other Options: John Collins ($6,600), Aaron Wiggins ($5,700), Caris LeVert ($5,400, if active), Brice Sensabaugh ($4,600, if Lauri Markkanen is out), Ricky Council IV ($3,400)
Center
Stud
Mark Williams, Charlotte Hornets at Atlanta Hawks, $7,400
In his return from a two-game absence due to a foot injury, Williams was great Monday in a tough matchup vs. the Heat. He finished with a double-double and 49 FPTS across 29 minutes. In his last five starts, Williams is now scoring 42.75 FPTS in 29.8 minutes per game.
The center is contributing a strong 1.4 FPTS per minute this season and playing way up in pace vs. the Hawks. Williams is the best high-end value at center Wednesday.
Other Options: Bam Adebayo ($9,400), Isaiah Hartenstein ($7,100)
Value
Nick Richards, Phoenix Suns at Houston Rockets, $4,400
Richards is fresh off a double-double and 29 FPTS vs. the Grizzlies, which marked his fourth straight effort of at least 24 FPTS. The big man is scoring 1.1 FPTS with a 17% usage rate since joining the Suns in January. When Richards faced the Rockets last month, he tallied a double-double worth 32.2 FPTS in 27 minutes.
While Houston ranks second in defensive efficiency, this a matchup that requires size and Richards should see 25-30 minutes, as he is the Suns’ best option to defend Alperen Sengun. With that type of volume, Richards should out produce his low salary with over 25 FPTS.
UPDATE: Richards (ankle) has been downgraded to doubtful and with the center expected to be out, Mason Plumlee ($3,400) becomes an awesome punt play. The veteran has been Richards’ backup and even with Richards available, Plumlee has scored over 20 FPTS in five of his last seven games. Plumlee should start in place of Richards tonight and see around 30 minutes, giving him a great chance to destroy his low salary. This season, Plumlee is providing 1.0 FPTS per minute.
Other Options: Jabari Smith Jr. ($5,200), Al Horford ($5,100, if Kristaps Porzingis is out), Adem Bona ($3,500, if Andre Drummond is out)
