The NBA has another solid seven-game slate this Saturday with only the Celtics-Nets matchup not part of the main contest. The Knicks visiting the Warriors is the main featured game on national TV, but that doesn’t mean it’s the only game to consider for fantasy plays. As we get ready to dive into this 14-team fantasy basketball pool, these three NBA must-start options stand out as plays that are set for success this Saturday.
Set your DraftKings fantasy basketball lineups here: NBA $200K Fadeaway [$50K to 1st]
SG/SF Coby White, Chicago Bulls at Houston Rockets, $7,500
The Bulls will be without Lonzo Ball (wrist) and likely Josh Giddey ($8,600; ankle, doubtful) on Saturday when they visit Houston. White is officially probable with a right toe injury, but he has been playing through the issue and posting great results.
On Thursday, White had 31 points, seven rebounds, four assists and 47.75 fantasy points against the Nets. He has over 43 fantasy points in four of his last five games and showed a high ceiling with 44 points and 58.75 fantasy points against the Magic last Thursday.
White has scored 20 points or more in seven straight games and has been very consistent while also offering plenty of upside. In those seven games, White averaged 28.6 points, 5.3 rebounds, 3.3 assists and 1.4 steals for 43.7 fantasy points per game. Getting him at $7,500 gives plenty of salary cap flexibility and he can also slot in at guard or forward, depending on the rest of your roster construction.
PG/SG, Stephon Castle, San Antonio Spurs vs. New Orleans Pelicans, $6,200
Castle was in my NBA must-starts on Friday as well and he moved into the starting five for the Spurs in place of De’Aaron Fox (finger). The No. 4 pick in last year’s NBA Draft went 10-for-17 from the field and finished with 26 points and 34.75 fantasy points in the loss to the Hornets.
Over his last nine games, Castle averaged 35 fantasy points on 20.9 points, 4.6 rebounds, 4.0 assists and 1.2 steals per game. He has scored over 20 points in six of those contests and should continue to carry more of the load with Fox ruled out.
The Pelicans have allowed the third-most fantasy points to shooting guards this season, so Castle should be in a great spot to post another big game on Saturday.
PG/SG Cason Wallace, Oklahoma City Thunder at Detroit Pistons, $4,300
The Thunder don’t have Jalen Williams (hip) or Chet Holmgren (rest) and could also be without Aaron Wiggins ($5,400; illness, questionable). One of several players with a great opportunity to step up is second-year guard Cason Wallace. Wallace has started 37 of his 57 games this season and returned to the starting five on Wednesday against Boston in place of Williams.
In his return to the lineup, he had 14 points, three assists, four rebounds, two steals and 28.5 fantasy points. Off the bench last Monday, he played 29 minutes against the Nuggets, finishing with 12 points, eight assists, three steals and 36.25 fantasy points.
He has played over 20 minutes in nine of his 11 games since returning from injury after the All-Star break. He has at least 24 fantasy points in seven of those nine games and has averaged 26.4 fantasy points in those nine contests.
Since the Thunder will be missing some key pieces, Wallace should get plenty of minutes and have a great chance to outperform his very affordable salary of just over $4,000, making him one of my three NBA must-starts for Saturday.
