Wednesday presents an 11-game slate. 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
Luka Doncic, Los Angeles Lakers vs. Denver Nuggets, $12,500
Doncic is the clear No. 1 option on the slate and with an overabundance of appealing punt plays at our disposal, paying up for the superstar is easy. LeBron James (groin) remains sidelined, and Doncic is scoring 64.9 FPTS per game with James out for the last four.
Doncic hasn’t scored less than 61 FPTS in any of these games. In the 249 minutes Doncic has played without James, the 26-year-old’s usage and assist rates rise 6.0 and 8.2 percentage points, respectively. It results in an incredible 1.9 FPTS per minute for the guard. Facing a Nuggets defense that ranks 24th in efficiency, Doncic could erupt for over 70 FPTS.
Other Options: Desmond Bane ($9,300), Austin Reaves ($9,000), Coby White ($8,000, if Josh Giddey is out), Russell Westbrook ($7,000, if Nikola Jokic and Jamal Murray are out)
Value
Isaiah Joe, Oklahoma City Thunder vs. Philadelphia 76ers, $4,300
Joe is a core play for all formats with the Thunder understaffed. Shai Gilgeous-Alexander (rest), Jalen Williams (hip) and Lu Dort (hip) are all out. In the only other game Oklahoma City was without these three starters this season, Joe started and finished with 39.5 FPTS across 34 minutes vs. the Trail Blazers.
The guard is scoring 1.0 FPTS per minute with a 22% usage rate with Gilgeous-Alexander, Williams and Dort off the court this season. This is a beautiful matchup vs. the 76ers, who rank second-to-last in defensive rating since the All-Star break. In this situation, Joe has a real chance at 10-times value.
Other Options: Jared Butler ($6,000), Jordan Goodwin ($4,700), Cason Wallace ($4,300)
Forward
Stud
Josh Hart, New York Knicks at San Antonio Spurs, $8,000
Hart went nuts Monday vs. the Heat, posting a triple-double of 59.25 FPTS in only 29 minutes of work. Jalen Brunson (ankle) missed this game and will remain out Wednesday. With the guard inactive this season, Hart is amassing 43 FPTS per game, and he has notched a triple-double in two of these six contests.
With increases to all his rates, most notably a 4.9-point increase to his assist percentage, Hart is generating 1.1 FPTS per minute that Brunson is off the floor this season. San Antonio owns the worst defensive rating since the All-Star break, so Hart should surpass five-times value in this elite matchup, possibly with another triple-double.
Other Options: Jaren Jackson Jr. ($8,400)
Value
Aaron Wiggins, Oklahoma City Thunder vs. Philadelphia 76ers, $5,100
Just like Joe, Wiggins is a core play with the Thunder shorthanded. In that one other game without Gilgeous-Alexander, Williams and Dort this season, Wiggins started and erupted for 44.75 FPTS across 31 minutes. Wiggins led the team in usage that night and while Chet Holmgren will be active this time around, Wiggins should still garner a large usage rate and operate as one of Oklahoma City’s main weapons.
With Gilgeous-Alexander, Williams and Dort off the court this season, Wiggins’ usage rises 8.1 percentage points to a team-high 28%, and he produces 1.1 FPTS per minute.
Other Options: Tari Eason ($6,300, if starting), Kevin Huerter ($5,300, if Josh Giddey is out), Aaron Gordon ($5,200, if either Nikola Jokic or Jamal Murray are out), Bennedict Mathurin ($5,100, if Tyrese Haliburton and Pascal Siakam are out), Justin Edwards ($4,700)
Center
Stud
P.J. Washington, Dallas Mavericks at Indiana Pacers, $7,800
Washington made his return from a seven-game absence due to an ankle injury Sunday vs. the 76ers and instantly found himself as the Mavericks’ main player. In 31 minutes of work and a team-high 34.5% usage rate, Washington posted 48.25 FPTS. The Mavericks will be in the same situation personnel wise Wednesday, most notably with Kyrie Irving (knee) and Anthony Davis (adductor) out. Doncic is also now with the Lakers and in the eight starts Washington has made without Doncic, Irving and Davis this season, Washington is scoring 37.8 FPTS per game.
With Doncic, Irving and Davis off the floor this season, Washington is averaging 1.1 FPTS per minute with a 24% usage rate. The Pacers rank eighth in pace this season, so Washington should top 40 FPTS in this spot.
Other Options: Nikola Jokic ($12,900, if active), Chet Holmgren ($7,600)
Value
Jaxson Hayes, Los Angeles Lakers vs. Denver Nuggets, $5,000
After missing three games with a knee injury, Hayes has been thriving as the Lakers’ starting center, scoring 35 and 32.25 FPTS in his last two starts. With Los Angeles severely lacking depth up front, it has heavily relied on Hayes. He’s played 30 minutes per game in his last three.
Hayes is providing 0.9 FPTS per minute and shooting 72% from the field this season, and he is a strong bet to exceed five-times value against this Nuggets defense that ranks 24th in efficiency this season.
Other Options: Myles Turner ($6,400), Obi Toppin ($4,800, if Pascal Siakam is out), Oshae Brissett ($4,100)
