The NBA season is in full swing, and that means loaded DFS slates for the weekends. It’s time for my first weekly picks of the season. I’ll give you a stud play, a value play, and a player to fade for each position so you can piece together your ideal lineup.
For Sunday, 10/26/25, we’ll be using the NBA $150K Fadeaway [$50K to 1st] DFS pool. Now let’s dig into the picks!
Point Guard
Stud: Luka Donฤiฤ (LAL), $11,800
It’s only been two games, but we might already be in “must start no matter what” territory with Luka Donฤiฤ. Without LeBron James in the lineup, Doncic is putting up some absolutely monster stat lines. Donฤiฤ has put up 92 points, 23 rebounds, and 17 assists to only six turnovers across his first two games. It’s an absolutely absurd production that should continue against a feeble Kings defense. Find a way to afford him in your lineup.
Value: Ryan Rollins (MIL), $4,500
Kevin Porter Jr.’s absence has thrust Ryan Rollins into starting duties for the Milwaukee Bucks โ and he may not give the job back.
It’s not the offense that pops; Rollins is averaging 11 points and 2.5 assists so far. But the defense is immensely valuable. Rollins has collected nine rebounds, five steals, and a block in the first two games. He leads the NBA in total deflections so far. If he can knock down some shots playing off of Giannis Antetokounmpo, the defense could produce a big line.
Fade: James Harden (LAC), $8,700
James Harden is accustomed to putting up monster stat lines. But this Portland Trail Blazers defense is going to turn some heads this year.
They already had an elite perimeter defender in Toumani Camara. Now they’ve added another to the starting lineup with Jrue Holiday. Deni Avdija thrives in rotation, and Donovan Clingan is an excellent rim protector. They can even throw Matisse Thybulle in there as a superb bench defender. It’s a tough formula for the aging Harden, and for this entire Clippers offense. He’s not worth the price.
Shooting Guard
Stud: RJ Barrett (TOR), $7,300
RJ Barrett has been a five-category stud out of the two-guard spot through two games. The former Knick is averaging 22.5 points, 7.0 rebounds, 3.5 assists, 2.0 steals, and 1.0 blocks in his first two starts while shooting 75% from the floor and 43% from deep.
The arrival of Brandon Ingram has simplified the scoring hierarchy in Toronto. Barrett is more efficient with his scaled-down usage and can contribute more as a defender. The Mavericks’ defense has looked messy through two games, and Barrett will have opportunities to knock down shots.
Value: Tre Johnson (WAS), $4,700
Washington was disappointed with their lottery luck in the past draft, but they aren’t going to complain about Tre Johnson. The 19-year-old was a lethal shooting prospect and is translating immediately. Through two games, Johnson is 7-of-14 from three-point range and has scored 33 total points.
He’s not going to add a lot as a playmaker or a defender. But against a feeble Charlotte Hornets defense, he will have plenty of room to cook. It’s a bonus that Charlotte is coming off a 125-121 loss to the Sixers on Saturday night.
Fade: Donovan Mitchell (CLE), $9,100
It’s nothing against Mitchell. The six-time All-Star is off to an excellent start, scoring 66 points across his first two games. But as the second most expensive SG on the board, the value is not there.
Mitchell needs to score like crazy to justify his price. As we discussed earlier, Milwaukee has a solid perimeter defender in Ryan Rollins, while Giannis Antetokounmpo and Myles Turner are patrolling the paint. It’s reason enough to fade Mitchell at this price.
Small Forward
Stud: DeMar DeRozan (SAC), $7,900
DeMar DeRozan keeps chugging along. The 36-year-old guard has scored 36 points, grabbed nine rebounds, dished out 15 assists, and swiped four steals through two games. Sacramento continues to be a bit of a mess, but DeRozan will always bring value.
The Lakers haven’t handled big forwards well this year. I expect DeMar to have plenty of opportunities in the mid-post, and in a game with some decent pace, he could pitch in a reasonable amount of rebounds and assists to boot. On a slate devoid of true stud SF plays, DeRozan is a good value for the third-highest price.
Value: Jerami Grant (POR), $5,300
Has Jerami Grant bought back into the Portland Trail Blazers? After looking checked out last year, Portland brought in extra depth that moved Grant to the bench. He has channeled that into resurgent play. Jerami has put up 51 points over his first two games while shooting 55% from three-point range.
He doesn’t produce much as a rebounder or passer. But he’s usually good for a steal and a block, and has been shooting the lights out. The Clippers’ defense is underwhelming, especially the bench lineup. If he gets up a good amount of threes, the value is there.
Fade: Kawhi Leonard (LAC), $7,600
I’m not saying Kawhi Leonard will be a no-show tomorrow. But he’s certainly expensive, ranking sixth on our board. As mentioned before, Portland’s defense looks excellent, especially against inside-the-arc forwards. They just held Jimmy Butler to 14 points and seven field goal attempts.
Kawhi needs to aspire to more this season. By his standards, 18.5 PPG/4.5 RPG/3.5 APG isn’t going to cut it. This Blazers defense might have him saying uncle by the time the night is out.
Power Forward
Stud: Pascal Siakam (IND), $8,300
Saturday’s game against the Grizzlies wasn’t the best for Pascal Siakam by his standards. The 31-year-old put up 13 points with six rebounds and six assists on 5-of-12 shooting in the loss. But I’m trusting him on this back-to-back against the Timberwolves.
Siakam went nuts in their first game, putting up 32 points and 15 rebounds in the double overtime loss to the Thunder. Without Andrew Nembhard and Tyrese Haliburton, the scoring burden is entirely on Siakam. Even if the efficiency isn’t excellent, the volume should be there for Siakam to put up a big line against Minnesota.
Value: Toumani Camara (POR), $5,700
Last year was a true breakout season for Toumani Camara on the defensive end. He finished ninth in DPOY voting while securing a second-team All-Defense spot. But, ever so quietly, he grew a lot as a shooter and driver while continuing to offensive rebound at a high clip. Now he’s taking things to a new level.
As a rookie, Camara attempted 2.5 threes per game and made 33.7%. That went up to 4.6 per game at a 37.5% clip last season. Now he’s at 6.0 attempts per game and shooting 41.7%. The catch and shoot leap is real, folks.
Paired with a lot of steals, blocks, and rebounds, an efficiently shooting Camara could be a four-category monster and a serious DFS value until the prices catch up to his production.
Fade: Giannis Antetokounmpo (MIL), $11,400
The second-most-expensive player on the board, Giannis Antetokounmpo’s price is well justified. The two-time MVP is putting up a preposterous 34 points, 17 rebounds, and six assists per game so far. It’s the kind of production that would deliver a third MVP if he keeps it up. But if there’s one team that’s made to stop him, it’s the Cleveland Cavaliers.
The Cavs can throw reigning DPOY Evan Mobley at Giannis while Jarrett Allen patrols the paint. Few teams, if any, have a better formula than that. He did well as a scorer last year against Cleveland, but the turnover numbers were high while the assist numbers were low. At this kind of price, you need him to be his best self, and that’s no guarantee when facing the Cavs.
Center
Stud: Domantas Sabonis (SAC), $9,000
Fantasy managers and DFS players alike rejoiced at the return of Domantas Sabonis in Sacramento’s last game. The stat-stuffing monster is back and ready to put up more big-time lines, and the Los Angeles Lakers will be his next victim.
No Anthony Davis in the LA paint anymore. Instead, it’s Deandre Ayton, who is no imposing defender. Ayton isn’t much of a contested rebounder either, which gives “Domas” the chance to eat in the restricted area and on the glass. If he pitches in some assists, it could be an elite performance from Sabonis.
Value: Ryan Kalkbrenner (CHA), $4,300
The Charlotte Hornets are always a hotbed for DFS production. And rookie Ryan Kalkbrenner should be in the middle of things against the Washington Wizards.
Charlotte took the four-time Big East Defensive Player of the Year in the second round of this past draft. He’s a strict drop defender, but he’ll rack up a lot of blocks and rebounds. They also like to toss the ball inside to Kalk to make use of his 7-foot-1 frame, which should come in handy against the Wizards.
He’s not the flashiest play. But if you’re investing elsewhere and need a cheap starter-level player, Kalkbrenner is your guy.
Fade: Karl-Anthony Towns (NYK), $8,400
KAT has been an absolute monster to start the year. Not many players can claim a 20-point and 10-rebound average, and Towns is on the short list. But there’s one major thing standing in his way: Bam Adebayo.
Miami’s defensive star is as good a player as any to contain KAT. With the fourth-highest price on the board, I’m fading Towns hard as a lineup fixture.
