The NBA season is in full swing, and that means loaded DFS slates for the weekends. It’s time for weekly Sunday picks. 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, November 2, 2025, we will be using the NBA $150K Fadeaway [$50K to 1st] DFS pool. Now let’s dig into the picks!
Point Guard
Stud: Tyrese Maxey (PHI), $9,800
The degree to which Tyrese Maxey is breaking out this season is incredible. The former MIP is putting up career-high per-game marks in points, rebounds, assists, and blocks. No player can match his averages of 35.2 PPG, 4.6 RPG, 9.4 APG, 1.2 SPG, and 1.0 BPG. Brooklyn’s defense has been the worst in the NBA this season, and they have no chance at stopping Maxey.
Value: Dylan Harper (SAS), $5,700
There are definite weaknesses in this Phoenix Suns defense. And without De’Aaron Fox, someone has to do the perimeter creation for the Spurs. Enter rookie Dylan Harper. The 19-year-old has adjusted well to life in the NBA, scoring with solid efficiency while contributing as a rebounder and passer. Dillon Brooks’ injury issues may keep him out yet again, setting the table for Harper to cook.
Fade: Devin Booker (PHX), $9,500
Conversely, this isn’t the game to play Devin Booker. The Spurs are allowing the fewest DFS points per game to opposing point guards. Stephon Castle is an excellent perimeter defender, and the interior dominance of Victor Wembanyama essentially takes away the paint. As the third-highest priced PG on the board, Book isn’t worth the investment.
Shooting Guard
Stud: VJ Edgecombe (PHI), $7,400
The Sixers’ rookie is taking the league by storm. A defense-first prospect, Edgecombe’s impressive offensive polish has drawn a lot of eyes. He’s scoring 21.2 PPG while shooting 49.4% from the floor, 43.8% from deep, and 80% on free throws. The game-to-game floor has been high, and he’s keeping turnovers down. A Maxey-Edgecombe stack against a rough Nets defense could be the move here.
Value: Sam Merrill (CLE), $4,700
If there were an MIP award for March, Sam Merrill would have received some votes. The movement shooter has doubled his PPG from last season while shooting a scorching 51.4% from deep on 8.8 attempts per game. That won’t keep up for long, but facing a Hawks defense that is off to a bad start, Shootin’ Sam will get his buckets at a bottom-barrel price.
Fade: Stephon Castle (SAS), $7,100
The problem for Stephon Castle is the turnovers. He’s coughing the ball up a whopping 5.4 times per game so far, which has negated his solid box score production. Phoenix’s defense has done well against guys like him, and Castle should see a fair amount of fellow 2024 draftee Ryan Dunn, another excellent defender. As the fourth most expensive two guard, I’m staying away from Stephon.
Small Forward
Stud: Brandon Ingram (TOR), $7,100
So far, so good for the Brandon Ingram experiment in Toronto. In his debut year up north, Ingram is putting up 21.7 PPG while shooting 58% inside the arc and 40% outside of it. He’s finding a good rhythm with Toronto’s other offensive tools, scaling down the usage a bit in exchange for increased efficiency. Against a rapidly collapsing Grizzlies team, B.I. should have a strong outing.
Value: Kon Knueppel (CHA), $5,300
Here’s another rookie making waves early on. Kon Knueppel has been a great offensive complement to LaMelo Ball, providing excellent shooting and ball movement. So far, the 20-year-old is shooting 50% from deep on 6.8 attempts per game. He doesn’t offer many stats outside of the scoring, but against a defensively weak Jazz backcourt, Kon should rack up the points.
Fade: Grayson Allen (PHX), $6,500
I’m set on fading every Sun I can against the Spurs’ defense. Allen makes his money with his three-point shooting, but the presence of Victor Wembanyama affects everyone. So far this year, San Antonio’s defense is 31.7 points better per 100 possessions with Wemby on the floor. It’s an unprecedented number, and I’m not comfortable with any of the starting Suns.
Power Forward
Stud: Jaren Jackson Jr. (MEM), $8,200
You know who isn’t playing much defense? The Toronto Raptors. That bodes extremely well for Jaren Jackson Jr., even without Ja Morant in the fold. He’s going to get a ton of usage in this one, and along with his block numbers, this could be a massive night for J.J.J.
Value: Keldon Johnson (SAS), $4,900
Keldon Johnson has found new life playing a role for the San Antonio Spurs. Once a high-usage scorer, he’s focusing on rebounding hard while knocking down his shots. Not only is he one of the best offensive rebounders in the league so far, but he’s also posting an incredible 71.4% eFG. He’s not going to get a lot of volume, but the efficiency will play against Phoenix.
Fade: Miles Bridges (CHA), $7,800
Miles Bridges is the one Hornet who faces a dilemma on Sunday. This Jazz team does not have a whole lot of defense outside of the frontcourt. He’s going to see a lot of time being guarded by Lauri Markkanen, a great defender with a lot of length to bother Bridges on the drive. I don’t see him capitalizing on his price here.
Center
Stud: Victor Wembanyama (SAS), $11,800
The most expensive player on the board — and perhaps the best player in the NBA — Victor Wembanyama has earned his stripes. He’s leading the league in rebounds and blocks per game while putting up crazy scoring volume. Here’s the question: can you afford not to put Wemby in your lineups? My answer is no. It isn’t easy to make up his 60+ DFS points elsewhere, even with the money you save.
Value: Adem Bona (PHI), $4,200
If you’re intent on spending money elsewhere at the center spot, Adem Bona is the value play. With Joel Embiid out for Sunday’s tilt with the Nets, Bona should slide into starting center duties. He’s a great rebounder and a capable shot-blocker who should eat against a bad defense and inefficient offense. For such a low price, Bona is a good utility option if you’re spending big elsewhere.
Fade: Kristaps Porzingis (ATL), $6,900
It’s difficult to know what to expect with Kristaps Porzingis. His illness looms large and makes him a candidate for early departures. Without Trae Young in the lineup, his best pick-and-pop partner is out. I don’t see him thriving offensively without Young, and the bottom could drop out at any time. Don’t go to the KP well as a utility play — let alone as a replacement for Wemby.
