After Friday’s fun NBA Cup action, Saturday’s NBA slate features four games tipping off at 7:00 p.m. ET or later. With several of the biggest stars in the NBA in action, there are plenty of big-name superstars to consider building around. If you spend up for a big name or two, though, you will need to balance your spending in other spots with some NBA DFS Bargain Plays.
In this post, we’ll pinpoint a few more affordable, low-cost options that should be set up to outperform their salary-based expectations. With four teams on the second half of a back-to-back, more values could emerge leading up to tip-off, but coming into the day, these are some of the top bargains to consider.
Set your DraftKings fantasy basketball lineups here: NBA $200K Fadeaway [$50K to 1st].
SG/SF Tim Hardaway Jr., Denver Nuggets at Minnesota Timberwolves ($3,900)
In addition to Nikola Jokic (wrist) being listed as questionable (more below), the team already ruled out both Cameron Johnson (bicep) and Christian Braun (ankle). With so much usage available on the wing, Hardaway will likely step into a starting role, potentially alongside Bruce Brown ($3,800), who is another strong value to consider.
Hardaway typically has better scoring upside than Brown and can get hot from long range. He scored at least 12 points and at least 20 fantasy points in three of his last five games and is averaging 11.0 points, 1.8 rebounds, 1.6 assists and 17.8 fantasy points in 23 minutes per game.
With more minutes and usage in store in this matchup with Minnesota, Hardaway can be a streaky scorer, and he has a very high ceiling, especially if he helps carry more of the offense with Jokic ailing.
C Jonas Valanciunas, Denver Nuggets at Minnesota Timberwolves ($3,500)
If Jokic is ruled out for the first time this season, Valanciunas will likely get a spot start and be a must-play at this bargain salary. Even if the Joker gives it a go to play through the issue, even just a few more minutes for Valanciunas would make him a top option on the board.
The Nuggets have been extremely careful with the veteran big man this season, playing him under 20 minutes in each game, and he is only averaging 13 minutes per contest. Even in that limited time, he has still contributed 8.9 points, 4.8 rebounds and 17.9 fantasy points per game.
Producing 1.41 fantasy points per minute could make him a truly elite play with 10x value in play if he posts a double-double at this salary. Last year, Valanciunas had several extremely productive stretches for the Wizards and Kings, and if he is asked to step into a bigger role on Saturday, he’ll be a key bargain to build around.
SG Sion James, Charlotte Hornets vs. Oklahoma City Thunder ($3,900)
The Hornets played a tough overtime game against the Bucks on Friday, ultimately coming up just short and losing, 147-134. While LaMelo Ball (ankle) was able to play in that game, he may sit out the second game of the back-to-back. He had missed the previous five games, and James stepped into the starting five when he went out. In Ball’s return, though, James stayed in the lineup next to him and had his best fantasy performance of the year.
The rookie from Duke racked up 35.2 fantasy points with 12 points, seven rebounds, three assists and five steals and played a massive 42 minutes.
Whether Ball plays or not, James should stay involved enough to give him good potential as the Hornets look to take down the Thunder in Charlotte. The Thunder have been outstanding in the early going, but since James is getting so much run even in blowouts, he’s a solid bargain to consider under $4,000. He’s a good play regardless of who is available, but his ceiling definitely gets higher if he’s lined up for more usage Saturday, so keep an eye on Charlotte’s injury report.
