DraftKings’ main NBA DFS slate for Sunday starts at 7:00 PM EST and features four games. DraftKings continues to offer huge contests for DFS players, and below, I break down some of my favorite NBA DFS options at each position for Sunday’s NBA action.
Set your DraftKings fantasy basketball lineups here: NBA $100K Fadeaway [$20K to 1st]
Guard
Stud
Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, Oklahoma City Thunder vs. Utah Jazz, $10,500
The Thunder blowing out the Jazz is inevitable – Oklahoma City is a 24.5-point favorite on DraftKings Sportsbook – which likely means limited minutes for Gilgeous-Alexander. Still, the guard being the main reason for the lopsided win is very likely. Utah ranks second-to-last in defensive rating and Gilgeous-Alexander has scored 50 and 67 FPTS in his two matchups with the Jazz this season.
The Thunder boast a slate-high 132.5-point implied team total on DraftKings Sportsbook, which is the largest implied team total the team has seen this season. Gilgeous-Alexander is leading Oklahoma City with 1.5 FPTS per minute and a 33% usage rate, and he should provide at least 50 FPTS.
Other Options: Cooper Flagg ($9,800), LaMelo Ball ($8,400)
Value
Jake LaRavia, Los Angeles Lakers at Dallas Mavericks, $5,000
LaRavia is going to see a huge role tonight with the Lakers depleted and only a half game ahead of the Nuggets for the No. 3 seed. Luka Doncic (hamstring), Austin Reaves (oblique) and Marcus Smart (ankle) are out, and Jarred Vanderbilt (calf) is questionable. LaRavia should receive 35-40 minutes in this 1.5-point spread vs. the Mavericks and Dallas is a plus spot, with the club ranking fourth in pace this season.
LaRavia is scoring 0.9 FPTS per minute with an 18% usage rate with Doncic, Reaves and Smart off the floor this season, and LaRavia is difficult to avoid at only $5,000.
Other Options: Coby White ($5,400), Jeremiah Fears ($5,100), Luke Kennard ($4,600)
Forward
Stud
LeBron James, Los Angeles Lakers at Dallas Mavericks, $9,100
Sitting only a half game ahead of the Nuggets for the No. 3 seed, the Lakers need to pick up a win tonight and with the club shorthanded, James is going to take on a massive role, similar to his days with the Cavaliers. With Doncic, Reaves and Smart off the floor this season, James’ usage rises 6.9 percentage points to 34% and his assist rate skyrockets 14.6 percentage points to 46.8%, resulting in a team-high 1.4 FPTS per minute.
James should have a vintage performance Sunday, possibly with a triple-double, and he is a must-play.
Other Options: Ayo Dosunmu ($6,900)
Value
Derik Queen, New Orleans Pelicans vs. Orlando Magic, $4,600
Queen has been a strong spark off the bench for the Pelicans, scoring at least 26 FPTS in four of his last five. The rookie has seen 27 minutes in back-to-back games and the Magic are a decent matchup, ranking 16th in defensive rating this season.
Queen is producing 1.2 FPTS per minute with a 22% usage rate this season and he is one of the top values on the slate at this sub-$5,000 salary, which will become an even stronger option if either Trey Murphy (questionable, ankle) or Dejounte Murray (questionable, hand) sits.
Other Options: Rui Hachimura ($4,400), Grant Williams ($3,200)
Center
Stud
Rudy Gobert, Minnesota Timberwolves vs. Charlotte Hornets, $7,100
This short four-game slate lacks high-end centers, as Gobert is the most expensive center on the board. Paying down at the position is the best route, but if Anthony Edwards (questionable, knee) is out, Gobert will be a viable target that likely won’t be popular.
With Edwards inactive this season, Gobert is supplying 37.5 FPTS per game (16 games).
Value
Deandre Ayton, Los Angeles Lakers at Dallas Mavericks, $5,500
Ayton is a no-brainer with the Lakers understaffed. With Doncic, Reaves and Smart off the court this season, Ayton’s usage increases 7.7 percentage points to 24.6% and he produces 1.3 FPTS per minute, which ranks second only to James for this situation.
Ayton is going to be one of Los Angeles’ main options tonight and he should score nothing less than 30 FPTS vs. the up-tempo Mavericks.
Other Options: Daniel Gafford ($5,100), Wendell Carter Jr. ($5,000)
