At long last, we’ve finally made it: the NBA Finals. In terms of intrigue, it’s difficult to top Knicks vs. Spurs. Jalen Brunson ($10,600) going up against Victor Wembanyama ($12,600)? Arguably the two most balanced starting lineups in basketball? A rematch of the 1999 NBA Finals? The storylines here are endless.
Even in this star-studded matchup, tonight’s game likely comes down to depth. Whoever gets the most out of a few lesser-known names has an inside track at winning. It’s a similar story for fantasy managers looking to bolster their lineups. Unearthing a hidden gem or two could make all the difference in this one. Here are two bargains worth consideration in all DFS formats ahead of Wednesday’s Game 1 showdown.
Set your DraftKings fantasy basketball lineups here: NBA Showdown $1M Finals Tip-Off Special [$200K to 1st, 3PT Throne Eligible] (NYK @ SAS)
SG Landry Shamet, New York Knicks ($4,800)
New York throttled the Cavaliers in the Eastern Conference Finals, earning a four-game series win. One of the underrated factors behind the sweep was Landry Shamet, a true two-way weapon off of the bench. During a historic Game 1 comeback, the sharpshooter logged heavy minutes down the stretch. In addition, Shamet managed to record 20+ fantasy points in both Games 3 and 4. That’s despite hovering just under 20 minutes during both contests. It’s clear that the 29-year-old has earned some trust in head coach Mike Brown’s rotation.
Whenever Josh Hart ($8,200) is struggling to shoot, opponents have felt comfortable packing the paint. That’s likely to be the case in this series; the Spurs would love for Wembanyama to stay down low. Given San Antonio’s shot-blocking prowess, Shamet might need more minutes than ever just to space out this Knicks offense. He’s shooting 60% from beyond the arc on 2.5 three-point attempts per game this postseason. It helps that Shamet is a quality perimeter defender as well. Even if it’s just around 20 minutes, the veteran should play a key role during Wednesday’s contest.
SG/SF Keldon Johnson, San Antonio Spurs ($3,600)
Speaking of sharpshooters, Keldon Johnson has looked off over the past month. The 2025-26 Sixth Man of the Year has been a bit of a non-factor for most of the postseason. Granted, series against the Timberwolves and Thunder have made scoring extra difficult. Regardless, there’s no question the 26-year-old hasn’t been his usual self. Over 18 playoff games, Johnson is averaging 8.7 points, 3.4 rebounds and 0.9 assists (15.9 FPTS). In addition, he’s knocking down just 42% of his field goal attempts.
If there’s one thing the Kentucky alum has continued to do well, it’s shooting the three-ball. Johnson has made 36% of his attempts from beyond the arc this postseason. That’s not an outstanding mark, but it’s not too shabby either. There’s a good chance the wing finds more success from long distance against the Knicks this week. New York has surrendered 13.5 three-pointers made to opponents, 13th-most in the NBA this season. With all eyes on stopping Wemby, there should be ample opportunities from distance in this series. Given his dirt-cheap price, Johnson is a worthy end of lineup selection tonight.
