There are three games on Tuesday’s NBA slate. Opening night!
This article was written on Monday night. Any changes will be updated. Keep track of all the injury news at DK Network.
Set your DraftKings fantasy basketball lineups here: NBA $600K Opening Tip Off [$200K to 1st, 3PT Throne Eligible]
Guard
Stud
Jalen Brunson, New York Knicks vs. Philadelphia 76ers ($7,600)
Brunson is not only the no-doubt alpha for the Knicks; he truly is the King of New York. Sorry Frank White. You had a good run, but the torch had to be passed at some point. Brunson garnered a usage rate of 30.6% last season while averaging 26 points a night. The defensive stats may be lacking, but Brunson is going to get buckets. MSG should be rocking, since it’s opening night and the new-look 76ers will be the opponent, a team that will likely be one of the best offensive teams in the league. Since arriving in New York, Brunson has averaged at least 40 FPTS per game, so he’s a little underpriced on this slate.
Other Options: Shai Gilgeous-Alexander ($10,200), Cade Cunningham ($9,500), De’Aaron Fox ($6,100)
Value
Dylan Harper, San Antonio Spurs vs. Oklahoma City Thunder ($5,100)
The matchup isn’t good, as the Thunder should once again be one of the best defensive teams in the league. That said, Harper should average more than the 22.6 minutes he received last season, as he’s in the starting lineup for this one. Last season, Harper averaged 23.8 FPTS per game. While we don’t know how many minutes he will get, I have a not-so-sneaky suspicion that he will play around 30 minutes.
Other Options: VJ Edgecombe ($6,000), Payton Pritchard ($5,400), Cason Wallace ($4,600)
Forward
Stud
Jalen Williams, Oklahoma City Thunder at San Antonio Spurs ($6,600)
Last season, Williams dealt with injuries and ended up playing only 33 games while averaging 28.4 minutes per contest. Two seasons ago, he averaged 32.4 minutes, and I’m expecting a similar workload for this one. All indications are that he’s healthy and he did put up 40.4 FPTS per game in 2024-25. I think he finishes in that range for this one, which would make the price appealing.
Other Options: Jayson Tatum ($9,000), Karl-Anthony Towns ($7,800), LeBron James ($7,500), Paul George ($6,300)
Value
Jabari Walker, Philadelphia 76ers at New York Knicks ($3,300)
Dominick Barlow is out for Philadelphia while Adem Bona and Dean Wade are questionable. Walker could get time backing up both center and power forward in this one. The usage rate will likely be in the teens, but Walker is more than capable of getting buckets and grabbing boards while getting his defense on. Last season, Walker put up over 20 FPTS nine times with a high of 42.5 FPTS.
Other Options: Mikal Bridges ($5,700), OG Anunoby ($5,300), Ausar Thompson ($5,200), John Collins ($4,700), Cason Wallace ($4,600)
Center
Stud
Victor Wembanyama, San Antonio Spurs vs. Oklahoma City Thunder ($10,500)
This will be year four for Wembanyama, and it could be the one in which he overtakes Nikola Jokic for the Iron Throne on the Fantasy Pantheon. He had flashes of brilliance last season (70+ FPTS 10 times last season), but the consistency was lacking. It’s only a matter of time when he puts it all together on a nightly basis. Wembanyama literally does it all and stuffs the stat sheet like how I insert the blanket into the duvet cover.
Other Options: Joel Embiid ($8,100), Karl-Anthony Towns ($7,800)
Value
John Collins, Detroit Pistons vs. Boston Celtics ($4,700)
Last season, Collins only averaged 27.1 minutes per game and 25 FPTS per game. Back in 2019-20, Collins averaged 33.2 minutes and 41.8 FPTS per game. That’s when he was a lob threat for Trae Young. He will now be the lob threat for Cade Cunningham, but can also space out the floor. I’m bullish on Collins this season and think the price is too cheap for the expected playing time and role.
Other Options: Neemias Queta ($4,800)
