There are 11 games on Monday’s NBA slate.
This article was written on Sunday and all prices are available at the time of publishing. Be sure to follow all the NBA injury news prior to Monday’s slate at DK Network.
Set your DraftKings fantasy basketball lineups here: NBA $200K Fadeaway [$50K to 1st]
Guard
Stud
Tyrese Maxey, Philadelphia 76ers vs. Chicago Bulls ($9,000)
When everyone is healthy for Philadelphia, the usage rate is in the 27% range for Maxey. He’s still able to deliver the fantasy goodies, though, because all of the attention given to his teammates. When pieces of the Philly Phearsome Phoursome are out, the usage rate is over 30% for Maxey, reaching 35% in two contests. Translation: Maxey delivers the fantasy goodies on a nightly basis regardless of the situation because he’s #good. Maxey has failed to hit 40 FPTS only once while going over 50 FPTS twice. Now he gets a fantasy-friendly matchup against a Bulls team that is first in pace and 28th in defensive efficiency.
Other Options: Cade Cunningham ($9,300), Jalen Brunson ($8,300), Trae Young ($8,100), Darius Acuff Jr. ($8,000), Kyrie Irving ($7,600), Amen Thompson ($7,200), Nickeil Alexander-Walker ($7,200), Andrew Nembhard ($7,100), De’Aaron Fox ($6,900), Dylan Harper ($6,800), Fred VanVleet ($6,400), Darryn Peterson ($6,100)
Value
Terrence Shannon Jr., Minnesota Timberwolves vs. Milwaukee Bucks ($4,400)
In the first game without Anthony Edwards, Shannon played 27 minutes and put up 30.5 FPTS. The following game, Shannon only played 20 minutes and finished with 18.8 FPTS, as the Timberwolves blew out the Clippers. On Saturday, Shannon only played 18 minutes because he played poorly in a tough matchup against the Spurs, shooting 1-for-8 from the field. Things will be much easier in this one, as Milwaukee is 27th in defensive efficiency. I like Shannon to bounce back in this one.
Other Options: Anthony Black ($6,000), Coby White ($5,700), Cam Spencer ($4,900) if Ty Jerome and/or Scotty Pippen Jr. are out, Anfernee Simons ($4,700), Nolan Traore ($4,400), Jase Richardson ($4,200)
Forward
Stud
Ajay Mitchell, Oklahoma City Thunder at Cleveland Cavaliers ($6,600)
Mitchell was held to 18.8 FPTS last game while garnering a 17.5% usage rate. Houston is one of the better defensive teams in the league. In the prior two games, Mitchell had a usage rate over 30% while finishing with 40+ FPTS in both contests. With Jalen Williams out, Mitchell’s offense is sorely needed, so the usage rate will continue being high. Cleveland is middle-of-the-pack in defensive efficiency.
Other Options: Cooper Flagg ($9,600), Alperen Sengun ($8,700), Anthony Davis ($8,600), Karl-Anthony Towns ($8,500), Franz Wagner ($8,300), Brandon Miller ($8,200), Pascal Siakam ($7,900), Cameron Boozer ($7,700), LeBron James ($7,600), Lauri Markkanen ($7,200), Caleb Wilson ($7,000), Michael Porter Jr. ($7,000), Desmond Bane ($7,000), Jabari Smith Jr. ($6,800), Dylan Harper ($6,800), Jaden McDaniels ($6,500), Ayo Dosunmu ($6,200)
Value
Jarace Walker, Indiana Pacers vs. Atlanta Hawks ($4,600)
For the first three games of the season, Walker was playing under 20 minutes a night. Due to all the injuries, Walker has seen his playing time increase and received 29, 22 and 28 minutes. The shooting efficiency is always a concern for Walker, but he’s skilled and can stuff the stat sheet in a variety of ways. He put up at least 30 FPTS in two of the last three contests.
Other Options: Jonathan Kuminga ($5,900), Tari Eason ($5,300), Naji Marshall ($5,300), Zaccharie Risacher ($5,200), Duncan Robinson ($5,000), Terrence Shannon Jr. ($4,400)
Center
Stud
Victor Wembanyama, San Antonio Spurs vs. Utah Jazz ($11,100)
Wembanyama shot poorly to start the season, but he still put up over 44 FPTS in three contests because he contributes across the board. Over the last three games, he’s put it all together, finishing with 60, 74.6 and 71.8 FPTS. He scores. He rebounds. He blocks shots. He nabs steals. He literally does it all, and the scary thing is 70 FPTS isn’t the ceiling. Utah is 26th in defensive efficiency and will be matched up against Jaxson Hayes for most of the night. Advantage: Wembanyama.
Other Options: Domantas Sabonis ($9,500), Alperen Sengun ($8,700), Karl-Anthony Towns ($8,500), Jabari Smith Jr. ($6,800), Isaiah Hartenstein ($6,200)
Value
Aday Mara, Oklahoma City Thunder at Cleveland Cavaliers ($4,100)
Due to all the injuries, Mara has played 20, 21 and 28 minutes over the last three games. The game hasn’t been too fast or big for him and he put up 30, 13.8 and 29.8 FPTS. With Cleveland running a double-big lineup with Evan Mobley and Jarrett Allen much of the time, Mara and Hartenstein will both likely see plenty of run. On the season, Mara is averaging 1.03 FPTS per minute.
Other Options: Moussa Diabate ($5,700), Daniel Gafford ($5,300), Jaxson Hayes ($5,200), Moritz Wagner ($4,200), Adem Bona ($3,800) if Joel Embiid is out
