The NBA is nearing the halfway point in the season, and Saturday provides another excellent all-around slate.
DraftKings is offering a contest with the chance to win $50,000. Below, I’ve identified a trio of DFS value plays that will give your lineup a critical edge.
Set your DraftKings fantasy basketball lineups here: NBA $200K Fadeaway [$50K to 1st]
DraftKings Value Picks
SF/PF De’Andre Hunter ($6,000)
It’s rare for a player to be in the hunt for two prominent awards, but De’Andre Hunter’s unlikely emergence has him in the thick of the 6 Man of the Year and Most Improved Player races. For much of his pro career, it was often hard to notice when Hunter was even on the floor. The combo wing was always a hypothetical piece. He has the length to be a lockdown defender or spray from the perimeter, but that never came to fruition.
Hunter is no longer fading into the background; he’s pressing the issue. He’s been more at the forefront of Atlanta’s attack, averaging over 18 points a night on nearly 40% shooting from beyond the arc. He’s had a few out-of-character games in a row but gets a soft bounce-back spot against the tanking Raptors.
SG/SF Bruce Brown ($4,000)
Bruce Brown’s value correlates with his squad’s trajectory. The veteran doesn’t exactly fit with whatever Toronto is attempting to do, but Brown is one of the first guys off the bench when he’s available. A crucial cog in Denver’s 2023 title, he hasn’t quite found the same niche as being Nikola Jokic’s overperforming sidekick.
Brown still has the same skill set, but it’s just much less noticeable on rosters that are not competing for a ring. He has no standout skill, but he can do everything at a solid level. Brown stuffing the box score leads to a sneaky excellent fantasy upside. His recent scoring outputs have only raised his ceiling to the next level. Brown’s game isn’t reliant on the matchup, but it would be better if he could accumulate enough stats to produce a solid outing.
Dark-Horse Play: PF Gui Santos ($4,000)
The most underrated player in the NBA, and it’s not even remotely close. Despite being at the forefront of the Gui Santos revolution for a few weeks now, even the most eagle-eyed League Pass viewers still likely aren’t familiar with the Brazilian combo forward. He’s becoming a staple in the Golden State rotation and making the most of his opportunity.
Santos has played over 20 minutes in four of his last five outings and is coming off a career-high 19 points in a stellar showing against Chicago. He’s lethal from deep, hitting on nine of his previous 11 triples. Most of his game hinges on spot-up shooting, but he can create off the bounce and do work in the paint. On national television against the Lakers, Santos will make sure everyone remembers his name.
