So… Did anything interesting happen in the NBA this weekend?
A flurry of trades has left the league and its fans in shock, but for the purposes of this article, it has also created a void in several teams’ rotations — voids that can be exploited for value.
Let’s dive in and find the best few options for tonight’s eight-game featured slate on DraftKings.
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PF Keegan Murray, Sacramento Kings at Minnesota Timberwolves, $4,700
We all know De’Aaron Fox is no longer a member of the Kings and, therefore, will not be playing in this evening’s contest against the Timberwolves. Until Zach LaVine shows up, expect Keon Ellis ($3,500) to be elevated into the team’s starting five. At his very modest price point, Ellis is a perfectly acceptable value asset on this slate. In the 10 games he’s started in 2024-25, Ellis is averaging 30.0 minutes and 10.3 points. However, Ellis lacks the ceiling of some of his teammates — people like Murray. The former lottery pick is a relatively low-usage piece for Sacramento, but even in his limited role, he’s managed to exceed 30 FPTS in five of his last 12 starts. That stretch includes two games where Fox was unavailable due to injury, games where Murray stepped up and registered 36.0 FPTS and 35.25 FPTS, respectively. Remember, Murray owned a salary above $7,000 as recently as late November. Only once this season has he been priced lower than the $4,700 tag he’s been given on Monday. Take advantage.
PG KJ Simpson, Charlotte Hornets vs. Washington Wizards, $4,400
You didn’t think I’d make it all the way through this article without writing up someone on the Hornets, did you? While Mark Williams ($8,400) is back in the mix and dominating the glass once again, Charlotte couldn’t make it through the weekend without some injury news. The recently acquired Josh Okogie (hamstring) will miss at least three weeks after suffering an ailment in Friday’s loss to the Clippers, while Vasilije Micic ($5,000; ankle) was assisted to the locker room and did not return in Saturday’s loss to the Nuggets. Micic is technically questionable to suit up this evening, but I obviously have my doubts. If Micic is eventually ruled out, he’d join LaMelo Ball (ankle) in street clothes, which would leave Simpson as the team’s starter. In expanded minutes versus Denver, Simpson shot poorly (22.2%), yet still finished with 26.5 FPTS thanks to eight assists and six rebounds. With Washington surrendering the most FPTS per contest to opposing point guards, Simpson would surely bring back value if Micic is unavailable.
SG/SF Christian Braun, Denver Nuggets vs. New Orleans Pelicans, $5,200
This is the first time in 16 games that Braun’s priced at or above $5,000, but I’m willing to say he’ll be worth the slight inflation. Braun filled in for the injured Russell Westbrook (hamstring) in Saturday’s narrow victory over the Hornets, registering a 24-point, 11-rebound double-double. All told, in 38.3 minutes of action, Braun would finish with a season-high 47.25 FPTS — the second time in four games he’s exceeded 45 FPTS. In fact, those two huge performances have been Braun’s last two starts. It would be expecting a lot for Braun to flirt with 50 FPTS for a third time on Monday, but the Pelicans are allowing the second-most FPTS per contest to opposing shooting guards. Stranger things have happened.
