The Kings are in Charlotte for one of the first games on Friday night’s seven-game NBA DFS slate. On Friday afternoon, the team added Domantas Sabonis ($10,100) to the injury report as questionable with right ankle soreness. If Sabonis takes Friday off, it would open up significant playing time and usage for Jonas Valanciunas ($3,800), who would instantly go from not fantasy relevant to a great value play if Sabonis is out.
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C Jonas Valanciuas, Sacramento Kings at Charlotte Hornets, $3,800
Valanciunas started nine games in March while Sabonis was out and averaged 32.8 fantasy points per game in those nine games on 12.0 points and 10.9 rebounds in 25.2 minutes per game. He had over 33 fantasy points in each of his first five games stepping in for Sabonis, highlighted by a game that earned him 48.75 fantasy points against the Nuggets.
During that run, his salary climbed to over $7,900, so getting him at less than half that cost on Friday would be a bargain too good to pass up. The Hornets listed Mark Williams ($8,300) as probable, and if he plays as expected, the Kings will have to keep a center on the floor, leaving lots of minutes for Valanciunas to fill if Sabonis sits.
Trey Lyles ($3,500) would also help carry the load if Sabonis sits, but Valanciunas would likely take most of the work like he did the last time Sabonis was out. To keep up with all the latest injury news for Friday’s slate including Sabonis’s status, check back on our NBA injury report leading up to game time.
