Another week, another excellent slate of Sunday basketball in the NBA. The weekly DFS picks are here for the five games taking place during the main slate. I’ll provide a stud play, value play and a player to fade for each position, so you can piece together your ideal lineup.
For Sunday, Nov. 16, 2025, we will be using the NBA $150K Fadeaway [$50K to 1st] DFS pool. Now let’s dig into the picks!
Point Guard
Stud: Stephen Curry (GSW), $9,100
The Warriors won back to back games against the Spurs thanks to Stephen Curry’s 40-point performances in both outings. Another 40-point night would be incredible, and it’s not far-fetched to hope for considering the Warriors are playing the Pelicans. New Orleans has the 28th best defensive rating and allows the eighth most points per game.
Value: Jeremiah Fears (NOP), $5,100
There’s no better time for Jeremiah Fears than right now. Jordan Poole is injured, which makes Fears the lead guard in the starting lineup. Although the Pelicans fired their head coach, Fears has impressed enough to hopefully maintain that trust moving forward. He’s averaging 26.1 FPTS, 14.4 points, 3.1 assists, 2.9 rebounds and 2.0 steals in 26.5 minutes per game.
Fade: Josh Giddey (CHI), $9,700
This may be a cold take, but I’m fading Josh Giddey on Sunday. He missed the last two games due to injury and will play the Jazz if he returns. That’s typically a good matchup, but he’s not worth this price. While Giddey stuffs the stat sheet, it’s too steep a price for him. I prefer Curry or Devin Booker for cheaper.
Shooting Guard
Stud: Trey Murphy III (NOP), $6,400
Trey Murphy III is as consistent as it gets. He typically finishes with about 30-40 FPTS but has peaked at 60.8 FPTS not too long ago. With Poole sidelined, Murphy’s offensive role increases. He’s coming off a 35-point, seven-rebound performance against the Lakers, totaling 44.2 FPTS.
Value: Ayo Dosunmu (CHI), $4,600
Giddey and Coby White could both be out again, making Ayo Dosunmu a much more important member of the offense. He’s scored 20+ points in two of his last five outings and is playing efficient basketball this season. He’s on track to join the 50-40-90 if he maintains this pace. Between that and an easier matchup vs. the Jazz, I like him at $4,600.
Fade: Desmond Bane (ORL), $7,300
Desmond Bane made an incredible three-point buzzer beater to defeat the Trail Blazers a few games ago. That’s been his main shining moment so far in the Magic threads as he’s shooting just 31.7% from distance through 13 games. He gets a tough matchup against Houston on Sunday. Bane’s shooting will improve eventually, but I’m not expecting it against the Rockets.
Small Forward
Stud: Kevin Durant (HOU), $8,400
There’s a couple intriguing picks for small forward, but I’m not going to second guess myself. I’m picking Kevin Durant and sticking with my gut. The veteran forward isn’t just an elite scorer, he plays defense, can move the ball and rebound well. Orlando is a good team with a solid defense, but Durant is a different beast.
Value: Toumani Camara (POR), $5,700
Toumani Camara isn’t going to drop 30 points even in a blowout, but he brings a ton of fantasy goodies to the table. His most impressive attribute is his defense, and he’s got a good matchup to showcase this. The Mavericks average the third most turnovers in the league, and will be facing Camara and the Trail Blazers on Sunday. Steals will help his fantasy points big time.
Fade: P.J. Washington (DAL), $7,200
The Mavericks offense has been atrocious this season. Turns out they do need a point guard and that Luka Doncic guy would be a perfect fit. Too bad they don’t have him. P.J. Washington would benefit greatly from an elite playmaker on the team, but he doesn’t have that. Dallas is hoping Cooper Flagg can salvage the season as Anthony Davis is dealing with an injury.
Power Forward
Stud: Jalen Johnson (ATL), $9,100
There are a plethora of power forward studs to choose from on Sunday. And that doesn’t include Davis or Paolo Banchero who are both dealing with injuries. Jalen Johnson is my pick following his career night against the Jazz. He’s finished with 31 points, 18 rebounds, 14 assists and seven steals — good for 92 fantasy points! WOW. Replicating that is a lot to ask for, but Johnson looks great over the last three games. He’s been two assists shy of a triple-double in two of the three outings.
Value: Saddiq Bey (NOP), $5,200
Saddiq Bey is a sneaky value play for Sunday’s DFS contest. He’s hit over 20 FPTS in six straight games with a high of 41 against Portland. The Warriors are a tougher defensive team, but Bey does a good job at grabbing rebounds and assisting teammates. He’s had at least five assists and six rebounds in two straight.
Fade: Jimmy Butler (GSW), $8,300
Jimmy Butler is a tremendous player and has 50 FPTS upside on any given night, but he’s also hit a low of 9.5 FPTS this season. The power forward position is stacked, so there’s no need to spend this much for Butler.
Center
Stud: Alperen Sengun (HOU), $9,400
Nikola Jokic and Victor Wembanyama don’t play, so I suppose I’ll settle for Alperen Sengun. Sengun is easily one of the best DFS players with his ability to stuff the stat sheet. He’s averaging 50.8 FPTS to go along with 22.4 points, 10.2 rebounds, 7.4 assists, 1.4 steals and 0.9 blocks per game. It’s fine to pick Sengun and Durant in the same DFS lineup, but if you’re just choosing one, Sengun is the player to pick.
Value: Derik Queen (NOP), $5,300
The Pelicans have a lot of intriguing players, so it would be exciting to see them put things together. Derik Queen has impressed as a rookie, averaging 23.8 FPTS. He’s been much better as of late, posting at least 23.5 FPTS in six straight games. Queen doesn’t rely on scoring, and impacts the game on the boards, by passing and picks up some blocks and steals, too.
Fade: Kristaps Porzingis (ATL), $7,100
Kristaps Porzingis is a key player for Atlanta, but I’m not seeing much value for DFS purposes. He’s averaging 34.5 FPTS, which is good, but he’s very reliant on scoring and blocks. Porzingis doesn’t grab many rebounds nor does he assist much, and he’s been in foul trouble lately.