10-game slate, most everyone feels like they’re a bit too cheap, build around these core guys and throw a number of lineups in.
Be sure to check back later today for the NBA Spreadsheet with projections. You can find it on the GoingFor2 App now, which you can download for free here: GoingFor2 App. It runs smoother on the app, but you can still find it here for desktop or mobile: NBA Spreadsheet
Guards
Top Play | Damian Lillard – Portland Trail Blazers PG – $10,400
The math on this one is pretty simple. When CJ McCollum is out, YOU PLAY DAME. Lillard has put up 50 points or more in 3 of has 4 games, including a 71pt effort against Sacramento. He’s one of the few players on the slate with legitimate 70-point upside and is walking into a matchup with Memphis that is one of the higher game totals on the board. I expect Portland to have to lean on Dame to score the basketball in tonight’s matchup, making him one of my favorite pay-up spots on the board.
Mid-tier | Victor Oladipo – Houston Rockets PG/SG – $7,800
Oladipo was just added to the player pool a couple days ago and he’s simply too cheap at 7.8k. In his first game in a Rockets jersey he showed 54 pt upside, a usage rate north of 40%, and really looked like the Dipo of old. Whats most exciting about that performance is just how much more promise was left on the court. He was 1 assist away from a double-double and his scoring was hampered by a season-high 7 turnovers. The potential for 60+ is out there for Oladipo and in a game where the Rockets have a slew of injuries, I’m locking him in.
Value | Rodney Hood – Portland Trail Blazers SG/SF – $3,800
I’m not sure why, but Rodney Hood is still basically free. In their last game, with CJ McCollum out, Hood saw 25 minutes and scored 21 real-world points. Yet, here he is under $4k, like a little gift from DFS Santa. Is he going to make 65% of his shots from the field again? Probably not. But even with considerable regression in that area, Rodney Hood stands to see mid-20s minutes and has a path to value in what sets up to be a close game. On a jam-packed slate, you have to find salary relief wherever you can and Hood is one of the best spots on the board in that regard.
Fade | James Harden – Brooklyn Nets PG/SG – $10,900
There are simply too many GREAT plays on the board to roll out Harden at this price tag. Yes, he has been fantastic since arriving in Brooklyn but tonight sets up for Kyrie Irving’s return to the lineup and introduces a whole heap of unknowns to Harden’s usage in this system. I love what I’ve seen so far from Harden, but I’ll need to see him continue that contribution when the team is at full strength before I’ll be ok spending this much on him.
Forwards
Top Play | Jerami Grant – Detroit Pistons SF/PF – $7,700
Yes, I am going to continue to go back to the Jerami Grant well. He has been an absolute monster for Detroit this season and yet he is still priced under $8k. Among Small Forwards, Grant is 5th in usage behind LeBron, Tatum, Kawhi, and Ingram. If any of those guys were under $8k you’d lock them in, right? Grant has surpassed 40pts in 6 of his last 7 games but doesn’t get the ownership his value should warrant. 55-60pt upside, at $7.7k, and likely sub-5% ownership… sign me up!
Mid-tier |Â Kelly Oubre Golden State Warriors – $5,500 vs. SA
Value | Xavier Tillman Memphis Grizzlies – $3,500 @ POR
Fade | Kevin Huerter – Atlanta Hawks SG/SF – $9,500
Did I miss something here?? I get that Huerter had a nice game against Minnesota last time out, but this seems like an outright miss on DK pricing. It’s difficult to write something coherent about why you shouldn’t play Kevin Huerter at 9.5k… he simply shouldn’t be anywhere near your lineup at this price.
Centers
Top Play | Nikola Vucevic – Orlando Magic C – $8,600
Again, pricing on DK today feels super soft. I just don’t understand how a player with 70 point upside and averaging nearly 50 points per game is sitting below $9k (or $10k for that matter). Vuch is all but a lock for a double-double every night and consistently delivers 3’s from the Center position. Tonight he squares off against (by far) the most favorable defense against his position in Minnesota, who will be without KAT again. One of the things I love about playing Vucevic is that he’s always overlooked and tonight should be no different. I expect him to land somewhere around 5% ownership and simply can’t walk away from the leverage that affords me in my builds.
Mid-tier | Chris Boucher – Toronto Raptors PF/C – $7,300
Love our content? Check out the GoingFor2 Live Podcast Network!
Value | Wiseman
Going back to the well. They want to get this kid involved and I’m hoping his pour performance last time out, where he got into early foul trouble, drives down his ownership on tonight’s full slate
Fade | Joel Embiid (PHI) – Philadelphia 76ers C $9,600
ATTN Dynasty Commissioners: Do you want to do something cool for your league? How about a 1-hour live show dedicated to YOUR league? Team-by-team breakdowns, rankings, and more. For details and to book a show, visit: GoingFor2.com/plp.
