FanDuel Economics: NBA Sunday, April 3rd Picks

Welcome to FanDuel Economics! This is the NBA Sunday, April 3rd Picks edition. FanDuel Economics is a daily fantasy column focused on FanDuel player salaries and FanDuel points-per-game (PPG) trends. The purpose of this column is to evaluate player salary and PPG averages over a seven day period to provide daily fantasy sports players with a vital tool in their lineup tool belt. Finding the best value options often leads to a big pay day!

After a slow Saturday, the NBA comes back strong on Sunday with a long list of 11 games. There are many lineup options today, which may seem overwhelming. Hopefully this column will help you focus on the right positions to take. Over the past week, we’ve continued to see expensive but valuable players taken out of our options list for resting. Keep your eyes on the lineups for tonight as we approach tip-off. There is a growing list of low-salary / high-value players revealing themselves each day. Key players on playoff-pushing teams are piling on points. Let’s take a look at some of our best value options for tonight:

Point Guard (PG)

Jose Juan Barea (JJ) continues to light up the box score. Barea averaged 33.1 PPG over the last week, 9th among all PG’s in the last seven days. Barea’s salary only climbed $200 to $5,500 tonight, making JJ the cheapest PG option of the top 16 PG’s in PPG over the last week. However, if you want to play JJ, and it’s hard to avoid playing him, keep an eye on Deron Williams‘ status. Williams is dealing with a sport hernia and could play through the end of the season, even with the injury. But, it’s just as likely he could sit out the rest of the season with Barea doing well. Also, Felton continues to sound unlikely due to his groin injury.

Aside from a 10.7 point stinker against the Pacers on March 27th, Patrick Beverley has had quite a great run. Over the last week, Beverley averaged 27.2 PPG and only costs you $5,300 tonight. Patrick isn’t as attractive as JJ, but he’s the cheapest option of the top 20 PG’s and has scored over 30 points in 3 of his last 4 games. If you’re looking for a pairing with Stephen Curry, Russell Westbrook, or John Wall, Beverley is a very good option.

Shooting Guard (SG)

I sent a tweet (follow me at @MattyMcMatt17) on Thursday night about Rodney Hood quickly combing up the value board, and he had a 26.6 point game at $5,300 (5X) that night. Over the last week, Hood has been slightly better at a 28.8 average and is still only $5,300 tonight. Rodney is a clear value option tonight agains the Suns. He could free up some salary to use on a hot, but more expensive, option like Jimmy Butler.

I’m coming back to Jeremy Lin after talking about Lin last Tuesday. Jeremy averaged 25.8 PPG over the last week and his salary is still only $4,300. Lin’s minutes have hovered around 25/game, but with the Hornets pushing for a playoff spot, we can expect some of the key players, like Lin, to get more playing time. Getting 25+ points on a $4,300 salary with upside potential is quite a bargain!

Small Forward (SF)

There aren’t too many expensive player options at SF today, which is surprising considering the big NBA schedule. However, there is value practically all over the board. 14 of the top 25 PPG over the last week are 5X – 7X. That is a lot of options to consider, although not all are playing today. I’m going to focus on two I like the most.

P.J. Tucker has been up and down lately, but mostly up. Over the past seven days, Tucker has averaged 31.6 PPG. Tucker’s salary has climbed $200 during that time but he’s still a bargain at $5,300. P.J. is 10th among all SF’s over the last week and his salary is the cheapest among the top 17 SF’s, so he should be strongly considered in all lineups. Getting a 30 point player on a $5,300 salary is an ideal candidate to pair with Paul George tonight.

Maurice Harkless (Mo) has been climbing up the PPG board over the last week, now that he’s entrenched as the Trail Blazer’s starting 4-man. Mo has averaged 23.1 PPG, which isn’t going to blow your socks off. But at only $4,100 Harkless is a great option if you’re looking to get over 20+ points and save salary for a big position play somewhere else (see my PF options below). Consider Mo as an solid option, as needed.

Power Forward (PF)

Draymond Green isn’t cheap, but considering his play the last week he’s still a great value. Over the last seven days Green averaged 45.3 PPG, 1st among all PF’s. Draymond’s salary has only climbed $200 to $8,800. So you’re getting a 5x PF at the top of the lineup option’s list, which is hard to ignore. Playing Draymond lands you a solid 40-50 points while also being able to pick another stud option.

Jabari Parker is back, killing my previous Henson value play, and is quickly one of the best options at PF over the last week. Parker averaged 39.7 PPG with a salary of $6,500, only climbing $200 this week, making Jabari another tremendous value option at PF. Parker is 4th among all PF’s the past week and the cheapest option of the top 5, $400 cheaper than Porzingis, who may not play again tonight. If you can afford it, I love the Green/Parker pairing tonight!

Center (C)

Rudy Gobert is your best option among the top 10 Center’s tonight. Gobert is averaging 37.1 PPG over the last week and his salary has only climbed $100 to $6,100 making Rudy the cheapest option of the top 8 Center’s, while he’s sitting at number 4 among that group in points. With Gobert, you’re getting 30-40 points on a $6,100 salary allowing you more salary to use for a pairing like Parker and Green. While Paul Gasol and Nikola Vucevic have been hot and are decent options, they’re both a 4X play versus Gobert’s 6X play.

Next: FanDuel Picks And Pivots April 3

Quick programing note: The NBA is off tomorrow (Monday) & MLB is back in season today. FanDuel Economics will begin covering MLB, daily, for FanDuel once a seven-day trend line develops. So, you will continue to see FanDuel NBA picks through the end of the season and we’ll pick up with MLB next Sunday.

I wish you all well tonight FanDuelers! Spend smartly and enjoy the return on your savings!