DraftKings NBA Picks October 17: Is James Harden The Best Option?

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DraftKings NBA Picks October 17

The offseason is finally done, and we are back with more DraftKings NBA action! There are only two games to kick off the season tomorrow, but there already could be some hidden value.

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LeBron James may not be available for the game. The Cavs are keeping it close to the vest, but we should have clarification a few hours before tipoff. That makes the King a risky play at best, and it could make his new teammates some great value picks!

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PG:

Stephen Curry for $8,800 looks like a good price against new Houston point guard Chris Paul. You are going to have to pay a little at the point. For me, Curry is a much better option than Paul.

Kyrie Irving‘s first game in Boston leaves him as a nice option. Remember what he did in Cleveland when LeBron was out? Irving will have free reign in Boston much like Thomas did, and could put up some really big numbers.

If you are into going cheap at the point, Derrick Rose is the answer. At $5,000, he is one of the cheapest starters on the board, and as we saw early last year, he can still produce nicely when given the opportunity. He will have that until Thomas returns, and if he can stay healthy, will be a nice option until then. I would much rather take the chance on Rose than Smart for only $200 more.

SG:

If you plan on using an elite player, it should be James Harden. Harden averaged 55.8 DraftKings points per game against Golden State last season. That is comfortably above 5x value, even at his price. There are enough places to find bargains on opening night to use Harden and still have a strong lineup.

Klay Thompson provides solid savings over Harden. He averaged 33.5 DraftKings points against Houston last season, which also puts him a little above 5x value. I would pay for Harden first, but putting both in the lineup could be worth the effort.

I’m going to pass on Dwyane Wade, Kyle Korver, and J.R. Smith if LeBron plays. Even if he doesn’t, I think I want to see how this whole situation plays out before I go staking my lineup to it. For the price, Eric Gordon is much more reliable. Gordon averaged 23.1 DraftKings points per game against the Warriors last season, which would have him pushing 6x value.

Nick Young is going to be a volatile piece for the Warriors, but they may need shooters in the game against Houston. However, Houston locked down Young in two games last season. Despite playing nearly 51 minutes, Young was held to 19.5 DraftKings points in those two games combined.

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SF:

Tyronn Lue expressed confidence that the King will at least suit up. We know that LeBron James shows up big in the biggest stages. Opening night would certainly qualify. James averaged 57.4 DraftKings points per game in nine tilts with Boston last year including the playoffs. If he starts, he is worth a look.

If James is out, or if you are just looking for a more sure thing, Kevin Durant is your man. KD averaged 64.8 DraftKings points in two games against Houston last year compared to 48.4 overall. Durant did his best work against the Rockets last year.

Gordon Hayward loses guard eligibility this year in Boston. However, if you are playing Harden and Curry, you likely need to save money here. Hayward is a strong option. He picked up 74 DraftKings points in 72 minutes against the Cavs last year. Now he has a better team around him, and Hayward should reap the rewards.

Jae Crowder gets to face his former team in the opener, and he could come up huge if LeBron sits. Keep a close eye on this one because Crowder could be that boost we need to push the lineup over the top.

Jayson Tatum appears to be the favorite to start at PF against Cleveland with Marcus Morris sidelined the first week of the season. Tatum will be widely owned, but that $3,900 price tag for a starter is very tempting. He could have some rookie jitters, but considering Tatum only needs 19.5 DraftKings points for 5x value, it wont take much for him to blow away anyone else in this price range.

PF:

Kevin Love‘s numbers were better with LeBron out, so if he sits, Love borders on a must-play. Love averaged 48.3 DraftKings points per game in eight contests with Boston last year anyway. He is a solid play regardless, but he becomes much more if the King is a cheerleader.

If Draymond Green is able to go, he may even be a better play than Love. Green averaged 44.4 DraftKings points per game in four games against Houston. That leaves him well above 6x value!

If you are looking for a bargain here, the pickings are slim. P.J. Tucker takes a chunk out of Ryan Anderson‘s value, and Anderson didn’t hit value last season against the Warriors anyway. Channing Frye and David West are too big of a risk for my liking, so Tatum is easily the best cheap option at this position as well.

Al Horford was not good against the Cavs last year. Clint Capela is cheaper, and averaged more DraftKings points per game against the Warriors as Horford did against Cleveland. If you aren’t using Love at center, Capela is clearly the next best option.

Tristan Thompson can provide some great value and salary relief. Thompson averaged 26.8 DraftKings points in eight games against Boston last year. That would leave him at about 6.5x value!

JaVale McGee actually averaged more points against the Rockets than Zaza Pachulia did last year. Just food for thought when scraping the bottom of the barrel.

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