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DraftKings daily picks: Fantasy basketball lineup – Oct. 16, 2018

By Jeremy Lambert

CLEVELAND, CA - JUN 8: Kevin Durant #35 and Draymond Green #23 of the Golden State Warriors reacts against the Cleveland Cavaliers in Game Four of the 2018 NBA Finals won 108-85 by the Golden State Warriors over the Cleveland Cavaliers at the Quicken Loans Arena on June 6, 2018 in Cleveland, Ohio. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2018 NBAE (Photo by Chris Elise/NBAE via Getty Images)
CLEVELAND, CA - JUN 8: Kevin Durant #35 and Draymond Green #23 of the Golden State Warriors reacts against the Cleveland Cavaliers in Game Four of the 2018 NBA Finals won 108-85 by the Golden State Warriors over the Cleveland Cavaliers at the Quicken Loans Arena on June 6, 2018 in Cleveland, Ohio. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2018 NBAE (Photo by Chris Elise/NBAE via Getty Images) /
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Russell Westbrook
LOS ANGELES, CA – AUGUST 1: Russell Westbrook looks on at an open run hosted by Rico Hines on August 1, 2018 in Los Angeles, California.  (Photo by Cassy Athena/Getty Images) /

High Salary PG

Players costing over $6,250

Russell Westbrook (at GSW, $10,200): Needs 48.8 fantasy points As of this writing, Westbrook’s status is unknown. The Thunder have been mum on his condition ever since he underwent knee surgery a month ago. If he plays, approach with caution. Westbrook always brings his best against the Warriors — he averaged 61.4 fantasy points in four games against them last season — but he missed all of preseason and training camp. Rust should be excepted. That said, we know Westbrook is a stat stuffer. Even if he jumper isn’t falling, he’ll find other ways to score and he’ll make an impact with assists and rebounds. If he plays, he has the highest ceiling of anyone on the night. But check his status before making any decision. Diagnosis: Will be over 50 fantasy points, has highest ceiling, might be too rich given the talent on the night.

Steph Curry (vs. OKC, $8,600): Needs 39.4 fantasy points For a more cost effective solution, there’s Steph Curry. He averaged 46.7 fantasy points in three games against the Thunder last season. He’s always a threat to go over 50 fantasy points with his outside shooting. If he doesn’t have to deal with Westbrook — Curry is one of the few players Westbrook actually tries against on defense — that will make his life easier. Diagnosis: Saves you money, ceiling not as high as Westbrook, still reliable and allows you to build a more balanced team.

Kyrie Irving (vs PHI, $7,600): Needs 36.3 fantasy points. The Celtics might have too much talent for their own fantasy value good. On paper, Irving is exactly the type of player you want on your DFS team. He can score from anywhere on the court, he’s surrounded by enough talent to pick up assists, he gets rebounds, and he can take chances defensively to come up with steals. It’s what makes Irving’s ceiling so high, but can be frustrating if Jayson Tatum decides he’s going to takeover the game. Or Gordon Hayward. Or Jaylen Brown. Or Terry Rozier. Yeah, the Celtics are good. Diagnosis: Reliable at the salary with a high ceiling. But figuring out which Celtic is going to be the star on any given night is going to be tough in the first few weeks.