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FanDuel daily picks: Fantasy basketball lineup – Oct 16, 2018

By Jeremy Lambert

PHILADELPHIA, PA - OCTOBER 06: Jayson Tatum #0 and Gordon Hayward #20 of the Boston Celtics play against the Philadelphia 76ers at the Wells Fargo Center on October 6, 2017 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. 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 (Photo by Mitchell Leff/Getty Images)
PHILADELPHIA, PA - OCTOBER 06: Jayson Tatum #0 and Gordon Hayward #20 of the Boston Celtics play against the Philadelphia 76ers at the Wells Fargo Center on October 6, 2017 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. 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 (Photo by Mitchell Leff/Getty Images) /
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OAKLAND, CA – OCTOBER 08: Kevin Durant #35 of the Golden State Warriors looks on against the Phoenix Suns during an NBA basketball game at ORACLE Arena on October 8, 2018 in Oakland, California. 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. (Photo by Thearon W. Henderson/Getty Images)
OAKLAND, CA – OCTOBER 08: Kevin Durant #35 of the Golden State Warriors looks on against the Phoenix Suns during an NBA basketball game at ORACLE Arena on October 8, 2018 in Oakland, California. 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. (Photo by Thearon W. Henderson/Getty Images) /

High Salary SF

Players costing over $6,667

Kevin Durant (vs OKC, $10,600): Needs 43.6 fantasy points When the Warriors are at full strength, Durant can be counted on for at least 40 fantasy points. His ceiling is lowered when Steph Curry is in the lineup, but you know he’s going to get his points and pitch in with a handful of rebounds, assists, and a defensive play or two. Paul George does an admirable job defending him, but Durant is one of the greatest scorers of this generation for a reason. He typically performs well against the Thunder as well. Diagnosis: Limited ceiling, but extremely reliable and a chance that he catches fire

Paul George (at GS, $9,000): Needs 37 fantasy points. With no Carmelo Anthony, Westbrook and George are going to be allowed to go nuclear on teams. We saw a glimpse of it in the playoffs and I expect that to carryover into this season. George looks healthy to start the season and has a clear mind with no free agency to worry about. The Warriors are a tough matchup, especially if Durant is out to prove the haters wrong in an effort to capture Defensive Player of the Year. But George is a strong second option on a team that relies heavily on their two star system. Diagnosis: I love him at this price. With or without Westbrook, George is going to carry large portions of the Thunder offense. He could outperform Durant on a much cheaper salary.

Gordon Hayward (vs PHI, $7,400): Needs 30.5 fantasy points. Hayward hasn’t played a meaningful basketball game in a year. What can we expect in his return? Your guess is honestly as good as mine. I don’t know if Hayward is ready to play a full game at his pre-injury level. I don’t know how he’ll be after a gruesome injury. I don’t know if Brad Stevens will limit him just because the guy behind him (Jayson Tatum) is so good. I can’t recommend Hayward with any confidence until I see him play meaningful minutes and until I see how he’s utilized in the Celtics system. The potential is there, but he’s most certainly a risk. Diagnosis: Add at your own risk. It’s a lot of money to pay for a guy who may not be as impactful as you would like.