Fansided

FanDuel daily picks: Fantasy basketball lineup – October 17, 2018

By Jeremy Lambert

MINNEAPOLIS, MN - APRIL 11: Jimmy Butler #23 of the Minnesota Timberwolves looks on during the third quarter of the game against the Denver Nuggets on April 11, 2018 at the Target Center in Minneapolis, Minnesota. The Timberwolves defeated the Nuggets 112-106. 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 Hannah Foslien/Getty Images)
MINNEAPOLIS, MN - APRIL 11: Jimmy Butler #23 of the Minnesota Timberwolves looks on during the third quarter of the game against the Denver Nuggets on April 11, 2018 at the Target Center in Minneapolis, Minnesota. The Timberwolves defeated the Nuggets 112-106. 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 Hannah Foslien/Getty Images) /
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Toronto Raptors
(Photo by Ron Turenne/NBAE via Getty Images) /

High Salary SF

Players costing over $6,667

Giannis Antetokounmpo (at CHA – $12,000): Needs 49.4 fantasy points. You’re committing a lot to Giannis and on a heavy action night, that means you need him to deliver and you need to find the right mix of value players. It’s a tough balancing act that can go sideways if Giannis doesn’t hit. But I have confidence in his game. 50 fantasy points should be a cakewalk on Wednesday. You’re not getting a guaranteed 25+ fantasy points out of any two small forwards making $6,000 or less. And with the new system, you can waste a spot on a $3,500 player to easier fit Giannis into your lineup. Diagnosis: Take him, build around him, expect 55+ fantasy points from him, don’t be surprised if he breaks the system.

Kawhi Leonard (vs CLE – $9,600): Needs 39.5 fantasy points. It’s fair to wonder how Kawhi is going to look after basically not playing basketball all last season and the offseason drama that followed. I trust the Raptors organization to make him as comfortable as possible. I also trust Cleveland not being good and starting the season on the road. Leonard is most certainly a risk because there are so many unknowns to his game and mindset right now. But if he’s still Kawhi Leonard, he’s going to dominate the game. Diagnosis: I don’t blame you if you want to stay away. But I have more faith in Leonard coming back from this injury than most players, just because the injury didn’t seem all that bad and it was more in his head. At least, according to Dr. Tony Park.

Tyreke Evans (vs MEM – $7,400): Needs 30.5 fantasy points. I wouldn’t call it a revenge game for Evans, but Memphis did kind of do him wrong by not trading him at the deadline and wasting him in the second half of the season. Maybe Evans uses that as motivation. If he ends up coming off the bench, that works better as he’ll get to take advantage of Memphis’ second unit. This pick has more to do with the lack of quality behind Evans on Wednesday. Unless you’re just a big fan of TJ Warren or think Andrew Wiggins will be able to hold it together. Diagnosis: A serviceable option with a high ceiling playing next to Victor Oladipo.

Quick Hits

Will Barton ($6,900): Again, you can’t go wrong with players in the Nuggets/Clippers game.