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FanDuel daily picks: Fantasy basketball lineup – October 18, 2018

By Jeremy Lambert

LOS ANGELES, CA - OCTOBER 4: LeBron James #23 of the Los Angeles Lakers looks on during a pre-season game against the Sacramento Kings on October 4, 2018 at Staples Center, in Los Angeles, 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. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2018 NBAE (Photo by Adam Pantozzi/NBAE via Getty Images)
LOS ANGELES, CA - OCTOBER 4: LeBron James #23 of the Los Angeles Lakers looks on during a pre-season game against the Sacramento Kings on October 4, 2018 at Staples Center, in Los Angeles, 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. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2018 NBAE (Photo by Adam Pantozzi/NBAE via Getty Images) /
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Lonzo Ball, Los Angeles Lakers
NEW ORLEANS, LA – MARCH 22: Lonzo Ball #2 of the Los Angeles Lakers reacts during a game against the New Orleans Pelicans at the Smoothie King Center on March 22, 2018 in New Orleans, Louisiana. 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 Jonathan Bachman/Getty Images) /

High Value PG

Players costing $6,667 or under

Lonzo Ball (at POR – $6,600): Needs 27.9 fantasy points. Ball may not start, but he’s going to get plenty of playing time. Ball still won’t offer much in terms of scoring, but he gets assists, rebounds, and makes an impact defensively. Playing alongside LeBron should help is overall offensive game. My only concern is that I have no clue how the Lakers rotation is going to shake out and that worries me with Ball’s high salary. Diagnosis: You may want to take a wait-and-see approach with Ball. The ceiling is there, but maybe the opportunity won’t be early on.

Goran Dragic (at WAS – $6,200): Needs 26.2 fantasy points. Dragic had 36.8 fantasy points against the Magic. He was inconsistent throughout last season, and it would not surprise me to see him turn in a dud game after playing so well against Orlando. The Wizards, on paper, are a good defensive team. And Wall is one of the best defensive point guards in the league. And Miami is on a back-to-back with travel. A lot of factors working against Dragic on Thursday. Diagnosis: Too many factors to make him trustworthy in my eyes.

Rajon Rondo (at POR – $4,500): Needs 19 fantasy points. This salary feels way too low for Rondo. He could not only draw the start, but he could get a lot of playing time next to LeBron. Rondo doesn’t play much defense but still comes up with defensive numbers due to his instincts. And he won’t score much, but he assist-hunts like nobody’s business. Diagnosis: Given the salary, he’s worth taking a chance on. Worst case scenario, his score gets dropped. Best case scenario, he ends up with 20+ fantasy points thanks to his passing and the LeBron effect.