Fantasy Basketball: NBA Draftkings Top Salary Value Plays (Early Only) 1/6/19

Hey guys! It’s Sunday and we get a double featured day with NBA Draftkings with an early 3 game slate and then a main 3 game slate. They also have a “night” slate that features 2 games and starts at 4:30 p.m. Last night was a pretty shaky night where James Harden decided to  show up late against the Portland Trailblazers and missed value. Lets jump in on this early NBA slate and see where we can find the salary value plays. Good luck and cash out!

NBA Draftkings – The Breakdown

So as usually, with any NBA Draftkings slate, we’re going to look at a players stats, usage rate, previous game stats, the opposing teams defensive stats versus the players position, and their salary. A big part of daily fantasy sports is a players salary. We build our lineups around key players and if they are players like Lebron James, James Harden, Russell Westbrook, or Giannis Antetokounmpo, then they come along with a hefty price tag. We need a player to hit at least five times their value with their salary to make it “worth it” in a sense but what we really want and need is for it to be around six or possibly even seven times their value.

For example, the other night Russell Westbrook was priced at $10,900 versus the New Orleans Pelicans so we needed him to hit 54.50 fantasy points to return five times his value. Sadly, he did not. This is why we’re switching up the article format and trying to dig even deeper with our NBA Slates.

Now we might not always have multiple players (minimum two) discussed at every position on every article because the NBA has the weirdest schedule this season.

Lets not waste any more time and kick off the research for this 7 game NBA Draftkings Slate. As always though, I will be sticking with Draftkings as I rarely play on Fanduel anymore. Good luck and lets cash out!

NBA Draftkings – Top Tier

Kris Dunn vs. Brooklyn Nets

Salary: $6,900 – Needs to score 34.5 fantasy points or more to exceed value

Now this point guard depth is not the prettiest. Maybe it’s because Draftkings decided to split up the entire day on us but who really knows. Kris Dunn has faced this Brooklyn Nets team only 4 times and doesn’t have the best average against them. Only averaging 12 points, 5 assist, and 4 rebounds. But when the two teams faced off on December 19th, Kris Dunn recorded 24 points, 6 assist, and 4 rebounds. Also, this Brooklyn team is allowing point guards to average 22 points, 6 assist, and 5 rebounds per game which is basically what Kris Dunn did previously.

In his past five games, Kris Dunn only returned value twice but barely missed in a couple games, scoring 32.5, 34, 31.8, 29.3, and 49.3 fantasy points. He is currently averaging 14 points, 7 assist, and 5 rebounds on the season. This Chicago Bulls team is a struggling team but with this small early slate, Kris Dunn does have a good chance of exceeding his value.

Other Valuable Option

Lou Williams vs. Orlando Magic

Salary: $6,500 – Needs to score 32.5 fantasy points or more to exceed value

The sixth man of every season, Lou Williams, is in play on this early NBA Draftkings slate. On this season, Lou Williams is averaging 18 points, 4 assist, an 2 rebounds while playing around 25 minutes per game. He is a hit and miss type player but in this case, he’ll most likely be on the hit side. He has faced the Orlando Magic 32 times in his career, averaging 14 points, 3 assist and 2 rebounds. But in their previous match-up, he recorded 28 points, 3 assist and 3 rebounds in just 21 minutes. The man may just have Orlando’s number.

The Orlando Magic are allowing point guards to average 20 points, 6 rebounds and 6 assist, almost nearing that triple double mark. But yes, that’s just to starting point guards but Lou Williams tends to always make the best of his opportunities. Williams has returned value in 4 of his last 5 games, scoring 41.3, 50.3, 29.3, 36.5, and 33.3 fantasy points. This is one of those plays that is just hard to pass up.

NBA Draftkings – Top Tier

Brandon Ingram vs. Minnesota Timberwolves

Salary: $7,300 – Needs to score 36.5 fantasy points or more to exceed value

Coming off a decent but late performance versus the New York Knicks and down fellow team leader, Lebron James, Brandom Ingram gets a good match-up versus the Minnesota Timberwolves. Brandon Ingram is currently averaging 16 points, 5 rebounds, and 2 assist per game but has easily out done that average versus the Timberwolves. In November when the Los Angeles Lakers faced the Timberwolves, Brandon Ingram recorded 20 points, 6 assist and 5 rebounds versus them. The Minnesota Timberwolves are allowing shooting guards to average 24 points, 7 rebounds and 5 assist also. With the Lakers being down Lebron James and possibly Kyle Kuzma once again, Brandon Ingram should see his role increase once again and against a team that he can easily dominate.

Other Valuable Option

Spencer Dinwiddie vs. Chicago Bulls

Salary: $6,300 – Needs to score 31.5 fantasy pooints or more to exceed value

Spencer Dinwiddie has exploded so much this season that he ended up getting himself a contract extension. Besides that positive piece of the season, he gets to face the Chicago Bulls once again. The two faced off in December where Dinwiddie recorded 27 points, 6 rebounds and 3 assist in 32 minutes. On the season Dinwiddie is averaging 17 points, 5 assist, and 2 rebounds while averaging around 28 minutes per game. The Brooklyn Nets are on the up and up with De’Angelo Russell as their main player, building from what was once a disaster.

The Chicago Bulls are currently allowing shooting guards to average 22 points, 6 rebounds, and 4 assist. But even with that as a good sign for anyone who rosters Dinwiddie, he hasn’t returned value since December 26th where he scored 60.5 fantasy points. He hasn’t even broken 30 fantasy points there. While the depth of the shooting guard position isn’t there, Dinwiddie has a good opportunity to finally get back on track.

NBA Draftkings – Top Tier

Tobias Harris vs. Orlando Magic

Salary: $7,100 – Needs to score 35.5 fantasy points or more to exceed value

Once again my favorite daily fantasy athlete is on this slate, Tobias Harris. The man gets to face the Orlando Magic who he performed very well against earlier this season. On the season though, Tobias Harris averaging 20 points, 8 rebounds, and 2 assist in 34 minutes per game. He has faced the Orlando Magic team 12 times in his career, averaging 14 points, 4 rebounds and 2 assist. When the two teams faced off in November, Harris recorded 21 points, 7 rebounds, and 2 assist.

The Orlando Magic allow small forwards to average 20 points, 8 rebounds, and 4 assist this season which is almost Tobias Harris stat line for the season. Just like others on this slate, Harris hasn’t returned value in his past five games which is a cause for concern but the depth is just lacking on this slate. With his previous performance versus the Orlando Magic, Harris has a great opportunity once again.

Other Valuable Option

Andrew Wiggins vs Los Angeles Lakers

Salary: $6,100 – Needs to score 30.5 fantasy points or more to exceed value

Once again, it’s a player we dislike using and his name is Andrew Wiggins. But luckily for us, Wiggins finds his shot when he faces the Los Angeles Lakers. In 16 games versus the Lakers, Andrew Wiggins is averaging 23 points, 4 rebounds, and 3 assist per game. In their first meeting this season, Wiggins recorded 19 points, 5 assist and 4 rebounds. Andrew Wiggins shot close to 60% in that game also.

On the season, Andrew Wiggins is averaging 17 points, 4 rebounds, and 2 assist in 34 minutes per game. In his past five games, he has returned value in 3 of those, scoring 33, 24, 31, 38.5, and 22.3 fantasy points. Andrew Wiggings ceiling isn’t very high versus a team that he clearly knows well, making him a pretty good salary value play today.

NBA Draftkings – Top Tier

Lauri Markkanen vs. Brooklyn Nets

Salary: $6,800 – Needs to score 34 fantasy points or more to exceed value

I would honestly roster Lebron James over every single power forward on this early slate even with his out tag. But since that’s wasting money like building a line-up with Tim Hardaway Jr. in it, we won’t do that. So lets dive in to our first power forward and that is Lauri Markkanen who gets to face the Brooklyn Nets who suck against big men. Markkanen has faced the Brooklyn Nets 3 times, averaging 12 points, 6 rebounds, and 1 assist. But when the two faced off earlier this season, Markkanen recorded 8 points, 6 rebounds, and 2 assist. He has returned value in two of his last five games, scoring 24.3, 34, 38, 27.5, and 42.3 fantasy points.

This Brooklyn Nets team are allowing power forwards to average 21 points, 10 rebounds, and 6 assist. Besides that being a major sign to play Markkanen, he is averaging close to a double double on the season with 17 points and 7 rebounds. But like I said, since we can’t just roster Lebron James, Lauri Markkanen is the next best option since he is facing the Brooklyn Nets.

Other Valuable Option

Montrezl Harrell vs. Orlando Magic

Salary: $6,600 – Needs to score 33 fantasy points or more to exceed value

With really no big salary difference, Montrezl Harrell also has a pretty good match-up. He gets to face the Orlando Magic who are allowing power forwards to average 21 points, 10 rebounds and 3 assist. On the season, Montrezl Harrell is averaging 16 points, 6 rebounds, and 2 assist. Harrell has a small sample size against the Magic with just five games, averaging 8 points and 4 rebounds. Nothing to be excited about, sort of. In their first meeting, Harrell recorded a double double with 10 points and 12 rebounds. He should be able to repeat that performance pretty easily.

In his past five games, he was able to return value in just two of those games, scoring 48.3, 20, 34.8, 37, and 27.5 fantasy points. His average for the season is just 30 fantasy points which means he’s barely hitting his return value. But like the rest of this slate and the depth at every position, he is another difficult position to call and lock in.

NBA Draftkings – Top Tier

Karl Anthony-Towns vs. Los Angeles Lakers

Salary: $10,300 – Needs to score 51.5 fantasy points or more to exceed value

Finally some excitement and most likely chalk for us! Karl Anthony Towns comes in as my favorite on this slate due him facing the Los Angeles Lakers and having a great average versus them. In 13 games, KAT is averaging a double double against the Lakers with 20 points, 13 rebounds, and 3 assists. The last time KAT faced the Lakers, he missed recording a double double by one rebound but had 13 points and 9 rebounds. The Lakers are allowing centers to average 25 points and 17 points also which is great stat to lock in Karl Anthony Towns.

On the season, Karl Anthony Towns is averaging 22 points, 12 rebounds and 3 assist. He is also playing on a new level since the Timberwolves shipped out Jimmy Butler to the Philadelphia 76ers. KAT has also returned value in his past 6 games and has only been below 50 fantasy points since December 23rd. This match-up just screams lock but most likely heavy chalk, but be cautious on building a roster around Karl Anthony-Towns.

Other Valuable Option

Nikola Vucevic vs. Los Angeles Clippers

Salary: $9,500 – Needs to score 47.5 fantasy points or more to exceed value

Lets continue the chalk talk and focus on Nikola Vucevic who also brings excitement against a Los Angeles Clippers team that struggles against centers. The Clippers are currently allowing centers to average 25 points and 15 rebounds per game this season. Vucevic is currently averaging a double double with 20 points and 11 rebounds. In 12 games, he is averaging just about the same double double but with 14 points and 11 rebounds versus the Clippers. When the two teams met in November, Vucevic recorded a monstrous double double with 22 points and 11 rebounds. But sadly, he hasn’t been that consistent, only returning value in three games of his last five, scoring 72.8, 47.8, 27.8, 52.5, and 39.3 fantasy points. Being one of the only two main excitements of this slate, Nikola Vucevic will most likely be chalk alongside Karl Anthony-Towns, but he should easily return value and possibly even exceed it.

Stay tuned to Fantasy CPR for all of your DFS needs. We have every major site covered for the NBA!