NBA Draftkings: Top Salary Value Plays – The Trade Deadline Curse

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 even Paul George, 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 Paul George was priced at $9,600 versus the New Orleans Pelicans so we needed him to hit 48 fantasy points to return five times his value. Sure enough, Paul George returned value and exceeded it by scoring 54.8. 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. As a special thank you to our Fantasy CPR readers, we have a $50 Free Roll tonight on FantasyDraft. You can access the free roll link here!

Lets not waste any more time and kick off the research for this 6 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

Damian Lillard vs. San Antonio Spurs

Salary: $8,600 – Needs to score 43 fantasy points or more to exceed value. 

It’s hard not to make Russell Westbrook the top value play tonight but with Paul George playing like an absolute monster, Lillard is the guy to roll with at the point guard position. Yes, Pop did rest everyone plus the bench last night but they still have to face a ready Lillard. Lillard is averaging 26 points, 6 assist, and 4 rebounds with a 30% usage rate. He gets to face a San Antonio Spurs team that is allowing opposing point guards to average 23 points, 8 assist, and 6 rebounds.

Lillard is averaging 44.6 fantasy points per game and 1.27 fantasy points per minute. But the downside is that he’s very hit and miss lately as he has only returned value in three of his last five games. He scored 47.5, 60.75, and 68 fantasy points in those games. But if you believe in the on and off night narrative then Lillard should exceed value easily tonight.

Low Tier Option

Cory Joseph vs. Los Angeles Clippers

Salary: $4,400 – Needs to score 22 fantasy points or more to exceed value.

Now this a risk play with Cory Joseph as he doesn’t get the burn that we usually need or want to see. He’s averaging just 26 minutes per game with a usage rate of 14%. He’s averaging 7 points, 4 assist and 3 rebounds per game also. Joseph is also averaging just .76 fantasy points per minute and 19.9 fantasy points per game. Nothing to be excited about but he does get to face the Los Angeles Clippers.

The same team that just sent Boban and Tobias Harris to Philadelphia and they may not even be done so watch the trade deadline before tonight’s slate. The Clippers are allowing opposing point guards to average 24 points, 8 assist and 6 rebounds per game. He also has a low ceiling tonight of just 22 fantasy points and Cory Joseph has exceeded value in three of his last five games.

NBA Draftkings – Top Tier

Lou Williams vs. Indiana Pacers (Watch Clippers at The Trade Deadline)

Salary: $7,400 – Needs to score 37 fantasy points or more to exceed value

We were right about Lou Williams having a bounce back game after his performance against the Toronto Raptors. He dropped 47.75 fantasy points on Tuesday when facing the Charlotte Hornets and now he has another good match-up in a weak shooting guard depth. But be aware that the Clippers may or may not trade him by the deadline since they have already dealt Tobias Harris. Lou Williams is averaging 19 points, 5 assist, and 3 rebounds with a usage rate of 32% off of the bench. He’s averaging 32.5 fantasy points per game and 1.25 fantasy points per minute.

Lou Williams gets to face a Indiana Pacers team that is allowing opposing shooting guards to average 23 points, 5 rebounds and 5 assist per game. In his past seven games, Williams has also been able to return value in six of them which makes him a hard fade, even when coming off of the bench.

Low Tier Option

Fred VanVleet vs. Atlanta Hawks

Salary: $4,400 – Needs to score 22 fantasy points or more to exceed value

Fred VanVleet was once a pretty good low risk call but now, he’s hard to call when we should use him. He’s currently averaging 10 points, 4 assist and 3 rebounds per game with a usage rate of 17%. He has only returned value in two of his last five games also which makes this another risk play for us.

He’s averaging around 23 fantasy points per game and .88 fantasy points per minute. He does get to face the fast paced Atlanta Hawks which should give him more burn. They are currently allowing opposing shooting guards to average 25 points, 6 rebounds and 5 assist per game. If you’re looking for salary relief than Fred VanVleet can help you tonight with stacking multiple top-tier guys.

NBA Draftkings – Top Tier

Paul George vs. Memphis Grizzlies 

Salary: $10,000 – Needs to score 50 fantasy points or more to exceed value (65 for 6.5x)

Now like I said before, it’s hard to decide between Paul George and Russell Westbrook. You can choose either and be perfectly fine on any slate but my main focus tonight is Paul George, once again. He’s averaging 28 points, 8 rebounds, and 4 assist with a usage rate of 29% while playing around 36 minutes per game. He hasn’t missed his value either in his past ten games so why fade him? He’s averaging 50.6 fantasy points per game and 1.4 fantasy points per minute.

PG13 does face a tougher defense tonight though with the Memphis Grizzlies but remember, Marc Gasol and Mike Conley are both on the trade block so they could be out due to a new team which makes this an even better match-up. The Grizzlies are allowing opposing small forwards to average 20 points, 8 assist and 3 rebounds per game. But once again, I advise you to not fade Paul George.

Low Tier Option

Jaylen Brown vs. Los Angeles Lakers 

Salary: $4,700 – Needs to score 23.5 fantasy points or more to exceed value

I hate playing Jaylen Brown more then Andrew Wiggins, honestly, but tonight could be a great night to play him as the LeBron Lakers, I mean Los Angeles Lakers, are willing to trade everyone except Lebron for Anthony Davis. Plus, all the young guys hate Lebron now probably and after the performance they had against the Indiana Pacers, this should be a walk in the park.

Jaylen Brown is currently averaging 12 points, 4 rebounds, and 1 assist with a usage rate of 22% but he should see more burn tonight. He gets to face a Lakers team that is allowing small forwards to average 22 points, 8 assist, and 4 rebounds. Brown has a very low ceiling also of 23.5 fantasy points tonight and should easily be able to exceed that.

NBA Draftkings – Top Tier

Kawhi Leonard vs. Atlanta Hawks

Salary: $9,700 – Needs to score 47 fantasy points or more to exceed value

I rarely write up Kawhi Leonard just due to the fact that Toronto likes to rest him on the most random nights. Leonard, when he actually plays, is averaging 27 points, 8 rebounds, and 3 assist with a usage rate of 29%. He’s averaging 46.8 fantasy points per game and 1.37 fantasy points per minute. Leonard though has only returned value in three of his last five games, scoring 42.75, 53, and 50.75 fantasy points.

He gets to face a Atlanta Hawks team that is allowing opposing power forwards to average 23 points, 11 rebounds, and 4 assist per game. In their game on January 8th, Leonard recorded 31 points with 6 assist and 4 rebounds. If Kawhi is able to repeat that performance, if he actually plays in the rematch, then we should see similar results and getting every dollar worth of this match-up.

Low Tier Option

Ivan Rabb vs. Oklahoma City Thunder

Salary: $5,100 – Needs to score 25.5 fantasy points or more to exceed value

Ivan Rabb should be in the same position he was two nights ago if Marc Gasol is actually dealt at the trade deadline. Rabb put up 41.75 fantasy points on Tuesday when Marc Gasol was sat due to some trade discussions going on but he was also chalk. One thing to be careful with. Rabb has a usage rate of 20% on the season.

It’s hard to tell what he’s averaging over the course of the season due to him just now getting his chance to shine. In his last four games, he has played 20+ minutes besides the one versus the New York Knicks but in each of those games, he was able to exceed salary and even if he was priced at $5,100 then also, he still would have. Now, he’ll be facing a Oklahoma City Thunder defense that allow opposing power forwards to average 21 points, 11 rebounds and 3 assist per game. So if Gasol is dealt then use Ivan Rabb as the power forward, especially to help with your salary relief.

NBA Draftkings – Top Tier

Al Horford vs. Los Angeles Lakers

Salary: $6,700 – Needs to score 33.5 fantasy points or more to exceed value

I usually tell myself to play Al Horford but then I don’t so tonight, lets play Al Horford and especially because he’s facing the Los Angeles Lakers. Plus, Kyrie Irving is expect to play and if he does, then Hordford is a lock. Horford is averaging 12 points, 6 rebounds and 4 assist per game with a usage rate of 18%. He’s also averaging 31.2 fantasy points a game and 1.11 fantasy points per minute. Horford has also returned value in four of his past five games, scoring 34, 39. 37.75, and 49.75 fantasy points.

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He now gets to face a Los Angeles Lakers defense that is allowing opposing centers to average 25 points, 17 rebounds, and 4 assist per game. Plus like I mentioned earlier, this entire Lakers squad seems to be a bit dysfunctional and angry at Lebron for him trying to trade them all away. Horford has yet to see the Lakers this season so we should be in store for a good one of him exceeding value before the end of the game.

Low Tier Option

Dewayne Dedmon vs. Toronto Raptors

Salary: $5,200 – Needs to score 26 fantasy points or more to exceed value

This is once again a risk play due to the fact that any backup on the Atlanta Hawks may just get more burn then the other. Dedmon and Len switch on and off nights of who can exceed value or play more so be careful. On the season, Dedmon is averaging 10 points, 7 rebounds and 1 assist with a usage rate of 16%.

He is averaging 25.7 fantasy points per game and 1.07 fantasy points per minute. He does get to face the Toronto Raptors who may also deal a couple of players by the deadline which could help the value of Dedmon. The Raptors are also allowing opposing centers to average 21 points, 15 rebounds, and 4 assist per game. If Dedmon can get more burn then Alex Len tonight, the ceiling of 26 fantasy points will be easy to reach.

Stay tuned to Fantasy CPR for all the latest NBA DFS news and analysis each and every day!