NBA Draftkings: Top Salary Value Plays – Load Management, Again

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.

In addition to breaking down salary and a players value with their price tag, we are also going to add another section of pairing top tier and low tier players together for your lineups. We can mix and match all we want with 150+ lineups (we don’t do that though) but in reality, there are usually two or three players we should throw in a lineup together.

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

Point Guard Position:

Mike Conley vs. San Antonio

Salary: $7,900 – Needs to score 39.5 fantasy points or more to exceed value

Mike Conley got left behind with Marc Gasol getting shipped out to Toronto but that leaves Conley as a main focus for the Grizzlies for the time being. Conley is averaging 20 points, 6 assist and 3 rebounds with a usage rate of just 27%. Conley has scored 15 points with 7 assist and 11 points with 9 assist in the two games since the trade deadline. He put up back to back 31 fantasy points also in those games. But he gets to face the San Antonio Spurs for a third time who are allowing opposing point guards to average 23 points, 8 assist and 6 rebounds.

He’s averaging 37.9 fantasy points per game and 1.14 fantasy points per minute. He did put up 21 points, 3 assist and 1 rebound against the Spurs on January 5th. Then on January 9th, Conley recorded 15 points, 6 assist and 2 rebounds. He does drop below the $8k price tag tonight but should easily reach the 39.5 fantasy points versus this San Antonio Spurs team.

Shooting Guard Position:

Klay Thompson vs. Utah Jazz

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

While majority of the Golden State Warriors have taken a hit with the return of DeMarcus Cousins, Klay Thompson has actually been pretty consistent and with a very low price tag. Thompson is averaging 22 points, 4 rebounds, and 2 assist with a usage rate of 26%. He’ll be facing the Utah Jazz once again who are allowing opposing shooting guards to average 20 points, 6 rebounds, and 3 assist per game.

Thompson only recorded 12 points, 6 rebounds and 3 assist versus them in their previous game on December 19th. He has exceeded value in four straight games now, scoring 25+ real points in each game. He’s averaging 34.6 fantasy points per game and 1.01 fantasy points per minute. If there is one Dubs player to count on currently, it’s Klay Thompson.

Small Forward Position:

Lebron James vs. Atlanta Hawks

Salary: $10,500 – Needs to score 52.5 fantasy points or more to exceed value (68.25 for 6.5x)

Now this is another possibility of late news of Lebron James sitting out but we shouldn’t expect it as the “King” has had the “load management” tag for a third straight game. While being in a very awkward situation, Lebron James has been very hit or miss on returning value since returning from injury. He has scored 40.3, 72.5, and 44.5 fantasy points which is just a return of value once in three games.

James does get to face the fast paced Atlanta Hawks who are allowing opposing small forwards to average 22 points, 7 rebounds, and 4 assist per game. James does have a usage rate of 30% while averaging 26 points, 8 rebounds, and 7 assist per game. In the first meeting on November 11th, James recorded 26 points, 7 rebounds, 4 assist and 2 steals. Lebron is averaging 1.52 fantasy points per minute and if he is sticking with the on and off games plus his team is finally trusting him again then he should exceed value easily tonight but do be careful with this play.

Power Forward Position:

Kyle Kuzma vs. Atlanta Hawks

Salary: $6,000 – Needs to score 30 fantasy points or more to exceed value

WARNING: This could be a chalky play due to his previous two games. Kyle Kuzma has done what you’re suppose to do when your name is in every trade rumor surrounding your team, you dominate. Kuzma has exceeded value in his last two games by a good amount, scoring 38.8 and 46.3 fantasy points, playing 34 and 32 minutes in both. He’s averaging 19 points, 6 rebounds, and 2 assist per game with a usage rate of 24%.

He’s averaging 31.8 fantasy points per game and averaging .99 fantasy points per minute. He gets to face an Atlanta Hawks defense that is allowing opposing power forwards to average 23 points, 11 rebounds, and 4 assist. Kuzma recorded 18 points, 8 rebounds with 2 steals and 1 assist in the previous meeting versus the Atlanta Hawks. I can even argue to fade Lebron James tonight for Kyle Kuzma who has shown he can exceed the 5x value of his salary price tag, plus he has a low ceiling of 30 fantasy points that he needs to reach which should be easy.

Center Position:

Joel Embiid vs. Boston Celtics

Salary: $10,200 – Needs to score 51 fantasy points or more to exceed value (66.3 for 6.5x)

We, once again, have a very nice Center depth to choose from tonight but Joel Embiid is at the top of that list due to his past performances versus the Boston Celtics and his salary is in the low $10k range. Embiid is averaging 22 points, 12 rebounds and 3 assist versus the Celtics in just 6 games.

On Christmas, he also recorded 34 points and 16 rebounds versus them also. Boston is allowing opposing centers to average 22 points and 15 rebounds versus them. Embiid has also returned value in four of his last five games, scoring 60, 62.8, 65.3, and 62 fantasy points. He’s averaging 54.8 fantasy points per game and 1.66 fantasy points per minute with a usage rate of 33%. Building around Joel Embiid tonight may be the way to start your lineup.

NBA Draftkings – The Low Tier Valued Players

Point Guard Position

D.J. Augustin vs. New Orleans Pelicans

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

I may use D.J. Augustin a little too much but the man usually gets the run time on the court with a very low ceiling but tonight should be the night to use him. The Pelicans are allowing opposing point guards to average 23 points, 8 assist and 6 rebounds per game. Augustin is averaging 28 minutes with 11 points, 4 assist and 2 rebounds with a usage rate of 16%.

He just hasn’t had the best consistency in returning value lately but turned it around versus the Hawks with 36.8 fantasy points. Augustin is averaging .84 fantasy points per minute and 22.8 fantasy points per game also. He should be able to keep the bounce back going tonight versus the drama filled house that we call the New Orleans Pelicans.

Shooting Guard Position:

Reggie Bullock vs. Atlanta Hawks

Salary: $3,400 – Needs to score 17 fantasy points or more to exceed value

This man burned a lot of people on Sunday with his Los Angeles Lakers debut but his salary is just $3,400 and that’s hard to pass up. Bullock’s Lakers debut, he recorded a sad 2 points,3 assist, 1 rebound and 2 blocks. He can go no where but up from here and facing a fast paced Atlanta Hawks team, we should see him get more playing time.

The Hawks are allowing opposing shooting guards to average 25 points, 6 rebounds, and 5 assist as a whole. Before joining the Lakers, Bullock also returned value in three straight games, scoring 26.5, 27, and 36.8 fantasy points. He’s averaging 21.2 fantasy points per game and .70 fantasy points per minute.

Small Forward Position:

Kevin Huerter vs. Los Angeles Lakers

Salary: $4,800 – Needs to score 24 fantasy points or more to exceed value

Sticking in the same game which I think has some good value plays, Kevin Huerter is also in play. He has returned value in four of his past five games, scoring 29.8, 35.3, 26, and 24.3 fantasy points. He’s averaging 20 fantasy points per game and .75 fantasy points per minute. Another thing that comes into play is how the Atlanta Hawks rotate their guys a lot and the do it early on in each quarter.

Huerter is also averaging 9 points, 3 rebounds, and 3 assist with a usage rate of 15%. This Los Angeles Lakers team is allowing opposing small forwards to average 22 points, 8 rebounds and 4 assist as a whole. Now Kevin Huerter didn’t have a good showing the last time they faced the Los Angeles Lakers but with his minutes pushing close to 30 minutes per game, he should have a better outing tonight.

Power Forward Position:

Kenrich Williams vs. Orlando Magic

Salary: $4,900 – Needs to score 24.5 fantasy points or more to exceed value

Once again Draftkings is behind on pricing certain players like Kenrich Williams unless they expect the man not to be a factor during this Anthony Davis situation. Williams has now played 30+ minutes in 7 games and has exceed value in every single one of those games. He has also gone for double digits in real scoring in all except two.

He now gets to face the Orlando Magic who are allowing opposing power forwards to average 21 points, 10 rebounds, and 3 assist. If you do not play Kenrich Williams tonight then there is something completely wrong with you and Draftkings should ban you. (Now Williams will flop and apologize in tomorrow’s article)

Center Position:

JaVale McGee vs. Atlanta Hawks

Salary: $4,800 – Needs to score 24 fantasy points or more to exceed value

On a slate with a bunch of centers that are worth playing, McGee is one of them and at a huge discount of $4,800. McGee jumped back into the starting position when the Lakers traded Ivica Zubac was sent to the Clippers. McGee has since scored 28.5 and 43.8 fantasy points, almost recorded back to back double doubles, which he did Sunday in just 26 minutes of playing time.

He is averaging 11 points and 7 rebounds with a usage rate of 20%. The Atlanta Hawks are allowing opposing centers to average 22 points, 15 rebounds, and 4 assist per game. Use JaVale McGee if you opt out of using Joel Embiid as he has a low ceiling of 24 fantasy points tonight versus a team that will keep both teams moving at a fast pace.

NBA Draftkings – Who To Pair Between Both Value Tiers

When it comes to building lineups and you opt in to do more then one and less then 50 lineups, it gets kind of difficult on remembering who you have and haven’t paired together. But that’s why I’m here to give you advice on who to throw in your lineup to add extra top tier players.

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Tonight, we’ll start with Kenrich Williams who is priced below $4,900 and has exceeded value in 7 straight games. Next up is Reggie Bullock who is priced nicely at $3,400 and will most likely bounce back from his disappointing debut for the Los Angeles Lakers. Now lets add in Mike Conley who hasn’t had the best performances versus the San Antonio Spurs this season but is priced under $8k. With a average salary price of $6,700 left, throw in Kyle Kuzma who is on a spree to silent every doubter and person who said throw him in for Anthony Davis.

Now here is the huge question of adding in Joel Embiid or sticking with JaVale McGee as a low cost center. My answer is to make Joel Embiid the focus point of the lineup and choose him on your first line of the night. Now we have an average of $5,800 left to fill in the rest of the positions of Guard, Forward, and Utility which can easily be done. So good luck and cash out!

Sample Lineup

PG: Mike Conley ($7,900)

SG: Reggie Bullock ($3,400)

SF: Kyle Kuzma ($6,000)

PF: Kenrich Williams ($4,900)

C: Joel Embiid ($10,200)

G: Klay Thompson ($6,100)

F: Kevin Huerter ($4,800)

Util: Trae Young ($6,700) – Not covered in article but for what it’s worth, Young recored 20 points, 12 assist and 2 points versus the Lakers in his first match-up.

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