DFS NBA love, like, leave on opening night

DFS NBA love, like, leave on opening night – hell NAW

By Jacob Zook | Oct 22, 2019

DFS NBA: NEW YORK, NY - OCTOBER 18: Nickeil Alexander-Walker #0 of the New Orleans Pelicans handles the ball against the New York Knicks during a pre-season game on October 18, 2019 at Madison Square Garden in New York City, New York. 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 2019 NBAE (Photo by Nathaniel S. Butler/NBAE via Getty Images) /

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DFS NBA: BROOKLYN, NY – OCTOBER 18: Pascal Siakam #43 of the Toronto Raptors handles the ball during a pre-season game against the Brooklyn Nets on October 18, 2019 at the Barclays Center in Brooklyn, New York. 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 2019 NBAE (Photo by Brian Babineau/NBAE via Getty Images) /

DFS NBA Love Like Leave – Opening Night

Small Forward

Love

Kawhi Leonard (9,900): Fresh off an NBA championship (Thank you Kawhi) and back in his home town, Leonard carried an unheard of usage rate in the high 30% during a Paul George-less preseason.

I don’t expect that to change, and I don’t expect the Clippers to rest Leonard the way Toronto did. I am expecting similar usage rates over 30-35+ minutes, and with Kawhi getting that much of a chance to own the ball, he could easily be the top scoring option ahead of Lebron and AD.

Like

Pascal Siakam (8,000): Speaking of those Toronto Raptors, they are an interesting team that is likely to be searching for an identity. Siakam just signed a monster max deal, so expect him to cement himself as the face of that identity.

After taking huge steps forward last season, Siakam is going to have all the usage he can handle in a weaker offense. The Pels play at one of the fastest paces in the league, something that is going to do wonders for the wildly athletic fast break hungry Siakam.

Leave

Lebron James (11,400): Before everybody gets the pitchforks out, let me explain. Lebron is the second most expensive option on the slate, and with the PF position being naked at the top, Davis almost needs to be in play (I have him in 14/16 lineups right now), simply for positional value.

This leaves Lebron as a tough choice. With a lower usage rate than the past, will be able to hit value, and more importntly, will he be able to significantly outscore Kawhi and Siakam the way Davis will likely outscore the second best PF option? I doubt it. King James can stay seated on the throne for this one.

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