This article is part of our DraftKings NBA series.
We've got another packed nine-game slate as we enter Week 2!
The biggest news affecting NBA DFS on Monday is the suspension of Rajon Rondo and Brandon Ingram for the Lakers. Their absence is going to open up a lot of value for the following players:
Lonzo Ball ($5,500)
Kyle Kuzma ($5,500)
Josh Hart ($5,100)
Lance Stephenson ($3,800)
Kentavious Caldwell-Pope ($4,200)
Ball and Kuzma are likely to draw the start tonight and will also be highly owned, but that doesn't mean plugging them into your cash lineups is a bad play at all. We've seen what both of them can do when given the minutes and by far they have the best potential for explosive numbers tonight. For you mass multi-entry folks out there, I'd be giving some attention to Hart, Stephenson and Pope as well.
I especially like Hart, who is already seeing 30-plus minutes and has averaged 31 DKFP across two contests. While some people might consider flocking to LeBron James in the event that he decides to take this game over, I don't see myself playing $10,500 for him. We've got four 10K-plus players on the slate tonight, and the only one in play for me is Giannis Antetokounmpo ($11,100), who should have a field day against the Knicks.
Kevin Durant and Stephen Curry are the other two high-priced guys, but the back-to-back game against Phoenix at home leads me to believe that we are going to see less of the starting five in this one. Both of them are easy fades for me.
GAME I LIKE: Wizards at Trail Blazers (-4.5) O/U: 226
This one fits well into the game script we look for when targeting DFS talent – narrow point spreads and a high O/U line. I can definitely trust Vegas on this one. John Wall ($8.900) and Bradley Beal ($7,000) will be greenlit to heave it up early and often, and while I can definitely get behind Damian Lillard ($8,600), as well, I'm more inclined to favor Wall late in this game as they try to play catch-up.
I'll now make three selections at each position along with a small list of additional options at each spot that holds equal weight in my predictions. When possible, each section will include a top-shelf player, a mid-range target and a low-cost value play. The aforementioned recommendations should also be strongly considered.
GUARDS
DeMar DeRozan, SA at LAL ($7,400): My knee-jerk reaction was to reach for Booker or Oladipo but I think DeRozan will deliver comparable value at a much cheaper price. The Lakers are already 28th versus opposing guards, and without Rondo and Ingram, I don't expect a vast improvement. The ex-Raptor has given us diverse stat lines in the opening week, and he should shine again with his new team.
Joe Ingles, UTA vs MEM ($6,400): While we all know Ingles starts at the three, I think we have plenty of options over there, and nothing really thrilled me among guards in this median range. He's currently shooting an insane 70 percent from the floor and producing an average of 43 DKFP over the first two games. True, it's not the sexiest pick, but he could easily get lost in this slate and see low ownership on Monday.
Nik Stauskas, POR vs. WAS ($3,700): Stauskas is an excellent value in what should be a fast-paced game. The key for Stauskas is getting to 20-25 minutes when you have Evan Turner and Jake Layman to contend with. I don't mind Turner at $4,500 either, but you certainly can't roster both. I'd consider Turner for cash and Stauskas for GPPs.
Other guards to consider:Jimmy Butler, MIN vs. IND ($8,000), Luka Doncic, DAL vs. CHI ($6,800), Fred VanVleet, TOR vs. CHA ($4,600)
FORWARDS
Kawhi Leonard, TOR vs. CHA ($8,800): High ownership or not, I'm going with Kawhi all day at under 9K. It's still a mystery that he's still this cheap, especially after his monster debut game in Boston. Charlotte has been a little stingy against his position so far, but I wouldn't exactly call Josh Richardson and Jonathan Isaac worthwhile comparisons. They haven't faced a guy like Leonard yet.
Bobby Portis, CHI at DAL ($6,600): Portis has yet to give us a reason to doubt his potential at the four as he's turned in two gems against top-flite defenses so far. The Mavs are much-improved with the likes of DeAndre Jordan and Luka Doncic, but Dallas currently ranks 27th in overall rebounding efficiency, and that category is Portis' wheelhouse. He's a great value at close to the DK median price.
Jaren Jackson, Jr. MEM at UTA ($5,200): The No. 4 overall pick in the 2018 draft is seeing plenty of action with JaMychal Green (jaw) sidelined until Thanksgiving at the earliest. If he continues his stellar play, Green could likely be out of a job. The rookie faces a tough defensive test against the Jazz but I think he'll exceed value at this price point.
Other forwards to consider: Jayson Tatum, BOS vs. ORL ($7,500), Serge Ibaka, TOR vs. CHA ($5,300), Garrett Temple, MEM at UTA ($4,000)
CENTERS
DeAndre Jordan, DAL vs. CHI ($8,100): I don't intend on spending up at center on Monday, but I definitely like Jordan better than Towns at the top of this list. Jordan's new home seems to suit him well. He's averaging 31 minutes per game thus far, and he has very little competition for minutes. Also, the Bulls have yet to figure out their best option at center and aside from Bobby Portis, they haven't been particularly effective inside. If you are inclined to spend up here, Jordan is your play.
Enes Kanter, NY at MIL ($7,300): Just like clockwork, Kanter is back at it again, churning out 40 DKFP performances night after night. They'll need to lean on him a little more with rookie Kevin Knox (ankle) sidelined, and it should be a relatively advantageous matchup against Brook Lopez and John Henson inside.
JaVale McGee, LAL vs. SA ($4,900): More likely than not, I'm going for value at center on Monday, and even though he wasn't a listed Laker above, he's been involved enough to merit consideration at this price. He's posted solid games in the 35 DKFP range so far, and I don't see any reason why he shouldn't stay in the same territory. The Spurs have given centers fits early on this season, but their defense will likely be preoccupied with finding a solution for LeBron.
Other centers to consider: Rudy Gobert, UTA vs. MEM ($7,500), Kyle O'Quinn, IND at MIN ($3,600)
As always, keep tabs on your players before tip-off with the latest updates at RotoWire.com.
