Denver Nuggets center Nikola Jokic against the Golden State Warriors during an NBA basketball game in San Francisco, Tuesday, Dec. 28, 2021. (AP Photo/Jeff Chiu)
If NBA DFS wasn't crazy enough for you, we have the trade deadline fast approaching! That deadline takes place on Thursday, and we had our first big trade on Friday. There will undoubtedly be more in the coming days, and that's one of the best ways to capitalize on DFS. Players will inevitably creep into more prominent roles, and it's something you need to keep an eye on before submitting lineups. With that in mind, let's kick things off with one of the most exciting players in the NBA!
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Opponent - ATL
Proj Pts FD - 54.2 DK - 56.48
Luka has been one of the best players in fantasy since he was drafted, and he could honestly be in this article every day. We like him here because of his recent form, scoring at least 65 DraftKings points in seven of his last 10 games. He's actually got 71 or more in three straight, and it's easy to understand why since Luka is flirting with a 40 percent usage rate with Kristaps Porzingis sidelined. He was already leading the NBA in usage before, and he's literally touching the ball on every play right now. Facing Atlanta is the jelly in the donut, with the Hawks ranked 25th in points allowed and 27th in defensive efficiency. Not to mention, you know Doncic will be motivated against the team who passed up on him in the draft.
Opponent - IND
Proj Pts FD - 27.22 DK - 27.32
Goodwin was a free agent just last week, but he's stepped in and been fantastic for the Cavs. A gluttony of injuries has forced him into this role, with Darius Garland, Collin Sexton, and Ricky Rubio all injured. That has led to BG scoring at least 26 DK points in three straight outings, averaging 35 fantasy points per game across 34 minutes a night over the last two outings. That's tough to find from a $5K player, and it looks like he's a lock for 30-35 minutes as long as Garland remains out. Facing the Pacers is a pristine matchup, too, with Indiana ranked 26th in defensive efficiency.
Jalen Suggs has been much better since his return from injury and remains a good value around $6K.
Opponent - PHI
Proj Pts FD - 39.71 DK - 40.39
The Rookie of the Year run is nearly closed with Evan Mobley running away, but Ayo is doing everything possible to get his hat in the ring. The young guard has played a pivotal role with Lonzo Ball and Alex Caruso both going down, starting at point for a month now. In his 12 games as a starter, Dosunmu is averaging 32 DraftKings points per game across 38 minutes a night. Getting 38 minutes from a $6K player is incredible, particularly with Ayo scoring at least 29 fantasy points in four straight fixtures. He's done a lot of that damage with Zach LaVine, and we certainly don't mind that his usage will increase here with LaVine likely sitting.
Opponent - CLE
Proj Pts FD - 29.23 DK - 29.34
Taylor being SG-eligible is laughable because this guy has been playing center for Indiana. The injuries have forced him into this situation, with the Pacers missing Myles Turner, Domantas Sabonis, Goga Bitadze and Isaiah Jackson. That means this guard needed to come in and play center, but he's been excellent in this role. In fact, TT has 98.5 combined DraftKings points over the last two games, scoring at least 46 in both. That's absurd from a $6K player, especially since he's being forced into a 40-minute role for this shorthanded team. You better believe he'll get massive minutes here to oppose one of the biggest teams in the NBA, too.
Reggie Bullock has been playing a 35-minute role for Dallas recently and remains way too cheap on both sites.
Opponent - DAL
Proj Pts FD - 25.08 DK - 26
It was really tough to find forwards that we liked, so we're going to pay up at point guard and center while filliing in the forward slots with cheap players. Hunter is just that, sitting below $5,000 on both sites. That's hard to understand, too, with De'Andre scoring at least 32 fantasy points in five of his last 10 games. If you're saying there's a 50 percent chance of a sub-$5K player scoring 30-plus DK points, you have to take that every day of the week. This guy was sitting around $7K through his first month as a rookie last season, and we believe he's that sort of player if he can remain healthy.
Opponent - ATL
Proj Pts FD - 25.32 DK - 25.65
This dude plays way too much to be this cheap. DFS has played at least 39 minutes in three straight fixtures, stepping up with Porzingis, Maxi Kleber, and Tim Hardaway Jr all sidelined. That means he's a guarantee for 30-35 minutes, scoring at least 16 fantasy points in 10 straight games. That might not sound like much, but a 4X floor from a $4K player is really all you can ask for. He's also averaging 23 fantasy points per game in that span, which we believe to be his actual floor in an expanded role like this. Facing the Hawks is the best part of this, though, with Atlanta ranked 27th in total defense.
Don't forget about Brandon Ingram playing the worst defense in the NBA!
Opponent - MIN
Proj Pts FD - 31.27 DK - 31.12
Grant has struggled in his return to action, but this guy is way too good to be this cheap. He's usually somewhere between $7,000-$8,000 when he's right, and it's just a matter of time before he returns to that player. Jerami was averaging 35 DK points per game before getting injured and still leads Detroit in usage rate. We love that since Cade Cunningham could miss this game, putting even more on Grant's plate. A matchup with Minnesota is majestic, too, with the T'Wolves ranked 20th in total defense. We also don't mind that Grant gobbled up 32 DK points in this matchup just last week!
Opponent - HOU
Proj Pts FD - 25.07 DK - 24.53
It's unclear if New Orleans will keep riding this big starting unit, but it's done wonders for Hayes' fantasy value. He's been starting at power forward for the Pelicans, playing at least 26 minutes in three straight games. Playing time has been the only thing holding Jaxson back, and we believe he's a $7K player if he keeps playing 30 minutes a night. He's scored at least 34 DK points in two of those three starts, averaging 32 fantasy points per game in that span. Good luck finding that from another $6K player, especially since Houston ranks first in pace and dead-last in both points allowed and defensive efficiency.
Since we've saved so much salary, Giannis Antetokounmpo is obviously a great play with his 40-point floor.
Opponent - BKN
Proj Pts FD - 60.91 DK - 63.05
We've offered up a ton of great value plays for you guys, so let's get the best option in fantasy in your lineup! The Joker is leading all players with 60.4 DraftKings points per game, scoring at least 41 fantasy points in all but one game this season. Those are truly absurd numbers, making Jokic worth it at any salary. Facing Brooklyn is a brilliant matchup, too, owning one of the worst frontcourts in the NBA. They also rank bottom-5 in defensive in their current six-game losing streak, and you know Jokic well feast in this highlight game. In their three meetings since last season, Jokic is averaging 55 fantasy points per game!
Opponent - HOU
Proj Pts FD - 39.33 DK - 41.68
Using centers against Houston is the best matchup in DFS. Sitting first in pace and dead-last in total defense will do that, surrendering the most fantasy points to opposing centers as well. They're actually surrendering nearly 50 DK points per game to them, and JV dropped 43 DK points in their one meeting earlier this year. We love that with his floor, scoring at least 31 fantasy points in 20 of his last 21 games played. That's gotten his season average to 40 DK points per game, establishing himself as a double-double machine. In a matchup like this, we genuinely believe JV is in line for 20 points and 15 boards!
Mo Bamba has been terrible recently, but this price drop has gone a bit too far.
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