Daily Fantasy DraftKings and FanDuel NBA Picks - Friday, January 26, 2024

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Point Guard/ Shooting Guard

Luka Doncic FD - $12300 DK - $11300
Opponent - ATL
Proj Pts FD - 69.3 DK - 75.05

We aren’t sure about Kyrie Irving’s status as of this writing, but if he were to sit, then Luka Doncic would be basically a lock for cash games, even at these crazy prices. He’s just been that good this season and gets even better (from a fantasy perspective) when Kyrie is off the floor. Luka is also a candidate to run massive minutes in close games, playing 39 or more in three of the last five.

On the season, he’s averaging 33.6 points (a career high) while shooting 37% from three on more than 10 attempts. Because this is the first game of the slate, we will have all of the injury info we need going into lineup lock.

Dennis Schröder FD - $5900 DK - $5200
Opponent - LAC
Proj Pts FD - 30.97 DK - 33.9

Gary Trent Jr. FD - $5000 DK - $4800
Opponent - LAC
Proj Pts FD - 24.81 DK - 27.3

Bruce Brown FD - $5600 DK - $5400
Opponent - LAC
Proj Pts FD - 27.9 DK - 29.87

The new-look Raptors will be without Immanuel Quickley in this game and just traded away Pascal Siakam last week. That’s going to leave them a bit thin on the starting lineup front, and we should see both Dennis Schroder and Gary Trent get the nods there. Bruce Brown will be in the mix as well.

All three are coming relatively cheap when you factor in a minutes and role increase here. The matchup against the Clippers isn’t amazing, and there’s at least some concern Toronto can’t stay in the game.

But overall, I think we are getting value on these guys, considering the context.

Small Forward

Kevin Durant FD - $9800 DK - $9200
Opponent - IND
Proj Pts FD - 49.02 DK - 51.91

The Suns get one of the best matchups around facing off against the Pacers on Friday. This game has the highest total of the evening (243.5), and for good reason. Indiana offers a pace-up atmosphere even without Tyrese Haliburton, and their defense has been suspect all season. Kevin Durant is sometimes less appealing with Devin Booker and Bradley Beal in the mix, but there are reasons to consider playing him here.

For starters, the price is ticking down in the short term, especially on DraftKings. Plus, in close games, this dude runs minutes, playing 38 or more in five of the last six. He’s rebounded well of late and, over the last month, is averaging 27 points, seven boards, and almost five assists. I like the spot and the price.

Luke Kennard FD - $5700 DK - $5500
Opponent - ORL
Proj Pts FD - 26.42 DK - 30.14

John Konchar FD - $5600 DK - $4400
Opponent - ORL
Proj Pts FD - 28.53 DK - 28.05

The Grizzlies are still down bad when it comes to just actual live bodies who can play basketball games. They are going to get Luke Kennard back tonight but obviously are still without Ja Morant, Desmond Bane, and Marcus Smart. Kennard sat out last game but had been playing the nominal point guard slot for this team, and, last time out, put up 19 points and seven assists. His price isn’t reflective of the new role at all.

And then there is John Konchar who’s still a good deal on DraftKings considering the state of the Grizzlies. He’s seen the production come and go, but is coming off a game in which he scored 11 points while adding a whopping 10 rebounds. The usage is low, but the minutes appear moderately safe at this point.

Vince Williams Jr. (FD 7000 DK 6500) is also in consideration here, but he’s really seeing the prices climb.

Power Forward/ Center

Alperen Sengün FD - $9800 DK - $8600
Opponent - CHA
Proj Pts FD - 46.05 DK - 48.83

Alperen Sengun is still coming way too cheap on DraftKings, considering what he can do from a fantasy perspective on a near-nightly basis. He’s double-doubled in four of the last five games, and in that stretch, he has averaged 25.6 points, 11 rebounds, and seven assists. Sure, there were some overtimes mixed in there, but this dude has as high a floor as you’ll see in this price tier considering the way he scores his fantasy points. The matchup against the Hornets is a good one, and you are getting good value on Sengun.

Jaren Jackson Jr. FD - $8600 DK - $7700
Opponent - ORL
Proj Pts FD - 45.53 DK - 46.83

Jaren Jackson Jr. is risky every night mostly because the foul trouble comes into play more than almost anyone else in his price tier. It’s been a problem his whole career and still rears its ugly head occasionally. That being said, with Memphis down so many guys, he’s seen the usage rate spike in recent games, taking 20 or more shots in six of his last seven games.

Even with the hacking issues, he’s still getting there mostly on the opportunity when on the court. I don’t love the matchup against the Magic, but also don’t think he’s price right for how the Grizzlies are using him now.

Thaddeus Young FD - $4800 DK - $3900
Opponent - LAC
Proj Pts FD - 24.07 DK - 23.75

This is a risky one because he’s still coming off the bench. But without Jakob Poetlt and with Pascal Siakam traded, Thad Young has been seeing more run of late. Plus, it helps that though he starts, the Raptors don’t really trust Jontay Porter who can’t stay out of foul trouble anyway. For this size slate, we could see other cheap value guys come into the mix because of injuries, but Young is a solid play here.