A new week of daily fantasy basketball hath returned, which is nice considering we just got through being dumped on by would-be value plays this past weekend. Isaiah Canaan and Reggie Jackson were two guys that were “okay” but didn’t quite live up to expectations, while we also got burned by studs like Chris Paul, Kevin Durant and DeMarcus Cousins via some fairly weak performances. Anthony Davis went down yet again, too, and if you haven’t been using Russell Westbrook (or the point God, as our own Taylor Smith likes to call him), then you’ve likely been crying yourself to sleep in cash games.
The elite of Monday night is without a doubt James Harden, with Pau Gasol and Chris Paul tying for a distant second. Of course, with CP3 going up against the Memphis Grizzlies, he’d be an OK fade and Pow looks much more attractive. There is enough value out there to allow you to pair two of these guys, though, and that’s not such a bad idea. Regardless your strategy for daily sites like Draft Kings (sign up now if you haven’t yet!), you’ll need some cheap guys that can help round out your roster. Don’t sleep on killer values such as Kawhi Leonard, ($6.9k), Tim Duncan ($7k) and Derrick Favors ($6.8k), but for the best values at $6k and below, read on:
Isaiah Canaan, PG, Philadelphia 76ers ($3k)
He’s still the minimum and he’s starting already, so naturally you need to use Canaan just about everywhere on DK. He can hit treys and the PG spot in Philly offers a solid shot at 7-10 dimes on any given night, so he’ll easily crush his value.
Jerryd Bayless, PG, Milwaukee Bucks ($4.4k)
Bayless isn’t as cheap as Canaan but he might be more fun. In two straight starts (his only starts of the year), Bayless has notched at least 25 fantasy points. He is a solid scorer who also has done a good job with rebounds and assists. As long as Michael Carter-Williams (foot) remains sidelined, he’ll continue to be a solid play.
Tony Parker, PG, San Antonio Spurs ($5k)
You just have to pick your spots with Parker, who can go nuts at any point but can also spare you to death like he did in his last game. The Jazz aren’t a terrible matchup for his price, so he’ll be worth a shot, although there is better value to be had elsewhere. In this same breath, Deron Williams is just $5.8k and is easily the better play tonight.
Joe Johnson, SG, Brooklyn Nets ($5.8k)
Iso Joe is probably your safest cheap option at shooting guard tonight and he also has a nice matchup against the Nuggets. Danilo Gallinari won’t be stopping him and he’s hit at least 26 fantasy points in three straight outings. He’s a rock solid option at this price.
J.J. Redick, SG, Los Angeles Clippers ($4.7k)
Redick crushed last game (24 points scored) and continues to get major run anytime the Clips are in a tight affair. That should be the case tonight against a good Grizzlies team, and while this isn’t the ideal matchup, Redick’s value and role are too good to leave sidelined.
Avery Bradley, SG, Boston Celtics ($5.1k)
Bradley may not be the best guy to go with considering how streaky he can be, but he’s red hot right now and is getting close to 40 minutes per game. That doesn’t look to be going away with how well he’s been playing, but brace for a bad shooting night somewhere in the near future.
James Johnson, SF, Toronto Raptors ($4.8k)
Johnson is another erratic option, although his price makes him a serious candidate out of a weak small forward spot (although Kawhi looks like the play tonight). He went off with 27 points in his last game, so he’ll absolutely drop back down a bit. Still, his bread and butter comes from rebounds, steals and blocks, making him a strong play if the minutes are there again.
Trevor Ariza, SF, Houston Rockets ($5.7k)
Ariza hasn’t been amazing but he’s a solid price and he’s usually pretty rock solid. You can expect 30-35 minutes of run and anywhere from 25-30 fantasy points. Wilson Chandler is the same price and is worth considering, but Ariza is more consistent and is the safer play.
Terrence Jones, PF, Houston Rockets ($4.6k)
Sticking with the Rockets, Jones is just now starting to play between 24-30 minutes per game, which should give him a shot at crushing his price tag on a nightly basis. He can go for a double-double any night and at the worst can fill it up as a scorer. He’s still a solid price for what he can get you, plus the Rockets face a weak Timberwolves defense.
Brandon Bass, PF, Boston Celtics ($5.2k)
Bass is getting major run and putting up 25+ fantasy points per night right now, so he’s going to be a terrific value play for as long as he’s under $6k. He doesn’t do much else beyond scoring and rebounding, though, so his upside is rather limited.
Thaddeus Young, PF, Brooklyn Nets ($5.5k)
Young’s value is all about minutes, as he didn’t start in his Nets debut and only logged 12 minutes. That makes him a risk for tonight, but at $5.5k you could throw caution to the wind and bank on him logging double that in minutes and getting you 25-30 fantasy points.
Nerlens Noel, PF, Philadelphia 76ers ($5.6k)
Instead of risking it with Young, you could go the safer route with Noel, who is getting way more run and is a crazy shot-block night away from murdering his value. He’s inconsistent and he isn’t the best scorer, but he can do a lot of different things and usually gets 25-30 fantasy points.
Alex Len, C, Phoenix Suns ($4k)
Len might be the top center play for Monday, as he’s dirt cheap and is owning all of the center minutes in the desert. He’s gotten 34+ minutes of run in two straight and can go crazy with points, rebounds and blocks. As long as he avoids foul trouble he’s going to easily crush his value.
Alexis Ajinca, C, New Orleans Pelicans ($4k)
Anthony Davis and Ryan Anderson are both dead for the next 1-2 weeks, so Ajinca is probably getting thrust back into the starting lineup. Let’s hope so, since he’s thrived as a starter. He can score, rebound and block shots, so if he’s out there he’s a steal at just $4k.
Tyler Zeller, C, Boston Celtics ($5k)
Zeller is logging heavy minutes with Jared Sullinger done for the year, so he continues to be a great value play. He’s inconsistent so he’ll get you anywhere from 22-35 fantasy points, but he’s obviously one of the better shots at the center position on Monday night.
Rudy Gobert, C, Utah Jazz ($5.2k)
Gobert is arguably the top center value right now, as he’s taken over at center in Utah and is bound to go off soon. The minutes are all there for the taking if he can avoid foul trouble and at this price he’s worth the risk. Gobert is pretty raw but he can rack up the rebounds and blocks and if he can score even 10 points you’re made in the rain.
Nikola Pekovic, C, Minnesota Timberwolves ($5.6k)
Pek has crushed it with two straight double-double efforts and while his minutes can be a little touch and go, they’re there for the moment and we know he can score and hit the glass. This is a good price for a guy who can get you 28-30 fantasy points pretty easily.
