This article is part of our FantasyAces NBA series.
RotoWire aims to help you win on Fantasy Aces, as we break down a few value plays for the coming days that can help you build your lineups.
There is value to be had, and identifying it will allow you to spend on top-tier players to round out your lineup.
Guards:
Kentavious Caldwell-Pope, DET vs. CHI (Fri), $4,300: Caldwell-Pope has always been among the league leaders in minutes, but he had one of the lowest outputs in terms of fantasy points per minute until recently. Caldwell-Pope has reached value in three straight games and has almost 10 times his salary in two of the last three. His usage rate is up, which means he will continue to see opportunities to score and make his price worthwhile. His floor is one of the highest in the NBA given his workload in terms of minutes (at least 35 in eight of the last 10 games) and ability to contribute in multiple categories.
Kent Bazemore, ATL vs. BOS (Fri.), vs. ORL (Sun.), $4,250: Bazemore has returned to the Hawks' starting lineup, and this time it looks to be for good as he has played well in a limited sample. At just $4,250, he needs 25 fantasy points for excellent value, which he has eclipsed in five of his last six games. Bazemore's minutes are climbing, as he played 39 against the Heat on Monday, and he has a growing role in the offense, scoring at least 22 points in two of the last four games. Bazemore's next two matchups are against the Celtics and Magic, where either Avery Bradley, Evan Turner or Victor Oladipo will likely defend him.
Raymond Felton, DAL vs. MEM (Fri.), $4,550: Felton's role was supposed to decrease with all the Mavericks' injured players returning to their normal positions on the depth chart. But with Felton's play this season, he has kept his spot in the starting lineup and continues to be a value play. At his current price, he needs anything north of 26 fantasy points for solid value, and he has at least that in six of his last nine games. Felton's minutes have not decreased, having played at least 30 in each of the last eight games.
Forwards:
Matt Barnes, MEM vs. DAL (Fri.), vs. IND (Sat.), $4,250: Until his last game, Barnes was a value machine, scoring at least six times his salary in four straight games. If Barnes continues to start, expect his recent 22-minute, 11.25-fantasy-point total to be the anomaly in an otherwise impressive stretch. He faces the Mavericks and Pacers in the coming days and will match up well against Wesley Matthews and C.J. Miles. At his price, he needs just over 25 fantasy points for solid value, which is easily attainable if he continues to play 30 minutes per game. Barnes had 44 points, 26 rebounds and seven assists in three games as the Grizzlies' starter, so expect similar production should he retain the starting job.
Omri Casspi, SAC vs. MIN (Fri.), vs. TOR (Sun.), $4,250: Casspi has been incredible since becoming a starter. In the last 10 games, Casspi has reached value in eight of them. In the last three he has averaged nearly 40 minutes per game, which has allowed him to surpass value in each contest. Casspi has two excellent matchups coming up against Gorgui Dieng and the Timberwolves and Luis Scola and the Raptors. Casspi is averaging 16 points, eight rebounds and four assists per game in the last three games, making him a safe option that contributes in multiple categories.
Mirza Teletovic, PHO vs. NOP (Fri.), vs. MIL (Sun.), $3,850: Teletovic continues to play big minutes off the bench for the Suns, and he has eclipsed value in seven of the last 10 games. Tyson Chandler has returned from a hamstring injury, but Markieff Morris continues to be a healthy scratch. This allows Teletovic to play a lot at the three, plus a role as the stretch four in faster-paced games. He has scored at least 15 points in four of his last five games and routinely has played at least 24 minutes since being given his new role in the offense. In the next two games he has two excellent matchups against the Pelicans and Bucks, who both struggle against stretch forwards.
Center:
John Henson, MIL vs. GSW (Fri.), vs. PHO (Sun.), $3,500: With Greg Monroe (knee) doubtful for at least the next game, Henson should continue to get some playing time at center for the Bucks. In his first two starts, he has 43.5 fantasy points in 43 minutes. This is actually lower than his fantasy points per minute average for his career, which makes him an excellent option as the Bucks' starter in two fast-paced games coming up against the Warriors and Suns. At his price of just $3,500, he needs just 18.5 fantasy points to reach value, which he has done in both of his last two starts.
