This article is part of our FantasyDraft NBA series.
Monday's nine-game slate is replete with opportunities to roster some of the biggest stars in the NBA, with the likes of James Harden, Stephen Curry, Kevin Durant, DeMarcus Cousins and Anthony Davis all in action. However, there's also value to be had at the lower tiers, and plenty of tournament pivots off those players available that are poised to pay off. Without further ado, let's break down some of the most appealing choices.
GUARD
Damian Lillard, POR vs. TOR ($16,000): Lillard makes for an intriguing alternative for those who can't quite afford James Harden ($22,300) or Stephen Curry ($18,000), even considering the matchup against Kyle Lowry's typically stingy defense. The Raptors have actually been just about league average versus point guards in the early going, allowing them 45.0 fantasy points, 21.8 points, 8.5 assists, 6.3 rebounds, 2.3 steals and 2.3 made three-pointers per contest. Lillard has a solid track record against the Raptors and Lowry as well, going for 28 points (50.0 percent shooting, including 57.1 percent from three-point range), eight assists, six rebounds and two steals over 36 minutes in one game last season and averaging 38.5 points (on 50.0 percent shooting), 8.0 assists and 4.0 rebounds over 38 minutes in a pair of contests during the 2015-16 campaign. Lillard has scored between 41.25 and 50.75 fantasy points in four of his first six games, and those totals have come despite shooting an atypically poor 37.0 percent from the field.
Evan Fournier, ORL at NO ($13,500): Fournier sees a notable price bump after scoring more than 35 fantasy points for the fourth time in the last five games Sunday versus the Hornets, but he remains a solid value in another appealing matchup Monday. The Pelicans check in allowing 27.2 points, 5.3 rebounds, 3.7 assists and 1.2 steals per game to shooting guards, along with 51.0 percent shooting and 4.0 made three-pointers. Fournier has taken his game to another level in the early going and is shooting a career-best 53.9 percent from the field, including 55.2 percent from three-point range.
Tyreke Evans, MEM vs. CHA ($9,000): Evans has quietly eclipsed 30 fantasy points in two straight contests and yet remains priced well below five figures. That combination of upside and savings, plus a matchup with the worst defense in the NBA versus shooting guards, puts him squarely in play Monday. The Hornets have allowed the most fantasy points (69.8) and points (39.5) to two-guards, along with the third most rebounds (9.8), most assists (7.8) and third most steals (3.2).
FORWARD/CENTER
Karl-Anthony Towns, MIN at MIA ($17,500): Towns can be had at a nice discount compared to the top trio of DeMarcus Cousins ($21,200), Kevin Durant ($20,400) and Anthony Davis ($20,100), and is coming off a season-high 66.25 fantasy points versus the Thunder on Friday. He's also sporting a team-high 26.0 percent usage rate and is averaging 1.20 fantasy points per minute. He'll come in with two full days of rest for a matchup against a Heat squad that's given up 40.5 fantasy points per game to centers and that he lit up last season for 33.0 points, 9.5 rebounds, 1.0 blocks and 1.0 steals over 38.0 minute in two games. Miami is also likely to be without Hassan Whiteside (knee) down low again Monday, furthering Towns' case.
Clint Capela, HOU vs. PHI ($13,000): Capela exploded for a season-high 54.50 fantasy points versus the Sixers last Wednesday, and he could be poised for more of the same in a home rematch Monday. Philadelphia continues to be the most vulnerable team in the league to centers, allowing the most fantasy points (56.0) and rebounds (17.4) to the position, along with 21.2 points on 63.0 percent shooting. Capela has scored at least 27.50 fantasy points in all but one game, with that one exception coming in a 16-minute outing versus the Hornets two games ago.
Marvin Williams, CHA at MEM ($8,000): Williams is likely to feature very low ownership in tournaments, considering his generally lackluster season thus far. However, the veteran came alive with a 13-point, 11-rebound double-double Sunday over a season-high 31 minutes with backup Frank Kaminsky sitting with an illness. Kaminsky could well be out again Monday, leaving Williams to potentially benefit from a matchup against a Grizzlies squad that's allowed the most fantasy points (61.3), rebounds (18.0) and blocks (2.8) per game to power forwards, along with 25.3 points, 3.7 assists, 1.8 steals and 2.7 made three-pointers.
UTILITY
Ben Simmons, PHI at HOU ($16,900): Simmons has yet to be stopped, scoring between 42.25 and 54.00 fantasy points in five of six games, with the low end of that range having come against this same Rockets squad last Wednesday. He's contributing all across the stat sheet while averaging an impressive 1.25 fantasy points per minute, and he's notably seen no less than 33 minutes in any contest thus far.
Josh Richardson, MIA vs. MIN ($10,400): Richardson has eclipsed 30 fantasy points on two occasions in the early going and draws a matchup against a Timberwolves squad that's allowed the most fantasy points (61.5), second most points (34.2), second most steals (3.0), third most blocks (1.8), fifth most three-pointers (3.0) and fourth highest field-goal percentage (51.0) to small forwards. Richardson has also seen a nice boost in accuracy thus far, improving his shooting percentage from last season's 39.4 to 43.4 over his first five games.
