This article is part of our FantasyDraft NBA series.
Each week, RotoWire will provide value plays for your daily fantasy basketball lineups on FantasyDraft. Users have a salary cap of $100,000 to select a lineup comprised of eight players. Of these eight players, you must select three guards, three forwards/centers and two utility players. The scoring is as follows:
Points Scored – 1.0 point for each point scored
3-Point Basket – 0.5 bonus points for each three-pointer made
Assist – 1.5 points for each assist
Rebound – 1.25 points for each rebound
Steal – 2.0 points for each steal
Block – 2.0 points for each blocked shot
Turnover – minus 0.5 points for each turnover
Double-Double – 1.5 bonus points for double-double
Triple-Double – 3.0 bonus points triple-double
FantasyDraft is running contests in beta stage, but full capabilities for their users are available. There are 50/50s, guaranteed tournaments, and more available options in the lobby, so be sure to check it out.
The target for each player to reach value is 2.5x the player's salary. If a player costs $10,000 against the cap, expected value is 25 fantasy points.
Without further ado, here are this weekend's value plays for daily fantasy basketball on FantasyDraft.
Note: Following Thursday's trade deadline, make sure to keep on top of the news for numerous role changes that are bound to be established over the next week.
Value Plays
Guard
Ray McCallum, SAC, $6,000 – McCallum is the likely starter at point guard for as long as Darren Collison (hip) is out. With McCallum's price at the bare minimum, he can free up salary for top-tier players in your lineups. McCallum is averaging just 0.7 fantasy points per minute this season, but as a starting point guard, he will see that number increase. At his price, 15 fantasy points is needed for value, which is attainable even at his 0.7 fantasy points per minute pace. At that rate, he needs to play over 21 minutes to reach value, which seems like a given as a starting point guard. McCallum's usage rate is 17.7 percent, which is high for a reserve player on the Kings. Expect that to rise as a starter.
Forward/Center
Rudy Gobert, UTA, $9,000 - The Jazz traded Enes Kanter to the Thunder before the deadline on Thursday, which slates Gobert into the starting lineup for the foreseeable future. As a starter this season, Gobert has averaged 31.1 fantasy points per game, which is way over expected value at his current price. Gobert averages 1.1 fantasy points per minute this season, making him a prime candidate for 30 fantasy points each night. Until his price reaches $12,000, he is an excellent play. Be sure to benefit from his low price before it is raised shortly.
Tyler Zeller, BOS, $7,800 - The Celtics' starting power forward Jared Sullinger (foot) is out for "a while" according to reports. This gives Zeller the opportunity to start for the foreseeable future. Zeller averages a point per minute as a starter this season, and he has averaged 23 minutes per game in that role. With Sullinger out, and Kelly Olynyk (ankle) battling an injury of his own, Zeller could see more than 25 minutes as one of the only healthy Celtics big men. In addition, with Sullinger and Olynyk off the floor, Zeller has a usage rate of 26.8 percent, which leads the team.
Gorgui Dieng, MIN $9,600 - The Timberwolves traded away Thaddeus Young on Thursday, making room for Dieng to start a few games before Kevin Garnett makes his return to Minnesota's starting lineup. Reports indicate that Garnett will play on Wednesday, giving Dieng a few games of value on FantasyDraft. His price requires 24 fantasy points to reach value, but Dieng is averaging 31.3 fantasy points per game as a starter this season. Dieng will not have much value if Garnett returns to the starting lineup next week, but until then, the former Louisville big man is an excellent option on FantasyDraft.
Notable Injuries
Chris Bosh (lungs) is out indefinitely. Hassan Whiteside and Dwyane Wade will benefit most in his absence.
Carmelo Anthony (knee) is out for the remainder of the season. Langston Galloway and Tim Hardaway Jr. will benefit.
Jrue Holiday (leg) is out for another three weeks after re-aggravating his injury. Tyreke Evans will continue to start at point guard, as he and Eric Gordon receive boosts in value.
More injury information can be found here.
Good luck, and do not forget to join the fun at FantasyDraft and sign up now.
