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 on a 10-game slate that can help you build your lineups.
There seems to be more value Monday than perhaps at any point all season as we near the All-Star break, with a host of injuries bringing some productive reserves into starting lineups, and a few established starters drawing favorable matchups. We'll highlight some selections priced no higher than $4,750, providing you the flexibility to fit in a few of the elite.
Guards
Kobe Bryant, LAL at IND ($4,750)- The suddenly resurgent veteran gets his first value play call, after scoring between 32.25 and 53.75 fantasy points in his last four games. Bryant has turned back the clock over that span, scoring over 20 points and draining multiple three-pointers in each contest. Although he continues to largely struggle from the field, Bryant is putting up enough shots to make up for his inaccuracies. He's now taken over 20 shots in three straight games, including a robust 36 three-point tries over that span. While his matchup against Paul George won't be a day at the park, Bryant's reasonable price and willingness to remain aggressive makes taking a shot on him Monday a worthwhile move.
J.R. Smith, CLE vs. SAC ($4,450) A perfect storm awaits the sharpshooting Smith on Monday, with the turmoil-laden Kings's notoriously generous shooting guard defense on tap. The 12-year veteran has taken well to coach Tyronn Lue's directive for a faster-paced and more aggressive style of play, scoring 24.75, 27.75, 24.25 and 31.50 fantasy points in his last four games, respectively. He's also scored between 23.25 and 35.25 in four other games in the last 10, and put up 26 three-point attempts in his last pair of outings combined. He'll look to feast on a Sacramento unit that gives up the most points (23.3) and second-most fantasy points (60.9) per game this season to two-guards.
E'Twaun Moore, CHI at CHA ($3,600)- Moore figures to get the call at shooting guard once again with Jimmy Butler already confirmed out for Monday's games, giving him an opportunity to build on the 30.00 and 39.25 fantasy points he's scoring in two out of last three games. He'll have a chance to do so against a Hornets defense that's surrendering the second-most points per game to opposing twos this season (23.0) while ranking as the second-stingiest against point guards (19.6 points per game), potentially funneling more action Moore's way.
Forwards
Aaron Gordon, ORL at ATL ($4650)- The back end of the Hawks-Magic home-and-home series provides us with a solid value play on both sides of the tussle. Gordon is first, having totaled an impressive 45.25 fantasy points against Paul Millsap and company on Sunday in a dominant outing. The second-year pro has also scored between 21.25 and 48.00 fantasy points in six other games in the last 10, and he figures to once again exploit a vulnerable Hawks frontcourt enough to return solid value for the second consecutive game.
Marcus Morris, DET vs. TOR ($4,250)- Morris continues to quietly and efficiently go about the business of returning solid value on his perpetually affordable price tag, now having scored between 20.50 and 27.75 fantasy points in his last six games. The fifth-year pro turned in an efficient 13-point, three-rebound, two-assist performance against this same Raptors squad on Jan. 30 that also included a pair of steals and a block, and similar production Monday will serve to pay off his modest cost and give you a nice degree of flexibility elsewhere on your roster.
Stanley Johnson, DET vs. TOR ($4,600)- We make it back-to-back Pistons with Johnson, who's experienced a significant price jump but still checks in as a solid speculative value play. The increase in cost is justifiable considering that Johnson has been outstanding in the two games he's started in place of Kentavious Caldwell-Pope (groin) at shooting guard. He's scored 44.75 and 31.00 fantasy points in that pair of contests, respectively, with the latter performance against the Pacers also including 10 rebounds. While he'll have his hands full on defense Monday against DeMar DeRozan, Johnson's willingness to stay aggressive (double-digit shot attempts in six straight) and the rebounding ability he brings over from his customary small forward spot (28 boards over the last three) make him a well-rounded threat with ample opportunity to return strong value.
Kent Bazemore, ATL vs. ORL ($4,250)- Bazemore delivered on his designation as a weekend value play with 32.25 and 34.50 fantasy-point tallies versus the Pacers and Magic, respectively. He gets a rematch against Orlando on Monday and may once again have the benefit of facing some Evan Fournier defense if Tobias Harris is unable to play with his sore left ankle. Although his upside typically tops out at the figures we saw from him this past weekend, Bazemore's somewhat capped ceiling is more than offset by his dependable production and very reasonable price tag.
Centers
Marvin Williams, CHA vs. CHI ($4,600)- The already-productive Williams seems to only be getting better as the season rolls along, scoring between 27.00 and 43.00 fantasy points in the last five contests. The 11-year veteran offers a somewhat unusual combination of prowess on the glass and proficiency from beyond the arc, outfitting him with two strong sources of complementary fantasy production. He's drained multiple treys in six of his last seven games, while hauling in double-digit boards in a pair of contests over that span. Monday, he'll take on a Bulls frontcourt that has proven vulnerable against big men this season despite the presence of Pau Gasol and Taj Gibson, and which surrenders over 20 points per game to opposing fours. While Williams' price has risen over the past two weeks thanks to his solid production, he continues to be a cost-effective alternative with the potential to provide a minimum of 5x-6x value.
Enes Kanter, OKC at PHX ($4,300)- Kanter comes into Monday having scored at least 30 fantasy points in three of the last five games, and over 20 in another game during that span. His playing time is always somewhat in question, but Kanter has still played at least 20 minutes in seven of the last 10. He also encouragingly managed double-digit points in two of the three contests in that span in which he received minutes in the teens, demonstrating his ability to be highly efficient with limited time on the floor. With a $4,300 price tag and playing in what should be a fast-paced affair, Kanter shapes up as another cap-conscious alternative who could pay big dividends Monday.
