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 this weekend that can help you build your lineups. We'll highlight several priced no higher than $4,900, leaving plenty of room to fit in the many elite options that will be in action.
Guards
Kobe Bryant, LAL vs. DEN (Fri.), vs. WAS (Sun.) ($4,450) - The future Hall of Famer is at one of his lowest price points of the season, making him worthy of a flyer this weekend. Assuming his perpetually sore shoulder allows him to play, Bryant will draw a Nuggets defense that's surrendered the third-most fantasy points to small forwards over the last five (44.5) and the last 10 (42.6). The Wizards offer him an equally favorable matchup Sunday, as they're allowing the third-most fantasy points (58.6), most points (21.1) and second-highest field-goal percentage (46.2) per game to the position this season. Bryant has also scored between 24.00 and 39.25 fantasy points in three of his last four games, giving him solid upside at his price.
Josh Richardson, MIA vs. ORL (Fri.) ($3,950) - Richardson is a bit of a speculative call, but with a sub-$4K price and a favorable ceiling, he's worthy of consideration. The rookie guard has finally received some playing time in the second half of the season and has largely capitalized. Outside of a clunker versus the Pelicans where he only totaled 6.25 fantasy points, Richardson has scored between 24.50 and 34.00 fantasy points in the four other games over his last five. He's also encouragingly received between 23.00 and 34.00 minutes in each of his last 10 games, giving him ample opportunity to potentially return the 5x-9x value he's already proven capable of.
Kentavious Caldwell-Pope, DET vs. CHA (Fri.), vs. ATL (Sat.) ($4,500) - KCP continues to be priced in the mid-$4K range, but he has proven to be a solid value play time and again. He missed Wednesday's game with an illness but figures to be recovered sufficiently by Friday to play against a Hornets squad giving up the sixth-most fantasy points (58.0) and sixth-most points (21.9) per game to two-guards this season. While the Hawks boast better metrics against the position, Kyle Korver has been exploited by talented shooting guards on a number of occasions this season. Caldwell-Pope has also been consistent over his last 10 games, scoring between 20.25 and 38.00 fantasy points over that stretch, including three games over 30.
Forwards
Julius Randle, LAL vs. DEN (Fri.), vs. WAS (Sun.) ($4,900) - Randle scored 44.00 and 37.25 fantasy points on the strength of a pair of double-doubles in his last two games, respectively. He'd also scored over 30 fantasy points thrice and over 40 once in four other games over the last 10, and managed 27.25 fantasy points on Mar. 2 against the same Nuggets squad he'll face Friday. Denver actually offers the potential for much better production, considering they've given up the second-most fantasy points (67.2), third-most points (22.4) and third-highest field-goal percentage (49.0) per game to power forwards this season. While the Wizards figure to offer more resistance down low Sunday, they do rank in the bottom half of the league in fantasy points surrendered to the position over the last five games (44.4).
Marcus Morris, DET vs. CHA (Fri.), vs. ATL (Sat.) ($4,500) - Much like his teammate Kentavious Caldwell-Pope, Morris' price continues unchanged despite his consistently solid returns. He's scored over 30 fantasy points in three of his last four games, and on two other occasions over his last 10. He continues to fill out the stat sheet as well, as Morris does a bit of everything on the offensive end and also can be a source of defensive states on a frequent basis. Friday, he'll take aim at a Hornets defense ranked in the bottom 10 in fantasy points (54.8) and points (19.3) given up per game to small forwards, while also yielding the second-most three-pointers (2.5) per contest to the position. Saturday's tilt versus Atlanta will bring a Hawks defense that ranks in the bottom half of the league in fantasy points (53.7) and points (19.2) yielded to small forwards.
P.J. Tucker, PHX vs. SAC (Fri.), vs. BOS (Sat.) ($3,900) - Tucker often goes under-owned in tournaments despite his highly appealing price and the considerable returns he's proven capable of providing. He draws two solid matchups over the weekend, as the Kings give up the fifth-most fantasy points (58.1), third-most points (20.7) and sixth-highest field-goal percentage (44.2) per game to small forwards. this season The Celtics, his Saturday opponent, are nearly as generous (55.9 fantasy points, 20.1 points surrendered per game to small forwards), and also give up the fourth-most rebounds per game (7.4) to the position. Meanwhile, Tucker's sneaky-high ceiling was evidenced by his 47.50 fantasy points against the Timberwolves on Mar. 14, and he's also scored over 30 fantasy points in his last two.
Aaron Gordon, ORL at MIA (Fri.), vs. CHI (Sat.) ($4,750) - Gordon has had his ups and downs, but he's scored 23.00, 25.00 and 33.25 fantasy points in three of his last four games. He'll draw a Heat defense on Friday that hasn't been the same down low without Chris Bosh (clots). Saturday, he'll get a shot at a Bulls frontcourt that has been struggling in recent games, and that's coming off surrendering back-to-back double-doubles to Kristaps Porzingis. With Nikola Vucevic (groin) potentially missing more time, Gordon becomes an especially appealing play down low for the Magic.
Centers
Jusuf Nurkic, DEN at LAL (Fri.), at LAC (Sun.) ($3,700) - Nurkic's price hasn't caught up with his recent bump in minutes and corresponding increase in fantasy production. The big man has received over 20 minutes in two of his last three games, and scored between 21.25 and 28.25 fantasy points in his last four. That stretch includes three games with double-digit points and multiple blocks. He'll also draw a pair of appealing matchups against the weak Los Angeles frontcourts over the weekend. The Lakers give up the fourth-most fantasy points (49.2) per game to centers, while the Clippers are a bottom-10 unit in fantasy points allowed per game (47.9) to the position, and surrender the most rebounds per contest (16.6) as well.
Jon Leuer, PHX at SAC (Fri.), vs. BOS (Sat.) ($3,700) - Tyson Chandler has already been ruled out for Friday's game against the Kings, rendering Leuer a potentially terrific value play. He's been outstanding over the last two games in starting opportunities, scoring 33.25 and 39.50 fantasy points, respectively, on the strength of two double-doubles. His matchups against two of the most vulnerable frontcourts in the league over the weekend only serve to further his appeal.
