This article is part of our Yahoo DFS Basketball series.
The NBA season kicks into full gear Wednesday night with 14 games. With that many games, the potential lineups that can be put together are endless. Surrounding star players with the best value plays is essential to put yourself in the best position to reap the financial rewards of Yahoo Daily Fantasy Basketball. We'll pinpoint those value plays, as well as steer you away from tempting names with too steep of prices.
GUARD
Khris Middleton, NY at MIL ($25) - Milwaukee will be short-handed on the wing to start the season with O.J. Mayo (hamstring) out, and Giannis Antetokounmpo serving a one-game suspension for tackling Mike Dunleavy in last season's playoffs, so Middleton will be needed for plenty of minutes. Middleton isn't typically a flashy play, but the fourth-year guard usually fills up the stat sheet and will be needed to help carry the load offensively for the Bucks. Aaron Afflalo is also doubtful for the Knicks, which leaves Sasha Vujacic and Langston Galloway left to defend the efficient Middleton, resulting in a favorable matchup.
C.J. McCollum, NO at POR ($21) - After losing Wesley Matthews and LaMarcus Aldridge to free agency, Portland will look to find its identity early this season. McCollum, who was held back by injuries in his Sophomore season, is poised to be a big part of that. After Matthews suffered a torn Achilles tendon last season, McCollum went on to average 10.9 points, 2.3 rebounds, 1.6 assists, 1.1 three-points and 1.0 steals in 22 minutes in the final 21 games. Somewhere between 30 and 35 minutes seems reasonable for McCollum, who may not be available at $21 for long.
Guard to Avoid:
Derrick Rose, CHI at BKN ($27) - This price appears a bit high for Rose, who's expected to be on a restriction of 20-25 minutes after suffering a left orbital fracture in preseason. It's also possible the Bulls will be extra cautious with Rose in the second half of a doubleheader to open the season. All signs point to avoiding Rose at this price early in the season until he eases his way back into action.
Others to Avoid: Elfrid Payton ($28), DeMar DeRozan ($32), Jordan Clarkson ($29)
FORWARD
Derrick Favors, UTA at DET ($27) - After Enes Kanter was traded to the Thunder last season, Favors and Rudy Gobert combined for one of the scariest frontcourts in the NBA. Favors averaged 16.3 points, 8.3 rebounds, 1.5 assists, 1.0 steals and 1.7 blocks in 30.7 minutes following the trade. Utah is also catching Detroit in the second half of a doubleheader, and with Andre Drummond expected to match up with Gobert, Favors lands a favorable matchup with Ersan Ilyasova guarding him.
Chris Copeland, NY at MIL ($10) - Copeland is a sneaky play Opening Night in Milwaukee as another beneficiary of the Bucks being short-handed. With Giannis Antetokounmpo and Jabari Parker unavailable to play power forward, he could see a lot of action. Don't expect to see Greg Monroe and John Henson on the floor together too often either, which should result in the Bucks relying on Copeland and his three-point effectiveness to help stretch the floor.
Forward to Avoid:
Jared Sullinger, PHI at BOS ($22) - Brad Stevens said he only wants to use four big men a night in his rotation, and it appears, early on at least, that Sullinger might be the odd man out. With the addition of David Lee and Amir Johnson in the offseason, to go with Tyler Zeller and Kelly Olynyk, this frontcourt seems too crowded to predict minutes. It's unlikely that Sullinger will reward owners for the $22 investment required for his services.
Others to Avoid: Kobe Bryant ($33), Evan Turner ($24), Tristan Thompson ($21)
CENTER
Clint Capela, DEN at HOU ($10) - With Dwight Howard suspended opening night and Donatas Motiejunas not expected to go, Houston is left with a pretty shallow frontcourt situation. Terrence Jones likely will start at power forward, leaving Capela the lone center left on the roster. Capela only played 12 games last season, posting 2.7 points, 3.0 rebounds and 0.8 blocks in 7.5 minutes for the Rockets. Those certainly aren't stats that jump out at you, but given this situation, he'll be given every opportunity to produce a solid line at a minimal price.
Center to Avoid
Tim Duncan, SA at OKC ($31) - Duncan is an all-time great, but given his role on the Spurs this year, $31 is simply too steep a price to ask. New addition, LaMarcus Aldridge, will likely steal a good amount of Duncan's thunder versus Oklahoma City, as well as the rest of the season. Duncan will still be efficient as usual, but expect his minutes to continue to decrease while the new Spurs incorporate Aldridge into their rotation effectively.
Others to Avoid: Tyson Chandler ($22), Anderson Varejao ($17)
