Garion Thorne dives into tonight’s nine-game NBA featured slate to find undervalued players to use in your DraftKings lineups.
There are nine basketball games on the schedule this evening and all nine are included in DraftKings’ featured NBA slate. It feels like that shouldn’t be notable — but it is.
With so many great players taking the court, you’ll need to find a couple value options to make the salary math work. I’m here to supply you with my three favorites. Let’s dive in.
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C Andre Drummond, Philadelphia 76ers at New York Knicks, $4,000
Drummond has really fallen out of Nick Nurse’s rotation in the past few weeks, but the coach should have little choice but to play the veteran big man on Wednesday. Joel Embiid (knee) remains out with no timetable to return, while Guerschon Yabusele (eye) will join his teammate in street clothes after sustaining a corneal abrasion in Monday’s loss to the Bulls. Drummond only logged 14.2 minutes in that lopsided 142-110 defeat, yet he certainly made the most of his opportunity, scoring 10 points and grabbing eight rebounds. Adem Bona ($3,500) is another name to watch, as the rookie has already drawn a start in 2024-25. Still, Drummond is the more likely candidate and he’s produced 8.1 points and 9.4 rebounds in his 16 prior starts. He’s also averaging a respectable 1.06 FPTS per minute for the season as a whole.
PG Killian Hayes, Brooklyn Nets vs. Oklahoma City Thunder, $4,000
It must almost be March, because I’m about to write about Killian Hayes in a semi-positive tone. It’s a little funny that Hayes has essentially replaced Ben Simmons on the Nets’ roster. I guess Sean Marks has a thing for disgraced former lottery picks that can’t shoot. Still, Hayes has found a way to contribute in other ways in his cup of coffee with Brooklyn, averaging 7.0 assists, 3.5 rebounds and 1.0 blocks in his last two starts. That span includes Hayes going off for 28.25 FPTS versus the Wizards on Monday. To be fair, the Thunder present a much more difficult matchup than Washington does, but Hayes could have much more opportunity. Cam Thomas (hamstring) and D’Angelo Russell (ankle) remain out on Wednesday, and they’re now joined by Nic Claxton, who will serve a one-game suspension. It’s also worth noting that Cam Johnson ($6,400; back) is currently listed as questionable. If Johnson sits, what’s left of this rotation becomes a value buffet. Keep an eye on Ziaire Williams ($5,000), Trendon Watford ($4,700) and Day’Ron Sharpe ($4,200).
PF Matas Buzelis, Chicago Bulls vs. Los Angeles Clippers, $4,800
The obvious value play on the Bulls’ roster is Zach Collins ($4,400), who should draw another start at center on Wednesday with Nikola Vucevic ($7,500; calf) currently listed as doubtful. However, might I suggest a small zag to Buzelis? With Vucevic off the floor in Monday’s thrashing of the 76ers, it was Buzelis who took the mantle of faux No. 1 offensive option, getting up a team-high 17 field goal attempts in 35.6 minutes of action. The rookie didn’t have a great shooting night, yet he still finished with 30.75 FPTS thanks to 17 points, five assists and three rebounds. That sort of feels like his floor at the moment. Also, while he’s not a traditional “value” option, I’d be remiss if I didn’t quickly shoutout Josh Giddey ($7,700). The former lottery pick is averaging 60.2 FPTS across his last three starts. He’s too cheap!
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