A 13-game NBA slate the day after a busy trade deadline is a difficult DFS challenge. For a real-world analysis, read Chris Sheridan’s breakdown of all ten deals. We’re here to help you navigate the maze of changes and turn uncertainty into a profit at DraftKings.
The Must Avoid list has never been longer. Brandon Knight, Michael Carter-Williams, Isaiah Thomas, Goran Dragic, D.J. Augustin, Ramon Sessions, Norris Cole, Andre Miller, Isaiah Canaan, Pablo Prigioni, Alexey Shved and Tyler Ennis were all dealt yesterday — and that’s just the point guards!
Others on the move and unlikely to suit up for their new teams tonight are Arron Afflalo, Thaddeus Young, Amar’e Stoudemire, Kevin Garnett, Enes Kanter, Miles Plumlee, K.J. McDaniels, Alonzo Gee, Kyle Singler, Marcus Thornton, Jonas Jerebko, Luigi Datome, Danny Granger, Kendrick Perkins, Thomas Robinson, Victor Claver, Will Barton, Steve Novak, Tayshaun Prince and JaVale McGee.
Out with various issues are Carmelo Anthony (surgery), Chris Bosh (illness), Jared Sullinger (foot), Dwight Howard (knee) and Kelly Olynyk (ankle), while the Questionable category includes Jarrett Jack (hamstring), Darren Collison (hip), Bradley Beal (leg), Tobias Harris (knee), Shabazz Muhammad (finger) and Terrence Jones (illness). Be sure to double-check the status of everyone before starting them.
Plays of the Day
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Going in opposite directions before the break, the Cavs will leapfrog the Wizards into fourth place with a road win. LeBron James $10200 is fresh and ready for the last 27 games and I like Kevin Love $7900 to have a big night. While both All-Star PG are always dangerous; John Wall $8600 does not have nearly as much help as Kyrie Irving $8000. At a surprisingly low salary, Paul Pierce $4200 remains a big-game threat.
The Celtics are shorthanded, especially up front. The Kings are playing their first game for one of the league’s best coaches. DeMarcus Cousins $10600 should dominate, and George Karl has already indicated that Rudy Gay $7300 will play more PF in a wide-open attack. Ray McCallum $3000 is the only healthy, available PG at a rock-bottom price.
Rudy Gobert $4500 is freed at last. The long-limbed Frenchman has a tough matchup with Robin Lopez $4900 tonight, but should be owned in every fantasy league and some huge DFS production looms ahead. Damian Lillard $8600 and LaMarcus Aldridge $9400 won’t let the Blazers lose against a lottery team.
Hassan Whiteside $7600 is almost a must-start and Dwyane Wade $7200 (hamstring) is expected back after missing seven games. The Knicks are in complete disarray; when Jason Smith $5000 is your most consistent player, last place is all but guaranteed.
With almost two weeks of rest, Anthony Davis $10800 (shoulder) is expected to play and his team is striving to make the playoffs. The Magic are at home with nothing to lose; their youngsters like Victor Oladipo $6900 and Nikola Vucevic $8700 are often good value.
It’s a tough back-to-back for the Mavericks, who scored just 36 points in the first half against OKC. James Harden $10500 might carve them up; Josh Smith $6900 and Trevor Ariza $5700 are other Rockets to consider.
The Spurs lost in L.A. last night and must face a fully-rested opponent with the best record in the league. Stephen Curry $9900, Klay Thompson $7600 and Draymond Green $6900 can be used with confidence.
Surprise! Brook Lopez $6600 did not get traded. Nor did Joe Johnson $5700. Deron Williams $5000 has enjoyed a week of rest and is the probable starter. Mason Plumlee $5000 is better than any of the Lakers’ big men. The Nets, still not out of the postseason hunt, might run up the score against an inferior opponent.
Denver and Milwaukee both made wholesale changes yesterday. This would be the Ty Lawson $8500 show, except he missed Wednesday’s practice, might be disappointed at not being traded and could be subject to discipline from an unpredictable coach. The Bucks will start Jerryd Bayless $3600 at PG until MCW arrives.
Another game where fans won’t recognize their teams. Eric Bledsoe $8000 is the only PG left in Phoenix until Knight takes over, which means Gerald Green $3000 might start at SG tonight. Kevin Martin $6300 wants an unlikely buyout from the T-Wolves, who are clearly building around Andrew Wiggins $5900. Up front, Gorgui Dieng $4800 should start alongside Nikola Pekovic $5300 and rookie Adreian Payne $3000 might be in the rotation.
Kyle Lowry $7200 was in New York for the All-Star break and did a nice job in Atlanta last night as a TV commentator. Not sure how much he’s practiced with his teammates. Jeff Teague $7300, Al Horford $7800 and Paul Millsap $7800 are all playable as the Hawks try to stretch their East lead.
The Bulls stood pat at the deadline; the Pistons were busy and as a result are extremely shorthanded. In probably the most lopsided game of the night, there’s a slight concern about garbage time but Pau Gasol $9700, Jimmy Butler $7600 and Derrick Rose $7900 figure to dominate.
In Philadelphia, Robert Covington $6000, Tim Frazier $4300 and Nerlens Noel $5300 will be no match for the Pacers, whose best players are attractively priced. Roy Hibbert $5500, David West $6700 and George Hill $5200 have great matchups.
Assembling all that information into a winning 8-man team is never easy. You could key on Davis, Harden or DMC and fill with bargains, but I just got burned by Kevin Durant when his sore foot flared up and am avoiding all the high-priced superstars in favor of a balanced lineup.
| Pos | Premium | Midrange | Bargain |
| PG | Stephen Curry $9900 | Derrick Rose $7900 | Ray McCallum $3000 |
| SG | James Harden $10500 | Eric Bledsoe $8000 | K. Caldwell-Pope $3700 |
| SF | LeBron James $10200 | Rudy Gay $7300 | Paul Pierce $4200 |
| PF | Anthony Davis $10800 | David West $6700 | Brandon Bass $4200 |
| C | DeMarcus Cousins $10600 | Hassan Whiteside $7600 | Nikola Pekovic $5300 |
The Fantasy Spin features DFS advice every day of the NBA season. Follow Kent Williams @SheridanFantasy for updates.