After an entertaining All-Star break, the NBA resumes tonight with three games. The trade deadline (3:00 Eastern) looms very large in daily fantasy contests, potentially affecting the value of numerous players.
Utah has won eight of ten to climb into a playoff position, while the fading Wizards are increasingly desperate. John Wall $9600 should thrive against Raul Neto $4000, though both are worth considering in DFS. There’s a persistent rumor about Trey Burke $4100 being traded for Ty Lawson, which could leave Neto as the only PG for the visitors.
Marcin Gortat $6400 has a nice double-double streak going but faces Rudy Gobert $6700 this evening. The Stifle Tower has been terrific since Derrick Favors $7000 returned; with Nene Hilario $4100 and Jared Dudley $4800, Washington appears overmatched at PF. Bradley Beal $6800 and Rodney Hood $6300 are the top two SG by salary on a thin board, and Gordon Hayward $7100 has the edge over Otto Porter $5700 at the other wing position. Assuming the Jazz can slow down the tempo and dominate the paint, we aren’t too keen on any of them.
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Cleveland hosts the Bulls, or what’s left of them. Jimmy Butler (knee), Joakim Noah (shoulder) and Nikola Mirotic (appendix) are out indefinitely. Trade winds are swirling around Taj Gibson $5300 and even Pau Gasol $8700. The safest plays are Bobby Portis $4400 and E’Twaun Moore $5400, though if Mike Dunleavy $3000 returns to the starting five, he can pay dividends on that rock-bottom salary.
Kyrie Irving $8000 figures to win his individual battle with Derrick Rose $7300, and the Cavaliers should romp. LeBron James $9800 is a reasonable bet for a triple-double unless Chicago gives up early. Reports on Kevin Love $7400 suggest his shoulder is OK, but he’s the least likely of the Big Three to play huge minutes. Tristan Thompson $5200 and/or Timofey Mozgov $3500 could provide decent value.
The nightcap is by far the most interesting, as two of the league’s best teams clash in L.A. Chris Paul $9000 and DeAndre Jordan $7600 have been carrying the Clippers and presumably needed the rest. The only other fantasy assets are J.J. Redick $4900 and Jamal Crawford $5100. With Blake Griffin (hand) out indefinitely, his name keeps popping up in the rumor mill and a major shakeup is possible.
San Antonio won the previous meeting at home December 18 despite 25 points from Griffin, with LaMarcus Aldridge $6900 and Kawhi Leonard $7500 leading the way. However, both Tony Parker $4800 (ankle) and Tim Duncan $5000 (knee) were in better form then. The Big Fundamental missed nine games and has played just 39 minutes in a month; Parker’s only double-digit scoring game in his last five came against the Lakers. Manu Ginobili (groin) is out, so Patty Mills $4500 and Danny Green $4700 must keep playing well. The Spurs are road favorites, because they so often find a way to win.
Today, tomorrow and Saturday will all be affected by trades. It’s always important to stay on top of breaking news, both to ensure that all your players are in the lineup and to take advantage by using others whose situations may have improved. This week, being well-informed is critical.
| Pos | Premium | Midrange | Bargain |
| PG | Chris Paul $9000 | Kyrie Irving $8000 | Raul Neto $4000 |
| SG | Bradley Beal $6800 | E’Twaun Moore $5400 | J.J. Redick $4900 |
| SF | LeBron James $9800 | Kawhi Leonard $7500 | Mike Dunleavy $3000 |
| PF | Derrick Favors $7000 | LaMarcus Aldridge $6900 | Bobby Portis $4400 |
| C | Pau Gasol $8700 | DeAndre Jordan $7600 | Timofey Mozgov $3500 |
The Fantasy Spin features DFS advice every day of the NBA season. Follow Kent Williams @SheridanFantasy for updates.