Many of the brightest NBA stars are out on Wednesday — eight players cost $9700 or more at DraftKings. Theoretically, you could construct an extreme lineup using three of them. Building around even two leaves an average of $5000 or less for six other spots. Choosing only one is not easy.
When Russell Westbrook $10800 and Chris Paul $9800 squared off in L.A. last Wednesday, most of us expected a higher score than 103-98. Kevin Durant $10600 led both teams with 30 points, but CP3 and DeAndre Jordan $7700 helped the Clippers go on a late, decisive 26-5 run.
DeMarcus Cousins $10400 outplayed Anthony Davis $9700 when they met in New Orleans on Monday. The defenseless Kings are unlikely to beat LeBron James $9900, Kyrie Irving $7800 and Kevin Love $7200 but it figures to be high-scoring if Boogie, Rajon Rondo $7900 and Rudy Gay $5900 are all sharp.
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Of course, Stephen Curry $10500 can never be dismissed, even though the Warriors were not at their best the last couple of games. Other PG to consider include Kemba Walker $8300 and Goran Dragic $6800. Assuming Mike Conley $6400 (foot) misses another game, Mario Chalmers $5200 is a bargain.
James Harden $10700 could really use a night with less than 40 minutes, and the 76ers may provide that opportunity. If you don’t pay up for the Beard, Klay Thompson $7100 is one of four excellent SG in the midrange and Devin Booker $5300 might be the best value of all. The Suns just won two straight road games (after dropping 17 in a row) and return home to face the tired Knickerbockers.
Although KD and LBJ deserve their salaries, we can’t overspend at every position and SF offers some bargains including two Grizzlies. Tony Allen $4500 was unbelievable (26 PTS, 4 AST, 5 STL) in his return from missing eight games with a knee injury, and Lance Stephenson $4400 continues to impress.
At PF, if you can’t afford one of the mega-stars, JaMychal Green $4500 was terrific in a spot start for Zach Randolph $6600 (knee) and since joining the Mavericks, David Lee $5100 has been a very pleasant surprise.
Hassan Whiteside $8400 (illness) is questionable, so Dwight Howard $8000, Jordan and Andre Drummond $7600 top the salary list at center. Starting alongside Tyson Chandler $4400 as a giant PF, Alex Len $6600 has five straight double-doubles and has been profitable to own in DFS. We liked Al Jefferson $4800 on Monday (20 points in 26 minutes) so why not double up?
Today’s sample lineup does use Cousins, but is really built around Len and Booker. I’ve done well using Kemba over the last four games as an affordable alternative to the stud point guards, so he’s the fourth choice. That leaves an average of $4850 for the other four spots, three of which I’m filling with Grizzlies.
| Pos | Premium | Midrange | Bargain |
| PG | Russell Westbrook $10800 | Kemba Walker $8300 | Mario Chalmers $5200 |
| SG | James Harden $10700 | Klay Thompson $7100 | Devin Booker $5300 |
| SF | Kevin Durant $10600 | Rudy Gay $5900 | Lance Stephenson $4400 |
| PF | DeMarcus Cousins $10400 | David Lee $5100 | JaMychal Green $4500 |
| C | Andre Drummond $7600 | Alex Len $6600 | Al Jefferson $4800 |
The Fantasy Spin features DFS advice every day of the NBA season. Follow Kent Williams @SheridanFantasy for updates.