This slate may only be five games, but man is there a lot of injury news hanging in the balance. Anthony Davis, Donovan Mitchell, Kyle Lowry, Kristaps Porzingis and John Collins -- to name a few -- are all questionable. There could be boatloads of more value to open up if some of them are ruled out, so make sure you are actively checking the reports to know who’s in and who’s out. Here are my top value options of the slate (for now).
All Platforms
Shake Milton, PG/SG vs. CHI (DK - $4,500 / FD - $4,800 / Yahoo! - $12)
Ray Kuhn, who’s on the NBA DFS Playbook today, made a joke in our discord about Philadelphia not having enough players today. A joke, yes, but they are down a lot of key pieces. Tobias Harris, Matisse Thybulle, Ben Simmons, Isaiah Joe are all confirmed out while Danny Green and Furkan Korkmaz are questionable and both sat out last time out. Milton started in place of Korkmaz and played 34 minutes, putting up 37 DKP. He’s too cheap across the industry and he has a spot in this rotation whether or not Green and Korkmaz play due to how depleted they are. Worth noting that Milton is OFF any minutes restriction he may have been facing.
Frank Kaminsky, PF/C vs. ATL (DK - $3,400 / FD - $3,500 / Yahoo! - $10)
There is two routes you can go here. JaVale McGee may have started the last time Deandre Ayton sat, but Kaminsky played 29 minutes. In that game, he had 35.25 DKP. Do I think he’ll get four steals and a block again? No, but he scored 17 actual and that alone would be enough to hit value. Going McGee is in the cards too because he was very productive while on the floor and we know he’s a strong FP/min producer. With Ayton off the floor this year, McGee averages 1.2 FP/min while Kaminsky averages 1.07. Both elite marks. Both in play.
DraftKings
Dennis Schroder, PG/SG vs. DAL ($5,400)
The Celtics will be without Jaylen Brown for the next couple of weeks, so our minds immediately move to Schroder as the next man up. He’s been great for Boston this year, averaging 13.3 points, 6.0 assists, 3.9 rebounds and 1.4 steals across 30.5 minutes off the bench. With Brown off the floor, he has a 24% USG rate this season. Schroder has scored 30 or more FP in all games he’s played 30+ minutes and that is seemingly the strategy with Brown out.
Norman Powell, SF vs. LAL ($4,800)
Please guys, if there’s one thing you take away from this article today, it’s that Norman Powell is consistently disrespected by the DraftKings algorithm. It actually makes zero sense that he’s once again under 5K here. Powell has been lighting it up from the floor, scoring 22 or more actual points in three straight games while pouring in 37.5 and 40.75 DKP in his last two. Powell is not only shooting 52% from the floor this year, but is knocking down 46% of his threes as well. The Lakers are second in pace and the Blazers should be able to maximize their offensive possessions here. Powell is elite in all formats on DK.
Yahoo! Fantasy
Georges Niang, PF vs. CHI ($11)
Before all of the injuries and COVID-19 absences, Niang was in the 76ers rotation. He saw a big role when Tobias Harris went out and now there are MULTIPLE guys out or bothered by something, leaving a large role for Niang likely for Saturday’s game. He’s topped 30 minutes in three straight games and has shown the ability to score the basketball at a very high clip, notching 14+ actual in each of those three games. He’s also poured in 26.1 Yahoo! points or more in each of them. We just saw this match-up and even though the Bulls have a very good defensive unit, Niang is someone we rely on for just $11.
FanDuel
Utah (if Donovan Mitchell sits) vs. MIA
I’m not saying this is an easy match-up, but look at the way Utah is priced if Mitchell sits. Mike Conley is $5,600, Bojan Bogdanovic is $5,500, Jordan Clarkson is $5,300 and Joe Ingles is $4,800. ALL too cheap. Three of the four scored north of 30 FP last time out while Ingles put up 27 FDP and he’s the cheapest of all. I wouldn’t use all four of them in a line, that’s not what I’m saying, but I would consider multiple members of the Jazz in the same lineup if Mitchell is ruled out. Mix and match based on the rest of your lineups.
Player News
ESPN’s Shams Charania reported Zach Edey will undergo surgery to re-stabilize his left ankle.
Charania’s report indicates that Edey re-sprained the same ankle that forced him to miss some time last season. It came during an offseason workout, and he is expected to miss time to start next season. Edey secured the starting center spot for Memphis late last season after playing an inconsistent role for most of his rookie year. Head coach Tuomas Iisalo could opt to use Brandon Clarke as the starting center if he’s healthy, or he could use a smaller starting lineup with Jaren Jackson Jr. to start next season. The Grizzlies’ PR team announced that a preliminary timeline will be provided after he has the surgery, but as of now, the expectation is that he won’t be available for opening night.
De’Aaron Fox (finger) has been cleared for on-court work and will be ready for the start of next season.
Fox underwent season-ending surgery on his left pinkie finger in mid-March, about six weeks after being traded to the Spurs from Sacramento. He recently told Danielle Lerner of the Houston Chronicle that he’s been cleared to resume on-court activities, which have included some 5-on-5 play. Also, Fox hopes to ink a contract extension with the Spurs this offseason. With one year remaining on his current deal, the point guard will be eligible for a four-year extension worth up to $229 million on August 3.
NBC Sports Boston’s Chris Mannix said recently that Sam Hauser could be a trade candidate this offseason if the Celtics decide to shed salary.
The cost of contending for championships has gotten steeper, especially with the salary cap rules instituted in recent years. For the Celtics, the Achilles tendon rupture suffered by Jayson Tatum may impact how the front office approaches this offseason. If the team decides that a group that won’t have Tatum for most of the season can’t be a factor in the East, the decision could be made to shed salary. And Hauser, whose four-year, $45 million extension goes into effect next season, may be a prime candidate to be moved. “Hauser, to me, is the most likely candidate to go, just because you have (Baylor) Scheierman there to effectively fill his role,” Mannix said. “I think they’d love to find a home for Jrue Holiday, just because of the contract and where they are as a team. (Kristaps) Porzingis, who knows? I don’t think they want to take on contracts that go on longer than Porzingis’ deal, but he’s certainly available.” Hauser being traded would make Scheierman worth a look in deep fantasy leagues next season.
NBA insider Marc Stein reported the Knicks are interested in talking to Mavericks coach Jason Kidd regarding the team’s head coaching vacancy.
Multiple names have been mentioned in the aftermath of the Knicks’ decision to fire Tom Thibodeau after he led the team to its first Eastern Conference Finals since 2000. One who has been mentioned prominently is Kidd, who is under contract with the Mavericks. His connection with Knicks point guard Jalen Brunson may be a factor, as the captain has repeatedly credited the coach with his development as a professional. However, Dallas would need to grant the Knicks permission to speak with Kidd. And if a deal were to be made, New York does not have much draft capital to give up as compensation. Also mentioned in connection with the opening are Cavaliers assistant Johnnie Bryant, Timberwolves coach Chris Finch and Rockets coach Ime Udoka. Stein also reported that Houston would quickly deny permission to speak with Udoka if the Knicks were to make that request.
Obi Toppin provided a boost off the bench with 17 points (6-of-9 FGs), five rebounds, two assists and five three-pointers in Game 1 against the Thunder on Thursday.
Toppin has been solid throughout this postseason, but he hasn’t had many big scoring nights. However, after he had 18 points in the Game 6 clincher over the Knicks, he added 17 more to kick off the Finals, with 15 of those points coming from beyond the arc. If Toppin is able to continue to make an impact off the bench like he did in this game, there should be more wins coming for the Pacers.
Aaron Nesmith recorded a double-double on Thursday with 10 points (3-of-9 FGs), 12 rebounds, one assist, one block, three three-pointers and five turnovers in Game 1 against the Thunder.
Indiana dominated on the glass in this game, but it wasn’t just because of the bigs. Nesmith was the leading rebounder in this game and was one of three Pacers to grab at least 10 rebounds. However, they lost the turnover battle 24-6, and Nesmith contributed five of those. The only player with more was Myles Turner, who coughed it up six times. Indiana won this game and still has things to clean up, which is an encouraging sign for them moving forward in this series.