This article is part of our FanDuel NBA series.
Every week, this article will take a look at players who are undervalued and should be in your lineup. These are players who should exceed their value in fantasy points when looking at their cost. These players could be at the minimum or near minimum of $3,500 or could be in the $7-8,000 range. It's easy to peg players like LeBron James or Anthony Davis, but the key is to find value players to plug in with them.
Point Guard
Cory Joseph, $4,700 – For the price, Joseph is a must-start whenever Tony Parker (hamstring) is sidelined. That was the case Saturday when the Spurs faced off against the Timberwolves, and Joseph logged 33 minutes of playing time. He parlayed the extra playing time into 18 points, four rebounds, five assists and a steal for a whopping 32.3 fantasy points. Joseph was seeing his minutes increase before the Parker injury and had at least 15.1 fantasy points in each of the previous four games. Again, he's a must-start at or near this price whenever Parker is out and while Patty Mills (shoulder) is sidelined.
Shooting Guard
Jason Terry, $4,100 – Not too sure what's gotten into Terry, age 37, but he's been a fantasy monster over the last 10 days. With the plethora of injuries to the Rockets this season, Terry was put in the starting lineup at point guard playing alongside James Harden. The Rockets' up-tempo pace seems to suit Terry's game, and it's led to many open looks behind the arc. Terry's gone 13-for-26 from three-point land over his last four games and logged heavy minutes even with Patrick Beverley back in the lineup Saturday. Until there's a significant decrease in his minutes, Terry is an outstanding punt at shooting guard.
Small Forward
Harrison Barnes, $5,300 – There's not a clear explanation, but like the Wizards' John Wall, Barnes has played much, much better at home this season. Over his last 10 games, his three best fantasy games of 29.5, 31.9 and 32.7 have all come at home. Barnes appears to have more confidence in his game this season, and running with arguably the best offense in the league has helped his fantasy status. David Lee (hamstring) should return over the next few weeks, and it's uncertain if that would eat into the generous amount of minutes Barnes has been playing with Draymond Green, a candidate to play the three. Until then, think about using Barnes, especially when he's home.
Power Forward
Josh McRoberts, $4,100 – McRoberts has been eased back into the lineup for the Heat, and until the last 10 days, was on a minutes restriction. He's recovering from toe surgery but has seen a recent increase in his playing time, culminating with a season-high 33 minutes Tuesday. McRoberts isn't flashy by any means, and while he has limited upside, he should also have a nice floor if his minutes stay north of 30. His appeal is two-fold here: his price, and his ability for a big man to knock down the three while contributing with rebounds, assists, steals and blocks.
Ed Davis, $4,600 – Davis has replaced Carlos Boozer in the Lakers' starting five and had played 30 minutes in each of his two games prior to Tuesday night's tilt with the Kings. Davis has more upside than Boozer at this point in their careers and should be able to contribute mainly with rebounds and blocks. Davis is averaging seven points, 7.9 rebounds and 1.3 blocks so far this season, numbers that should improve with the uptick in playing time.
Jason Thompson, $5,000 – Thompson has seen his role increase with DeMarcus Cousins out of the lineup and put himself clearly on the fantasy radar. Thompson has played at least 32 minutes in three straight games and is averaging just under a double-double over that span. He's also dished out seven dimes over his last two games, increasing his value. Feel free to deploy him as long as Cousins is on the mend.
Center
Kelly Olynyk, $5,600 – Will the real Kelly Olynyk please stand up? Olynyk has been frustrating to own as a fantasy player this season due to the roller coaster fantasy production he's had. Against the Pistons last week, he filled the stat sheet and finished with 42.1 fantasy points. He followed that up with disappointing games of 13.3 and 3.7 fantasy points, essentially ruining anyone's contest that used him. Olynyk then followed up the 3.7 disaster with a 45.7 fantasy point effort and was in the lineup of many teams that took the overall first place prize in many GPPs. Until he shows some consistency, save Olynyk for your GPP lineups, and use a center with a higher floor for your cash games.
