This article is part of our Yahoo DFS Basketball series.
None of the teams on Tuesday's slate are dealing with playing a back-to-back, so the risk for late scratches is at a minimum, but always check your lineups before the first tip-off. The most exploitable matchup on the slate is CLE vs. CHI, which is why I have LeBron James ($51) as the most valuable high salary candidate.
You also can't go wrong to spend up on Anthony Davis ($55) and DeMarcus Cousins ($52) against Portland, as Jusuf Nurkic is the only big man standing between the Twin Towers and the basket, but I favor The King here. Let's move on to other candidates further down that can help you get the maximum value from your $200 salary cap.
GUARDS
D'Angelo Russell, BKN at ORL ($32): Russell has been stellar this season, and there's no evidence that he'll be letting off the gas as he settles into his new home in Brooklyn. With Elfrid Payton (hamstring) sidelined, the Orlando backcourt will have a difficult time defending the former Laker, and we should see numbers that meet or exceed his salary.
Evan Fournier, ORL vs. BKN ($21): Fournier is a great pick under Yahoo's median salary of $25 for the exact reason stated above – Payton is out, and although D.J. Augustin will start in his place, Fournier's minutes will see an uptick. He's averaging 19.3 points and 4 assists over the opening three games, and the usage will be there for a big stat line.
Other guards to consider:Victor Oladipo, IND at MIN ($29), and Terry Rozier, BOS vs. NY ($13).
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GUARD TO AVOID
Dwyane Wade, CLE vs. CHI ($23): Wade actually asked to be demoted to the second unit over the weekend after a conversation with Coach Tyronn Lue. This moves J.R. Smith ($10) into the starting lineup, making him another great value play for the slate. Wade will continue to produce, but he'll now have to adjust to leading the second unit.
FORWARDS
Andrew Wiggins, MIN vs. IND ($34): It goes without saying that Wiggins has the goods to be an everyday DFS play, but with so many cheap options in other positions you can afford him alongside some budget choices. He's on a torrid pace so far, averaging 24.7 points and 5.7 rebounds over three games and is about as safe as you'll find for a cash lineup.
Jayson Tatum, BOS vs. NY ($19): Tatum is an absolute steal at this price. He's cemented his place in the starting lineup and has an excellent matchup against the Knicks. The key to hitting his value will rely on his rebounding totals – although Kristaps Porzingis will be a strong presence, I believe Tatum will get his share.
Other forwards to consider:Trevor Booker, BKN at ORL ($14), Domantas Sabonis, IND at MIN ($11)
FORWARD TO AVOID
Derrick Favors, UTA at LAC, ($16): Favors has been scoring just fine, but rebounds have been a problem, causing his fantasy production to dip. Couple that with a matchup against Blake Griffin, it spells just an average night for Favors.
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CENTERS
Nikola Vucevic, ORL vs. BKN, ($36): The only thing keeping Vucevic below $40 is the presence of bigger names ahead of him, because he's performing like a $50 player. He's fourth in the NBA in FPPG, averaging 51.3 points, trailing only Giannis, DeMarcus Cousins and Anthony Davis. No big deal. On a night where key players are sidelined, Vucevic should shoulder an even bigger load. I'll take a cheap point guard to snag him.
Kevin Love, CLE vs. CHI, ($34): You might think I'm making this easy for myself, but in truth there isn't a lot of worthwhile budget action for centers on this slate. Luckily, Love has dual qualification and I like his matchup against Chicago. While Robin Lopez is a formidable opponent, they don't have a whole lot of depth beyond that, and Love will dominate the game at the wing. Also, Tristan Thompson is a game-time decision as of Tuesday morning, which could give Love an uptick in minutes if he's ultimately held out.
CENTER TO AVOID
Robin Lopez, CHI at CLE ($17): The cheap price may lure some players to click here, but beware. He has an awful matchup against the Cavs and though I think his numbers will be respectable, the talent around him has to get him the ball, which won't happen enough tonight.
That's it for Tuesday. Happy hunting!
