This article is part of our FantasyAces NBA series.
There is value to be had on Fantasy Aces, and identifying that value will allow you to spend on top-tier players to round out your lineup. I try to keep the recommendations at $4,000 or lower in order to truly make them "value" picks that will open things up for your roster elsewhere, but we make a small exception today for a forward that represents a bargain even at a slightly elevated price.
Without further ado, here are Monday's value plays on Fantasy Aces:
G: Marcus Smart at HOU ($4,000): There aren't any risk-free point guards on the lower end of the price scale Monday, but Smart appears to offer the best combination of opportunity, upside and ability to pay off his modest price. Like many young players, the second-year pro undeniably still struggles with consistency, but tangibly demonstrated his potential for a standout performance in Sunday's marquee matchup versus Russell Westbrook. Smart tallied 43.50 Fantasy Aces points over 33 minutes, scoring 26 real-life points and coming within just a pair of boards of a double-double. Monday night brings Rockets guard Ty Lawson as a primary defender, a matchup that Smart could conceivably exploit. It bears repeating that the risk is there—besides Sunday's performance, Smart has only eclipsed 20 Fantasy Aces points twice this season—but the $4,000 price tag is not exceedingly steep to pay off, particularly with Smart's stat-sheet-stuffing ability.
G: Devin Harris at PHI ($3,500): Irrespective of what other roster fluctuations occur in the Mavs' backcourt, Harris' minutes and production have been consistent this season. The veteran guard's lowest playing time allotment this season was 19 minutes, and he's actually exceeded 20 in his other nine games. He typically contributes across all categories and has posted 22.75 and 25.00 fantasy points over his last two contests, respectively, while also eclipsing 20 in three additional outings.
G: Nik Stauskas vs. DAL ($4,000): Stauskas had been a consistent source of offensive production for both the Sixers and fantasy owners until a disastrous, 18-minute scoreless outing versus San Antonio on Saturday. However, the forgettable performance doesn't erase the fact that the second-year pro has been otherwise steady in minutes and fantasy points over the rest of the season. Stauskas has posted six double-digit scoring games this season, and he has been over 20 fantasy points on four different occasions. A matchup against an average Mavericks defense against shooting guards in what should be a fast-paced game doesn't hurt either, particularly at Stauskas' modest $4,000 price tag.
F: Jeff Green vs. OKC ($4,000): Green represents an opportunity to nab a newly-minted starter at a bargain price. The veteran was reinserted into the starting five Sunday and had 21 points, four rebounds and three assists over 35 minutes. The Thunder also happen to significantly struggle against shooting guards and small forwards, the two positions that Green would conceivably slot into. Any opportunity to secure a player likely to receive around 30 minutes at $4,000 deserves serious consideration.
F: Dwight Powell at PHI ($4,250): Powell continues to be a source of cost-effective production that allows for the sprucing up of the roster elsewhere. The second-year pro is maximizing his minutes and has put together back-to-back outings with over 30 fantasy points despite playing only 21 and 26 minutes, respectively. Powell has averaged at least one fantasy point per minute in nine of 10 games this season, and he came within a single fantasy point of making it 10 out of 10. With his ability to fill out the stat sheet -- and his role in backing up veteran in Dirk Nowitzki, whose playing time is carefully monitored -- Powell represents a considerable bargain.
F: Jerami Grant vs. DAL ($4,100): Powell's counterpart on the Sixers continues to also check in at very reasonable prices while remaining consistent with his output. Grant has scored in double digits in four out of the last five contests, and has amassed at least 20 fantasy points in four straight games. Meanwhile, his playing time has not dipped below 22 minutes all season, and he's actually tallied at least 30 in two of the last three.
C: Ian Mahinmi at CHI ($4,000): True value-priced centers worth rostering are hard to come by Monday, but Mahinmi checks in as a potential under-the-radar play. The Pacers' starting center has settled into a nice playing time groove over his last four games, tallying 25, 28, 24 and 30 minutes, respectively. Meanwhile, he's posted double-digit scoring in his last two contests, and has been at 21 or more Fantasy Aces points in three of his last four. The Bulls have also been about league average defending centers this season and are in the bottom half in terms of average number of rebounds per game surrendered to the position (14.6), one of Mahinmi's strong suits.
F: Noah Vonleh at SAS ($3,300): Vonleh is the rare starter available at near-minimum pricing. The second-year pro was inserted into the starting lineup Saturday against the Hornets over Ed Davis, and he responded with a solid nine-point, six-rebound performance in 23 minutes. Rostering Vonleh comes with the understanding that while he is the starter as of this writing, he is unlikely to exceed 25 minutes. However, at his true bargain bin price, a similar performance to his first start will pay off his salary.
F: JaMychal Green vs. OKC ($3,000): Green checks in as Monday's Minimum Price Special, having averaged 21 minutes per game over his last four while producing in multiple categories. The second-year pro has been providing a steady dose of offense off the bench for a Grizzlies squad that has been in search of points all season. Green shoots well for a big man and is capable of the occasional three-pointer to boot. He has also been strong on the boards, hauling in nine, four and seven rebounds in his last three games, respectively. He even has one double-double this season, a feat he accomplished in just 20 minutes versus the Kings. With such minimal risk attached and the potential to comfortably exceed his price tag, rostering Green can really open things up elsewhere while still providing solid production.
