This article is part of our FantasyDraft NBA series.
Each week, RotoWire will provide value plays for your daily fantasy basketball lineups on FantasyDraft is running NBA contests each and every day. There are 50/50s, guaranteed tournaments and more available options in the lobby, so be sure to check it out. With contests at every entry fee level, there are a ton of options to choose from.
The target for each player to reach value is 2.5x the player's salary. If a player costs $10,000 against the cap, expected value is 25 fantasy points.
Rudy Gay ($12,000)
Gay has been terrific over the last six games, topping 30.0 fantasy points five times and exceeding 40.0 three times in that span. DeMarcus Cousins' recent dominance has given Gay more room to roam, and Sacramento's second-leading scorer has taken advantage by topping 18 points five times in the last six games. Factor in his ability to grab at least five rebounds in every game over that span, and Gay's combination of consistency and offensive explosiveness makes him tough to turn down.
Ish Smith ($13,300)
In 12 games since re-joining the 76ers, Smith has averaged 35.9 fantasy points per game. His current salary indicates that any performance over 33.3 vindicates drafting him, meaning the Philadelphia version of the point guard has consistently been an excellent value play. Smith's production over the last five games (43.05 fantasy points per game) has been even stronger, as he should continue to thrive with the ball in his hands.
Joe Johnson ($9,600)
Johnson's New Year's resolution must've been to help his owners win, as he has opened 2016 by topping 20.0 fantasy points in nine of 10 appearances. The small forward averages well over 30 minutes per game, and the Nets have called upon him for even more offensive production since point guard Jarrett Jack's season-ending ACL tear. He just scored a season-high 22 points Monday against the Raptors, so look for Johnson's strong offensive form to carry over into this week.
Gordon Hayward ($13,300)
In six games since Rudy Gobert started playing his regular allotment of minutes, Hayward has averaged 41.7 fantasy points per game. Hayward's offensive versatility has been on full display in that span, as he has supplemented his 24.8 points with 6.0 rebounds and 4.8 assists per game in that span. Now that the defensive stalwart center's return has allowed the small forward to shift his primary focus back to offense, the former Butler star should continue to play a huge offensive role for the Jazz. He managed to post a robust 38.5 fantasy points Thursday despite shooting a horrendous 4-for-17 from the floor, so even Hayward's bad nights have yielded strong fantasy results lately.
Notable Injuries
Victor Oladipo (knee), Day-to-Day
Oladipo has missed the last two games with a sprained right knee, leaving the guard questionable for Friday's game against the Hornets. Elfrid Payton has been starting in his absence, but Oladipo's strong performances prior to going down suggest he has the inside track to rejoining the starting lineup upon his return.
Derrick Favors (back), Day-to-Day
Favors has been out since Dec. 23, but his status has been upgraded to day-to-day as he appears ready to make his return this week. Rookie Trey Lyles has done an admirable job filling in for Favors recently, and Trevor Booker's concussion should allow him to maintain some short-term relevance even when Favors gets back.
Goran Dragic (calf), Day-to-Day
Dragic will travel with the Heat on their upcoming five-game road trip, suggesting that he's nearing a return from a calf injury that has kept him out since Jan. 11. Tyler Johnson has been seeing big minutes in Dragic's stead recently, but that run should come to an end as soon as the latter is ready to return.
Joakim Noah (shoulder), Out Indefinitely
Noah underwent surgery to repair a dislocated shoulder Tuesday and could be out for the rest of the season. Taj Gibson stepped up during Noah prior injuries, and he should be a daily double-double threat the rest of the season as a permanent member of the starting lineup.
DeMarre Carroll (knee), Out 6-to-8 Weeks
Carroll has made very little progress since being given a 6-to-8 week return timetable in early January, making that prediction look optimistic. James Johnson, Terrence Ross and Cory Joseph have all seen increased minutes in Carroll's absence, but none of the three has been called upon to fill the void all on their own.
Larry Nance Jr. (knee), Day-to-Day
Little information has been revealed about Nance's right knee soreness, but the injury doesn't appear too serious. Head coach Byron Scott has said that Nance will be the starting power forward over Julius Randle when both are healthy, but the latter will see additional playing time in Nance's absence if he's able to play through a broken nose.
