This article is part of our FantasyDraft NBA series.
Each week, RotoWire will provide value plays for your daily fantasy basketball lineups on FantasyDraft. Users have a salary cap of $100,000 to select a lineup comprised of three guards, three forwards/centers and two utility players.
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.
JaMychal Green ($8,400)
Green has seen his playing time spike since Memphis' deadline trade Jeff Green, and Zach Randolph's knee problem has opened the door even wider for the young power forward. He had already outplayed his valuation in two of his last three games heading into Monday, then exploded for 16 points, 10 rebounds, and six assists in a 50.50-fantasy point performance against the Cavaliers with Randolph out. Even if Randolph is able to make his way back into the lineup immediately, Green has proven himself capable enough for the injury-riddled Grizzlies to keep leaning on him.
Devin Booker ($9,700)
Now that he has found his stroke again following a prolonged slump, Booker once again makes for a steal as a high-usage scorer and distributor for the Suns. The rookie has averaged 25.0 points and 6.3 assists per game in his last three, easily blowing away the expected returns on a $9,700 player in all three games. As the young focal point of a team with no playoff hopes, expect Booker to continue seeing all the action he can handle.
Jerryd Bayless ($8,400)
Michael Carter-Williams' season-ending hip injury opened up new possibilities for Bayless as Milwaukee's primary ball handler off the bench. The veteran played aggressively in that role with 20 points in 37 minutes against the Bulls on Monday, but his three efforts of at least four assists in the past five games show that he's also been a willing and capable passer. Bayless' combination of opportunity and ability is too much to pass up at just $8,400.
Anthony Davis ($17,400)
Davis has taken his play to another level lately, topping 50.0 fantasy points five times in his last eight games after doing so just twice in his previous 12. He easily exceeds expectations for a player at his price any time he passes the 50.0-point plateau, and the Brow's 59-point, 20-rebound effort Feb. 21 against the Pistons indicates that his ceiling is as high as anyone's. There's no better star to base your lineup around right now, regardless of whether the goal is upside or consistency.
Notable Injuries
Andre Iguodala (hamstring), Day-to-Day
Iguodala has missed two straight contests with a hamstring injury, but head coach Steve Kerr says the veteran would have been available to play if they were postseason games. That information suggests Iguodala isn't far from a return, meaning the temporary increases in role for Brandon Rush and Leandro Barbosa will soon come to an end.
Zach Randolph (knee), Day-to-Day
Randolph missed Monday's game against the Cavaliers with a knee injury, but his ability to play 31 minutes the night before suggests the ailment isn't too serious. Tony Allen of all people stepped up offensively with 26 points in Randolph's absence, but a repeat of that explosive performance is unlikely should Z-Bo be unable to get back in the lineup by Memphis' next game.
Mike Conley (foot), Day-to-Day
Conley will be reevaluated in 3-to-5 days after missing Monday's surprise victory over the Cavaliers. Mario Chalmers finished with 17 points and seven assists in 40 minutes Monday, and his play during Conley's absences earlier in the season suggests that the backup is capable of sustaining that pace for the duration of Conley's injury.
Michael Carter-Williams (hip), Out For Season
Carter-Williams is projected to miss the rest of the season due to a torn labrum in his left hip which will require surgery. O.J. Mayo should remain the starting point guard, with Jerryd Bayless inheriting additional ball-handling duties off the bench as he gets healthier himself.
Ty Lawson (ankle), Day-to-Day
Those hoping for an offensive revival from the newly-minted member of the Pacers will be disappointed to learn Lawson had to leave his Indiana debut after picking up just one rebound and two assists in five minutes. He has been an immense letdown this season, and this injury is yet another obstacle on his path back to relevance.
Nikola Vucevic (groin), Day-to-Day
Vucevic has revealed that the ailment that forced him out of Monday's loss to the Warriors was a right groin strain. The injury doesn't sound too serious, but Jason Smith will be in line for more starts at center should Vucevic be forced to miss any more time.
