This article is part of our DraftKings NBA series.
Almost every team in the league joins Wednesday's slate with 14 games worth of action. Does this mean we are deep everywhere? On the surface, that answer would be yes, but on the flip side, we are also TOO deep in some spots. In other words, you have a lot of options and ownership will be spread quite thin, making GPPs all the more difficult to nail. I'm not saying you should avoid them, mind you – but with slates like this, I'm playing a lot more cash than I usually would.
First, to our 10K-plus options: As I look to our thinnest (or least deep) position, we find DeMarcus Cousins facing a tough Spurs frontcourt and I have a hard time pulling the trigger when I see the options behind him, but he will see action in a couple of my lineups. Kevin Durant is questionable at this juncture so he won't be a part of my plans yet. If I am going to go 10K-plus, it'll be for the matchup and not position scarcity so LeBron James ($11,200) is my high-salary pick of the night as he faces a Nets team that ranks dead last against opposing small forwards.
Below I will pick three players at varying price levels (high, DK baseline ($6,250), and one value pick per position This means we'll miss a lot of favorites going down, so my 'other _____ to consider' section is definitely something you'll want to analyze further.
GUARDS
Stephen Curry, GS at OKC ($9,400): I'm no longer surprised to see Curry at this price as DraftKings has refused to put him above 10K, though it's hard to see why. He's had only one game out of the last 10 where he's put up less than 40 DKFP, and though some people may view this matchup against the Thunder as a bit unpredictable and volatile, I'm getting Curry in where I can fit him.
Donovan Mitchell, UTA at CHI ($6,600): With the Bulls on a back-to-back after a demoralizing loss to the Lakers, the Jazz will be primed to take advantage. Mitchell should continue his excellent play as he makes a darkhorse case for Rookie of the Year. He's averaged 35.1 DKFP per game over the last 10 days and should be good for at least that tonight.
Mario Chalmers, MEM vs. DAL ($5,000): He's jumped up from $3,800 to $5,000 in a matter of days, but that's what happens when you take over for an injured Mike Conley and look great doing it. I almost bristle at the new price point but I think Chalmers is going to get even more comfortable the longer he plays, and Dallas should help that trend along.
Other guards to consider:DeMar DeRozan, TOR at NY ($8,400), Kyrie Irving, BOS at MIA ($8,200), C.J. McCollum, POR at PHI ($7,200), Dennis Schroder, ATL vs. LAC ($6,700)
FORWARDS
Paul George, OKC vs. GS ($8,500): I'd put an exclamation point on this if Durant doesn't play. This hotly contested matchup will bring out the best in all the marquee players, but the absence of Durant leaves a wide-open lane for George. A nod should also go to Carmelo Anthony ($6,700) as another beneficiary of Durant's potential absence, should you need to go cheaper.
Kyle Kuzma, LAL at SAC ($6,700): The Lakers are coming off a nice win where Kuzma led all scorers, and a visit to the lowly Kings should be another great night for the rookie. He's struggled a bit outside of the Staples Center, but there might be more Lakers fans than Kings fans in the arena on Wednesday.
Kenneth Faried, DEN at HOU ($3,400): I'm giving Faried a look in GPP formats as he tries to prove he's the answer for Paul Millsap (wrist) in Denver. Granted, the Rockets have been deceptively stingy on defense lately, but I'm not looking at this as a matchup-dependent pick, but as a low-cost, high-upside target if I've spent too much elsewhere.
Other forwards to consider:Kristaps Porzingis, NY vs. TOR ($8,600), Draymond Green, GS at OKC ($7,600), T.J Warren, PHO vs. MIL ($6,600), Rondae Hollis-Jefferson, BKN at CLE ($6,400)
CENTERS
A Joel Embiid PSA: All you Joel Embiid lovers should take note at just how dominant Portland has been on defense. This should be a good litmus test to see just how matchup-proof Embiid can be, but those tempted to play him should do so with caution.
Nikola Jokic, DEN at HOU ($8,900): I think both Jokic and Clint Capela will have strong games in this matchup and I'm tempted to go cheaper with Capela, but I'm sticking to my high/low/middle presentation and giving you my best high-priced pick (aside from the aforementioned nod to Cousins). Jokic has been churning out great games with his ho-hum double-double average and he'll likely get there again in Houston.
DeAndre Jordan, LAC at ATL ($7,000): Jordan is my LA frontcourt option because I feel like Blake Griffin is just a bit too high at $9,300. I want someone to take advantage of how exploitable the poor-rebounding Hawks are inside, and Jordan will give me more value at the price.
Nikola Vucevic, ORL at MIN ($6,900): You can't beat Vucevic's ceiling on a nightly basis, and Karl-Anthony Towns is nowhere near as good of a defender as his numbers might indicate. Elfrid Payton should be delivering the ball to him early and often.
Other centers to consider:Kevin Love, CLE vs. BKN ($7,900), Al Horford, BOS at MIA ($7,100)
