This article is part of our FanDuel NBA series.
Wednesday's NBA slate has seven games on the docket beginning at 7:30 PM Eastern time. Injuries have freed up opportunities for some low-cost players to make an impact, and they're joined by some more established guys off to hot starts to form the recommendations below. FanDuel's format only counts the eight highest scores in your nine-player lineup, so keep that in mind when making your selections.
POINT GUARD
Dennis Smith, DAL at LAL ($6,500): Smith's still bricking from deep (28.6 percent), but the 20-year-old guard has otherwise been effective on the offensive end with 17.3 PPG and 4.5 APG in 31 minutes per game. He has the ball in his hands a lot, which should lead to plenty of points and assists against a Lakers team that's giving up 122.3 points per game. It also helps that Smith's coming off his two best performances of the season.
Cameron Payne, CHI vs. DEN ($5,100): Payne has performed well in three of four games since Kris Dunn sprained his MCL, scoring at least 15 points in every contest outside a two-point, five-assist dud against the Hawks. At just $5,100, the 24-year-old guard's worth a look at home against a Nuggets team that has allowed 114.7 points per game over its last three after getting off to a surprisingly hot start defensively. If he has an off night, you can always drop Payne's score while the rest of your lineup benefits from his affordability.
SHOOTING GUARD
Tim Hardaway, NY vs. IND ($7,000): Hardaway's an example of what happens when ability meets opportunity. The gifted scorer has showcased his vast array of skills with 24.4 PPG this season, leading the Kristaps Porzingis-less Knicks. Hardaway is starting to expand the rest of his game as well, as evidenced by the five rebounds and eight assists he added to his 25 points in Monday's win over the Nets. More of the same can be expected in this next tilt at Madison Square Garden, where Hardaway's yet to score fewer than 24 points in a game this season.
Gary Harris, DEN at CHI ($7,400): Chicago's giving up a league-high 15.0 made three-pointers per game, including 14 to shooting guard Klay Thompson himself in the team's last game. What better opponent against which for Harris -- who shot 42.0 and 39.6 percent from deep in the past two seasons -- to break out of his early shooting slump? He's already averaging career highs in PPG (20.0), RPG (3.8) and APG (3.8) despite connecting on just 26.9 percent of 3-pointers, so Harris is capable of delivering a huge performance if he finds the touch from deep.
SMALL FORWARD
Rudy Gay, SA at PHO ($7,000): Gay's not flashy, but he's effective, having scored in double digits in every game so far en route to averages of 14.7 PPG and 8.5 RPG. His ability to contribute a well-rounded stat line, including hustle stats, makes Gay a high floor option with the potential for more against a Suns team that isn't known for its defense.
E'Twaun Moore, NO at GS ($4,400):Jrue Holiday and Moore were both shifted down a position in Monday's loss to the Nuggets, allowing the latter to enter the starting lineup in Elfrid Payton's (ankle) absence. Moore ended up scoring 18 points in 38 minutes, raising his season average to 13.8 PPG. He's expected to see another heavy load of minutes with Payton still sidelined, and Moore's scoring will be much needed if New Orleans hopes to keep pace with the Warriors.
POWER FORWARD
Josh Jackson, PHO vs. SA ($3,700): Jackson's listed as a power forward, but the versatile youngster actually got the start at shooting guard in place of Devin Booker (hamstring) on Sunday, and he's likely to remain in the starting lineup with Booker doubtful for this one. While Jackson hasn't been able to replicate his 18-point outburst from Opening Night, the fourth overall selection in the 2017 draft has the tools to do so on any given night after averaging 13.1 PPG in just 25 minutes per game as a rookie. His athleticism also makes Jackson a threat to contribute steals and blocks, especially when he gets to guard smaller players.
Kyle Kuzma, LAL vs. DAL ($6,500): Kuzma performed so well as the starting power forward while Brandon Ingram was suspended that coach Luke Walton moved Ingram to shooting guard in order to keep Kuzma in the starting lineup. The second-year stud topped 30.0 fantasy points in Ingram's first game back, suggesting that's the new normal for Kuzma in terms of production. He's capable of even greater things at home against a Dallas team that's giving up 117.0 points per game.
CENTER
Andre Drummond, DET at BKN ($9,500): Drummond already has a pair of 20-point, 20-rebound outings six games in, including one against the Nets in the season opener. Brooklyn's a small team besides Jarrett Allen and Ed Davis, as evidenced by 6-foot-7 Jared Dudley holding down the starting power forward role. Detroit would be wise to work the ball into Drummond to get Brooklyn's few bigs into foul trouble, and rebounding is rarely an issue for a guy who grabbed 16.0 boards per game last season.
