This article is part of our FanDuel NBA series.
Premium Guard:
Kyrie Irving, BOS at DET ($7,900): It's a wonder why Irving's price is below $8,000, as he's solidified himself as an MVP candidate. Irving is actually averaging 38 fantasy points per game for the season, which is already 5X value on his cheap price. It's his usage that's particularly enticing, as he's posting a 30.9 usage rate, while leading this team in shots taken and scoring. It's all about the price though, as there's no other player priced below $8,000 who has 50-point potential like Irving does.
Middle-Tier Guard:
Darren Collison, IND vs. DEN ($5,900): Collison is yet another guard who is severely undervalued, as he's become one of the go-to playmakers on this Indiana roster. Not only is he averaging 28 fantasy points a game for the season, Collison is stuffing the stat sheet at ease. It's the matchup that makes him especially intriguing here though, as he faces a Denver defense who allow the fifth-most fantasy points to opposing point guards.
Cheap Guard:
Wesley Matthews, DAL at MIN ($4,800): Matthews is coming off one of his best games of the season and now's the time to hop on the train before his price inevitably rises. In fact, Matthews collected 33 fantasy points in his most recent outing, as he continues to play monster minutes. Matthews is averaging 34.4 minutes per game, which is already plenty of value for a player priced at $4,800. It's a fantastic matchup as well, as Matthews faces a Timberwolves defense that ranks 27th in defensive efficiency.
Premium Forward:
Ben Simmons, PHI at NO ($10,300): Being able to use a point guard at the power forward position is enough incentive alone to use Simmons, but he's putting up some bonkers numbers right now. Not only is he averaging 46 fantasy points a game for the season, Simmons has scored at least 43 fantasy points 17 times this year in total. That's unbelievable reliability and it comes in a tasty matchup as well. Simmons faces a New Orleans defense that allows the most fantasy points in the league to opposing point guards, Simmons true position.
Middle-Tier Forward:
Serge Ibaka, TOR at SAC ($5,500): Ibaka has taken a lot of time to adjust to this Toronto system, but the last few weeks show that he's finding his role. Not only does Ibaka have at least 20 fantasy points in nine-straight games, Ibaka is also averaging over 32 fantasy points across his last three games. With how much Ibaka's price has dropped this year, that means that he's providing 6X value at this affordable price tag. This is an intriguing matchup too, with Sacramento ranking 28th in defensive efficiency.
Cheap Forward:
Wilson Chandler, DEN at IND ($4,100): Chandler hasn't given us very many reasons to trust him for fantasy, but this price is getting too provocative to pass up. It's not just the fact that Chandler was a $6,000 player in the past, it's that he still has a significant role. In fact, Chandler is still playing 30 minutes per game, as he should be one of the go-to options on an offense with Nikola Jokic and Paul Millsap both injured. While the 18.6 fantasy points per game doesn't look pretty, it's still good value for a player at just $4,100.
Premium Center:
Andre Drummond, DET vs. BOS ($9,500): Despite the fact that Boston has an elite defense, they traditionally struggle with big centers like Drummond. That showed in his one meeting against them earlier this year, as he collected 26 points, 22 rebounds and six assists en route to a 70.4 fantasy point gem. He's been playing at that dominant level all season too, as he's averaging 44 fantasy points per game. That sort of 71 fantasy-point upside is too high of a ceiling to pass up, especially considering you get to use Drummond below a five-figure number.
Cheap Center:
Mason Plumlee, DEN at IND ($5,200): With Paul Millsap and Nikola Jokic sidelined, Plumlee has been asked to take over starting center duties in Denver. Plumlee's playing some of his best ball too in this new role, averaging 20 fantasy points across his last five games. What truly makes him a great option here is the matchup though, as he faces an Indiana defense that allows the most fantasy points in the league to opposing centers. If Plumlee can just play 25 minutes, he's the bet of the day to exceed 5X value with his ability to stuff the stat sheet at this sort of price.
