This article is part of our FantasyDraft NBA series.
Friday's solid, nine-game slate is replete with star power, as there are a total of four players priced above $20K, with another two checking in just under that mark as well. With as many tempting elite options in play, hunting down value in the form of players whose price may not reflect their current role or recent performance is particularly important. Let's break down who's worth top dollar and who can help you fit those elite players in your lineup.
GUARDS
James Harden, HOU vs. LAC ($21,800): Harden boasts a 36.7 percent usage rate and is averaging 1.61 fantasy points per minute without Chris Paul (leg) on the floor this season, and the latter will be sidelined Friday. The matchup works in The Beard's favor as well, as the Clippers have allowed 49.9 fantasy points per contest to point guards (where Harden is likely to be primarily deployed in Paul's absence), and for good measure, 53.0 fantasy points per game over the last five to two-guards, along with the third-highest shooting percentage (46.0) on the season.
Bradley Beal, WAS at BKN ($14,300): Beal just lit up the Nets for 39.50 fantasy points on Dec. 12, and he'll be in a good position for more of the same Friday. Brooklyn continues to struggle against shooting guards overall, as evidenced by the Nets allowing the seventh-most fantasy points (51.3) and points (29.1) to the position, along with the most rebounds (8.0), fourth-most steals (2.2) and fourth-highest shooting percentage (43.0). Beal has eclipsed 40 fantasy points in three straight games while putting up a whopping 10.0 three-point attempts per contest during that span, and he's scored no less than 36.0 fantasy points in the last eight games.
Tony Snell, MIL vs. CHA ($7,300): There are a number of intriguing, bargain-priced tournament flyers at guard Friday -- including Wesley Matthews ($8,800), Torrey Craig ($7,700) and D.J. Augustin ($7,000) -- but Snell is in a favorable spot in his own right. He returned from a five-game absence due to knee tendinitis on Monday versus the Cavaliers, generating 16.00 fantasy points on the strength of eight points and four rebounds. He could be in for a bump in minutes Friday versus a Hornets squad that he tallied 26.00 fantasy points against on Nov. 1, and that allows 49.9 fantasy points per game to two-guards, along with the sixth-most points (29.2), seventh-most rebounds (7.2), eighth-most assists (5.5) and fourth-highest shooting percentage (43.0) to the position. While there's undoubtedly risk attached, the price is certainly affordable enough to warrant consideration if you want to spend up for the multiple elite options on Friday's slate.
FORWARDS/CENTERS
Giannis Antetokounmpo, MIL vs. CHA ($21,000): Antetokounmpo has scored between 52.75 and 68.75 fantasy points in the last six games while shooting a blistering 53.8 percent on 19.8 shot attempts per contest. The Hornets have struggled to consistently limit power forwards in particular, as they surrender 42.0 fantasy points per game to fours, along with the fourth-most rebounds (12.0), fourth-most blocks (1.6) and 46.0 percent shooting. Their vulnerability to the position has been most recently exemplified by the fact they've allowed 24 and 23 points, respectively, to Serge Ibaka and Michael Beasley in their last two contests, and Antetokounmpo carries notably more overall upside than either.
Kyle Kuzma, LAL at GS ($12,700): Kuzma posted 58.25 fantasy points against the Rockets in his most recent contest on Wednesday on the strength of a career-high 38 points, and he'd tallied between 28.75 and 40.00 fantasy points in his four previous games as well. He's seen between 30 and 39 minutes in the last five overall, and given his recent body of work, should naturally continue seeing plenty of playing time. The Warriors present as an inviting target, as they not only will afford Kuzma extra possessions due to their pace of play, but also allow the sixth-most fantasy points (45.9) to power forwards, including the third-most (56.4) over the last five. They're also ranked in the bottom 10 in points (21.6), rebounds (11.7), assists (3.0) and steals (1.8) allowed to fours, furthering Kuzma's case at a very reasonable price.
Mike Scott, WAS at BKN ($9,000): Trey Lyles ($9,100) is also a viable option at this price level, but Scott draws a more appealing matchup and has been seeing more than enough minutes to generate some strong returns. Scott has scored between 30.00 and 37.00 fantasy points in the last three games, and he also posted 35.50 in another instance over the last six contests. The veteran forward has remained aggressive, as he's put up 13.0 shot attempts over the aforementioned three-game stretch. He'll be poised for another strong effort Friday, considering the Nets have allowed 48.3 fantasy points per game over the last five to power forwards – more than five fantasy points per game over their season figure of 42.9 – along with the sixth-most rebounds (11.7) and second-highest shooting percentage (50.0) to the position on the season.
UTILITY
Jrue Holiday, NO at ORL ($13,500): A case could naturally be made for Holiday's teammates DeMarcus Cousins ($19,800) and Anthony Davis ($19,700), which could leave Holiday a tad under-owned in tournaments in what is a highly appealing matchup. The Magic have been unable to contain shooting guards all season, as they come in allowing the fourth-most fantasy points (52.4) to twos, including the second-most (60.6) over the last five. They're also allowing the second-most rebounds (8.4), fourth-most assists (6.0), the most steals (2.7) and second-highest shooting percentage (45.0) to the position, while Holiday has scored between 33.00 and 60.50 fantasy points in his last five games, a stretch during which he's shot 53.4 percent, including 56.7 percent from three-point range.
Jarrett Jack, NY at DET ($9,000): Jack could ultimately prove to be one of the better bargains on the night, considering his matchup against a Pistons squad that's allowed the seventh-most fantasy points (49.2) to point guards on the season, including the fifth-most (54.7) over the last five contests. They're also ranked in the bottom five or 10 in points (23.2), rebounds (7.3), assists (9.5), blocks (0.7), made threes (2.3) and shooting percentage (46.0) surrendered to the position on the season, giving Jack no shortage of paths to a strong return. His production has been on upswing recently as well, as he's scored between 22.75 and 37.50 fantasy points in five of the last seven games, a stretch during he's shooting a solid 47.4 percent.
