This article is part of our FantasyDraft NBA series.
The NBA is closing out the calendar year with an excellent week of basketball thus far, and Wednesday brings us another 10 games. Unlike Tuesday's slate, there's plenty to pay up for, bumping up the importance of identifying solid mid-tier and affordable plays to round out your lineup. Let's break down who's worth loosening the purse strings for and who can help you secure those elite options:
GUARDS:
Premium Option
Kyrie Irving, BOS at CHA ($17,000): Irving makes for a nice pivot for those who aren't paying up for Russell Westbrook ($21,200), considering his matchup against a reeling Hornets squad that's allowed the second-most fantasy points (59.2) to point guards over the last 10 games, including the most over the last five (63.3). They're also ranked in the bottom 10 in points (22.8) and assists (9.4) allowed to the position, while Irving had scored between 45.25 and 49.50 fantasy points in the three games prior to compiling a more modest but still impressive 32.50 versus the Wizards in his most recent contest.
Mid-Tier
Bradley Beal, WAS at ATL ($14,400): Beal compiled 19 points (on 53.8 percent shooting, including 50.0 percent from three-point range), four rebounds, four assists and three steals over just 28 minutes against the Hawks in his one prior meeting with them this season. He's also scored over 40 fantasy points in four of his last six contests, and despite the fact they've showed some recent improvement against two-guards, Atlanta remains one of the most vulnerable teams in the NBA to the position. They've allowed the sixth-most fantasy points (50.3) to twos on the campaign, while also ranking in the bottom five or 10 in points (28.1), rebounds (7.9), assists (5.9), steals (2.2) and made three-pointers (4.2) surrendered.
Affordable
J.J. Barea, DAL at IND ($9,700): Those looking to save even further can also pivot to Andrew Harrison ($8,500) or Josh Hart ($8,500) in the Grizzlies-Lakers matchup, but Barea remains underpriced for a player who's scored between 21.25 and 43.00 fantasy points in his last 14 games. That stretch includes two games over 30 fantasy points and another two over 40, excellent returns on a sub-$10K price. The Pacers come into Wednesday allowing 45.7 fantasy points per contest to point guards, along with the third-most rebounds (6.9), seventh-most assists (8.6) and fourth-highest shooting percentage (44.0).
FORWARDS/CENTERS:
Premium
Anthony Davis, NO vs. BKN ($20,000): There's certainly nothing wrong with the top trio of LeBron James ($21,400), Kevin Durant ($21,000) and DeMarcus Cousins ($20,200), but Davis is appealing at a lower price as well. He's had a couple of "down" games in his last two, scoring 39.25 and 39.00 fantasy points against the Magic and Heat, respectively. However, those were still highly efficient outings, as Davis averaged 1.23 fantasy points per minute in lesser playing time than usual. He'll come into Wednesday's favorable matchup with a full three days of rest and will face a Nets squad that's allowed the seventh-most fantasy points (52.0) to power forwards over the last five, a notably higher number than their season figure of 43.7. They're also tied with three other teams for the highest shooting percentage (50.0) surrendered to the position, while Davis is shooting a career-best 56.9 percent, including a career-high 35.4 percent from three-point range.
Mid-Tier
Kevin Love, CLE at SAC ($15,100): Love's price remains very reasonable for a player who's scored between 40.25 and 60.00 fantasy points in the last four games, along with 54.75 fantasy points two games prior to the onset of that stretch. He's been racking up double-doubles with regularity as well, and he could hardly ask for a better matchup Wednesday. The Kings come in allowing the most fantasy points (49.2) to power forwards, including 52.3 over the last 10. They're also ranked league-worst in points (23.7) and made three-pointers (2.3) surrendered to the position, and in the bottom five in rebounds (12.9), assists (3.3) and steals (1.6) allowed to fours. Love has been particularly aggressive over the last three contests, taking a whopping 10.0 three-point attempts and shooting 50.0 percent from behind the arc over that span.
Affordable
Steven Adams, OKC vs. TOR ($11,200): For those that have the cash to spend up, Enes Kanter ($12,500) also makes for a strong selection given his play over the last two games. However, Adams is an excellent option for those who need the savings, as the Raptors are now allowing the fourth-most fantasy points (39.4) to centers on the season, including the most (46.2) over the last 10 contests. Adams is posting career bests in multiple categories, including points (13.7), rebounds (8.9), steals (1.2) shooting percentage (63.6) and shot attempts (9.1). He's also racked up 11 double-doubles and has scored between 24.50 and 43.25 fantasy points in 12 December games.
UTILITY
Nikola Jokic, DEN at MIN ($15,800): Jokic got the boot after 26 minutes against the Jazz on Tuesday due to a flagrant-2 foul, but he should be raring to go for a favorable matchup versus the Timberwolves on Wednesday. He's already enjoyed success against Minnesota this season, posting 35.50 fantasy points in 36 minutes in a loss last Wednesday. The T-Wolves have also allowed the eighth-most fantasy points (38.4) to centers on the season, including the sixth-most (43.7) over the last five. They've also given up the third-most points (16.7) and rebounds (11.8) to the position, while Jokic scored between 30.75 and 50.25 fantasy points in the five games prior to his shortened Tuesday outing, posting a 29.2 percent usage rate and averaging 1.19 fantasy points per minute during that stretch.
Kyle Kuzma, LAL vs. MEM ($13,700): Kuzma has taken his game to another level over the last five games, scoring between 40.00 and 58.25 fantasy points in four of those contests. He's shooting 52.9 percent on an average of 17.0 shot attempts during that stretch, including a blistering 56.4 percent from behind the arc. He should continue taking on even more offensive responsibility with Lonzo Ball (shoulder) out of the lineup, and he'll face a Grizzlies squad that's allowing 41.5 fantasy points per game to fours on the season, along with a 46.0 percent success rate from the field.
