This article is part of our DraftKings NBA series.
Wednesday delivers us an 11-game slate with a myriad of options, so let's get right to it.
Five players reside in the $10K-plus range, and all five have favorable matchups. LeBron James ($10,900) is tempting against a Charlotte team with a struggling defense, but the definitive nod has to go to DeMarcus Cousins ($11,000) against Jonas Valanciunas and a weak Toronto frontcourt. Cousins is best rostered as a forward, as plentiful options exist at center. Although 22 teams are playing, I'd say the thinnest field is at forward as it's tough to find reliable budget options there, but the dual eligibility of several two-guards make it manageable.
GUARDS
Kemba Walker, CHA vs. CLE ($7,400): Walker's ceiling is high tonight as he faces a Cleveland defense that has looked dreadful of late. When they've actually notched a win, LeBron has had to bail them out to get there. Charlotte's top scoring threat is coming off a gigantic, 44.75 DKFP performance against Boston, which owns the league's best defense.
Donovan Mitchell, UTA at NY ($6,100): Mitchell's been on a steady rise over the past week, and his salary has nearly doubled since the beginning of the season. He's still a great deal at this price as he seems to have the confidence of coach Quin Snyder to take over as the team's starter in the two spot. It's an average matchup against the Knicks, but I like the rookie -- a New York native -- in The Garden on Tuesday.
Kris Dunn, CHI at OKC ($4,900):Justin Holiday is out Wednesday, which leaves a great opportunity for Dunn to exceed value. With every budget pick comes a modicum of risk, and the variable here is JerIan Grant ($5,000), who will also see action at the point. They could also end up spending some of the evening together on the floor, but regardless I give the nod to Dunn here in terms of sheer talent and an ability to defend Russell Westbrook.
Other guards to consider:Damian Lillard, POR vs. ORL ($8,900), Bradley Beal, WAS at MIA ($7,200) Tyreke Evans, MEM vs. IND ($6,600)
FORWARDS
Paul George, OKC vs, CHI ($8,500): Is this cheating here? Too obvious? Maybe. You have to give props to George, who has emerged as the primary offensive threat on a team that happens to house last year's Most Valuable Player. Couple a weak Chicago defense with the possible absence of Carmelo Anthony, he's as chalk a play that you'll find Wednesday. If you're employing a two-player, high-salary strategy he fits right in.
Tim Hardaway, Jr., NY vs. UTA ($6,400): Try as I might, I can't stay away from Hardaway. His house must have a floor-through because he has one of the highest ceilings in the NBA, with the ability to absolutely take over a game when the gameflow is right. His game against the Cavs on Monday is a perfect example, where he poured 56 DKFP into the coffers of lucky owners. True, the Jazz are fifth in the league in total defense, but it's not enough to make me fade him, as Utah will be preoccupied with how to defend Kristaps Porzingis without Rudy Gobert.
Julius Randle, LAL vs. PHI ($5,100): The sexier pick is this game is fan-favorite Kyle Kuzma, but here's an interesting stat for Randle: Among all players who log an average of 20 minutes or fewer, Randle ranks number one in terms of total output. In short, you can't look at his minutes and write him off. It's no secret that Kuzma has won the battle to replace Larry Nance but Randle will come off the bench and meet value at this bargain price.
Other forwards to consider:Robert Covington, PHI at LAL ($6,300), Buddy Hield, SAC at ATL ($5,100), and Nicolas Batum finally returns to action for Charlotte at $4,600. He may not be 100 percent and will see limited minutes, but is my go-to GPP punt play tonight.
CENTERS
Joel Embiid, PHI at LAL ($8,600): I'm going to go off my this guy always picks Drummond reputation and put Embiid up first here. If you had the pleasure of watching the Sixers against the Clippers on Monday, he was simply sick, going for 32 points and 16 rebounds in the contest. His ceiling is ridiculously high when healthy. I still like Drummond, of course, but when you consider how Embiid man-handled DeAndre Jordan, the idea of him facing Brook Lopez is simply too delicious.
Nikola Vucevic, ORL vs. POR ($7,100): The Vucevic vs. Nurkic matchup is intriguing, but in terms of a balanced stat line I favor Vucevic. Few centers can stretch the court like he can, as he's just as much of a threat beyond the arc as he is down low. I think he'll give the Blazers fits on Wednesday.
Derrick Favors, UTA at NY ($5,600): Favors is the temporary answer to Utah's woes in the paint, so while he's not an ideal answer for an injured Rudy Gobert,his increased minutes give him every opportunity to exceed value. He's averaging a double-double since the loss of Gobert, a rarity in the 5K range.
Other centers to consider:Andre Drummond, DET at MIL ($9,000), Marc Gasol, MEM vs, IND ($7,500).
