This article is part of our FantasyDraft NBA series.
Friday night brings a typically robust, nine-game slate that offers plenty to pay up for. With a total of four players priced over $20K, and two others setting you back no less than $19K, there are a lot of budgetary decisions to be made. Without further ado, let's examine who's worth the hefty price tag and where the most prudent value exists that can help you fit in as many of the elite options as possible:
GUARDS
Russell Westbrook, OKC vs. MIL ($20,200): I give Westbrook the slight edge over James Harden ($21,900), considering the price difference and Westbrook's current streak of four straight games of over 60 fantasy points. He's been a virtual lock for a double-double and always has the potential for a triple-double, and he'll face a Bucks team that's allowed 45.7 fantasy points per contest to point guards over the last 10 games. Westbrook also generated a 12-point, 10-rebound, 10-assist triple-double versus this same Milwaukee squad in just 27 minutes on Oct. 31, and he'll catch them on his home court and on the second night of a back-to-back, all factors that enhance his already-significant appeal.
DeMar DeRozan, TOR vs. ATL ($14,700): DeRozan's ownership in tournaments is likely to be down, considering he's shot just 21.8 percent over his last pair of contests while posting modest totals of 23.25 and 26.50 fantasy points. However, he's too good of a shooter to remain in that type of slump for long, and he'll draw just the right matchup Friday to snap him out of it. Atlanta comes in allowing 50.6 fantasy points per game to shooting guards on the season, along with the eighth-most points (28.2) and second-most made three-pointers (4.1). DeRozan had scored between 40.25 and 63.75 fantasy points in four of the five games prior to his current downturn, providing a glimpse at his considerable upside.
For those willing to take on what will likely be a more popular choice in GPPs, Kris Dunn ($14,500) also makes for an appealing pivot against a Pacers squad that's allowed the sixth-most fantasy points (58.7) to point guards over the last five games.
Rajon Rondo, NO vs. DAL ($11,700): Rondo compiled 48.75 fantasy points in his last contest Wednesday on the strength of a record-setting 25 assists, but that's far from the only reason for suggesting him Friday. The outing, while undeniably impressive, wasn't Rondo's most prolific in recent contests, as he'd posted a season-high 55.00 fantasy points against the Sixers on Dec. 10. The matchup also is heavily in his favor against the Mavericks, considering Dallas allows the third-most fantasy points (49.3) to point guards on the season, along with the most made three-pointers (2.8). They're also yielding the third-highest shooting percentage (52.0) to the position in the last five contests, while Rondo is currently posting his best success rate from the floor (46.8 percent) since the 2012-13 season.
For those looking to pivot to a potentially lesser-owned tournament option, Darren Collison ($11,700) is also in a favorable matchup against a Bulls defense that's allowed the fifth-most fantasy points (59.2) to ones in the last five contests.
FORWARDS/CENTERS
DeMarcus Cousins, NO vs. DAL ($19,800): Cousins has scored no fewer than 41.25 fantasy points in 14 straight games, a stretch that includes six tallies of 50 or more, another over 60 and one over 80. That type of consistency makes him an outstanding cash game play and explosive tournament option, and he could well be in for one of his more prolific nights Friday. The Mavericks allow the 10th-most fantasy points (36.8) to centers, along with the fifth-highest shooting percentage (54.0) to the position. What's more, Cousins already trampled this same squad for a 20-point, 22-rebound double-double that also included seven assists back on Nov. 3, furthering his already-formidable case.
Willie Cauley-Stein, SAC vs. PHO ($12,800): Cauley-Stein's price continues to lag behind his recent production, as he's scored between 36.25 and 41.25 fantasy points in his last three games, and between 21.25 and 43.00 in nine of the prior 11 contests as well. He's sporting a 23.4 percent usage rate and averaging 1.05 fantasy points per minute over that stretch, which dates back to Nov. 22. His playing time has been encouragingly steady as well, and he's logged at least 30 minutes in six of his last eight contests. Meanwhile, the Suns come in allowing the second-most fantasy points (41.6) to centers on the campaign, along with the second-most points (17.6) and rebounds (12.3) as well.
Ersan Ilyasova, ATL at TOR ($9,800): Ilyasova has scored between 30.75 and 36.75 fantasy points in his last three games, shooting a blistering 63.6 percent from the floor, including 60.0 percent from three-point range. After an uneven start to the season, both his playing time and scoring contributions have progressively steadied, and he's priced right for a matchup against a Raptors squad that's been vulnerable in the frontcourt despite the presence of Serge Ibaka. Toronto has allowed the seventh-most fantasy points (45.7) to power forwards on the season, including the second-most (66.1) over the last five. They also are surrendering 28.4 points, 16.0 rebounds, 5.2 rebounds, 3.2 blocks and 2.4 steals to the position over the latter span, all bottom-five figures.
UTILITY
John Wall, WAS vs. HOU ($17,800): Wall averaged 19.5 points, 10.5 assists, 5.0 rebounds and 2.0 steals in two games against the Rockets last season, and he's scored between 36.00 and 51.25 fantasy points in five of his last seven contests. He's also posted double-doubles in three straight and four of the last five, while the Rockets are on the second night of a back-to-back after a heartbreaking loss to the Celtics on Thursday and have allowed 50.0 fantasy points, 27.0 points and the most made three-pointers (3.4) to point guards over the last 10 games.
Kelly Olynyk, MIA vs. BKN ($12,800): Olynyk is thriving in the absence of James Johnson (ankle), and the latter will sit out at least one more game Friday. That will leave Olynyk in a position to build on a six-game stretch that has seen him score over 30 fantasy points once and eclipse the 40-mark twice, while tallying no fewer than 23.50 fantasy points in any of the games within the sample
The Nets make for an appealing target to continue that caliber of production, considering they've displayed poor defense in the paint all season and are allowing the second-most fantasy points (57.4) to power forwards over the last 10 games, including the most (68.4) over the last five. They're also ranked in the bottom 10 in several other categories against fours for the season, including surrendering the highest shooting percentage (50.0) to the position. In turn, Olynyk is shooting a red-hot 51.9 percent from the field -- including 63.2 percent from three-point range -- over his last five contests.
