Christopher Day 
A big thank you to Brian and Adam for covering me the last few days! It’s NBA trade deadline day, people. Giddy up – the news will be coming in at an absurd rate today, but the good thing is that the 3pm EST deadline gives us more than enough time to figure things out. Pop in Discord for some further analysis on rotations, but for now, enjoy Thirsty Thursday’s edition of the Gems.
One thing I want to clarify based on the questions I have received is that I will never list a player under the $5,000 FD price tag simply because I use the projection model to identify all targets in these price ranges and below. While there are often plenty of options that I like in this range, you all have access to the very model I use to make my own selections, so when asking “Should I use player X or player Y?”, make sure to check the model because that is how I make all of my own decisions and I truly ride or die by it on a daily basis.
Before running to the DraftKings, FanDuel, or Yahoo lobby to construct your NBA DFS lineup after reading this article, please make sure to utilize the abundance of tools we have at Win Daily:
Point Guards
Russell Westbrook ($11,100 FD / $10,900 DK)
With the level of uncertainty surrounding certain teams and their level of activity at the NBA trade deadline, we can turn to Westbrook as the guaranteed star power needed in our lineups. In 12 games at MSG in his career versus the Knicks, Westbrook averages a whopping 23.8/8.5/7.9 on 44.1% shooting. His recent form has been stellar as well; even with last game’s stinker, Westbrook has a 35.2% usage rate in his last six games, averaging 28.2/10.2/12.8 on 44.9% shooting.
De’Aaron Fox ($8,900 FD / $8,700 DK)
On the flipside of a back-to-back, Sacramento finds themselves in an up-pace matchup versus the second-fastest team in the NBA, the Golden State Warriors. A certain point guard is one that I love playing in these types of matchups, and the backcourt tandem of Fox/Haliburton is on the top of my priority list. In his last games, Fox has really turned up the heat: he’s sporting a 31.6% usage rate and is scoring at will with 29.2 PPG on 50.3% shooting.
Also Consider:
- Damian Lillard ($9,400 FD / $10,000 DK)
- Jordan Poole ($6,200 FD / $6,100 DK)
Shooting Guards
Bradley Beal ($9,200 FD / $9,200 DK)
A day ending in ‘y’, we play the leading scorer in the NBA. While battling some inconsistency with his shot since the NBA All-Star break, Beal remains a lethal scorer that can take over a game at any time, and that is exactly what we need in our lineups on a nightly basis. Take advantage of the price discount and enjoy the show versus a Knicks team that allows over 40 FPPG to opposing shooting guards.
Tyrese Haliburton ($5,700 FD / $6,000 DK)
The second Sacramento King that I’ll be using in my NBA lineups tonight was my favorite to challenge LaMelo Ball for Rookie of the Year – I think those futures bets are looking just fine at the moment. Back to playing a ton of minutes for Luke Walton, Haliburton has a 20.7% usage rate in his last two, averaging 22.5 PPG on 63% shooting. He doesn’t need a ton of opportunity to do damage as proven by his 13 FGA per game, but in a matchup versus a fast-paced Warriors squad, watch how efficiency and increased opportunity work magic together tonight for the kid.
Also Consider:
- Paul George ($8,200 FD / $7,800 DK)
- Buddy Hield ($6,400 FD / $6,500 DK)
Small Forwards
Jimmy Butler ($9,500 FD / $9,000 DK)
As Miami has been ramping up their playoff push, they have been led by none other than their star in Jimmy Butler. Averaging 24.1/8.2/6.1 on 56.4% shooting in the month of March, Butler’s 28.2% usage rate hasn’t slowed him down one bit and now finds himself in a matchup versus a Portland defense that ranks 29th in the NBA in efficiency.
Harrison Barnes ($6,000 FD / $6,300 DK)
An underrated revenge scenario for a potential trade candidate ahead of today’s 3pm deadline, we’ll need to keep an eye on the status of Harris Barnes and if he is a Sacramento King come tip-off. A model of consistency for the Kings this season, the 36 MPG leads the team and is fifth-most in the entire NBA; his 17% usage rate won’t wow you, but the 16.1/6.6/3.7 scoring line shows how consistent he’s been for the Kings thus far and has an exploitable matchup on the wing versus Oubre Jr. and Wiggins.
Also Consider:
- Kawhi Leonard ($9,700 FD / $8,800 DK)
- Rui Hachimura ($5,200 FD / $5,800 DK)
Power Forwards
Julius Randle ($10,200 FD / $10,200 DK)
He’s the entire Knicks offense and is having the best season of his NBA career. Julius Randle is priced up, and when you think of using 10K in salary, one of the last names you probably think of is Randle – but he’s worth it. Sporting a 28% usage rate on the season, Randle is averaging 23.3/10.9/5.9 on 47.2% shooting and just dropped 37/6/2 in 38 minutes on the Wizards a few days ago.
Bam Adebayo ($8,000 FD / $8,000 DK)
Sporting a 25.7% usage rate in his last three games, Bam is an underrated pay-up option for tonight’s NBA slate. Firstly, he’s seeing Enes Kanter’s defense – or lack thereof. Secondly, Bam has instantly become a secondary offensive option while the Heat figure out their guard rotation after injuries to Goran Dragic; averaging 21.7 PPG in his last three, Bam is shooting 56% from the field and will have a field day on both ends of the court tonight.
Others to Consider:
- Draymond Green ($7,000 FD / $7,700 DK)
- Marcus Morris ($5,000 FD / $4,800 DK)
Centers
- Richaun Holmes ($8,000 FD / $7,300 DK)
- Mitchell Robinson ($6,200 FD / $5,100 DK)
Also Consider:
- Dwight Howard ($5,400 FD / $5,500 DK)
- James Wiseman ($4,200 FD / $4,800 DK)
Value Gems: Check the projection model.
I will continue to stress the importance of having both the projection model and cheat sheet open when building lineups for a further player pool and to ease a decision between two players, in addition to finding additional value plays.
You can find me on Twitter @DFS_Ghost
