The 2026-27 NBA season gets underway Tuesday with a three-game slate starting at 3:00 p.m. ET with the Pistons hosting the Celtics. The defending champion Knicks are then hosting the 76ers, and the slate will conclude with the Spurs hosting the Thunder.
Let’s dive into some of the top plays on the slate using the FantasyLabs tools and projections.
Also, don’t forget that for large-field tournaments, you can utilize our Lineup Optimizer to effortlessly create up to 300 lineups or use our Lineup Builder if you like to hand-build your lineups.
You can also use our SimLabs Lineup Generator, a tool that creates the most user-friendly lineup generation process.
Note: Projections and Leverage Scores/Ratings may change throughout the day after this article is posted. The NBA DFS landscape changes quickly.
Consult the NBA Player Models directly for any updates as we get closer to lock.
NBA DFS Point Guard Picks
Stud
Jalen Brunson ($7,600)
This is a very reasonable price tag for Brunson, as he was consistently priced around $9,000 last season. The Knicks’ starting lineup remains intact after winning the championship, and Brunson should have a strong performance vs. the new-look 76ers, who likely need some time together before becoming a strong defense. The oddsmakers aren’t afraid of this matchup, as the Knicks carry the highest implied team total on the slate (118.5 points), and Brunson should effortlessly outproduce his depressed salary. Brunson averaged 1.2 DraftKings PPM with a team-high 31% usage rate last season, and he generated 43.2 DraftKings PPG with an implied team total of 115+ points (45 games), via the Trends Tool.
Value
Payton Pritchard ($5,400)
With Jaylen Brown now with the 76ers, Pritchard is going to be a contender for Most Improved Player of the Year and a strong fantasy target on a nightly basis, especially at this low of a cost. Pritchard is facing a Pistons defense that finished second in rating last season, but this salary is far too low with Brown out of town. He should surpass 5x value with ease. In the three games Pritchard played alongside Jayson Tatum with Brown inactive last season, Pritchard averaged 41 DraftKings points in 35.7 minutes per game with a 33% usage rate, which is a massive 11.3-percentage-point jump from his average.
Fast Break
Dylan Harper ($5,100) – Harper is expected to move into the Spurs’ starting lineup this season, but he remains priced like a reserve. Harper produced 1.0 DraftKings PPM with a 22% usage rate as a rookie last season, and he should see over 30 minutes tonight vs. the Thunder. Oklahoma City was the league’s best defense last season, but Harper is far too cheap for his likely role. He posted 32 and 25 DraftKings points in his final two matchups vs. the Thunder in the playoffs last season, despite coming off the bench.
NBA DFS Shooting Guard Picks
Stud
Stephon Castle ($6,800)
Castle was priced over $7,000 for almost all of last season and needs to be considered at this salary. Castle’s usage increased 2.4 percentage points to 27.7% with Harper on the floor last season, resulting in 1.2 DraftKings PPM. Castle should actually benefit from Harper moving into the first unit. Castle was also effective vs. the Thunder, scoring 36+ DraftKings points in 6-of-12 matchups vs. the rival.
Value
Isaiah Joe ($3,500)
Joe should be one of the Pistons’ primary bench players this season and see around 20 minutes per game, which is more than enough time for him to provide value at this low price tag. With the Thunder last season, Joe amassed 0.9 DraftKings PPM with an 18% usage rate while shooting 45% from the floor and 42% on three-pointers. Joe has averaged 24 DraftKings PPG in the last five games in which he has logged 15+ minutes, and he is a terrific punt play vs. the Celtics.
Fast Break
Cason Wallace ($4,600) – Facing Victor Wembanyama and the Spurs is never easy – they finished third in defensive rating last season – but Wallace was great vs. San Antonio in the playoffs last season, scoring 28+ DraftKings points in 4-of-7 games in the series. The Spurs are going to use many guard-heavy lineups with Harper seeing a bigger role this season, and Wallace should play heavy minutes for the Thunder, as he is their best defensive guard.
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NBA DFS Small Forward Picks
Stud
Jalen Williams ($6,600)
After being hampered by hamstring injuries during the playoffs last season, Williams is finally healthy again, and the former All-Star is underpriced at only $6,600. Williams averaged 32.3 DraftKings PPG with a 26.2% usage rate last season, despite being limited in many games. The wing generated 1.2 DraftKings PPM, and he should see around 35 minutes tonight in this likely nail-biter vs. the Spurs. San Antonio is only favored by 1.5 points for this marquee matchup, and Williams is rating as a strong value in this setting.
Value
Josh Hart ($6,200)
Hart is a viable mid-tier option tonight vs. the 76ers. The veteran supplied 31.6 DraftKings points in 31 minutes per game last season, and the Knicks should use Hart a ton tonight to match up with Jaylen Brown and LeBron James. New York is only favored by 4.5 points for this tilt, and Hart has topped 30 DraftKings points in three of the last six games he has competed in with a spread under five points.
Fast Break
Keldon Johnson ($4,500) – Johnson is the NBA’s reigning Sixth Man of the Year, and with the Spurs at home for this season opener vs. the Thunder, he warrants consideration for tournaments. Johnson has always had notable home/away splits throughout his career. This past season, he averaged 22.4 DraftKings PPG at home, compared to 20.7 on the road. Johnson provided 1.0 DraftKings PPM with a 22% usage rate last season, and over 20 DraftKings points is a strong possibility tonight, despite the tough matchup vs. the Thunder.
NBA DFS Power Forward Picks
Stud
Jayson Tatum ($9,000)
Just like Pritchard, Tatum is going to benefit greatly from Brown’s departure from the Celtics. Tatum made three starts without Brown last season, and he led Boston with 51 DraftKings PPG on those occasions. With Brown off the floor, Tatum’s usage increased 9.1 percentage points to a mammoth 36.2%. His assist rate also rose 6.2 percentage points to 32.7%. Tatum scored a team-high 1.5 DraftKings PPM with Brown off the court, and he should surpass 50 DraftKings points today, regardless of facing a stout Pistons defense. Tatum is likely to be in the MVP conversation this season, and we likely won’t see him this cheap on DraftKings often. Tatum is an elite value at only $9,000 and a must-play for this three-game slate.
Value
OG Anunoby ($5,300)
Anunoby being priced this low is puzzling and is something that needs to be taken advantage of. Anunoby was brilliant in the Knicks’ championship run, scoring 35+ DraftKings points in 9-of-17 playoff games while shooting 56% from the field and 49% from beyond the arc. Furthermore, the forward averaged 1.5 steals and 1.1 blocks per game. Anunoby established himself as one of the best two-way players in the NBA during the postseason, and he should keep it rolling in this season opener vs. the 76ers. In our NBA models, Anunoby is rating as the No. 1 value on the slate.
Fast Break
Paul George ($6,300) – It has been nothing but positive vibes around George joining the Celtics. The veteran claims being in Boston has made him rediscover his love for basketball, and he has been quoted saying this is the healthiest he has been in years. George scored 1.0 DraftKings PPM with the 76ers last season, and he should play over 30 minutes today in his Celtics debut. George should exceed 5x value, and he is expected to get way overlooked, with our projections putting him at just 1% ownership, making him an elite way to differentiate yourself in tournaments.
NBA DFS Center Picks
Stud
Karl-Anthony Towns ($7,800)
Like many of the Knicks, Towns is way underpriced. The center was regularly priced around $9,000 last season, and he was a great fantasy asset, averaging 42 DraftKings points in 31 minutes per game. Towns led the Knicks with 1.4 DraftKings PPM while handling a 26% usage rate and a 21.6% rebound rate. Backup center Mitchell Robinson departed for the Celtics this offseason, and with him out of the picture, Towns should see more minutes this season. The big man is also trying to prove his worth right now, as Towns is up for an extension. But talks between him and the Knicks have stalled, as New York doesn’t want to go into the second apron. Towns should be highly motivated tonight vs. the 76ers, and he should see 35-40 minutes to match up with Joel Embiid. Towns exceeded 40 DraftKings points in 4-of-8 games vs. the 76ers last season, and he should clear that threshold tonight.
Value
Paul Reed ($3,800)
With Isaiah Stewart now with the Grizzlies, Reed is the Pistons’ primary backup center and an awesome punt play. In the 24 games Stewart missed last season, Reed scored 24.5 DraftKings points in 18.5 minutes per game. The big man averaged an elite 1.4 DraftKings PPM, and he should see roughly 20 minutes today vs. the Celtics. Boston should have a traditional center on the floor at all times, with this roster featuring Robinson and Neemias Queta.
Fast Break
Victor Wembanyama ($10,500) – Wembanyama is priced appropriately. While I prefer more balanced builds starting with Tatum, having some exposure to Wembanyama in tournaments is smart. The superstar is on his home floor tonight, where he averaged 53.7 DraftKings PPG last season. Wembanyama produced an incredible 1.7 DraftKings PPM with a 32% usage rate, and he has erupted for over 60 DraftKings points in four of his last seven matchups with the Thunder.
Isaiah Hartenstein ($4,900) – The Thunder like to use Hartenstein heavily when facing Wembanyama, and as a result, Hartenstein finished with 25+ DraftKings points in 5-of-10 matchups with the Spurs. The center amassed 1.2 DraftKings PPM last season, and he has merit at this $4,900 price tag.
Pictured: Jalen Brunson
Photo Credit: Imagn
