The NBA starts the first workweek of November with a huge Monday night of action as all 30 teams take the court. The first 11 games make up the main slate on DraftKings, with the contests locking at 7:00 p.m. ET. With 22 teams in the player pool, great options are available at a wide variety of price points at every position, leaving no shortage of options to consider as you assemble your squad. The Celtics, Nets, Pacers, and Magic are finishing back-to-back sets on Monday night, while the entire league takes Tuesday off for Election Day. Be sure to keep a close eye on injury updates as the day goes on. Even though it’s early in the season, injuries will definitely impact the playing time and projections for Monday’s slate.
Let’s dive into some of the top plays on the slate using the FantasyLabs tools and projections.
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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
Darius Acuff ($8,000)
Rookie Darius Acuff has played a pivotal role for the Kings, who have stumbled to a 0-6 start to the season. They’ll look to get their first win of the season on Monday when they take on the Mavericks, which should be another favorable spot for Acuff. The rookie has a 32.3% usage rate, which ranks seventh in the NBA (among players with more than 10 minutes played). With such heavy usage, he brings an extremely high ceiling and has shown the ability to produce in multiple categories.
Acuff has the third-highest median, ceiling, and floor projections of all point guards on Monday’s main slate, even though his salary is only the ninth-highest at the position. He also has a top-five Plus/Minus projection of all point guards since he brings elite upside with a little bit of a salary break. On Saturday, he had 54.75 DraftKings points against the Grizzlies after posting 62.5 DraftKings points on Thursday against the Pelicans. He has taken at least 20 field goal attempts in every game this season and is producing 26.3 points, 6.3 assists, and 41.9 DraftKings points per contest. Even though he isn’t very efficient at times, his heavy usage gives him a high floor and ceiling, making him a top pay-up play to consider. He should be in a favorable environment as well, since the Kings and Mavs have the second-highest point total on the slate.
Value
Nolan Traore ($4,400)
Traore has the highest Plus/Minus projection of all point guards and all shooting guards on Monday’s slate. The 20-year-old from France has started the last three games for the Nets and has exceeded salary-based expectations in each of his last four contests. With Egor Demin (leg) out, Traore should continue to get some extra opportunities as the Nets visit the Knicks on Monday.
Traore has posted over 24 DraftKings points in three of his last four games, including on Sunday, when he had 16 points, six assists and 31 DraftKings points in the Nets’ win over the Pacers. He will look to continue his solid play on the second night of the back-to-back, and he is starting to prove that he belongs as a key piece in the team’s current rebuild. His long-term playing time is still a little shaky, but as long as Demin is out, he should get enough minutes to be an excellent value.
Fast Break
LaMelo Ball ($8,200) – The Timberwolves will continue to be without Anthony Edwards (knee) for multiple weeks, leaving more work for Ball to run the offense for his new team. He had 45.5 DraftKings points on Friday night against the Clippers in his best game of the season but only played 20 minutes in the second half of the back-to-back in San Antonio. On Monday, he gets a great matchup against the Bucks, who have allowed the fourth-most DraftKings points per game to point guards this season. He has a top-five ceiling projection at point guard and a fairly affordable salary.
Anthony Black ($6,000) – Black has only played four games for the Magic after missing the first two games of the season with an ankle sprain, but he has been very effective with 35+ DraftKings points in three of his four games. He had 44 DraftKings points on Friday against the Raptors and followed that up with 40 DraftKings points on Sunday against the Celtics. He brings great upside at this salary and has the third-highest Plus/Minus projection of all point guards on Monday.
NBA DFS Shooting Guard Picks
Stud
Ty Jerome ($8,500)
In the early part of the season, Jerome has been one of the biggest breakout performers and has helped the Grizzlies to a 6-0 start. He missed Saturday’s game against the Kings with a back injury but isn’t on the injury report for Monday, meaning he is expected to return to action against the Pelicans, who have been a very favorable matchup for guards this season.
Jerome has averaged 41 DraftKings points per game this year after opening the season with a massive 66.75 DraftKings points against the Jazz. He only played 24 minutes against the Trail Blazers on Thursday of last week, but after a few days off to get his back right, he has a good chance to return and carry the load for the Grizzlies at home on Monday. He has the second-highest ceiling projection at the position, behind only Acuff, and he makes sense as a pay-up play with upside in the favorable matchup.
Value
Ayo Dosunmu ($6,200)
The Timberwolves have also had to lean more heavily on Dosunmu with Edwards out, and he has risen to the challenge so far. While he has been a little boom-or-bust, he has shown a high ceiling when he is at his best. He is in a favorable matchup against the Bucks, who have been playing at a fast pace this season and struggling on defense. The Bucks have allowed the third-most points per game in the NBA and rank second in pace, according to the NBA’s official site.
On Saturday against the Spurs, Dosunmu showed his high ceiling with 27 points, nine rebounds, three assists, and three steals in 38 minutes for 48.2 DraftKings points. He has three games with over 35 DraftKings points this season, and he ranks in the top seven in Projected Plus/Minus at both shooting guard and small forward.
Fast Break
Stephon Castle ($6,700) – Castle played through migraines on Saturday after being listed as questionable and was limited to 22 scoreless minutes. He isn’t on the injury report for Monday’s home game against the Jazz, though, so he will be in a good bounce-back spot. Before his down game Saturday, he had over 34 DraftKings points in four of his first five games of the season, including 38.5 DraftKings points when the Spurs visited the Jazz last Wednesday.
Meleek Thomas ($3,600) – Thomas has the fourth-highest Plus/Minus projection of the shooting guards on Monday’s slate with salaries under $5,000, and he has been playing solid minutes off the bench for the Cavs this season. With Jaylon Tyson (ankle) out and Peyton Watson (hamstring) questionable on Monday, Thomas should remain involved as the Cavs take on the Thunder. The rookie has scored double-digit points in each of his three contests, most recently posting 13 points and 22.2 DraftKings points in 23 minutes against the Bucks on Saturday.
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NBA DFS Small Forward Picks
Stud
Franz Wagner ($8,300)
At small forward, Wagner has the third-highest median, ceiling, and floor projections this Monday, and he has the fourth-highest Projected Plus/Minus at the position as well. He brings one of the best ceilings at the position, even though his salary is a little lower than the top options available. Wagner gets a great matchup on Monday against the Wizards, who have allowed the most DraftKings points per game to small forwards this season.
Wagner has at least 40 DraftKings points in three of his last four games, with two monster games of over 50 DraftKings points. He is coming off back-to-back double-doubles against the Raptors and Celtics, producing a total of 23 assists in those two games while scoring a total of 40 points. With Paolo Banchero (ankle) and Jalen Suggs (knee) out, Wagner will continue to be the focal point of the offense with plenty of chances to score and create.
Value
Aaron Nesmith ($4,500)
Nesmith has started five of his six games this season for the Pacers, and he has the second-highest Projected Plus/Minus of all small forwards on Monday, as his team welcomes in the Hawks. Nesmith has at least nine points in each of his six games this year, and he has produced over 20 DraftKings points in two of his last three games.
Since Indiana has again been hit hard by injury early in the year with Tyrese Haliburton (hamstring), Ivica Zubac (ankle), and Obi Toppin (back) all missing time, Nesmith has the chance to step into a more involved role. He has been playing through a hamstring injury, and the team has been careful with his minutes, but if he isn’t on the injury report for Monday’s second game of the back-to-back, he has a chance to be a very solid value play according to the projections.
Fast Break
Cooper Flagg ($9,600) – The Kings have given up the most points per game and the highest opponents’ shooting percentage this season, potentially setting up Flagg and the Mavs for a big Monday night in Big D. Flagg has the highest ceiling projection of all small forwards on the slate and has proven he can be worth paying up for with massive games of 69 DraftKings points and 57.8 DraftKings points over the last week. He has at least 45 DraftKings points in each of his last three games and in four of his five contests this season, while averaging an impressive 26.8 points and 51.3 DraftKings points per contest.
Caleb Wilson ($7,000) – Wilson is another exciting young player, and his Bulls are in the game with the highest point total on the slate on Monday as they visit the 76ers. Wilson has over 40 DraftKings points in three of his last four games, highlighted by a big game against the Wizards with 60 DraftKings points on a 30-point double-double. He brings a very high ceiling and a positive Plus/Minus projection on Monday.
NBA DFS Power Forward Picks
Stud
Karl-Anthony Towns ($8,500)
Towns has the third-highest ceiling projection at power forward this Monday, and he has one of the better Plus/Minus projections among the pay-up plays. The Knicks’ big man has been very consistent despite his team’s 2-4 start, posting six double-doubles in six games while averaging 21.8 points, 13.5 rebounds and 46.2 DraftKings points in 32 minutes per game.
Towns had 22 points, 12 boards, and 45.5 DraftKings points in his last game on Friday and has at least 45 DraftKings points in four straight, including his big 27-point, 20-rebound game against the Pistons last Tuesday. On Monday, he has a good matchup at home against the Nets, so he makes sense as one of the top power forward options to consider.
Value
Kenrich Williams ($4,300)
Williams has the highest Plus/Minus projection of all power forwards under $6,000 and is one of many players on the Thunder who will need to step into a larger role due to the team’s multiple injuries. With Jalen Williams (leg), Chet Holmgren (knee), Cason Wallace (shoulder) and Alex Caruso (ankle) all out, Williams is in position for a bigger role over the next few weeks.
On Saturday, he played 21 minutes against the Rockets and had a season-high 11 points and 24.75 DraftKings points. He chipped in seven rebounds and three assists as well and is usually a good producer in multiple categories in the box score. He has solid value potential with a good ceiling and a good floor in Monday’s matchup with the Cavs.
Fast Break
LeBron James ($7,600) – James has the highest Projected Plus/Minus of all power forwards on Monday in his favorable matchup against the Bulls. He had a season-high 47.2 DraftKings points on Friday against the Knicks, coming close to a triple-double with 20 points, nine rebounds, and eight assists. In a high-scoring game environment and favorable matchup, James brings plenty of upside, especially with Joel Embiid (foot) listed as questionable.
Jaden McDaniels ($6,500) – McDaniels has scored at least 19 points and posted over 30 DraftKings points in each of his last three games. He is taking on a more active role in the offense in the absence of Anthony Edwards and brings excellent upside at his mid-range salary in this matchup with Milwaukee. McDaniels is off to a great start to the year and still comes at a relatively affordable salary.
NBA DFS Center Picks
Stud
Victor Wembanyama ($11,100)
Wemby has the highest median, ceiling, and floor projections on the entire slate, and if you have the salary to spend on him, he is again worth considering based on his pure upside. He is coming off back-to-back games with over 70 DraftKings points and has the potential to break the slate by continuing to stuff the stat sheet.
He had a season-high 43 points on Saturday against the Timberwolves and added seven rebounds and six blocks to pile up 71.75 DraftKings points. Wembanyama was even more productive, though, last week against the Jazz, producing 36 points, 14 rebounds, five assists, two blocks, and three steals for 74.5 DraftKings points in 39 minutes last Wednesday. He will take on the Jazz again on Monday night, this time in San Antonio, and he makes sense as a top pay-up building block if you have the salary available.
Value
Jalen Smith ($5,100)
Smith has the highest Plus/Minus projection on the entire slate this Monday, and he’s listed as probable for the Bulls’ matchup against the Sixers. He remains very affordable despite some very strong showings this season, and he is worth sliding into your lineup if possible, especially if he doesn’t have to deal with Embiid.
Smith had his best game of the season last Wednesday against the Knicks, earning 47.2 DraftKings points on 17 points, 11 rebounds, five assists, and three blocks in 30 minutes. He only had five points on Friday in Boston but still finished with 25 DraftKings points since he had 12 rebounds and two more blocks. He brings great value potential at this salary on Monday against the Sixers, and he should continue to start until Nic Claxton (hamstring) is ready for his season debut. Claxton has returned to practice but is still doubtful for Monday.
Fast Break
Onyeka Okongwu ($6,400) – Okongwu had a monster game last Thursday against the Cavs, racking up 29 points, 12 boards, and 54 DraftKings points. He quieted down on Saturday with only six points, 10 rebounds, and 21.5 DraftKings points, but he’s in a great spot on Monday against the Pacers, who have allowed the most DraftKings points per game to opposing centers this season. Okongwu could have more work to do on offense if Jalen Johnson (ankle) isn’t able to play through an ankle sprain that earned him a questionable tag coming into the day.
Aday Mara ($4,100) – Mara has been one of the few bright spots for the Thunder this season, showing intriguing upside off the bench. The first-round pick from Michigan had a double-double with 30 DraftKings points in 20 minutes last Monday and followed that with 29.8 DraftKings points on Saturday with seven points, nine rebounds, three assists, and four blocks in 28 minutes. While the Thunder continue to look for contributors, he should remain very involved, and he has the third-highest Plus/Minus projection at center this Monday.
Pictured: Darius Acuff
Photo Credit: Imagn
