After what should be an exciting trade deadline on Thursday afternoon, the NBA has six games on the main DraftKings slate this Thursday. With so many familiar faces headed to new places, things are very much in flux across the league, but the action on the court will go on, and this six-game slate has some fascinating matchups to consider as it tips off at 7:00 p.m. ET. The Spurs, Rockets, and Raptors are on the second night of their back-to-backs, so be sure to keep an eye on their injury reports along with the rest of the big news to keep up with today. As availability changes and shifts throughout the day, the models will adjust, so be sure to check back before tip-off. Coming into the day, though, let’s run down the top options to play this Thursday night, according to the models.
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
In the FantasyLabs projections, Cade Cunningham has the highest median, ceiling, and floor projections of all point guards. He’s listed as questionable with injury management since it’s the front half of a back-to-back, but with Daniss Jenkins listed as out with his G League and two-way contract situation, it seems likely that Cunningham will play if possible.
If he does, he gets a great matchup against the Wizards, who have allowed more fantasy points per game to point guards than any other team in the NBA. The Pistons have the second-highest implied team total of the slate, according to our Vegas Dashboard, and Cunningham is so heavily involved in the offense that he brings a sky-high ceiling.
With so much value available after all the trades, it will be important to find players with big salaries who are reliable, and Cunningham has been that all season, averaging 25.3 points, 9.8 assists, and 51.8 DraftKings points per game. He has over 45 DraftKings points in six straight games and reached over 53 DraftKings points in three of those contests.
Value
The Jazz have already been very active at the deadline, and they’re in action on Thursday, taking on the Hawks in Atlanta. They’ll be without Keyonte George for a second straight game, opening the door for Isaiah Collier to be a great value play. Collier has the highest Projected Plus/Minus of all players at all positions on the slate coming into the day.
His salary has increased over the last few days, but he’s still affordable compared to his potential production. On Tuesday, he filled in for George and had 22 assists against the Pacers, setting a new career high and a new game high for all players this season.
He finished with an impressive 62.75 DraftKings points by adding 17 points, five rebounds, and three steals in 48 minutes. With George out again on Thursday, Collier gets a favorable matchup against the Hawks. He probably won’t duplicate his massive stat line, but his high usage should help him post another good return on his value salary.
Fast Break
The Charlotte Hornets have been one of the hottest teams in the NBA and made some nice deadline moves. LaMelo Ball has 37+ DraftKings points in three straight games and five of his last seven. He has a positive Projected Plus/Minus even in a tougher matchup against the Rockets.
The Magic will remain without Franz Wagner for Thursday’s matchup with the Nets, and Jalen Suggs has the second-highest Plus/Minus projection at point guard, behind only Collier. Suggs had 20 points and 35.25 DraftKings points against the Thunder in his last game on Tuesday, and his salary is still a little low after his long layoff and limited minutes. He’s getting back to full speed, though, so grab him at a discount while you can.
The Bulls traded most of their backcourt away and already ruled Josh Giddey out for this game. Tre Jones could carry a big workload if he’s able to return to action, but a better bargain could be Yuki Kawamura, who didn’t make his Bulls’ debut until Jan. 31, but the second-year guard has played 27 and 26 minutes in the Bulls’ last two games, averaging 5.5 points, 5.5 rebounds, and 6.7 assists for 24.1 DraftKings points per game. Depending on who they have available, the Bulls may need Kawamura to carry a huge workload at his bargain salary of only $3,600.
Don’t forget to check out our NBA SimLabs Lineup Generator to create advanced DFS lineups using the power of simulation:
NBA DFS Shooting Guard Picks
Stud
Sometimes, when breaking down a slate, it’s helpful to have a second perspective, and one way to get that is by adding the ShotQuality projections to your models. On Thursday, the ShotQuality projections highlight Wizards guard Kyshawn George as one of the best plays on the board. In those projections, he has the second-highest median, ceiling, and floor projections at the position and an excellent Plus/Minus projection as well.
The Wizards have made big acquisitions with Trae Young and Anthony Davis coming to town, but neither will be available against Detroit on Thursday. George will continue to carry the load as a result and brings a very high ceiling.
He’s coming off a couple of down games against the Kings and Knicks, but before that, he had over 43 DraftKings points in three of his previous five games.
It’s not totally clear how the Wizards plan to approach the rest of the season, but George has shown that if he gets playing time, he can stuff the stat sheet. He’s a high-risk play on Thursday but has an extremely high upside if he plays big minutes.
Value
The Mavericks traded Davis to the Wizards and aren’t expected to have any of the return pieces in the mix on Thursday against the Spurs. Naji Marshall has the second-highest Plus/Minus projection at shooting guard in the FantasyLabs projections at both shooting guard and forward and should continue to help carry the load, especially while P.J. Washington (concussion) is also out.
Marshall had just eight and nine points in his last two games to go with eight rebounds in each contest. While he came in under salary-based expectations in each of those two games, he exceeded salary-based expectations in nine of his previous 10 contests.
He and the Mavs catch the Spurs on the second night of a back-to-back, so even in this tough matchup, the veteran should bring solid value.
Fast Break
Against the shorthanded Bulls, Brandon Ingram has the second-highest median, ceiling, and floor projections at shooting guard in the FantasyLabs projections. The game could turn into a blowout, but Ingram’s recent numbers have been very strong in a wide range of game scenarios. He’s scored at least 25 points and produced at least 42 DraftKings points in three of his last four games.
C.J. McCollum and the Hawks are in a smash spot against the Jazz, and McCollum has the highest Projected Plus/Minus at shooting guard in the FantasyLabs projections. He has been a nice pickup for Atlanta and provides good scoring in bunches. He had a massive game against the Pacers that earned him 51 DraftKings points, and he has chipped in at least 33 DraftKings points in three of his last five.
As a bargain at the position, rookie Dylan Harper has been playing well for the Spurs and has a top-five Plus/Minus projection at shooting guard. He has exceeded salary-based expectations in five of his last seven games and could get more work if the Spurs give any veterans the second night of their back-to-back off.
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NBA DFS Small Forward Picks
Stud
The Mavericks made it clear they’re building around No. 1 pick Cooper Flagg by trading away Davis, and the 19-year-old has looked outstanding in his last three games, showing his immense upside. He has the highest ceiling, median, and floor projections at small forward and also brings the flexibility to slide to point guard for added versatility.
Flagg made the decision even easier by going off for three big games this past week. He went off for 49 points, 10 rebounds, and 70 DraftKings points last Thursday against the Hornets, scoring the most points by a player under 20 years of age in NBA history. In his next two games, he had 34 points, 12 rebounds, and 59.5 DraftKings points in a loss to Houston last Saturday, and then he fell just one rebound short of another double-double with 36 points, nine rebounds, six assists, and 60.75 DraftKings points on Tuesday against the Celtics.
He should continue to get all the usage he can handle, so spending up for him makes sense if you can grab good value plays to surround him with. He’s less proven and stable than other options, but his ceiling is off the charts.
Value
The Hawks added Corey Kispert in their trade with the Wizards, and the sharp-shooting forward has given them a nice boost. He’s a bargain at only $3,900 in this matchup against the Jazz and has the highest Projected Plus/Minus of all small forwards in the FantasyLabs projections.
Kispert started six straight games but has moved to the second unit for Atlanta’s last two games. He has proven he can be productive in either role, though, scoring double-digit points in four straight games with 26.5 and 25.0 DraftKings points in two of those matchups.
Against the Jazz in a game that could get lopsided, he should get enough work to be a great bargain value at small forward on Thursday.
Fast Break
Michael Porter Jr. has the second-highest ceiling projection at small forward and brings lots of upside if he continues to be the focal point of the Nets’ offense the rest of the season. He’s been in trade rumors, but if he starts against Orlando, he has good leverage potential.
All the Wizards’ trades should have also opened up playing time for Justin Champagnie, who has the fourth-highest Plus/Minus projection at the position in the ShotQuality projections and brings good upside at only $5,000.
Even cheaper, Jamir Watkins of the Wizards has exceeded salary-based expectations in three straight games and is only $3,200 against the Pistons. With Marvin Bagley III and Khris Middleton traded away, the second-round rookie could get plenty of work in the coming weeks, depending on how the Wizards opt to play out the season.
NBA DFS Power Forward Picks
Stud
The Hawks’ offense is clearly going through Jalen Johnson for the foreseeable future, and since the Hawks are taking on the Jazz, there should be a lot of offense on Thursday night. Johnson has the highest median and ceiling projections on the entire slate in both sets of projections and also has a positive Plus/Minus even though his salary is so high.
Johnson posted his second straight triple-double last Tuesday and has nine triple-doubles on the year. He finished that game against the Heat with 29 points, 11 rebounds, 11 assists, and 64.2 DraftKings points. He’s averaging 52.6 DraftKings points per game on the season and has posted at least 58 DraftKings points in five of his last seven.
The Hawks continue to make moves and are adding Jonathan Kuminga in a fascinating move, but for Thursday and for the foreseeable future, it’ll be Johnson running the show in Atlanta, and that gives him an incredibly high upside in smash spots like this one against the Jazz.
Value
The Bulls will be without so much offense on Thursday that Matas Buzelis and Patrick Williams have the top two Plus/Minus projections at power forward on Thursday’s slate.
Buzelis has exceeded salary-based expectations in eight of his last 11 games after scoring 22 points and finishing with 38 DraftKings points against the Bucks on Tuesday. He doesn’t usually create his own shot, but he may have to do more non-scoring work on Thursday while also taking on as much usage as possible.
Williams has played huge minutes the last three games, exceeding salary-based expectations in each of those three games and posting 25.5, 25.5, and 32.75 DraftKings points. Since his salary is still only $4,100, he’s a great value to build around.
Fast Break
Scottie Barnes will have a great matchup against the Bulls as long as the game doesn’t get so lopsided that he plays limited minutes. He has the third-highest ceiling projection at power forward and is coming off a big game against the Timberwolves on Wednesday, when he had 22 points, 10 rebounds, eight assists, and 50.5 DraftKings points. The Raps are playing for the second night in a row, so if other starters sit, he could get added usage.
Mavericks veteran forward Caleb Martin will get extra minutes in the rotation with Washington out and trade deadline pieces still on the move. He has exceeded salary-based expectations in seven of his last nine games, including five straight.
NBA DFS Center Picks
Stud
At center, Victor Wembanyama brings the highest median, ceiling, and floor projections in both the FantasyLabs and ShotQuality projections for Thursday. He has a top-five Projected Plus/Minus projection at center as well in the ShotQuality projections, which give him a little extra boost for this matchup with the Rockets.
Wemby had 22 points, 14 rebounds, and 47.5 DraftKings points in his team’s win on Wednesday against the Thunder, playing only 28 minutes. He had 55 DraftKings points on Sunday, which was the second game of the team’s last back-to-back, when he had a big defensive game against the Magic, totaling 25 points, eight rebounds, four steals, and five blocks.
If he brings that kind of hustle and energy on both ends again on Thursday, he could be set for another big game. There has been lots of noise about how much the Rockets usually shut him down, but the models indicate there’s a good chance the big man silences those rumors with a big performance Thursday.
Value
Hornets center Moussa Diabate has the highest Plus/Minus projection at center in the FantasyLabs projections and has shown he can post monster games in the right situations. He is sharing time with rookie Ryan Kalkbrenner, but both still bring good value potential.
Last time out, Diabate showed the “bust” side with only two points and 16.2 DraftKings points, but he showed the “boom” potential with an 18-point, 19-rebound game against the Grizzlies last week, which earned him 51.2 DraftKings points. He posted another double-double with 39 DraftKings points against the Spurs last Saturday.
He’s definitely not a sure thing, but his value at just over $5,000 with such a high ceiling makes him a solid mid-range option for Thursday.
Fast Break
Jalen Duren and Alexandre Sarr go head-to-head in a great matchup of young big men with high ceilings on Thursday. Duren has exceeded salary-based expectations in four straight games and gets a great matchup against the Wizards, while Sarr also has a high ceiling and could get tons of work for the short-handed Wizards. Duren is the safer option, but Sarr has big upside as well and a higher ceiling if Cunningham plays for Detroit.
The Bulls could lean heavily on Jalen Smith for the rest of the season after trading Nikola Vucevic, along with seemingly the rest of their roster, at the deadline. Smith missed two games with a calf issue but had 16 points and 24.2 DraftKings points in 20 minutes in his return on Tuesday. Once everything settles and he has new guards in place, he could be a good option, but it’s hard to know what to expect in a tough matchup with a rotation in flux around him.
The Bulls’ other center at this point is bargain option Lachlan Olbrich, who has a salary just over the minimum at $3,100. Olbrich had 20 DraftKings points in 11 minutes against the Heat on Sunday and 12.75 DraftKings points against the Bucks on Tuesday. If you are going to punt the center spot, he should get enough minutes to give you something while freeing up lots of salary for the rest of your roster.
Pictured: Jalen Johnson
Photo Credit: Imagn
