Wednesday features night two of the NBA Cup quarterfinals. We have two games to choose from, with the action set to begin at 7:30 p.m. ET.
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
There are a handful of stud PG options to consider on this two-game slate, but Luka Doncic stands out as the top target. He’s been tremendous this season, averaging 1.72 DraftKings points per minute while scoring more than 60 DraftKings points in seven of his past eight games. He unsurprisingly owns the top median and ceiling projections at the position, and he ranks second in projected Plus/Minus.
Doncic also stands out from a matchup standpoint. The Spurs’ defense has been exploitable since losing Victor Wembanyama to injury, and the Lakers lead the slate with a 124 implied team total. Doncic’s price tag has also dipped to $12,000 on DraftKings, and that actually represents a nice discount. He has a 62% Bargain Rating, which is tied for the best mark among Wednesday’s point guards.
Value
Dylan Harper was the No. 2 pick in the 2025 NBA Draft, and he’s been impressive to start his rookie season. He’s not being asked to carry as large a workload as some of the other top rookies in basketball, but he’s averaged 13.5 points, 3.9 assists, and 3.1 rebounds in 21.8 minutes per game.
Harper has the potential to play a bit more moving forward. He’s coming off just under 26 minutes in his last contest, and he’s projected for 24 minutes in our NBA Models. Harper responded with 34.25 DraftKings points in his last outing, his second game with at least 31.75 in his past three.
Harper has averaged 1.16 DraftKings points per minute for the year, so he’s underpriced if he’s going to continue to see a few extra minutes per game.
Fast Break
Using Sim Labs, De’Aaron Fox stands out as the most undervalued of the stud PG options. He’s projected for roughly 13.6% ownership, but his optimal lineup rate is closer to 19.2%. He’s averaged 1.32 DraftKings points per minute this season, and while his production hasn’t been great recently, he’s been capped at around 30 minutes per game. Fox is projected for 33.5 minutes on Wednesday’s slate, so he could play a bit more in a game that has a bit of extra incentive.
The Thunder truly have an embarrassment of riches. Ajay Mitchell got a chance to establish himself at the start of the season, and he looks like someone who could start for most teams. Instead, he has to settle for a reserve role for OKC. That hasn’t stopped him from contributing solid results for DFS players, averaging 0.90 DraftKings points per minute. The Thunder have the second-highest implied team total on this slate, and Mitchell could play close to 30 minutes if this game stays competitive. That’s far from a guarantee with the Thunder, but Mitchell has decent upside for this price tag.
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
So far, Austin Reaves has had zero issues sharing the ball with Doncic and LeBron James. He hasn’t been quite as consistent with the team at full strength – he’s posted a negative Plus/Minus in two of his past four games – but he’s still generally put together a bunch of strong results. He’s scored at least 51.25 DraftKings points in five of his past seven, and he’s averaged 1.20 DraftKings points per minute for the year.
Reaves stands out as one of the best pure values on Wednesday’s slate. His price tag has dipped all the way to $9,000, resulting in a 91% Bargain Rating. He was priced as high as $10,000 in his last outing, which is a significant decrease in just a one-game span. Reaves has averaged a Plus/Minus of +1.97 in games with a comparable salary this season (per the Trends tool), so he’s definitely capable of paying off this figure. He also leads the position with nine Pro Trends.
Value
Lugentz Dort has not been particularly productive this season, averaging just 0.66 DraftKings points per minute. That said, he has a chance to return value through sheer volume on Wednesday. He’s projected for 27 minutes in our NBA Models at just $3,900, and players with comparable salaries and minute projections have historically averaged a Plus/Minus of +2.74.
Dort is also capable of providing more per-minute value moving forward. He’s shooting just 31.2% from 3-point range this season after being above 41% last year. Dort is never going to be an elite per-minute producer, but that gives him some room for improvement.
Fast Break
Cason Wallace is very similar to Dort on paper. He’s a bit more expensive at $4,500, but he fills almost an identical role in the Thunder’s rotation. He’s posted a positive Plus/Minus in three of his past five games, and he’s also projected for 27 minutes in our NBA Models.
Stephon Castle returned for the Spurs in their last outing, though he was limited to just 23.1 minutes. That’s not enough for him to make a difference, but it’s possible he sees a bit more in Wednesday’s game. He’s seen a massive +7.05% usage bump with Wembanyama off the floor this season, and he’s averaged 1.29 DraftKings points per minute in that split. If he can get back to 30+ minutes on this slate – a big if – he has the potential to be a difference maker in tournaments.
Be sure to check out all the pick’ems Sleeper has to offer with our Sleeper promo code.
NBA DFS Small Forward Picks
Stud
The Thunder are absolutely running through the league for the second straight season. They’re currently sitting at 23-1, and their Net Rating checks in at a ridiculous +15.9. That would be the best mark in league history.
The most impressive part? The Thunder have only had Jalen Williams available for five games. He’s arguably their second-best player, so his return makes this team even more dangerous moving forward.
Williams hasn’t had to carry a massive workload for OKC – their starters have rested in the fourth quarter in a ridiculous amount of games – but he’s averaged an excellent 1.31 DraftKings points per minute when he’s been on the floor. He’s posted a positive Plus/Minus in both games where he’s played more than 30 minutes, and he had 45.25 DraftKings points in just 25 minutes in his last game. He has the top median and ceiling projections at the position, and he ranks first in projected Plus/Minus and optimal lineup rate as well.
Value
With Castle back for the Spurs, they might not need Keldon Johnson as much as they have in recent weeks. However, Johnson has still averaged an outstanding 1.12 DraftKings points per minute for the year, and he’s seen a +1.59% usage bump with Wembanyama off the floor. He’s still pretty affordable at $5,200, so he doesn’t need a ton of minutes to potentially return value vs. the Lakers.
Fast Break
Alex Caruso is another potential option for the Thunder. He’s not currently listed on the team’s injury report, and he’s easily the best producer among the team’s value options. He’s averaged 0.96 DraftKings points per minute, giving him arguably the best ceiling of the bunch. Caruso isn’t projected for nearly as much playing time as Dort and Wallace, but he’s capable of racking up fantasy points in bunches when he’s on the floor. He ultimately has the third-highest optimal lineup rate at the position.
Jordan Goodwin stands out as an interesting pivot off some of the chalkier value options on this slate. He’s projected for roughly 1% ownership, which is extremely low for a two-game slate. However, his optimal lineup rate is closer to 11%. Goodwin has averaged better than a fantasy point per minute for the year, giving him plenty of upside if he plays a bit more than expected.
NBA DFS Power Forward Picks
Stud
Chet Holmgren has been limited to 20 games played this season, and he’s averaged less than 30 minutes per game in those outings. That’s kept his fantasy production in check. He’s averaged a healthy 1.23 DraftKings points per minute, but he hasn’t played enough to routinely return value at his price tag.
However, Holmgren is coming off 42.75 DraftKings points in just 22.6 minutes in his last outing. The team is also playing without starting center Isaiah Hartenstein at the moment, which could open up a few additional minutes for Holmgren in competitive contests. He’s also seen a slight uptick in fantasy points per minute with Hartenstein off the floor this season.
Value
Harrison Barnes stands out as the chalk option at power forward. He is occasionally a bit overlooked as one of the true veterans on the Spurs, but he has been one of their most consistent options recently. He’s played plenty of minutes for them in recent games, and he’s projected for 30 minutes on Wednesday’s slate. He’s averaged 0.81 DraftKings points per minute for the year, and he’s coming off 29.0 DraftKings points in 35.1 minutes in his last outing.
Barnes leads the position with a 47.3% optimal lineup rate, though his projected ownership is above 60%. That means he could be a bit overvalued for tournaments. Still, he leads the position in projected Plus/Minus, making him one of the safer targets at SF.
Fast Break
LeBron James has had a slow start to his 23rd professional season. However, he is coming off his best game on Sunday, finishing with 51.75 DraftKings points in 34.2 minutes vs. the 76ers. James is a basketball savant, so while he may not be getting as many shot attempts as usual, he should still find plenty of ways to impact the outcome. He leads the position in Pro Trends, and his $8,600 price tag is significantly cheaper than usual.
Ryan Dunn is another potential value option for Phoenix. The Suns stand out as the least appealing team on this slate – such is life when you’re facing the Thunder – but Dunn is $4,200 with eligibility at both forward spots. He’s averaged 0.82 DraftKings points per minute, and his playing time shouldn’t be impacted if this game does turn into a blowout.
NBA DFS Center Picks
Stud
There is no true stud center to consider on this slate. Deandre Ayton is the closest thing to it. He’s priced at $6,300, and he has averaged 1.11 DraftKings points per minute in his first year in Los Angeles. He’s been a solid value in recent games, posting an average Plus/Minus of +1.60 with a 60% Consistency Rating over his past 10 outings.
Ayton should be able to take advantage of the Spurs’ frontcourt sans Wembanyama. They’ve been a juicy matchup for centers this season, giving Ayton an Opponent Plus/Minus of +5.78.
Value
Luke Kornet should handle most of the center responsibilities for San Antonio for as long as Wembanyama is sidelined. He hasn’t taken full advantage of his playing time this season, averaging just 0.82 DraftKings points per minute, but he’s capable of improving upon that figure moving forward.
Kornet is also very affordable at $4,800, and he’s projected for 26 minutes vs. the Lakers. Kornet has historically averaged a Plus/Minus of +2.22 with a comparable salary and minute projection, and he leads the position in projected Plus/Minus on Wednesday’s slate.
Fast Break
Mark Williams might have the highest ceiling among Wednesday’s centers. He leads the group with an average of 1.21 DraftKings points per minute. His minutes aren’t quite as consistent as Ayton’s, but when he gets to 28 minutes, he tends to deliver big performances. He’s done that six times so far this year, and he’s averaged 36.38 DraftKings points and a +5.68 Plus/Minus in those contests.
Jaylin Williams has started the past two games for OKC, and he’s averaged just under a fantasy point per minute for the year. He’s only projected for 16 minutes vs. the Suns, but he could end up playing a bit more if the game turns into a blowout. That gives him a bit of hidden upside, and his optimal lineup rate exceeds his projected ownership in Sim Labs.
Pictured: Luka Doncic
Photo Credit: Imagn
