Wednesday features a 13-game main slate starting at 7 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
The NBA All-Star break starts on Friday, which means virtually the entire league will be in action on Wednesday. All but two teams will take the floor, and we have one of the largest main slates of the season for DFS purposes.
The Nuggets draw one of the best matchups of the day. They’re taking on the Grizzlies, who have slipped to 29th in defensive efficiency over their past 10 games. As a result, the Nuggets’ 126.0 implied team total ranks second on the slate.
The Nuggets are also playing without some key contributors. While Nikola Jokic is probable to suit up, Aaron Gordon and Payton Watson have both been ruled out. It should open up a few extra opportunities for Jamal Murray. He’s already been excellent recently, averaging 1.30 DraftKings points per minute over the past month, and he’s seen bumps to his usage and assist rates with Gordon and Watson off the floor this season.
Add it all up, and Murray stands out as the top pay-up option at point guard. He has the second-highest ceiling projection at the position, and he also ranks second in Sim Labs optimal lineup rate.
Value
Unfortunately, this time of the year is when teams start to turn the tank meter up to 11. It’s hard to criticize them too much – it’s the easiest way to turn around a situation with little hope – but it’s far from ideal for NBA fans.
The Kings are a team that is in desperate need of a savior, so expect them to do everything possible to try to land a top-three pick. They’re going to send out a ragtag group of players on Wednesday, with Zach LaVine, De’Andre Hunter, Domantas Sabonis, Malik Monk, Keegan Murray, and Russell Westbrook all already ruled out.
It should open up plenty of minutes for Devin Carter at point guard. He’s currently projected for 30.5 minutes in our NBA Models, which is more than enough for someone priced at $4,500. Historically, players with comparable salaries and minute projections have averaged a Plus/Minus of +2.29 (per the Trends tool).
Carter is also better than the typical player you find in this price range. He’s averaged better than a fantasy point per minute over the past month, and he’s posted a positive Plus/Minus in four straight games. He leads the position in projected Plus/Minus by a wide margin, and he’s way ahead of the field in terms of optimal lineup rate.
Fast Break
Kasparas Jakucionis is another excellent value target. He’s starting to get more opportunities for the Heat, and he’s responded with 27.25 and 43.25 DraftKings points in back-to-back games. Overall, he’s averaged 0.90 DraftKings points per minute over the past month, and he’s projected for another 29 minutes Wednesday vs. the Pelicans.
The Hornets have been one of the best teams in basketball over the past month. LaMelo Ball has been capped at around 30 minutes in recent games, but his salary has dipped to $8,000 as a result. He has the potential to pay off that reduced figure in limited minutes. He’s averaged 1.34 DraftKings points per minute over the past month, and he posted a 37.9% usage rate in his last outing. He ranks fourth in projected ceiling and fifth in projected Plus/Minus among Wednesday’s point guards, making him a solid combination of value and upside.
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
Sticking with the Hornets, Kon Knueppel is turning in a historically good rookie season. That’s not hyperbole. Knueppel is producing at a rate that very few rookies ever have, especially considering his age:
For fantasy purposes, he has moved into the stud tier at shooting guard. He’s still affordable at $6,700, but he’s proven he can put up big totals on a nightly basis. He’s averaged 1.13 DraftKings points per minute over the past month, and he’s averaged a Plus/Minus of +2.51 over his past 10 games.
Knueppel ultimately ranks third at the position in projected Plus/Minus on Wednesday, and he’s fourth in projected ceiling. He’s not too far behind guys like Anthony Edwards, Donovan Mitchell, and Jaylen Brown in that department, despite being roughly $3,000 cheaper than each.
Value
The Pacers are another team limping towards the finish line. Their season hasn’t gone the way they’d hoped, but they’re well-positioned to return to prominence next season. They’re going to get back Tyrese Haliburton, and they fortified the center position by adding Ivica Zubac before the deadline. If they can add a marquee rookie to their already strong core, they could be right back to contending for the Eastern Conference crown in 2026-27.
Unfortunately, that’s a long way away. For now, they’re going to be leaning on some unheralded players down the stretch. That includes Quenton Jackson. He’s turned in back-to-back big performances for the Pacers, finishing with at least 36.5 DraftKings points in both outings. He’s averaged an impressive 1.18 DraftKings points per minute over the past month, and he’s currently projected for 24 minutes in our NBA Models. That’s enough to make him an excellent option at just $3,800, and he trails only Carter in projected Plus/Minus among backcourt players.
Fast Break
The Bulls shook up their roster at the trade deadline, and Collin Sexton has taken over as one of the team’s top scoring threats. He’s played two games for Chicago, and he’s had a positive Plus/Minus in each. He’s averaged 1.00 DraftKings points per minute over the past month, and he’s expected to see around 30 minutes Wednesday vs. the Celtics. That keeps him firmly on the radar at $5,100.
Nique Clifford stands out as one of the most undervalued options at SG per Sim Labs. He’s projected for roughly 9% ownership on Wednesday, but his optimal lineup rate is closer to 15%. He’s posted a positive Plus/Minus in six straight games for the Kings, including one ceiling game with 50.5 DraftKings points. Clifford has logged at least 37.3 minutes in two straight, and he should see another heavy workload in a great matchup vs. the Jazz.
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NBA DFS Small Forward Picks
Stud
Brandon Miller is another potential pay-up option for the Hornets. While he hasn’t been quite as impressive as some of his teammates of late, he’s still averaged a strong 1.15 DraftKings points per minute over the past month. He has the third-highest ceiling projection at small forward on Wednesday, and he stands out as a much better value than Brown and Kawhi Leonard.
Value
Finding a min-priced player with solid projections is always a win for cash games, and Taelon Peter fits that description for the Pacers. He’s currently projected for 26 minutes in our NBA Models, and min-priced options have historically averaged a Plus/Minus of +4.57 with a comparable minute projection. His salary comes with a 93% Bargain Rating, and while he doesn’t bring a ton of upside to the table, he’s a great bet to return positive value.
Fast Break
Jerace Walker is officially questionable for the Pacers, but if he’s able to suit up, he’s arguably their most appealing option. He’s averaged 1.02 DraftKings points per minute over the past month, and he’s posted an average Plus/Minus of +4.45 over his past 10 games. He missed the team’s overtime win over the Knicks on Tuesday, so make sure to monitor the injury report for updates. We’re still waiting on the Pacers’ initial injury report on the second leg of a back-to-back.
Saddiq Bey wasn’t really needed in a blowout win over the Kings on Monday, but he has been playing excellent basketball of late. He’s averaged a Plus/Minus of +8.87 over his past 10 outings, and he’s scored at least 41.0 DraftKings points in six of his past nine. Bey has averaged 1.09 DraftKings points per minute over the past month, so he has more upside than his $6,500 salary suggests.
NBA DFS Power Forward Picks
Stud
On a slate with an endless number of value options, paying up for a super stud is definitely possible. Jalen Johnson deserves some consideration for that spot at power forward. He’s officially listed as questionable and missed the team’s last game, but he’s been an absolute force when he’s been able to suit up. Johnson has averaged 1.43 DraftKings points per minute over the past month, and he’s scored at least 60.25 DraftKings points in four straight games.
Johnson has displayed a ceiling of more than 70 DraftKings points during that stretch, giving him plenty of upside at $10,700. His current salary comes with a 95% Bargain Rating on DraftKings, while his 11 Pro Trends are tied for the most at the position. He also has the top ceiling projection at the position by more than 10 points.
Value
Micah Potter is expected to be extremely chalky in the frontcourt on Wednesday. He’s currently projected for just under 60% ownership, but his optimal lineup rate is basically in line with that mark.
He’s extremely affordable at just $3,600, and he’s posted a positive Plus/Minus in three straight games. Potter hasn’t put together any huge performances during that stretch, but he’s projected for another 29 minutes in our NBA Models. He’s averaged 0.81 DraftKings points per minute over the past month, so that gives him plenty of potential at his current salary. He ranks first at the position in projected Plus/Minus, and he’s second in that metric on the entire slate.
Fast Break
Grant Williams has gotten some burn for the Hornets recently, including 25.3 minutes in his last outing. He finished with 26.5 DraftKings points in that contest, and he could be forced into another expanded workload on Wednesday. Miles Bridges and Moussa Diabate are both out while serving a suspension, while Coby White is sidelined with an injury.
Dylan Cardwell entered the season with minimal expectations as an undrafted rookie, but he’s done enough to earn a four-year contract with the team moving forward. He’s averaged 1.02 DraftKings points per minute over the past month, and he’s posted a positive Plus/Minus in four straight games. Cardwell has had at least 36.75 DraftKings points in two of his past three, and with the Kings’ missing a bunch of key players on Wednesday, he’ll have another opportunity to shine vs. the Jazz.
NBA DFS Center Picks
Stud
Getting up to Jokic is much easier than usual on Wednesday, and that is reflected in Sim Labs. His optimal lineup rate is nearly 35%, thanks mostly to the abundance of value options. With so many great cheap plays, plugging in the guy with the best raw projections makes a ton of sense.
No one on the planet can rack up fantasy points like Jokic. He’s averaged 1.83 DraftKings points per minute over the past month, and the three-time MVP is having arguably his best statistical season. He’s averaging a triple-double with 28.8 points, 12.2 boards, and 10.7 assists per game, and he’s doing it while also providing elite scoring efficiency.
Jokic has scored at least 63.0 DraftKings points in three straight games, and while he’s expensive, his $12,200 salary is quite reasonable for him. It comes with a 93% Bargain Rating, and he’s averaged a ridiculous +6.83 Plus/Minus with a comparable salary this season.
Jokic also benefits from an elite matchup on Wednesday, resulting in an Opponent Plus/Minus of +4.09. Add it all up, and he’s the top pay-up option of the day.
Value
The Nets have already ruled out Michael Porter Jr., while Nic Claxton is considered doubtful. Cam Thomas was flat-out released last week, leaving the Nets without their top three players from the start of the season.
It makes Day’Ron Sharpe an elite target. He’s currently projected for 30 minutes in our NBA Models, and he’s averaged an outstanding 1.25 DraftKings points per minute over the past month. He’s averaged 1.30 DraftKings points per minute with Claxton, Porter, and Thomas off the floor this season, so he has massive upside Wednesday vs. a weak Pacers’ frontcourt. He leads all players in projected Plus/Minus, and he should be one of the first players locked into your lineup.
Fast Break
Center has some elite value options on Wednesday, and Paul Reed is another player worth heavy consideration. The Pistons are going to be without Isaiah Stewart (seven games) and Jalen Duren (two games) for suspensions following their fight with the Hornets, leaving Reed as their top remaining big man. He’s projected for 31 minutes vs. the Raptors, and he’s averaged 1.15 DraftKings points per minute over the past month.
Maxime Raynaud is another target in the Kings’ frontcourt. He was a second-round pick for the Kings in 2025, so the team has done extremely well with him and Cardwell. Raynaud is coming off 49.25 DraftKings points in his last outing, and he’s been excellent in games without Sabonis as a rookie. He’s projected for 32.5 minutes Wednesday vs. the Jazz, and he ranks third at the position in projected Plus/Minus.
Pictured: Nikola Jokic
Photo Credit: Imagn
