The NBA Player Models are the base of our NBA product here at FantasyLabs. They house our projections for each player, but that’s just the beginning of what you’ll find inside. You’ll also find our Trends and On/Off tool, Vegas Dashboard, and so much more.
Let’s dive into our models for NBA DFS going position by position, looking at guys with some of the best projections and players standing out as values with our predictive Projected Plus/Minus metric.
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 teams.
You can also use our SimLabs Lineup Generator, a tool that creates the most user-friendly lineup generation process.
Note: Projections, Ownership projections and Leverage Scores/Ratings may change throughout the day as news comes out after this article is posted. Consult the Player Models directly for any updates.
NBA DFS Point Guard Picks
Top Ceiling: Tyrese Maxey at Denver Nuggets – $9,900 DraftKings
The 76ers have a 1-7 record in their last eight games, but Tyrese Maxey is doing everything he can to make this team competitive. Maxey has recorded a positive Plus/Minus in five of his last seven games while averaging 31 points and seven assists per game with two double-doubles. During that time, he has posted a 34.1% usage rate and has attempted an absurd 24.9 field goals and 10.9 3-pointers per game.
Maxey has the highest projected ceiling among point guards and could look better throughout the day if injuries fall his way. Joel Embiid remains out, while Paul George is questionable after missing the last two games due to injury. Maxey’s assist rate jumps to over 30%, and his usage rate soars to nearly 33% with Embiid and George off the floor this season (per our Trends tool). The 76ers are double-digit underdogs on the road against the Nuggets, but this game features the highest total on the slate at 229.5 points.
The 76ers may get dominated, but Maxey is going down swinging with a 32.5% projected usage rate.
Top Value: Anthony Black at Toronto Raptors – $4,400 DraftKings
The top two value point guards for this five-game slate both play for the Orlando Magic. With Jalen Suggs and Franz Wagner both out, backup guards Cole Anthony and Anthony Black will each gather a significant boost. Despite coming off the bench, Black gets the slight edge over Anthony due to his much cheaper price tag. Black is only $4,400 and is projected to play 28 minutes with a 19% usage rate tonight.
This matchup between the Magic and Raptors is the only game that does not have a double-digit spread. The Magic are 1.5-point road favorites against the Raptors, who have lost 17 of their last 20 games. Black has started to thrive in his expanded role. He has scored double-digit points in each of his last five games, averaging 13.8 points per game. Both Anthony and Black look like great values, but Black gets the edge.
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
Top Ceiling: Jamal Murray vs. Philadelphia 76ers – $7,400 DraftKings
Jamal Murray is one of the best tournament plays on the slate. He has displayed a boom-or-bust fantasy output over his last six games. He has posted two games averaging over 60 DraftKings points per game, while his other four averaging just 24.8 DraftKings points per game. His inconsistency has kept his price tag and ownership in check. Murray is only $7,400 tonight with point guard and shooting guard eligibility.
Murray has the second-highest projected ceiling at the shooting guard position behind Tyler Herro. However, Herro is dealing with Jimmy Butler being back, which has decreased his ceiling considerably. The 76ers rank 21st in defensive rating, while the Nuggets have the highest team total on the slate at 121.5 points. Murray is too inconsistent for cash games but makes for an excellent tournament option tonight.
Top Value: Kentavious Caldwell-Pope at Toronto Raptors – $4,000 DraftKings
Another Magic value guard that is worth getting exposure to is shooting guard Kentavious Caldwell-Pope. The veteran has the second-highest projected Plus/Minus on the slate at his $4,000 price tag. With injuries to the Magic ballhandlers, Caldwell-Pope is projected to start and play 32 minutes with a 14.1% usage rate. He is a cheap way to get exposure to the most competitive game environment on the slate.
In his first season with the Magic, Caldwell-Pope is averaging less than double-digit points per game but is still playing over 30 minutes a night. Most of his production continues to come from his perimeter shooting. Over 60% of his field goal attempts come from behind the arc, which bodes well for this spot. The Raptors are allowing opponents to shoot 37% from deep, which is the seventh-highest in the league.
Be sure to check out all the pick’ems Sleeper has to offer with Sleeper promo code LABS1.
NBA DFS Small Forward Picks
Top Ceiling: Scottie Barnes vs. Orlando Magic – $8,500 DraftKings
The consistency of Scottie Barnes is difficult to get away from. Not only does he have the highest projected ceiling at the small forward position, but he has scored over 40 DraftKings points in six straight games with three double-doubles. The Raptors have been terrible this season, but Barnes continues to get better every year. He is so versatile, averaging 19.9 points, 8.0 rebounds, and 6.6 assists per game.
The Magic still ranks third in the league in defensive rating, but due to their recent injury bug, they have fallen off defensively. They have lost 12 of their last 18 games and are only 1.5-point road favorites. This is a rare game that the Raptors can win. Immanuel Quickley does provide a ballhandling boost to Barnes, who has point guard and small forward eligibility. Prioritize Barnes is cash games over tournaments.
Top Value: Max Christie vs. Washington Wizards – $4,300 DraftKings
The Lakers are desperately looking for a role player to step up, and they are starting to give Max Christie a sizable role. The third-year pro is projected to start and play around 30 minutes tonight. Christie is averaging career-highs across the board in points, rebounds, and assists per game while starting in 18 of his 39 games played. He has the highest projected Plus/Minus at the small forward position for this slate.
Since December 23rd, Christie is averaging 13.3 points per game with nine double-digit scoring nights in his last 12 games. During that stretch, Christie had a ceiling performance with a career-high 28 points against the Trail Blazers. In what will be another favorable matchup, Christie looks like a great way to get exposure to the Lakers’ high team total. At $4,300, Christie is a fantastic value play in all lineup builds.
NBA DFS Power Forward Picks
Top Ceiling: LeBron James vs. Washington Wizards – $9,800 DraftKings
LeBron James is coming off his second consecutive game, scoring over 55 DraftKings points. He recorded a 25-point, 11-assist double-double with five rebounds, three steals, and one block in his last game. The 40-year-old veteran is only averaging 23.9 points per game, which is the lowest total since his rookie season, but his peripherals are still carrying weight. He is averaging a team-high 8.9 assists and 7.4 rebounds per game while shooting an impressive 51.4% from the field and 40% from deep this year.
James will benefit greatly with this cupcake matchup against the Wizards who rank last in defensive rating at 118.8 per game. The Lakers are 12.5-point home favorites, implied for a very high 120.75 points. The Wizards have only won one road game all season and have a league-worst 6-35 record. Anthony Davis is also questionable to play. If he were to sit, that would make James look even better than he already does.
Top Value: Nikola Jovic vs. Portland Trail Blazers – $4,900 DraftKings
In his third season in the league, Nikola Jovic is averaging a career-high 10.2 points per game. He has started to shine recently, scoring double-digit points in eight of his last nine games. During that stretch, Jovic is averaging 14.2 points per game with a positive Plus/Minus in seven of those nine games. Priced under $5,000 and projected to play 26 minutes, he is my favorite way to get exposure to the Heat tonight.
The Heat are 11-point home favorites against the Trail Blazers, implied for 116.5 points. The Trail Blazers rank 26th in defensive rating while allowing opponents to shoot 47.9% from the field, which is the fifth-highest in the league. Jimmy Butler being back has not seemed to have an impact on Jovic compared to others. He is still stuffing the stat sheet in a variety of ways and coming into his own scoring the ball.

NBA DFS Center Picks
Top Ceiling: Nikola Jokic vs. Philadelphia 76ers – $12,000 DraftKings
No player comes close to the projected ceiling of Nikola Jokic on this five-game slate. He is the clear-cut top pay-up option, and there is enough value to make Jokic a priority. Jokic has recorded three straight triple-doubles and is averaging a career-high 30.1 points per game this year while shooting 56.1% from the field and 46.1% from distance. Jokic is also averaging a league-high 68.5 DraftKings points per game.
This was supposed to be an epic dual between Jokic and Joel Embiid, but Embiid is still nursing a knee injury. Not only is Embiid out, but backup centers Andre Drummond and Guerschon Yabusele are both listed as questionable to play. Jokic is already a difficult matchup for opposing big men and could look even better if Drummond and Yabusele are ruled out. The 76ers rank last in rebounding percentage at 47.4% and 22nd in points allowed per game in the paint. Jokic is by far the best stud to target, and it is not close.
Top Value: Wendell Carter at Toronto Raptors – $5,900 DraftKings
Last, but not least is yet another Magic value option with center Wendell Carter. He currently has the highest projected Plus/Minus on the slate and is still favorably priced under $6,000. Over the last three games, Carter has been an absolute monster. He is averaging a double-double with 14.3 points, 10.7 rebounds, and 37.7 DraftKings points per game. Carter has posted a double-digit DraftKings Plus/Minus in each of those three games while also contributing three assists per game with five total steals.
The Raptors have been a strong rebounding team, but struggle defending points in the paint. They are allowing 48.9 points per game in the paint this season, which ranks 23rd in the league. With Suggs and Wagner out, Carter will get more scoring opportunities and has a great chance to record another double-double. At $5,900, that is difficult to come by. Carter is one of the best values on this five-game slate.