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Top DraftKings Picks From $6k-$8,500
There are quite a few strong options in this range, so much so that you could consider building a GPP line with a strong core around this range while paying down from the top names. It's obviously a risk approach to take, but the bulk of the players worth targeting here have fairly big upside in DFS standards. *NOTE: Bradley Beal ($8,400) becomes a top play with John Wall ruled out. Kemba Walker ($8,100) at Minnesota Timberwolves Kemba is just way too cheap here. I know he came back down to earth a bit against the Pelicans last game and struggled to get his shot to fall, but this is a good spot for him. The Timberwolves aren't a good defensive team and we've seen over the span of virtually the entire season that Walker's floor is no worse than 35-36 DraftKings points fairly consistently. Dating back to the start of November, Walker has scored at least 36.75 DraftKings points (just under 5x value) in 12 of 15 games. His other three games featured totals of 27.25, 27 and 30.75. He easily has 50-60 point upside. Steven Adams ($6,700) vs. Brooklyn Nets There's a common theme in NBA DFS, and it's that you should target the center position against the Nets. That especially stands true with a player like Adams, who can dominate the glass, put the ball in the hoop and basically just fill up the box score. Although Adams has faced the Nets just twice dating back to the start of last season, he averaged 14 rebounds in those two games, per StatMuse. John Collins ($6,300) vs. Washington Wizards This game comes in with a high total and the Wizards have been brutally bad on the defensive end. Tack on the fact that Collins is coming off a huge 24-point, 11 rebound showing over 30 minutes against the Golden State Warriors, and he makes for a great play. Although the Hawks are arguably one of the NBA's worst teams, I think they keep this game close on their home floor. He should have his way inside against whatever small-ball lineups the Wizards opt to roll out. Taurean Prince not playing helps Collins as well, and Basketball Monster shows his usage rate jumps from 21.8 to 23.8 this season. The issue with Collins previously had been his fouling, but I don't see that as an issue in this game. Other picks: Julius Randle ($7,100, if Nikola Mirotic out), Jimmy Butler ($6,900), Jamal Murray ($6,700), Otto Porter ($6,100) Next up we'll cover the top picks for a few salary-savers, followed by the major value plays.Kemba Walker is living!
With moves like this over reigning NBA MVP, James Harden, you can kind of see why!
Kemba hit Harden with his own step back. That’s cold.
To paraphrase comedian, Lil Duval, Kemba Walker is living his best life and he has no time to go back and forth with you about it either.
That was the edited version of course, but what is not edited is Kemba Walker’s game.
25 Points per game, 4.3 rebounds and and 5.6 assists are all above career numbers for the NBA All-Star in a contract season.
“They need to sign Kemba Walker,” retired NBA player Charles Oakley told me.
“I hope they can grab somebody who is lucky like Walker in the NBA Draft. They probably have a 12th or 14th pick, they need a wing guy. They just got to be lucky. You just gotta be in it. Hopefully you just get a pick.”
Upon telling Kemba Walker the praise that Oakley had for him, he was beyond elated. “He said that,” Walker asked me with a smile.
“That’s my dude, Oak always has my back.”
While Kemba is posting insane numbers for the eighth place Charlotte Hornets, his preparation for this NBA season is equally impressive. He settled in over the summer with Hornets assistant coach, Jay Hernadez. Walker told me that he and Hernandez worked on floaters in-between games.
“That’s been a big emphasis,” he told me.
“Finishing at the rim in-between games, being more consistent at that.”
Walker also said that his goal for the season was simple: making it to the NBA Playoffs. I just want to make the playoffs,” he said.
“That’s it. I want to get back to the playoffs consistently, so next year is the first step for consistent playoff runs.”
Many have wondered if Walker wants to play with the Charlotte Hornets past this season. Some have speculated that the Bronx, New York native wants to play for the New York Knicks. As far as Walker is concerned, it is not where you’re from, it is where you’re at currently.
“I’ve only been on one team,” Walker told me this summer.
“I don’t know. I’ve been on one team in seven years, going on eight years. So when it’s my time, I’ll make a decision.”
In the meantime, Walker is putting up stellar numbers.
Per CBS Sports: Walker finished with 35 points (12-22 FG, 4-11 3Pt, 7-8 FT), five steals, four rebounds and four assists in 36 minutes during Wednesday’s loss to the Houston Rockets.
Walker was spectacular, topping 30 points for the seventh time in the past 10 games. Although he’s not shooting particularly well, the veteran guard continues to find nifty ways to score. The five steals were a season-high for Walker, who continues to legitimize himself as one of the top guards in the entire league fantasy-wise.