Basketball is back. Let's say that again. Basketball is back. Say it with me now, louder. Basketball is back. It has a beautiful ring to it, a relief, a comfort. Despite being the first week of the season, life is back to normal with daily fantasy back in the swing. In this article, I will be providing you with my daily fantasy NBA lineup picks for FanDuel on 10/28/16. The DFS lineup picks will range from some of the elite players, to mid-priced options, and value plays on FanDuel.

What isn't normal is seeing Dwayne Wade in a Chicago Bulls jersey, Kevin Durant rocking the royal blue and gold of a Warriors'. There have been a lot of relocations, some of which are mentioned below. It's important to pay attention to a player's production on their new team. It could become something consistently productive, or unproductive, for daily fantasy.

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FanDuel DFS Guards

Russell Westbrook - PG, OKC ($12,000)

Yes, Westbrook is the most expensive player available on FanDuel. Although, if you're going to spend up, why not spend up for the best. Many, myself included, questioned whether Westbrook would be as affective as he was last year now that Kevin Durant has taken his talents to California. I think the Tasmanian Devil in OKC proved that he needs no one to produce for daily fantasy after his explosive debut showing of the 2016-2017 season. He gets an equally favorable matchup against the Phoenix Suns on Friday. Eric Bledsoe and Brandon Knight (despite struggling in the team's opener) should keep the game close enough for Westbrook to run wild the entire game.

Victor Oladipo - SG, OKC ($7,000)

This will be Oladipo's coming out party in Oklahoma City. Oladipo, who struggled in his debut with his new team, will benefit from playing alongside Westbrook. While Westbrook is a ball hog, Oladipo proved he's talented enough to post solid numbers for daily fantasy last season on the Orlando Magic. The Phoenix Suns also served up a ton of DFS points to guards last season. Oladipo makes for a solid second piece of an OKC stack Friday night.

Sean Kilpatrick - SG, BK ($3,900) 

Kilpatrick is a solid guy to help free up plenty of cap space for someone like Westbrook. Kilpatrick started at the two-guard in the Nets opener, posting 15 points in a limited 20 minutes. He won't do much else to help a daily fantasy lineup, but for his price, I'll take that type of production any day. The Nets, like they proved to be during last year's campaign, will be a tough out all season. They are certainly wise to stack against, but don't sleep on their squad either. Whether he comes off the bench or starts, Kilpatrick will get his minutes. The Nets will likely be playing from behind for the majority of their contest versus the Indiana Pacers, but expect them to be in contention for victory during their home opener.

 

FanDuel DFS Forwards

Joe Johnson - SF, UTA ($5,600)

In only one game, the veteran sharpshooter has asserted himself into the offense of his new team. Johnson posted 29 points (12-16 FG, 3-4 3PT), adding four rebounds, three assists, and a steal in his impressive debut with the Utah Jazz. The Jazz host the new-look, youthful Lakers Friday night. Although rejuvenated, Los Angeles will still surrender a ton of points. Expect Johnson to attempt around the same amount of shots and continue to be a focal part of Utah's offense.

Michael Kidd-Gilchrist - SF, CHA ($5,600) 

The young small forward has been known for his impressive rebounding ability out of his position. He displayed another, relatively hidden, part of his game during Charlotte's opener. Kidd-Gilchrist put up 23 points, nailing 10 of 18 from the field, after struggling throughout the preseason. Likely lost in draft-consideration behind the impressive backcourt of Kemba Walker and Nicolas Batum, Kidd-Gilchrist has the ability to provide a ton of production at a very affordable price. The Hornets head to South Beach in what should be a competitive contest between two squads that will likely be vying for the last couple of playoff spots in the Eastern Conference.

Thaddeus Young - PF, IND ($6,000) 

I'm always a huge fan of guys playing against their former team. The Indiana Pacers draw the Brooklyn Nets. Young will look to spoil the home opener of the team he departed from in the offseason, after a productive showing in his first game wearing a Pacers uniform (15 points, eight boards, four dimes, four steals in 35 minutes). Young will be the team's all-purpose man throughout the season, and will be a guy to monitor for daily fantasy every time he laces up because of his versatility and low price.

 

FanDuel DFS Centers

Hassan Whiteside - C, MIA ($8,500)

There are a ton of appealing options at the center position for Friday's slate. I'm always inclined to spend up here, but if you need to free up cap space for other big money guys, Myles Turner and Jonas Valanciunas are also on my radar. If your pockets are deep, spend up for the big man in Miami. Not a single member of The Big Three exists in South Beach; the more reason to draft Whiteside consistently. Whiteside wasted no time posting his first double-double of the season, adding an impressive four blocks in the team's opener on Wednesday. Like Westbrook, Whiteside is undoubtedly worth his price.

 

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