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Free daily fantasy sports picks for today's slate NBA DFS slate on DraftKings and FanDuel. Use Jamie's NBA DFS lineup picks to building winning DFS lineups on January 21st, 2026.
Happy Wednesday, RotoBallers! We have a five-game slate in the Association tonight, and there are some fun matchups to exploit. The Hawks will travel to Memphis for a pace game, while the reeling Knicks look to get back on track against the division-rival Nets.
Keep an eye on the trade wire, as we're getting closer to the February 5 deadline. A lot of rumors are swirling, and some have to do with the teams that are playing tonight. A trade could come down at any time, which could set the whole slate on fire. Be sure to pop into our RotoBaller Discord as we're analyzing the news on the spot.
This article will provide you with my daily fantasy basketball lineup picks for DraftKings and FanDuel on 1/21/26. Remember to monitor NBA injury news and our awesome NBA injuries report tool, as the slate can completely change before lineups lock at 7:00 p.m. ET on FanDuel and DraftKings. To keep up with all the latest developments and get access to updated projections, grab an NBA season pass and also gain access to our RotoBaller Premium Discord, where our experts are talking about the slate up until lineups lock!
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NBA DFS Core Picks
Jaylen Brown, BOS - SF on DK, SG/SF on FD
- DraftKings: $9,800
- FanDuel: $9,700
As a Knicks fan, I'm dismayed and disgruntled by how successful the Celtics still are after trading Jrue Holiday and Kristaps Porzingis and losing star Jayson Tatum to injury. It's easy to see where their success starts, however, as Jaylen Brown is having an MVP-caliber season.
☘️ JB THE PLAYMAKER ☘️
Jaylen Brown is set to make his 5th NBA All-Star appearance this year in Los Angeles! https://t.co/rPGHIIrt2S pic.twitter.com/xBlrWjJB83
— NBA (@NBA) January 20, 2026
Brown is second in the NBA in usage rate at a whopping 36.9%, which is only one percentage point behind Luka Doncic. When you look at the price disparity between the two players, this is actually quite a bargain. Brown is a scoring machine, averaging 29.8 PPG, and the Pacers rank 20th in overall defensive efficiency.
Donovan Mitchell, CLE - SG on DK, PG/SG on FD
- DraftKings: $9,500
- FanDuel: $9,500
Darius Garland is sidelined for the immediate future (he'll be reevaluated in 7-10 days), and Sam Merrill is out, too. This gives Donovan Mitchell ALL the backcourt usage, and his mid-$9K price tag is perfect for the floor/ceiling combo he offers.
Mitchell already sits at fifth in the NBA in usage rate with a 32% mark, and that number jumps to 33.2% without Garland and Merrill. His assist rate rises exponentially, too, up to a 27.4% clip. The Hornets are a sieve defensively, ranking 20th against opposing guards and 26th in overall team defense.
NBA DFS GPP Pivots
Jalen Johnson, ATL - PF on DK, SF/PF on FD
- DraftKings: $10,200
- FanDuel: $10,400
At almost a grand more than the previous two players, Jalen Johnson's ownership is falling through the cracks a bit. This should be music to the ears of the GPP player, as he possesses the highest upside of any player on the slate. Johnson has risen to stardom as the new alpha for the Hawks, and his price should really be higher.
Johnson has become a nightly triple-double threat with DK upside in the 60-70 point range. Aside from his 26.9% usage rate, the big man is also flashing a 15.6% rebound rate and 33.3% assist rate. Porzingis and Zaccharie Risacher continue to sit, so Johnson's role is elevated even more.
Jalen Brunson, NYK - PG
- DraftKings: $8,500
- FanDuel: $8,700
Did I mention disgruntled Knicks fan?? New York has cratered over the last 11 games, going 2-9 and ranking 29th in overall defensive efficiency. It just got blown out at home by the injury-riddled Mavericks, leading to a players-only meeting led by the captain himself, Jalen Brunson.
It's happening: Jalen Brunson called a players-only meeting after the Knicks lost 9 of their last 11 games, per @ramonashelburne
The message: "Stop looking at the coaches. We have to look in the mirror."
— Legion Hoops (@LegionHoops) January 20, 2026
Brunson shot 9-of-24 from the field in his first game back from injury, so he's had a game to shake off the rust. They're going to need him tonight against the division-rival Nets, and Brunson is currently seventh in the NBA with a 31.7% usage rate. Brooklyn ranks 23rd in overall team defensive efficiency.
NBA DFS Value Picks
Jaylon Tyson, CLE - SG/SF
- DraftKings: $6,100
- FanDuel: $5,900
My guy "Thunder Dan" Palyo will love this pick, as he touts Jaylon Tyson every chance he can get. With Garland and Merrill out, Tyson has risen to the occasion tremendously, becoming a third (or even second) scoring option for the Cavs.
With Garland and Merrill off the court, Tyson is averaging 5.85 more DK PPG and sees a 2% usage spike as well. He's played 38 and 33 minutes over the last two games, and flashed serious scoring upside as he poured in 39 against the Sixers two games ago.
Jaylon Tyson over his last 5 games:
- 20.2 PPG
- 5.2 RPG
- 60/67/85 splits
- 77% true shootingHe’s second in the league in 3P% 🔥 pic.twitter.com/wacWPrlscz
— The Lead (@TheLeadSM) January 19, 2026
Mitchell Robinson, NYK - C
- DraftKings: $4,400
FanDuel: $4,400
It's surprising to say, but Mitchell Robinson is one guy you can absolutely not blame for the Knicks' struggles. He's not always the easiest for fantasy, as 25 minutes seems to be his ABSOLUTE ceiling for playing time. However, he's been making the most of his time thanks to his insane offensive rebounding skill and shot-blocking prowess.
Robinson has double-digit rebounds in five straight games, and in six of his last seven. He also has 16 stocks over that span, and the Nets rank 26th in rebounding rate. Even if Robinson only flirts with 20 minutes, he should hit value in this must-win game.
Terance Mann, BKN - SG/SF
- DraftKings: $4,200
- FanDuel: $4,100
The Nets are really tough to target outside of Michael Porter Jr., as their ancillary characters' minutes are all over the place. However, Terance Mann is pretty consistently in the mid-to-high 20s range, and he's gone through waves as the main facilitator of the team. He's on one of those kicks right now.
Mann has 19 points, eight rebounds, and 14 assists over his last two games with a 31% assist rate and 22 potential assists. As I said, the Knicks have ranked 29th in defensive efficiency over their last 11 games and have also fallen to 27th in defensive efficiency against facilitating guards. At his price tags, Mann is a solid floor value.
Today's Top Game Stacks
Hawks at Grizzlies (237.5 O/U, 4.5-point spread)
Cavaliers at Hornets (236.5, 2.5-point spread)
My Favorite NBA DFS Picks for Today
Here is where I leave you with some of my favorites. I'm going to have a lot of Jaylen/Jalen/Jaylons!!
- My favorite OVERALL play on the slate: Jaylen Brown
- My favorite CASH play on the slate: Jaylen Brown
- My favorite GPP play on the slate: Jalen Johnson
- My favorite VALUE play: Jaylon Tyson
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