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We're more than a month into the 2017-'18 season, and we should have a clear idea of the kind of year each player is having. That said, daily fantasy salaries still fluctuate on a regular basis for various reasons, and it's important for DFS owners to monitor these changes and take advantage of the best value plays.
Here are three players whose price tags haven't caught up to their production, and three others who remain expensive despite playing some disappointing basketball of late.
Let's take a look.
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DFS Value Risers - Week 6
Dennis Schroder (PG, ATL)
Schroder has become the primary scoring option for a decimated Hawks team, accounting for almost one-fifth of the club’s shot attempts and leading the way in points (19.7) and assists (7.1). The 24-year-old is shooting 45.0 percent from the floor and 36.4 percent from beyond the arc on the year, and has surpassed 42 Draftkings points in three of his last eight games played (two others with more than 35). Volume alone makes Schroder an appealing option in all formats, so take advantage of his price tag sitting under $7k.
Allen Crabbe (SG/SF, BKN)
While Spencer Dinwiddie has garnered all the attention as the player to fill the void left behind by D’Angelo Russell, Crabbe has seen a similar increase in production without the spike in salary. The 25-year-old is averaging a career-high 12.3 points on 40.8 percent shooting with 4.1 rebounds this season, but those numbers are even better in November-- 14.6 points, 44.4 percent shooting, 4.8 rebounds. Even though his cost has ticked up a bit, that number remains under $5k, and the 25-year-old has posted at least 25 DK points in six of his last eight contests, including three showings of at least 30. Crabbe is a solid tournament option at this price, but he should be a no-brainer in cash games for the immediate future.
Marcin Gortat (C, WAS)
Gortat has managed just 10.6 points per game (his fewest since 2010-’11) on 54.7 percent shooting so far this year, but is still pulling down 9.2 rebounds. The 33-year-old has recorded three consecutive double-doubles, and remains the most productive big man the Wizards have to offer. His salary continues to drop, all the down around the $5k mark, despite reaching roughly 30 DK points (29.75 vs. the Heat on Nov. 17) in three of his last five contests. If his price tag stays in this range, Gortat should be heavily considered in all formats on a nightly basis.
DFS Value Fallers - Week 6
Lonzo Ball (PG, LAL)
Ball’s ability to stuff the stat sheet is undeniable -- he already has two triple-doubles on the year -- but he continues to struggle shooting the ball. The 20-year-old is averaging 8.9 points, 7.4 rebounds, 6.9 assists, 0.9 blocks and 1.4 steals over the first five weeks of the season, but is shooting just 30.8 percent from the floor (23.0 percent from deep). His salary has jumped above $7k, but the polarizing rookie has eclipsed 35 Draftkings points in just four of his 18 games played. Given his inconsistency, it’s best to leave Ball alone until his price drops or his jump shot starts to fall more regularly.
Kevin Durant (SF/PF, GS)
It seems strange to be putting anything negative next to Durant’s name, but he’s actually in the midst of his worst statistical season in almost a decade. The former NBA MVP is averaging 24.9 points (lowest since his rookie season) on 53.3 percent shooting with 6.9 rebounds, 4.9 assists, 2.2 blocks and 0.7 steals-- still incredible, but not by Durant’s standards. He’s scored 30 points just once this year, and has now gone nine straight contests without reaching 50 Draftkings points, which is concerning considering his price tag is back up to $10k. DFS users can find better use of all that money.
Jusuf Nurkic (C, POR)
Nurkic has regressed a bit from his breakout with the Trailblazers late last season, when he averaged 15.2 points, 10.4 rebounds, 3.2 assists and 1.9 blocks with a 50.8 percent field goal percentage. This year, the 23-year-old big man is managing 14.3 points per game on just 44.6 percent shooting with 7.2 boards, 1.8 assists and 1.0 blocks. He’s sat in the high-$6k range over the last two weeks despite not hitting 5x value in any of his seven games played over that span. Nurkic simply isn’t producing at a level high enough to warrant much DFS consideration.
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