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Free daily fantasy basketball lineup picks for today's slate on DraftKings and FanDuel. Use Keith's NBA DFS expert picks to building winning DFS lineups on October 24th, 2025.
Welcome back, RotoBallers! We’ve already reached that point in the NBA season (yes, it only took three days) where the DFS sites can’t quite agree on which games belong on the main slate. DraftKings is rolling with a seven-game slate that begins at 7:00 p.m. ET and runs through the 8:30 p.m. matchup between the Wizards and Mavericks. FanDuel, on the other hand, is going big with an 11-game slate that includes the four late-night contests tipping off in the 10:00 p.m. window.
That’s how the slates shake out, and we’ll make sure to highlight any key differences between them as we go. Let’s dive right in.
This article will provide you with my daily fantasy basketball lineup picks for DraftKings and FanDuel on 10/24/25. 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. EST 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
Victor Wembanyama, SAS - C (DK $11,300, FD $12,000)
The best prospect of all time looked every bit the part in his season debut, and it’s becoming clear we may be witnessing the rise of the greatest fantasy player ever. Victor Wembanyama exploded for 40 points, 15 rebounds, 1 assist, 3 blocks, and 1 steal in just under 30 minutes of action -- pure dominance in limited time.
Now, Wemby draws what projects to be one of the most favorable matchups in basketball against the New Orleans. The Pelicans ranked 29th in defensive efficiency last season and just allowed 128 points to Memphis in their opener. All signs point to another monster outing, as Wembanyama enters this slate with the unquestioned highest ceiling on the board.
Evan Mobley, CLE - PF/C (DK $8,200, FD $8,300)
The Cavaliers open the season without point guard Darius Garland, forcing Donovan Mitchell into more of a playmaking role and creating an opportunity for another scorer to emerge. When Garland was sidelined last season, Evan Mobley stepped up with a 26% usage rate across five games. He picked up right where he left off on opening night, finishing second on the team with 22 points while adding his usual strong contributions in rebounds and blocks.
Mobley and the Cavs find themselves in a much better spot tonight against the Nets than they were in the opener versus the Knicks. Brooklyn could be even more vulnerable defensively this year, especially with Cam Thomas back from injury and Michael Porter Jr. replacing Cameron Johnson in the starting lineup. As long as the Nets can keep things competitive, Mobley is positioned for a big night and stands out as one of the slate’s strongest plays.
NBA DFS GPP Pivots
Paolo Banchero, ORL - PF ($8,500 DK, $8,900 FD)
Magic forward Paolo Banchero flashed elite upside at times last season, recording multiple 70-fantasy-point performances along the way. He opened this year strong with a 24-point, 11-rebound double-double against the Heat and now gets an even more favorable matchup in his second outing.
The Hawks played at the third-fastest pace in the league last season while ranking just 18th in defensive efficiency -- a combination that bodes well for opposing stars. Banchero also looked comfortable alongside newcomer Desmond Bane, showing no signs of reduced usage or rhythm issues. Given the pace-up environment and his ability to excel in every category, Banchero stands out as an elite tournament option.
Zion Williamson, NOP - PF ($9,300 DK, $9,600 FD)
The slimmed-down version of Zion Williamson got off to a slow start on opening night but finished strong, closing with 27 points, 9 rebounds, and 5 assists. With CJ McCollum and Brandon Ingram now in new threads and Dejounte Murray still recovering from an Achilles injury, Williamson has a clear path to elite usage and production.
He’ll face Victor Wembanyama on the other side of this matchup, a challenge that might deter some of the field. But Zion’s track record against the young phenom suggests otherwise. In their last meeting back in early 2024, Williamson overpowered Wembanyama to the tune of 33 points, 8 rebounds, and 4 assists. Don’t be surprised if he delivers another statement performance here.
Zion Williamson tonight:
27 Points
9 Rebounds
5 Assists
5 Steals pic.twitter.com/d3eIXJ6ky3— Hoop Central (@TheHoopCentral) October 23, 2025
Jaylen Brown, BOS - SF/SG ($8,600 DK, $8,700 FD)
With Jayson Tatum likely out for the season, Jaylen Brown steps into the clear-cut role as Boston’s primary scoring option. Brown was steady in the opener, posting 25 points, 6 rebounds, and 4 assists, but there’s clearly more upside ahead with Tatum sidelined. He should see the ball in his hands far more often, opening the door for added playmaking opportunities. While Brown recorded only 4 assists against Philadelphia, he also tallied 15 potential assists, which could be a strong indicator that increased facilitation could be on the way.
Up next is a marquee matchup against the rival Knicks, and Brown has a chance to make an early statement that the Celtics remain a force in the East. New York is expected to push the pace under its new head coach, giving this game sneaky shootout potential and positioning Brown as one of the top high-upside options on the slate.
NBA DFS Value Picks
Saddiq Bey, NOP - SF/PF (DK $4,100, FD $4,600)
It feels like forever since we’ve seen Saddiq Bey in action, but the forward looked solid in his Pelicans debut. He shot 5-of-12 from the field, finishing with 13 points, 6 rebounds, and 3 assists. Most importantly, Bey logged a healthy 30 minutes off the bench, signaling a significant role in the rotation.
Given his career average of 0.87 fantasy points per minute, Bey has the potential to provide strong value at his current price point if he continues to see around 30 minutes of action. He may not have massive upside, but his combination of playing time, efficiency, and versatility makes him a viable salary-saver on this slate.
Egor Demin, BKN - PG/SG (DK $4,900, FD $4,900)
Fellow rookie Ben Saraf drew the start at point guard, but it was Egor Demin who ultimately logged more minutes and delivered the stronger fantasy performance. Of course, a third rookie (Nolan Traore) also saw time at the position, meaning this rotation is still very much in flux.
A foot injury throughout the preseason has limited Demin, but he was the highest draft pick of the trio and clearly carries the most long-term upside. He played 22 minutes in the opener and made the most of his opportunity, showing flashes of the skill set that made him such a coveted prospect. If his minutes trend upward as he is further removed from the injury, Demin could quickly emerge as a high-upside option.
Egor Dëmin in his NBA debut:
14 PTS | 5 REB | 2 AST | 4 3PM
Nets history: first rookie to hit 4 threes in his first game. pic.twitter.com/NzAIbgAzs1
— Brooklyn Nets (@BrooklynNets) October 23, 2025
Tre Johnson, WAS - PG/SG (DK $4,900, FD $5,000)
The sixth overall pick in the most recent draft showed very well in his NBA debut, logging 26 minutes and finishing with 16 points. There should be plenty of opportunity for him on a rebuilding Washington squad, and he looks poised to take advantage of it.
Cedric Coward, MEM - SG/SF (DK $3,700, FD $4,100)
The Grizzlies are already thin on depth in the backcourt with Scotty Pippen Jr., Ty Jerome, and Vince Williams out. Now, Ja Morant and Kentavious Caldwell-Pope are both questionable. Coward is playable at his near-minimum price tag even if Morant and KCP suit up, and he becomes one of the top values on the slate if either is ruled out. The rookie logged 22 minutes in the opener and scored 14 points.
Grayson Allen, PHX - SG/SF (FD $5,000)
Allen is a FanDuel only value, as that game is not on the DraftKings main slate. His role on a depleted Suns' roster is far better than his price tag. He played 35 minutes in the opener and tallied 18 points, 5 rebounds, and 7 assists.
Today's Top NBA DFS Game Stacks
Spurs at Pelicans (231.5 O/U)
No game total truly stands out on this slate, but this matchup features two defenses that both ranked in the bottom six last season. The return of Victor Wembanyama certainly helps stabilize things for the Spurs, but there are still plenty of defensive vulnerabilities around him.
On the flip side, both teams boast elite offensive talent, with Wembanyama and Zion Williamson headlining as high-usage stars capable of taking over any game. Even the secondary options like Stephon Castle and Jordan Poole carry legitimate upside and can erupt for big fantasy performances. This game has sneaky shootout potential and deserves strong consideration when building lineups.
My Favorite NBA DFS Picks for Today
Here is where I leave you with some of my favorites.
- My favorite OVERALL play on the slate: Victor Wembanyama
- My favorite CASH play on the slate: Evan Mobley
- My favorite GPP play on the slate: Paolo Banchero
- My favorite VALUE play: Saddiq Bey (or Cedric Coward if Morant or KCP are ruled out)
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