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Free daily fantasy basketball lineup picks for today's slate on DraftKings and FanDuel. Use Jamie's NBA DFS expert picks to building winning DFS lineups on October 29th, 2025.
Happy Hump Day, RotoBallers! Wednesday brings us another fine slate of games in the Association, and only two players have a salary of $10,000 or more on DK (three on FD). This will open up lineup builds to multiple interpretations (basically, it's "to Jokic or not to Jokic"), which will lead to a lot of decisions. We'll be working hard for you on RotoBaller and in the Discord chat all day!
We have seven teams taking the court today on DraftKings, and two extra late games on FanDuel. Your lineups will likely look very different across the sites as the FanDuel late games have a ton of fantasy goodness. For those of you who are playing on FD, consider Austin Reaves, Deandre Ayton, Devin Booker, Ja Morant, Jaden McDaniels, and Collin Gillespie as major players.
This article will provide you with my daily fantasy basketball lineup picks for DraftKings and FanDuel on 10/29/25. 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!
NBA DFS Core Picks
Nikola Jokic, DEN - C ($11,500 DK/$12,100 FD)
Nikola Jokic is in a tier of his own on DraftKings this evening. The electric big man has come out of the gate firing, recording a triple-double in every game so far this year. Against New Orleans, there's a solid chance he can make it four straight, as the Pelicans have allowed the third-highest rebounding rate and the third-most FPPG to opposing centers.
New Orleans projects to be terrible defensively overall, which they've shown thus far with a 25th-ranking in defensive efficiency. The issue lies in the fact that Denver is favored by 12.5 points at the moment, and Jokic's case for a full game would be helped significantly if Zion Williamson were to return from his one-game absence. Rock Jokic all day in cash games, but be cognizant of game script for GPPs.
WHAT A PASS FROM JOKIC. 🔥
— Hoop Central (@TheHoopCentral) October 28, 2025
Donovan Mitchell, CLE - SG on DK ($9,300), PG/SG on FD ($8,800)
Donovan Mitchell represents one of the best cash game plays on the slate, even if his upside is potentially capped against a Boston team that is still strong defensively in the half-court. Mitchell is currently fifth in the NBA in usage rate with a 33.5% usage rate, and he sees a 4% usage spike with Darius Garland still out.
Mitchell has been the model of consistency as a scorer this year, averaging 31.2 PPG on 19.5 shots per game. His rebound and assist rates are both below his career averages, so there's room for positive regression on that front as well. Boston ranks 19th in EFF FG% allowed this season, and Mitchell's volume is bankable.
NBA DFS GPP Pivots
Trae Young, ATL - PG ($9,100 DK/$8,600 FD)
With Atlanta being healthy, Trae Young is being overlooked on this slate, as his usage rate (predictably) has been down this season. However, this is a prime game for stacking, and Young has arguably the best matchup of any stud on this slate. Brooklyn looks like the worst team in basketball, and is ranked last in defensive efficiency BY FAR.
With his 17 assists last game, Young took over the NBA assists lead, and the Nets have allowed the eighth-most assists to opposing PGs. Being on the road lessens the potential blowout risk here, even though the Hawks are favored by 8.5 points. Young is an elite GPP play, and his price tag is worthy of cash if you're willing to assume low ownership.
Trae Young tonight:
21 Points
17 Assists
7/22 FGM
1/10 3PM pic.twitter.com/31E8Im4Imx— Hoop Central (@TheHoopCentral) October 28, 2025
Josh Giddey, CHI - PG on DK ($8,800), PG/SG on FD ($8,900)
The Bulls are...undefeated? As crazy as it seems, it's true, and Josh Giddey is the main reason why. He's not getting the proper ownership in DFS to back up his start to the season, and we should pounce on that for GPPs. Giddey is a nightly triple-double threat and is filling up multiple categories while shooting 41.7% from three.
Sacramento has been solid defensively so far this season, but they're on a back-to-back for the first time this season. Chicago is eighth in pace factor after ranking second a year ago, and they should be able to keep the tired Kings on their heels.
NBA DFS Value Picks
Shaedon Sharpe, POR - PG on DK ($6,900), PG/SG on FD ($6,200)
Shaedon Sharpe is not a cash play since he's only eclipsed 30 minutes in one of Portland's four games this season. However, there are underlying peripherals that make Sharpe an elite mid-tier GPP play. Despite only averaging 28.8 MPG, Sharpe is sixth in the NBA in usage rate with a 33.4% mark, higher than Jalen Brunson and Victor Wembanyama.
The Utah Jazz have been surprisingly solid defensively so far, especially in the half-court. However, their personnel does not project to continue on that path, and Portland has been running at a frenetic pace so far this season (third in pace factor). Absolutely no one will be on him.
Ben Sheppard, IND - SG/SF on DK ($4,200), PG/SG on FD ($4,500)
Ben Sheppard was a chalky bust in 32 minutes last game, but that was a product of a tough matchup (Minnesota) and poor shooting from the floor (2-9). The key here is the minutes, and Indiana is once again very shorthanded in the backcourt. Bennedict Mathurin, Andrew Nembhard, and Johnny Furphy have already been ruled out for this one.
Sheppard will have the benefit of a pace game, as Dallas ranks ninth. Given the fact that Sheppard's price didn't move after his poor shooting performance, he makes for a rock-solid cash game value.
Cam Thomas, BKN - SG ($6.800 DK/$6,600 FD)
Brooklyn is a mess on both ends of the floor, but Cam Thomas is the ultimate GPP value play on the board tonight. His game log is an absolute rollercoaster, as we've seen DK totals of 20.2, 49, 44.5, and 14.8. Thomas is rocking a 33.7% usage rate this season, which is good for fourth in the NBA.
Atlanta is currently ranked 21st in overall defensive efficiency, and this game has an O/U of 239.5, which is the highest on the slate. Thomas will most likely get the Dyson Daniels treatment, which adds to his downside, but his usage rate and amount of shots is too good to pass up in GPP.
Cam Thomas 40-ball.
His 10th career 40-point game. pic.twitter.com/ArAHCzExzo
— Brooklyn Nets (@BrooklynNets) October 26, 2025
FANDUEL SPECIAL
Collin Gillespie, PHX - PG ($4,600)
This is one particular FD value in particular that I want to point out. With Dillon Brooks sidelined, Collin Gillepsie stepped in with a 15-3-13 line (and three steals) in a season-high 32 minutes. Brooks is out again, so Gillespie should get another massive opportunity against the Grizzlies, who rank fourth in pace factor and 25th in defensive efficiency.
He's a cash lock on FD, and someone you can be overweight on in GPP as he's mispriced for his perceived role.
Today's Top NBA DFS Game Stacks
Hawks @ Nets (239.5 O/U)
Kings @ Bulls (238.5 O/U)
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: Nikola Jokic
- My favorite CASH play on the slate: Nikola Jokic
- My favorite GPP play on the slate: Trae Young
- My favorite VALUE play: Ben Sheppard
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