Now a full week into November, we continue to get a feel for the 2017-'18 season, identifying patterns in both a player's production and daily fantasy salary. It’s important for DFS owners to monitor these changes, and take advantage of the best value plays.
Here are three players who are currently too expensive to rely on, and three other who have simply become too affordable to ignore.
Let's take a look.
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DFS Value Risers - Week 4
J.J. Redick (SG/SF, PHI)
Redick joined the Sixers this offseason to serve as a veteran presence and a perimeter shooting threat, and has more than filled those roles so far. The 33-year-old has played in seven games this year, averaging 13.2 points, 3.2 rebounds and 3.2 assists. He’s connecting from beyond the arc at a 43.5 percent clip, including going 8-for-12 from deep in a 31-point showing against the Pacers on Nov. 3. As long as he remains in the mid-$4k range, Redick is an appealing GPP play.
DeMarre Carroll (SF/PF, BKN)
Carroll slid right into a starting role in his first season with the Nets, and is averaging 14.0 points on 43.7 percent shooting with 6.1 rebounds. The 31-year-old has scored in double figures eight times and has managed at least 30 DK points six times in nine games played. His price is slowly creeping up, but he remains more than affordable in the mid-$5k range. Unless that cost skyrockets in the next few days, Carroll can be relied upon for DFS just about every night.
Hassan Whiteside (C, MIA)
After a monster 26-point, 22-rebound showing on Opening Night, Whiteside missed Miami’s next five games, and hasn’t quite been himself since returning. The 28-year-old big man is averaging just 12.5 points, 10.0 rebounds and 1.3 blocks over his last four games, and was even benched in the second half of Monday’s loss to the Warriors after a 1-9 shooting start. However, his salary has plummeted to around $7k in Draftkings, and he is more than capable of bouncing back to his dominant form sooner rather than later. Whiteside is a no-brainer upside play in tournaments as long as he remains in this price range.
DFS Value Fallers - Week 4
Kyle Lowry (PG, TOR)
Even before being ejected from Sunday’s game with just two points on 0-for-4 shooting over 12 minutes, Lowry was having a merely pedestrian season. The 31-year-old is averaging 11.9 points (his lowest since 2012-’13) on 37.6 percent shooting with 5.0 rebounds and 6.6 assists, but his salary still sits above $7k. He’s hit 6x value at his current price just once in nine contests. Lowry will surely improve as the season goes along, but for now he is too risky of a tournament play, and there are sure to be better cash game options at the point guard position.
Otto Porter (SF/PF, WAS)
Porter has become a key offensive piece for the Wizards this season, averaging 18.3 points on an impressive 56.9 percent shooting to go along with 6.9 rebounds and 2.3 steals. He has been inconsistent with his production, however, having put up 29 points and 10 boards with seven made three pointers versus the Warriors just one game after a contest against the Lakers in which he disappeared to the tune of 12 points and three rebounds despite logging 36 minutes. Porter is still a worthwhile tournament option, but the fact that he has surpassed 31 Draftkings points in just three of his eight games played makes him tough to trust in cash games, especially considering his efficiency is bound to decline.
Rudy Gobert (C, UTA)
Gobert’s offensive production (13.9 PPG on 63.5 percent shooting) has mostly mirrored that of last season (14.0 on 66.1 percent), but he is pulling down just 9.9 boards after racking up 12.8 a year ago. Almost half of his blocks have come in two of his 10 games played, and it’s no coincidence those are the only two contests in which he surpassed 40 Draftkings points. The 25-year-old’s price tag is hovering around $8k, meaning he’s not hitting value in any format. As is the case with Lowry, Gobert will almost certainly pick up the pace, but at the moment, it’s best to stay away in daily leagues.
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