Daily Fantasy Basketball 2015: NBA DFS Must-Starts for Each Position for Oct. 30
The Orlando Magic's Nikola Vucevic ($7,800) has quietly become one of the NBA's best centers. After a stellar 2014-15 season that saw him average 38.8 DraftKings fantasy points per game, Vucevic is a good bet to shine early and often for the Magic this season.
He struggled with foul trouble in Orlando's season-opening 88-87 loss at home against the Washington Wizards on Wednesday. On Friday night, the Magic will host the Oklahoma City Thunder. Kevin Durant and Russell Westbrook will likely lead the Thunder to a road win, but Vucevic will put up solid numbers.
OKC doesn't exactly have the greatest interior defense. Aside from the shot-blocking Serge Ibaka, the Thunder's big men leave a lot to be desired on the defensive end. I'm looking at you, Enes Kanter.
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In the Thunder's season opener, they gave up 52 points in the paint to the San Antonio Spurs. Look for Vucevic to be the focal point of the Magic's attack and to be on the attack after taking just 13 shots in the opener.
He's the center you should be targeting in any DraftKings contest, but here's a look at the players at other positions you should be considering, as well as my complete optimal lineup for October 30.
| PG | C.J. Watson | OKC | $3,000 |
| SG | Nik Stauskas | UTA | $3,300 |
| SF | Kevin Durant | ORL | $9,400 |
| PF | Thomas Robinson | SA | $3,500 |
| C | Nikola Vucevic | OKC | $7,800 |
| G | Derrick Rose | DET | $6,400 |
| F | LeBron James | MIA | $9,700 |
| UTIL | Jahlil Okafor | UTA | $6,000 |
PG Derrick Rose, $6,400
Jimmy Butler has emerged as a legit star in the league—and even the primary ball-handler down the stretch in some situations—but Derrick Rose is still the man with the ball in his hands most often for the Chicago Bulls.
Rose has taken 16.5 shots per game, which is the highest rate on the team through two contests. He's working on his efficiency, but he's still averaging 26.4 fantasy points per game. He's yet to have a breakout performance. It could be coming on Friday night against the Detroit Pistons.
Per Basketball-Reference.com, Rose's 22.1 point-per-game average against Detroit is tied for his second-highest against an Eastern Conference team.
Because of how much he still has the ball, Rose is one of the safest draft picks you can make for a player with a salary under $6,500.
A 30-fantasy-point night is possible, but there's little chance he'll be a dud.
SG Nik Stauskas, $3,300
You're probably reading this and thinking: "Nik Stauskas?" Remember, you do have a budget. If you're going to have Vucevic and other high-priced players in the lineup, you'll need some low-cost, high-reward guys.
The Philadelphia 76ers' Stauskas is one of the best. He's finally going to get an opportunity to play in Philly, and his shooting should pay dividends for DraftKings players. Stauskas was set to play in the 76ers' season opener against the Boston Celtics on Wednesday, but back spasms held him out just before tipoff, per John Finger of CSNPhilly.com.
The injury doesn't sound as if it is anything serious, and per Finger's article, Stauskas is expected to play on Friday against the Utah Jazz. Stauskas can flat-out shoot the ball. That's something many may have forgotten, as he had a tough time finding consistent minutes as a rookie for the Sacramento Kings last season. The inconsistent burn led to a 32 percent accuracy rate from three-point range.
As Stauskas' minutes increase, so should his shooting efficiency.
The 76ers only have JaKarr Sampson listed as a shooting guard on their depth chart. Look for Stauskas to get meaningful time in his first game and to make the most of his opportunity. For $3,300, DK owners would rejoice over a 24-point fantasy performance.
SF Kevin Durant, $9,400
Durant got off to a slow start in Wednesday's opener thanks to some rust and the defense of the Spurs' Kawhi Leonard. Even though Durant wasn't at his best, he still had 30 fantasy points. When the Thunder invade Orlando, expect to see the old KD lighting up the scoreboard.
The Magic don't have a defensive presence on the wings like Leonard, and they don't have a legitimate shot-blocker in the middle.
With Tobias Harris and rookie Mario Hezonja likely getting the defensive assignment against the former MVP, this is a good night to draft Durant ahead of the Cleveland Cavaliers' LeBron James ($9,700), though I'd still have the King at the non-specific forward spot.
PF Thomas Robinson, $3,500
The Brooklyn Nets' Thomas Robinson is another young player finally set to get an opportunity to play serious minutes. The 24-year-old has bounced around a lot in his three years in the league, but he's now the primary backup at power forward for Thaddeus Young.
Robinson's DK salary is affordable, and his workmanlike approach is one that should play well against the Spurs reserves.
San Antonio is more than likely going to blow Brooklyn out at home. That means Robinson should get some significant time against the Spurs' secondary bigs. In his career, Robinson has averaged 12.9 points and 12.2 rebounds per 36 minutes of action, per Basketball-Reference.com.
Because Friday's game looks like a spot where Robinson should get extended playing time, he's a solid sleeper pick.
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