There are 10 games on Wednesday’s main slate. This presents a bevy of choices, including between seven players with salaries of $10k+. You can’t have them all so you’ll need some discount options to balance out expenses. Here are players I’ll be looking to get into my lineups at both ends of the spectrum. Where I do list a top-dollar player, I also discuss some alternatives, in case the price is not right.
Check out today’s NBA Shot from FanDuel 
Point Guard
John Wall (WAS): $9,400 @ ATL
On Monday, Wall put up a season-high 15 assists, but that number is not an anomaly, as he’s had several point-assist double-doubles over the season. In addition, Wall has scored double-digit points in every game this season except one. If there’s a downside, it’s that he is turnover prone. But the overall result is a player who has had two 50+ FPT games in his last five, and only twice in the 20’s all season. On Wednesday he takes on a struggling Atlanta team.
Collin Sexton (CLE): $4,800 vs. GS
Sexton has achieved double-digit points in 13 straight games, averaging 24 in his last four, including one effort close to 40 FPTS, but also one in the teens. This volatility is often part-and-parcel of a low-cost option, but Sexton has more upside than most at this price, and he retains his starting role for a home against the Warriors.
There are 10 games on Wednesday’s main slate. This presents a bevy of choices, including between seven players with salaries of $10k+. You can’t have them all so you’ll need some discount options to balance out expenses. Here are players I’ll be looking to get into my lineups at both ends of the spectrum. Where I do list a top-dollar player, I also discuss some alternatives, in case the price is not right.
Check out today’s NBA Shot from FanDuel
Point Guard
John Wall (WAS): $9,400 @ ATL
On Monday, Wall put up a season-high 15 assists, but that number is not an anomaly, as he’s had several point-assist double-doubles over the season. In addition, Wall has scored double-digit points in every game this season except one. If there’s a downside, it’s that he is turnover prone. But the overall result is a player who has had two 50+ FPT games in his last five, and only twice in the 20’s all season. On Wednesday he takes on a struggling Atlanta team.
Collin Sexton (CLE): $4,800 vs. GS
Sexton has achieved double-digit points in 13 straight games, averaging 24 in his last four, including one effort close to 40 FPTS, but also one in the teens. This volatility is often part-and-parcel of a low-cost option, but Sexton has more upside than most at this price, and he retains his starting role for a home against the Warriors.
Shooting Guard
Jeremy Lamb (CHA): $6,500 @ MIN
Lamb had an enjoyable November, with double-digit points in every game. His minutes are in the 30’s, he’s a good source of stats across the board, and can snag a couple of steals on any given night. As a bonus, he’s not turnover-prone. Lamb has averaged 34.6 FPTS over his last four games. The Timberwolves are middle-of-the-pack on defense, so no real concern there. Look for Lamb to continue his strong play on Wednesday and throughout December.
Kent Bazemore (ATL): $5,300 vs. WAS
Taurean Prince (ankle) is out and Bazemore will take on a significant portion of his minutes, spot-starting at small forward for Wednesday’s game. Bazemore had a dud against the Warriors but has otherwise been pretty solid in his last few games, and could see 30 minutes or more against the Wizards, whose defense is nothing to fear.
Small Forward
Giannis Antetokounmpo (MIL): $12,700 vs. DET
Giannis has scored at least 60 FPTS in his last four games, averaging 68.8. This gives him a pts/$1k ratio of 5.4 at his current salary. You get what you pay for, and with Antetokounmpo you’re getting a player who is making a case for being the #1 pick in drafts next season. I’m putting him into my lineups then making the rest of my roster fit. Before moving on, let’s look quickly at the other top SF options. Kevin Durant‘s totals have fallen with the return of Curry. LeBron has been in the 30’s in FPTS in four of his last five games. Hence I’m not considering either at their price. To me, Kawhi Leonard ( (TOR): $9,800 vs. PHI ) is the best of the other top options if you can’t justify Antetokounmpo’s salary.
Michael Kidd-Gilchrist (CHA): $4,200 @ MIN
MKG has averaged 21.3 FPTS in the four games since returning from an ankle injury. There’s nothing remarkable here, but he’s a decent option for his salary.
Power Forward
Montrezl Harrell (LAC): $7,400 @ MEM
Harrell has provided exceptional value in seasonal leagues for his draft ADP, which was around 140. Harrell has double-doubled in five of his last 10 games and is an excellent source of rebounds and defensive stats. Over his last 15 games, he has only scored below 29 FPTS once. This happened to be on Monday, which lowered his salary by $900. Chalk that up to circumstance and buy the dip.
JaMychal Green (MEM): $4,900 vs. LAC
Green’s minutes are in the mid-20’s and he’s scored double-digit points in his last three games. He snagged four steals on Sunday, and while he will come in off the bench, Green is still a good bet to return value.
Center
Joel Embiid (PHI): $10,700 @ TOR
I put Embiid in this spot and walked away, but then came back to take a close look. There are some great options at center for Wednesday, but of course, you have to pay for them. There’s a drop-off after the top six options. I looked at the average FPTS for each of the top six over their last four games, then calculated their Pt/$1k from that using their current salary. Here’s how they tallied: Joel Embiid – 48.5. 4.5; Marc Gasol – 47.3, 4.6; Karl Anthony-Towns 41.05, 4.3; Nikola Vucevic – 47.4, 5.0; Nikola Jokic – 41.9, 4.5; Andre Drummond – 40.2, 4.3. The last time Nikola Vucevic played the Nuggets he totaled just 26.6 FPTS. He will face Nikola Jokic again, who got 40 FPTS that night. But the Nikola’s could cancel themselves out. Marc Gasol did score 55 FPTS the last time he faced the Clippers, but was questionable for Sunday’s game and, while he did play, didn’t perform all that well. This is concerning for Wednesday’s game. When all is said and done, play Embiid if you can afford it. He scored 51 FPTS the last time he faced Toronto. But if you need to adjust your lineup, consider one of the above less expensive, but still elite, options.
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Jason Micklewright is a correspondent at FantasyPros. For more from Jason, check out his archive and follow him @FantasyPonder.
