Which players should you build around and which players should you fade in DFS as we tip off Wednesday night's NBA action? Our experts have the answers.
Today's panel includes ESPN Fantasy's Jim McCormick, Kyle Soppe and Joe Kaiser.
Players to build around
Jim McCormick -- Malcolm Brogdon, Milwaukee Bucks
The Bucks are resting Tony Snell, Giannis Antetokounmpo, Khris Middleton and Matthew Dellavedova. Brogdon, meanwhile, is hunting Rookie of the Year honors and is due around 35 minutes, with a usage rate above 20 percent. Brogdon was regularly topping 25 fantasy points throughout late March, so there is real room for profit, given his modest price point and rich opportunity in Boston tonight.
Joe Kaiser -- Boban Marjanovic, Detroit Pistons
There aren't a lot of sure things on tonight's NBA slate, which will probably prevent a lot of people from even attempting to put together a roster, but Marjanovic is a solid low-priced value, who has logged at least 20 minutes in each of his past three games and averaged 16.3 points and 10 rebounds in that stretch. If you aren't rooting for Boban on the final day of the regular season, honestly, what are you rooting for?!
Kyle Soppe -- Avery Bradley, Boston Celtics
The Cavaliers may not care about what seed they get, but the Celtics are clearly gunning for the top seed, and Bradley is a big part of their plans. Over the past month, Bradley has scored at least 15 points while notching either five rebounds or multiple steals in eight of his past 13 contests. I'll bet on that continuing, as Bradley's minutes count is nothing short of elite (more than 30 minutes in 11 straight games) and he gets to face a Bucks team that ranks below league average in overall rebounding and defensive efficiency.
Players to fade
Jim McCormick -- Russell Westbrook, Oklahoma City Thunder
An incredible fantasy season comes to its end, but I'm not paying up to pay homage to Westbrook tonight, as there are real concerns over how many minutes he'll play in an inconsequential game against a Denver team already resting a crew of meaningful veterans. When seeking out expensive investments tonight, I'd much rather look to the greater cost certainty of either Karl-Anthony Towns or Chris Paul
Joe Kaiser -- Kawhi Leonard, San Antonio Spurs
Gregg Popovich has said that his starters will play tonight against Utah, but he didn't say how much they'll play, and we can expect Leonard and the other starters to get plenty of rest in this matchup against Rudy Gobert and company. At the price Leonard is at tonight, he's way too risky to roster.
Kyle Soppe -- Cleveland Cavaliers vs Toronto Raptors
They. Don't. Care. Could LeBron James play 40 minutes tonight? Sure, but are you really going to bank on extended minutes for any of their primary pieces tonight? Sure, the 1-seed hangs in the balance ... but not only do they not care about that, there's a decent shot they get it even if they lose. On the flip side of that, what motivation do the Raps have here? Win and lock Cleveland into a potential second-round matchup? Wouldn't they rather see Boston fall to the 2-seed? I'm a numbers man, and this game involves way too many moving pieces (as of now) to even know what numbers to crunch. This is an uncomfortable game with unclear motives. I'll pass. On everyone.
