Which players should you build around and which players should you fade in DFS as we tip off Wednesday's NBA action? Our experts have the answers.
Today's panel includes ESPN Fantasy's Eric Karabell and Kyle Soppe, plus DFS expert Renee Miller.
Players to build around
Eric Karabell -- Goran Dragic, Miami Heat
The numbers are certainly there for the former Phoenix Suns guard and the best part is he's facing the Suns tonight! They like to run and score points and along the way they give up a lot. Dragic has been consistently priced less than $7,000 on Draft Kings for weeks but his production exceeds the value.
Renee Miller -- Andre Iguodala, Golden State Warriors
On a smallish slate like tonight's, one of the things I focus on when deciding whom to build around is positional scarcity. Kevin Durant stood out as the best small forward play and was someone I didn't want to be without ... until he was scratched with a thigh contusion. Stephen Curry now gets a boost with Durant's absence, as does Draymond Green, but the scratch also provides some deep value at a vanilla position. While there are several point guards, power forwards and centers that I find appealing tonight, I'm happy to save big at small forward. Iguodala, and the minimum priced Omri Casspi, are both interesting. I'll be listening for news out of Oakland on the team's plans, but right now I see Iguodala as the safer play, while Casspi could return 7-8X value with 20 minutes in what should be a closer game without Durant.
Kyle Soppe -- Taj Gibson, Minnesota Timberwolves
Gibson's greatest value is allowing you the financial flexibility to roster both Stephen Curry and Kyrie Irving, something I am all about with just five games on the docket. Gibson's playing time has been tied closely to team success this season (31.6 minutes in wins compared to 24.7 minutes in losses), so I expect him to be on the court plenty in the most appealing game on this slate. Gibson has 10-plus rebounds in three straight games and over his last eight is giving you two steals-plus blocks, production that you will happily take at this price tag. If the veteran can double-double against a bottom 10 defense in terms of paint points allowed per game, Gibson will more than achieve value and put you in a great spot.
Players to fade
Eric Karabell -- Karl-Anthony Towns, Minnesota Timberwolves
He's a fantastic player, obviously, but Draymond Green is pretty good himself on the defensive end, so the matchup and the price drive the lack of value. Towns has dealt with foul trouble recently and been a bit inconsistent in providing DFS value. Save some money at center Wednesday.
Renee Miller -- Hassan Whiteside, Miami Heat
This isn't 100 percent an overreaction to his 16-minute dud at Golden State, but if I'm paying his salary (particularly on FanDuel, where he is $9K), I want some assurance that he's himself. On DraftKings, the upside he offers when fully healthy is worth the $7,400 salary, but Andre Drummond, Myles Turner and Nikola Vucevic, not to mention Towns, are all in great spots. Center is a position of plenty tonight, so I will avoid the one I see as the riskiest option, Whiteside.
Kyle Soppe -- Lonzo Ball, Los Angeles Lakers
It is very possible he shows out on ESPN in a historic rivalry, but as mentioned in my Building Block, I'll be paying up at guard tonight. Ball's struggles are common knowledge (his field goal percentage looks like a batting average) but the Celtics' excellence on the defensive end isn't as publicized. While operating at the fourth-slowest pace, Boston is the league's most efficient defense while rebounding at the second-highest rate and allowing the fourth-fewest fast-break points per game. Ball will be fine long term, but this matchup in general doesn't feel like a right-the-ship spot, and with Marcus Smart having more size than most point guards, I'm not thrilled about Ball's individual matchup.
