Which players should you build around and which players should you fade in DFS as we tip off Monday's NBA action? Our experts have the answers.
Today's panel includes ESPN Fantasy's Joe Kaiser, Eric Karabell and Kyle Soppe, plus DFS expert Renee Miller.
Players to build around
Kyle Soppe -- Robert Covington, Philadelphia 76ers
This Utah team isn't the same with Rudy Gobert on the shelf (they've allowed at least 106 points in four of five games without him), and Covington still simply isn't getting enough respect. Yes, he relies heavily on deep jump shots, but his ability to give you defensive numbers (2.3 blocks-plus-steals per game for his career) raises his floor to a level that is tough to find in this price range. It's no mistake that the Sixers rank fourth in pace of play this season, and Covington should continue to get good looks in this offense, as Joel Embiid is a load to deal with and Ben Simmons is going to attack from the inside out. He's not the biggest name on this roster, but his role is stable, and I'll take him at this price point any day of the week.
Renee Miller -- Aaron Gordon, Orlando Magic
Today's 11-game slate is all about reasonably priced high-floor guys with upside. Gordon gets the league best PF matchup with the Pacers tonight, in what Vegas has projected as the highest point total. It's a perfect spot for him to bounce back from a small slump over the last week and for us to take advantage of a reduced salary. He fits well into a lineup constructed with similar logic, including near building blocks like Kemba Walker, Bradley Beal, Victor Oladipo, Jaylen Brown and Nikola Jokic.
Eric Karabell -- Mario Chalmers, Memphis Grizzlies
The fill-in for Mike Conley is getting plenty of minutes and has registered six or more assists in three consecutive games. Chalmers also had four steals in the last game. No, he's not Conley, but it's rare to find a starting point guard who costs less than $5,000 in Draft Kings, so keep Chalmers in mind for Monday and beyond.
Joe Kaiser -- Andre Drummond, Detroit Pistons
The NBA's leading rebounder at 15.8 RPG this season, Drummond faces an undersized Cavaliers front line that's using Kevin Love at center. While Drummond is fourth on the Pistons in scoring (13.9 PPG), this game against the league's worst defense (110.1 points allowed per 100 possessions) is a golden opportunity for him to have a big night in that regard as well.
Players to fade
Kyle Soppe -- Carmelo Anthony, Oklahoma City Thunder
Who does he guard in this matchup? Defensive numbers are the driver of fantasy production, but the ability to defend your opponent allows you to stay on the court, and I'm not sure Anthony can do that. Odds are decent that he spends at least some time on one of the Pelicans bigs tonight, and that's a mismatch in the paint. With the threat of foul trouble looming, I also believe that this matchup results in Anthony continuing to settle for jumpers (his average distance of shot this season is 8.9 percent above his previous career high), and that gives him more downside than upside. With his rebounding ceiling lower than normal, rostering Anthony means you need Anthony to get hot just to hit value ... I'll pass.
Renee Miller -- Giannis Antetokounmpo, Milwaukee Bucks
Today's big slate is all about solid, mid-range players. It's just not a stars-and-scrubs slate. As good as Antetokounmpo has been, and will be, the sacrifices one has to make to fit him in at over $12K are too great. The Wizards aren't a great matchup either, though they played Sunday and may again be without John Wall. All in all, there are too many good players to roster one great player. I'll add that the same logic applies to LeBron James.
Eric Karabell -- Dennis Schroder, Atlanta Hawks
No reason for overall worry about the Atlanta point guard, even though his play of late has been a bit inconsistent, but this is a matchup with the defensively minded Spurs in their place, and one would think the Spurs would realize Schroder is the lone Hawk averaging more than 14 points per game. That's enough to avoid him.
Joe Kaiser -- Rajon Rondo, New Orleans Pelicans
Rondo's salary jumps up on Monday which means he'll need to reach 25 daily fantasy points, and that is far from a sure thing in this matchup against Oklahoma City, which is third in the league in defensive efficiency (98.6 points per 100 possessions). Also working against Rondo tonight is the fact that the Thunder are 19th in pace, which limits the amount of possessions and opportunities to rack up fantasy points.
