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.
Players to build around
Kyle Soppe -- Jonathan Simmons, Orlando Magic
I called him Bitcoin Simmons last week and I'm going to keep plugging him in as long as he is sub-$7,000 on DraftKings. Sure, the Bulls have won six straight ... I'm not impressed. They've allowed at least 100 points in five of those games and considering that they've allowed the third most fantasy points to the small forward position, the floor for Simmons is rock solid at this price point. He ranks as a top 10 small forward in terms of usage rate, something that has paid off recently in fantasy goodness, as he has given you at least 20 points and 12 rebounds-plus-assists in three of his last four games. The cumulative defensive rank of those three opponents is 11th worst ... the Bulls are the 10th most porous defense for the season. I think he makes it four such games in his last five and should be locked in to all lineups.
Renee Miller -- Isaiah Canaan, Phoenix Suns
Have the Suns found a solution at point guard? Canaan is making a strong case, and I'm willing to build around him before his price rises. There are a lot of ways to spend tonight, so saving big on a point guard slot that could return 8-10X value makes sense in any format. In two games with Phoenix, Canaan is averaging 16 points, 4.5 rebounds, 6.5 assists and had three steals vs. Dallas Monday night. The LA Clippers are an average matchup for point guards, and rank 19th in overall team defensive efficiency. Phoenix has shown some tendency to roll with the hot hand, and Canaan is the guy holding it right now.
Andre Snellings -- Nikola Vucevic, Orlando Magic
Vucevic is a gifted offensive big man, and there is definitely some overlap between he and Aaron Gordon. Therefore, when Gordon is out (as he is on Wednesday for the fourth time in the last five games), Vucevic is able to shine. In his last six games, Vucevic is posting 23 points, 14.3 boards, 4.5 assists, 2.3 blocks and 1.7 steals per game. His opponent, the Bulls, have allowed the eighth-most fantasy points to opposing centers in the NBA over the last 10 games.
Jim McCormick -- DeAndre Jordan, Los Angeles Clippers
Only Andre Drummond is averaging more than the 22.9 rebounding chances (within 3.5 feet of an available rebound) Jordan is this season. The Suns, meanwhile, have allowed the fifth-most fantasy points per game to centers using FanDuel's scoring key. With a reasonable price point and such high-floor rebounding rates in his favor, Jordan is a quality building block for Wednesday's slate.
Players to avoid
Kyle Soppe -- Donovan Mitchell, Utah Jazz
Mitchell is questionable for this game with a toe contusion, but he has already been ruled out of my DFS lineup tonight. I don't love his willingness to settle for jumpers (exactly half of his shots come from more than 16 feet away) and you desperately need him to heat up from distance if you're counting on him tonight. Combine the injury with the fact that the Thunder are allowing the second fewest paint points per game and the floor on the rookie tonight is simply too low for me in this spot. Mitchell has played two top 10 defenses in terms of fewest paint points per game over the last week and a half ... he made 10 of 35 shots and pulled down a total of six rebounds in those 74 minutes. Sheeesh.
Renee Miller -- Damian Lillard, Portland Trail Blazers
Among stars on Wednesday's big slate, Lillard ranks pretty low for me. His salary/production ratio is not terrific for the season, and he has many more games at 4X value or below than 6-7X or above. Tonight Portland takes on the Spurs, who have maintained a strong defensive ranking despite being without Kawhi Leonard until now. In fact, they rank fourth in defensive efficiency and 29th in pace. These are both stats that deter me from using Lillard on a slate like tonight's, where there are so many higher upside options across the salary spectrum. ​
Andre Snellings -- James Harden, Houston Rockets
Alright, this one is bold. Harden has been a monster this season, and the last time he faced the Lakers he popped for 36 points, 9 assists and 4 rebounds. However, Harden has actually scaled back slightly over the last week to "only" 26.5 points, 6.3 assists and 5.8 boards in his last four games. He is dealing with an ouchy knee, and Chris Paul is going nuts right now. As such, Harden may play well on Wednesday without living up to his massive price tag in DFS leagues.
Jim McCormick -- Dion Waiters, Miami Heat
Waiters' usage rate and overall offensive opportunities have swelled in recent games with a wave of injuries afflicting Miami's rotation. This is often a coveted trend, but with his price also surging in line with his improved offensive profile, I don't see much room for production profit from Waiters against one of the best defensive teams in the league.
