Which players should you build around and which players should you fade in DFS as we tip off Friday's NBA action? Our experts have the answers.
Players to build around
Kyle Soppe -- Steven Adams, Oklahoma City Thunder
There are plenty of places to target upside tonight, so give me the value that comes with stability at the center position. What is the risk here? In his nine December games, Adams is averaging 16.6 points and 10.2 rebounds. I don't think this is a fluke, given the attention that the Thunder's Big Three demands on the perimeter.
His paint role is unquestioned -- his average shot attempt distance is less than 3 feet -- and I'll happily take that to the bank against an Atlanta team that has the NBA's fourth-lowest defensive efficiency and the second-worst rebounding rate. The Hawks' struggles really aren't a surprise, as they lack depth and have been counting on a raw rookie, John Collins, to defend the rim. Adams is rarely going to explode, but he holds nice value at this price point.
André Snellings -- James Harden, Houston Rockets
Harden has been a monster whenever Chris Paul has had to sit. Case in point, Paul went out on Wednesday with an adductor injury and Harden went nuts for 51 points, 9 assists and 3 rebounds. Paul is scheduled to sit out Friday, and Harden will be facing a Clippers squad that has allowed the eighth-most fantasy points to opposing point guards in their last 10 games. You know what to do!
Renee Miller -- Bradley Beal, Washington Wizards
This should be a fun game for fantasy, with the potential for huge stat lines from both Beal and John Wall. The return of Wall has been great for Beal, who is averaging 22 real points over the last three games. With the variety of peripheral stats he offers -- he has had games with as many as 12 rebounds or 7 assists or 2 steals -- Beal has the high floor/high ceiling combination I want on this slate. His salary is reasonable enough for you to also work in one or two superstars with some deep-value plays, or to build an all-around solid lineup. In a fantastic matchup with Brooklyn, it's hard to see how you go wrong with Beal tonight. ​
Players to avoid
Kyle Soppe -- Kyle Kuzma, Los Angeles Lakers
I think Kuzma is a fine player and, and he has a great first name, too. That said, I'm gaining leverage on the field by passing on him in this spot. Yes, Kuzma was able to torch the Warriors on Monday (25 points on 10-of-16 shooting), but his DraftKings price tag is up 12.5 percent, narrowing the window for upside. His recent four-game run of success has been predicated on a 55.6 shooting percentage from distance, a rate that is going to be difficult to sustain against the fourth-most-efficient defense in the NBA.
If Kuzma struggles to score, I'm not sure how he returns value, as his rebounding is not a given. After all, Golden State is a top-five rebounding team. Besides, his level of aggression is hit-or-miss with no more than three free throw attempts in all but two of his last 11 games. He's a talented kid, but I'm pumping the DFS brakes until his asking price settles down a bit to the appropriate level.
André Snellings -- DeMarcus Cousins, New Orleans Pelicans
As I've pointed out several times before, Cousins still produces strong numbers when Anthony Davis plays. As of late, though, his output has been nowhere near game-changing numbers. Cousins has the fifth-highest salary on DraftKings and the sixth-highest on FanDuel on Friday. Given his recent level of production with Davis in the lineup, Cousins is simply not worth paying up to that price neighborhood.
Renee Miller -- Kristaps Porzingis, New York Knicks
Though Porzingis was able to play on Thursday night with no minutes restriction, the rust was quite evident against the quick, defensive-minded Celtics. Michael Beasley had another terrific game, while Porzingis went 0-for-11 from the field -- with just 5 rebounds, 1 assist and 2 TOs. He had a decent game against Detroit earlier this season, but I don't think he sees 40 minutes tonight (the playing time he was getting when actually earning his $9K salary). Beyond that, on this slate I want to feel much better about guaranteed production at his salary. There are a lot of stars to pay up for, and winning lineups will be all about those monster box scores that get you to 400 fantasy points. I doubt Porzingis will get you there.
