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
André Snellings -- Jusuf Nurkic, Portland Trail Blazers
Nurkic has quietly been playing very good ball of late, averaging 15.8 points with 11.3 rebounds, 2.8 assists, 1.8 steals and 1.5 blocks over his past four games. Due to his balance between offense and defense, he hasn't really had a bad outing in that stretch as he's produced something good every time out. On Friday, he faces an Atlanta Hawks defense that has allowed the fifth-most fantasy points to opposing centers in the NBA this season.
Jim McCormick -- Tyreke Evans, Memphis Grizzlies
With Mike Conley and Chandler Parsons off the floor, Evans claims a team-high usage rate of 28.5 percent. As the team's key perimeter playmaker, Evans has been particularly prolific of late in averaging 25.5 PPG, 5.7 RPG and 7.2 APG over the past six games. These numbers aren't earning Evans much national buzz given the Grizzlies' weak record, but advanced metrics suggest this isn't just a player benefiting from heavy usage on a bad team; he's posting a career-best offensive box plus-minus and already has the third-most offensive win shares of his career just 37 games into the season. Tonight's opponent, the Wizards, have ceded 44.9 fantasy points per game to small forwards on FanDuel over the past 10 games, eighth-most in the NBA over this sample. Quietly enjoying a revival campaign, Evans is well positioned to return value tonight.
Renee Miller -- Kemba Walker, Charlotte Hornets
Walker has been consistently great on this west coast road trip, averaging nearly 40 fantasy points per game. He had a 30-point game, a 10-assist game, and has seven steals in the past three games. When the Hornets hosted the Lakers early last month, it was on the second half of a back-to-back and Walker played only 28 minutes. His peripherals were down in that game but he still managed 23 points. Tonight, he's a strong midrange option with a high floor and definite upside vs. a Lakers team that has been more generous to opposing point guards lately.
Kyle Soppe -- Kyle Anderson, San Antonio Spurs
A proud member of the All-First Name Team, Anderson has started to show signs of the player I had high hopes for from Day 1. No, his role isn't ideal, but at this price tag and in this matchup, I very much believe the reward outweighs the risk. Since Christmas, Anderson is averaging over 16 points and 12 assists per 48 minutes, a rate of production worth investing in against a Suns team that is allowing the fourth-most PG points, operates at the third-fastest pace and defends in the second-least efficient manner. Do I think Anderson goes wild in this spot? No. But on a full slate, achieving plus-value at this price -- while allowing you to spend big in other areas -- is a good possibility.
Players to avoid
André Snellings -- Kristaps Porzingis, New York Knicks
Porzingis is coming off two relatively down games, in which he has averaged 14.5 points, 7.5 rebounds, 2 blocks and 1 assist with 3.5 turnovers. This came after five straight strong games, and thus could be a blip, but his quote from after Wednesday's game gives pause: "I'm tired, I'm tired, I'm so tired right now," is not a statement that suggests that he is about to have a huge game in his next outing. Add in that he has a tough matchup against a strong Miami Heat interior defense, and that he's one of the highest priced players in the game, and perhaps there are safer options than The Unicorn on Friday night.
Jim McCormick -- Dario Saric, Philadelphia 76ers
The "Homie" has been stellar of late, with 18.9 PPG, 6.9 RPG and 4.3 APG over the past seven games. The difference between Saric and my building block, Evans, is that I don't appreciate Saric's matchup with Detroit tonight, as he's averaged a modest 17.5 fantasy points against the Pistons in two meetings. Saric becomes most interesting as a DFS play when Joel Embiid sits, which isn't likely the case tonight. Among power forwards found at similar pricing to Saric, I prefer names like Derrick Favors, Kyle Kuzma, and Serge Ibaka during tonight's impressive slate.
Renee Miller -- Jamal Murray, Denver Nuggets
Murray's price soared following a hot stretch at the end of December, but he disappointed big time vs. Phoenix Wednesday night (13 points, 2 assists, 0 rebounds) as Gary Harris had a career night. One of those hot games did occur vs. Utah, but on the season, Murray is averaging just 21 fantasy points vs. the Jazz (three games). There are players I'd rather pay for in the $7,000 range, and players from whom I think you can get similar production for less than Murray's salary tonight. Murray feels over-priced in a terrible matchup with a number of other guard options in the Denver backcourt and therefore won't be featured in my lineups tonight.
Kyle Soppe -- DeMar DeRozan, Toronto Raptors
Fading the hottest scorer in the NBA is a dangerous proposition, especially when you consider that he dropped 52 on these Bucks on New Year's Day, but I'm fading the public in this spot. Despite what we saw on Monday, I think this Milwaukee team is one that can give DeRozan problems (their length and pace aren't ideal), so I'm not at all intrigued by a DraftKings price tag that is up 15.6 percent from their last meeting. I'm not going to say improvement from the 28-year-old DeRozan is impossible, but he's made 10 of 17 triples (as a career 29.1 percent 3-point shooter) while handing out 14 assists (2.9 dimes per game for his career) in his back-to-back massive games. He may be adding layers to his game, but I need more evidence before I pay top dollar.
