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.
Today's panel includes ESPN Fantasy's André Snellings, Jim McCormick, Joe Kaiser and Kyle Soppe.
Players to build around
Kyle Soppe -- Al Horford, Boston Celtics
While Boston is all but locked into the 2-seed, they won't be taking the final week of the regular season easy, and I think they look to drastically bump up Horford's usage rate (currently sitting at 28th in the league among power forwards). They get a pretty good spot to try things out tonight, as they welcome a Bulls team that has nothing to play for and owns a bottom-10 defense. Horford has transitioned into a modern big man -- since joining the Celtics, his 3PG essentially mirrors his free throws per game, and nearly five dimes a night is a nice touch -- and I think they will call upon that versatility down the stretch of the regular season as they look to find an offensive focal point. His price has been adjusted for this plus-matchup, but not so much for what I expect is going to be a shift in role, thus making this a good spot to invest.
Joe Kaiser -- Josh Jackson, Phoenix Suns
Jackson will again be the main offensive option, while Devin Booker and TJ Warren are likely to remain out of the lineup against the Pelicans. Jackson enters the game averaging 22.1 PPG, 5.6 RPG, 3.1 APG and 1.8 SPG during his past 10 games.
Jim McCormick -- John Collins, Atlanta Hawks
Averaging 14.8 rebounding chances per game during his past five appearances, just ahead of Kevin Love during this sample, Collins brings a uniquely stable fantasy floor for a rookie. Atlanta is running out its young and inexperienced players to gain experience and potentially accrue lottery balls. The Wizards are 20th in rebounding percentage during the past 10 games and are on the second night of a back-to-back, setting up Collins with viable double-double potential at reasonable pricing in both DFS markets.
André Snellings -- Lauri Markkanen, Chicago Bulls
Markkanen has been dealing with back issues for the past month, causing him to miss several games, then return on a minutes restriction. But, very quietly, Markkanen has been playing outstanding ball since his return. In his past two games, he has averaged 23.5 points, 6.5 rebounds and 5.0 3-pointers in only 24 minutes per game. He's had a couple of days to rest since his last outing and has a favorable matchup against a Celtics frontline that is slightly undersized. Bonus pick: Bradley Beal against the lowly Hawks with John Wall planning to rest on Friday.
Players to fade
Kyle Soppe -- Kemba Walker, Charlotte Hornets
Maybe it's just the wear and tear of a long season, but Walker simply isn't the player right now that he was even a month ago, and yet he is priced among the elite at the position. Over his past four games, Walker is shooting just 35.6 percent from the field and hasn't recorded more than six rebounds-plus-assists once. Remember the player who shot 47 percent in February on his way to averaging 25.6 points? Yeah, this ain't him. The matchup isn't scary at all, but you would have made the same claim against the four opponents against whom Walker has struggled mightily during the past eight days (Cavaliers, Wizards, 76ers without Embiid, and the Bulls). I'm not rostering him the rest of the season, and with this being a 10-game slate, there really is no reason to play with fire here.
Joe Kaiser -- Nikola Vucevic, Orlando Magic
Vucevic has had a very impressive season, but he is priced too high and is going to have a difficult time pulling down rebounds against Charlotte's Dwight Howard. In two games against the Hornets this season, he has averaged 12.5 PPG and 9.0 RPG.
Jim McCormick -- Andrew Wiggins, Minnesota Timberwolves
Jimmy Butler was activated for last night's tilt with the Nuggets but didn't play in what was a critical loss. It appears he could play tonight, a reality that likely isn't fully baked into Wiggins' pricing for tonight's slate. The Lakers are 13th in defensive rating since the break and have yielded the 11th-fewest fantasy points to shooting guards the past 10 games. Wiggins has scored in single digits in two of his past three games and now faces increased competition for touches and usage, thus I'm fading the former top pick.
André Snellings -- Jimmy Butler, Minnesota Timberwolves
Butler was reported to be available to play on Thursday, but he sat out again. He's listed as available with no injury designation and near full price on FanDuel, with a more modest price on DraftKings. He may return on Friday, but there are so many unknowns that I couldn't justify paying anywhere near full price for him. In a game of probabilities, he's just too risky for me to invest that much salary on.
