In daily fantasy basketball, finding players you want to roster is a lot easier than finding players to avoid.
You can find a ton of great information and research on guys you might want to include in your DFS NBA lineups, but what about guys you may want to lessen your exposure to, or even fade altogether?
Avoiding players whose matchups or situations aren't as great as they seem can often be just as important as finding the best targets. After all, it only takes one player to sink a lineup. Searching for the landmines could mean the difference from winning or losing your contests.
Channing Frye, PF, Cleveland Cavaliers
FanDuel Price: $4,300
Channing Frye was thought to be a fine replacement for Kevin Love, and while he's had some big games in Love's absence, it's been Richard Jefferson who has recently seen the biggest uptick in minutes for the Cleveland Cavaliers.
Jefferson has averaged 29.2 minutes per game in his last five compared to Frye, who averaged 17.8 minutes during that same stretch. Jefferson simply gives the Cavs more flexibility on offense and defense since he can play small forward, which moves LeBron James to power forward. This trend should continue against the Detroit Pistons.
The last time these two teams played, Frye had a great game, but played only 22 minutes (compared to 34 for Jefferson). If the minutes are divided up that way again, he likely won't have enough court time to pay off his salary. Plus, the Pistons are allowing only 0.84 FanDuel points per minute this season to power forwards.
Jon Leuer, PF, Detroit Pistons
FanDuel Price: $4,300
The run of Jon Leuer as a daily fantasy option may be coming to a close. He has played more than 30 minutes just once in his last five games, and with the news that Tobias Harris is expected to play tonight, Leuer's upside gets suppressed even further.
His minutes and production have fallen since returning to the bench, but a tough matchup against Cleveland seems like an even bigger roadblock to hitting value on Tuesday.
The Cavs are allowing opposing power forwards to score just 0.82 FanDuel points per minute. With Harris seemingly healthy and likely starting again, it makes Leuer a player you'll want to definitely avoid.
C.J. MIles, SF, Indiana Pacers
FanDuel Price: $3,900
C.J. Miles has started in 20 of the Indiana Pacers' last 23 games and it has generally worked out well. He provides some added floor spacing on offense, and his defense gives the Pacers the ability to limit the number of tough players Paul George has to guard.
That may be enough of a reason to avoid Miles, who could be defending Carmelo Anthony for at least a portion of the night.
The New York Knicks are also holding the position to just 0.75 FanDuel points per minute this season and in his last game against the Knicks, Miles was only 4-for-14 from the floor with just 17.1 FanDuel points. You need 20-plus fantasy points from him to make value, and potentially having to chase Anthony around won't help him get there.