One of the keys to finding success in daily fantasy basketball is uncovering potential value plays. If you're looking to roster a stud player or two, you need to consider squeezing in one of these lower-priced options into your lineup.
Let's take a look at five players who can help fill in the gaps in your lineup.
Ish Smith, PG, Detroit Pistons
FanDuel Price: $4,700
Projected FanDuel Points: 23.1
Projected FanDuel Value: 4.91
Ish Smith has been trending with more meaningful minutes lately and is coming off his first start since December of last year. He's done well over his past three games, averaging 10.3 points, 3.7 rebounds, 5.7 assists, and 2 steals in 25.4 minutes.
Smith has the sixth-highest projected value at his position on Friday's slate.
Jordan Crawford, SG, New Orleans Pelicans
FanDuel Price: $3,500
Projected FanDuel Points: 20.3
Projected FanDuel Value: 5.8
Jordan Crawford continues to pour in buckets despite limited playing time, as he boasts a per-36 average of 22.9 points over 8 games this season. He has made at least one three-pointer in each game and is averaging 2.6 of them with a 50% shooting mark. As the New Orleans Pelicans inch closer to missing out from the playoffs, Crawford could see a boost in minutes.
He owns the highest projected value among all shooting guards tonight, and the Pelicans run with the Houston Rockets, which is a matchup with the highest over/under total at 230.5 points.
Bojan Bogdanovic, SF, Washington Wizards
FanDuel Price: $3,800
Projected FanDuel Points: 18.7
Projected FanDuel Value: 4.93
Bojan Bogdanovic is coming off a measly performance, but he will look to regain a hot hand in his first game versus his old team, the Brooklyn Nets. As a Wizard, Bogdanovic has logged 20-plus minutes in 14 games and has averaged 16.2 points, 2.9 rebounds, and 2.4 three-pointers.
The small forward shares the best defense-versus-position matchup at his position on Friday with teammate Otto Porter.
Thaddeus Young, PF, Indiana Pacers
FanDuel Price: $4,600
Projected FanDuel Points: 24.0
Projected FanDuel Value: 5.22
Thaddeus Young has had a rocky second half to the season, but he seems to be picking up the pace. Over his last three games, the power forward is putting up 10.7 points, 5.3 rebounds, 1.7 assists, and 1.3 steals to go along with 63% shooting from the field.
He has the fourth-highest projected value at his position and is playing against the Denver Nuggets, who have the second-worst defensive efficiency on tonight's slate.
Joffrey Lauvergne, C, Chicago Bulls
FanDuel Price: $3,800
Projected FanDuel Points: 17.5
Projected FanDuel Value: 4.61
Joffrey Lauvergne came to the rescue and had his best performance as a member of the Chicago Bulls in his last game, notching 17 points, 7 rebounds, and 3 assists in 28.5 minutes of play. With news of Cristiano Felicio being ruled out tonight, Lauvergne could see a healthy does of minutes backing up Robin Lopez.
According to our tools, he's trending as tonight's second-hottest center, playing 28.57% above his season average in terms of fantasy points per night over the last five games. Priced at near-minimum salary, he is worth considering as a punt option.