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-salaried options into your lineup.
Let's take a look at three players who can help fill in the gaps in your lineup.
Frank Mason, PG, Orlando Magic ($4,200)
The Orlando Magic are still dealing with a ton of injuries, opening some value on tonight's five-game slate.
Aaron Gordon and Markelle Fultz are out, while Cole Anthony, Evan Fournier, and Michael Carter-Williams are listed as questionable for tonight's game. Anthony left Orlando's most recent game against the Portland Trail Blazers early and didn't play in the second half. This led to Frank Mason seeing a total of 33 minutes and putting up 22.4 FanDuel points. This was the second straight game Mason had at least 20 FanDuel points and 26 minutes after signing with the team on February 2nd.
Mason has essentially been forced into this role due to the volume of injuries on the Magic and could very well see that amount of time on the floor again if those players aren't able to play tonight. This would put Mason in a great spot to exceed value at his very affordable $4,200 salary. We have a solid over/under of 222.5 points versus the Golden State Warriors, along with this being a pace-up spot -- the Magic are 24th in offensive pace while Golden State is 2nd.
Josh Jackson, SG, Detroit Pistons ($5,500)
Josh Jackson is the second-best value at shooting guard tonight -- let's talk about it.
Over the last five games, Jackson has played 24 minutes or more in each game, posted 23 FanDuel points or more in each game, and is doing it all off the bench for the Pistons. That is very solid production for a role player who has now managed a 25.3% usage rate while producing 1.04 FanDuel points per minute.
That production should be on full display tonight against the Indiana Pacers, who are giving up 41.93 FanDuel points per game to opposing shooting guards, which is the 10th-worst in the league. Despite the Pacers being known for their defense, they are struggling this season and are a team worth attacking. All of this leads to Jackson being projected for 29.24 minutes and 28.3 FanDuel points, the second-best value at shooting guard tonight.
Kendrick Nunn, PG, Miami Heat ($5,000)
With Goran Dragic set to miss his third straight game, Kendrick Nunn will be the starting point guard.
Dragic has been ruled out for tonight's game against the Houston Rockets, which should make Nunn one of the most popular players on the entire slate. The Heat are known for running a tight rotation of players and this has led to Nunn seeing 30 minutes or more in each of his last 10 games, which is fantastic to see for a player at $5,000. Nunn is projected for 31.62 minutes and 30.4 FanDuel points, making him the best overall value play on tonight's slate.
Nunn is carrying a solid 21.7.% usage rate with the current set of available players for the Heat, which is the fourth-highest on the team. Right now, the Rockets are allowing the 10th-most FanDuel points per game to opposing point guards (48.28), putting Nunn in a good spot to continue producing for the Heat.