This article is part of our FantasyDraft NBA series.
Wednesday's 10-game ledger is replete with options across the board, with a key injury raising the profile of two already strong fantasy assets on the Warriors. A bulk of the most appealing choices lie in the mid-tier, giving us plenty to sort out in order to determine optimal plays. Without further ado, let's dive in to what should be an intriguing slate:
GUARDS:
Premium Option
Kemba Walker, CHA vs. GS ($15,900): Walker proved his shoulder was back to normal in his first game back last Monday, as he scored 50.50 fantasy points over 34 minutes against the Magic. He could be primed for more of the same against the Warriors, as he won't have Stephen Curry (ankle) to worry about and will be playing at a faster pace than usual. The Warriors also check in allowing the fourth most fantasy points to point guards (51.5) on the season, including the second most (64.3) over the last five. They've also allowed the most assists (10.3) to the position on the campaign, while Walker is sporting a team-high 27.0 percent usage rate, along with 1.16 points per possession and 1.11 fantasy points per minute.
Mid-Tier
Klay Thompson, GS at CHA ($14,900): Thompson boasts a 26.5 percent usage rate and 1.14 points per possession with Stephen Curry (ankle) off the floor this season, putting him squarely in play in what is already a plus-matchup against the Hornets. Charlotte has allowed the second most fantasy points (57.6) to shooting guards on the season, along with the most points (33.3), fifth most rebounds (8.6), fifth most assists (6.2), sixth most made three-pointers (4.0) and fourth highest shooting percentage (44.0) to the position. Thompson is averaging 33.5 fantasy points per game and has scored between 31.25 and 42.00 fantasy points in six of his last seven contests with Curry on the floor.
Affordable
Rajon Rondo, NO vs. DEN ($10,800): Rondo has scored between 38.75 and 40.50 fantasy points in the last three games, and he should have another sizable role Wednesday with Anthony Davis (groin) highly likely to miss another contest. Rondo is averaging 1.13 fantasy points per minute with Davis off the floor thus far this season, while the Nuggets check in allowing the second most fantasy points (53.7) to point guards on the campaign, including 61.9 over the last 10. Just as important, they also allow the second most assists (10.2) per game to ones, a particularly relevant stat in the case of an excellent ball distributor like Rondo.
FORWARDS/CENTERS:
Premium
Kevin Durant, GS at CHA ($19,600): Like Thompson, Durant should be in for a nice uptick in offensive responsibility Wednesday in Curry's absence, and in a favorable matchup to boot. The Hornets have allowed the fifth most fantasy points (43.9) to small forwards on the season, including the fourth most (56.8) over the last five. They're also allowing the third most three-pointers per game (3.0) to the position, while Durant is currently posting the second-best three-point shooting percentage (40.2) of his career. In what should be a competitive matchup and without a premium scorer on the floor, Durant carries 50-fantasy-point upside at a minimum.
Mid-Tier
Kevin Love, CLE vs. SAC ($15,500): Love has scored between 39.25 and 56.75 fantasy points in the last four games, and he's shooting a red-hot 52.2 percent – including 47.1 percent from three-point range – over his last five contests overall. The Kings make for a tantalizing target as well, as they've allowed the fourth most fantasy points (41.3) to centers, along with the most rebounds (13.1) and fourth most assists (3.0). Love is providing returns worthy of a considerably higher-priced player, making him an excellent mid-tier value option.
Affordable
Bojan Bogdanovic, IND vs. CHI ($9,300): There are a number of appealing selections at forward/center if you have a bit more to spend, including Taj Gibson ($12,900), Andrew Wiggins ($12,300) and Zach Randolph ($10,800). However, Bogdanovic checks in significantly cheaper and with a nice bit of upside in his own right, as evidenced by his tallies of between 22.75 and 40.75 fantasy points in five of his last eight games. The matchup works in his favor as well, as the Bulls have allowed the third most fantasy points (44.7) to small forwards, including 51.8 over the last five. They also check in allowing the most points (24.4) to the position on the season, along with the second most made three-pointers (3.3) and third highest shooting percentage (47.0). Meanwhile, Bogdanovic is shooting a career-best 44.5 percent from behind the arc on a career-high 5.0 three-point shot attempts per contest.
UTILITY:
Kyrie Irving, BOS vs. DAL ($15,300): Irving has scored over 40 fantasy points in four of the last six games while spearheading the Celtics' offense, putting him in prime position to succeed against a Mavs team that's been vulnerable to point guards throughout the season. Dallas has allowed the fifth most fantasy points (51.0) to ones on the campaign, along with the second most points (25.7) and most made three-pointers (3.0). Irving is shooting a career-best 48.7 percent and is taking the second-most three-point attempts (5.7) of his seven seasons.
Evan Fournier, ORL vs. ATL ($11,800): Fournier has scored between 25.75 and 35.25 fantasy points in the last three games and is shooting a career-best 41.0 percent from three-point range on a career-high 5.6 three-point attempts per contest. The Hawks could be willing facilitators Wednesday, considering they've allowed the third most fantasy points (56.9) to two-guards on the season, along with the fourth highest shooting percentage (44.0) and most made three-pointers (4.9) per game.
