The NBA Player Models are the base of our NBA product here at FantasyLabs. They house our projections for each player, but that’s just the beginning of what you’ll find inside. You’ll also find our Trends and On/Off tool, Vegas Dashboard, and so much more.
Let’s dive into our models for NBA DFS going position by position, looking at guys with some of the best projections and players standing out as values with our predictive Projected Plus/Minus metric.
Also, don’t forget that for large-field tournaments, you can utilize our Lineup Optimizer to effortlessly create up to 300 lineups, or use our Lineup Builder if you like to hand-build your teams.
You can also use our SimLabs Lineup Generator, a tool that creates the most user-friendly lineup generation process.
Note: Projections, Ownership projections, and Leverage Scores/Ratings may change throughout the day as news comes out after this article is posted. Consult the Player Models directly for any updates.
NBA DFS Point Guard Picks
Top Ceiling: Luka Doncic vs. San Antonio Spurs – $12,000 DraftKings
After a four-game road trip where the Lakers lost every game, they returned home last night and got a 107-96 victory over the Suns. Luka Doncic posted a near triple-double with 33 points, 11 rebounds, and eight assists, accumulating 64.25 DraftKings points. LeBron James remains out for the next week, which has proven to be a significant boost to Doncic’s production. Without James on the court this season, Doncic has posted a +8.2% usage rate increase and a +11.67 DraftKings Plus/Minus (per our Trends tool).
Keep an eye on Doncic’s status tonight. This is the second leg of a back-to-back, and Doncic did not play their last back-to-back. The Lakers are nearly double-digit favorites against the Spurs, who have quickly become an elite matchup. If Doncic is unable to play, Cade Cunningham is the best pay-up point guard.
Top Value: Scotty Pippen at Sacramento Kings – $4,700 DraftKings
Ja Morant scored 44 points against the Cavaliers Friday night, but missed the second game of a back-to-back. He is also out for tonight’s game, making Scotty Pippen one of the best values available. Pippen has the highest projected Plus/Minus on the slate. With Morant out last game, Pippen stuffed the stat sheet with 11 points, 11 assists, six rebounds, two steals, and one block, accumulating 43 DraftKings points.
Pippen has recorded a positive Plus/Minus in eight of their last nine games, averaging a little over 28 DraftKings points per game. That is more than enough to pay off his $4,700 price tag tonight. Among the 10 games, this matchup has the second-highest total on the slate at 238.5 points, while the Grizzlies are 2.5-point underdogs. Pippen is questionable, but would be an incredible value option if he can suit up.
Don’t forget to check out our NBA SimLabs Lineup Generator to create advanced DFS lineups using the power of simulation:
NBA DFS Shooting Guard Picks
Top Ceiling: Desmond Bane at Sacramento Kings – $9,000 DraftKings
Desmond Bane is another Grizzlies guard who benefits greatly from the absence of Morant. In the last game, he posted a near triple-double with 22 points, 10 rebounds, and eight assists, while shooting 9-for-16 from the field, including 4-for-5 from behind the arc. Bane has the highest projected ceiling at the shooting guard position with no injury designation. He looks like a great pay-up option in all lineup builds tonight.
Bane has seen his scoring decrease to 18.6 points per game this year, but his peripherals have increased significantly with a career-high 6.3 rebounds and 5.5 assists per game. He has also had two big games against the Kings this season, averaging 20 points, 7.5 rebounds, and 7.5 assists per game while shooting 54.2% from the field. With no Morant on the floor, it is all systems go for Bane at his $9,000 salary tonight.
Top Value: Kevin Huerter at Utah Jazz – $5,200 DraftKings
With his playing time spiking, Kevin Huerter has scored double-digit points in eight of his last nine games. He has posted a positive Plus/Minus in seven of those nine games and has the second-highest projected Plus/Minus on the slate tonight. The Bulls are still without Lonzo Ball, while Josh Giddey is doubtful to play. Projected to start and play around 33 minutes, Huerter is a strong value in all formats.
The Bulls, who have won four of their last five games, have the highest implied team total on the slate at 123 points. They are 4.5-point road favorites against the Jazz, who have the second-worst defensive rating in the league at 118.2 per game. This is a phenomenal matchup for the Bulls, who have suddenly been a difficult team to beat lately. Huerter is a cheap way to get exposure to this offense at his $5,200 price tag.
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NBA DFS Small Forward Picks
Top Ceiling: Coby White at Utah Jazz – $7,800 DraftKings
Staying with the Bulls, Coby White has the highest projected ceiling at the small forward position. He also has point guard eligibility, making it easy to fit him into all lineup builds. White is averaging a career-high 19.4 points per game this season, but has scored 20+ points in eight straight games, averaging 27.8 points per game during that time. His shooting volume and usage rate have increased significantly lately.
White has recorded a positive Plus/Minus in six of his last seven games and has a relatively high projected Plus/Minus tonight despite being priced in the upper mid-range. He is also drawing a slate-high 35% projected ownership, which makes him look more appealing. The Jazz are an elite matchup for opposing guards, especially for aggressive guards like White. He is impossible to ignore with his price under $8,000.
Top Value: Johnny Juzang vs. Chicago Bulls – $3,600 DraftKings
Opposite of the Bulls and a great potential bring back in this game stack is Jazz forward Johnny Juzang. The Jazz have lost nine straight games and have no ambition on winning games anytime soon. In his third season with the Jazz, Juzang is averaging a career high in points and rebounds per game. Over his last six games with a minutes boost, Juzang is averaging 12.8 points and 21.2 DraftKings points per game.
The Bulls have been playing well recently, but they are still a team to target. They are playing at the third-highest pace this season and rank 24th in defensive rating, allowing 120.1 points per game, which is the second-highest in the league. The Jazz are without Jordan Clarkson, Keyonte George, and John Collins tonight, which makes getting exposure to a $3,600 Juzang a priority. He is a fantastic value in all formats.
NBA DFS Power Forward Picks
Top Ceiling: Jaren Jackson Jr. at Sacramento Kings – $8,400 DraftKings
The pay-up options at power forward are a great way to differentiate lineups tonight. Among his pricing peers, Jaren Jackson Jr. is projected to bring in a little over 5% ownership. He is coming off an incredible game against a difficult Heat defense, scoring 31 points, while shooting 13-for-18 from the field in a 34-point victory. That was his second game back after injuring his shoulder and missing the last six games.
Jackson Jr. is arguably the best Grizzlies’ player to target on this slate. With Morant off the floor this season, he has posted a team-high +4.33% usage rate and a +4.35 DraftKings Plus/Minus. The Kings have been a difficult interior matchup, ranking in the top 10 in rebounding percentage and points allowed in the paint. However, Jackson Jr. is still averaging 21.4 points per game in his two meetings this season.
Top Value: Keldon Johnson at Los Angeles Lakers – $5,000 DraftKings
With Victor Wembanyama and now De’Aaron Fox out for the year, the Spurs have nothing left to play for in the 2025 season. Since the All-Star Break, Keldon Johnson has been amazing for the Spurs. Over his last 14 games during that time frame, Johnson is averaging 16.6 points per game while shooting 59.7% from the field. He has recorded double-digit points and at least four rebounds in every game but one.
Johnson has come off the bench in all 63 of his games played this season, but his playing time has rapidly increased. He is projected to play around 30 minutes tonight with a 24% usage rate, which makes him an ideal target for all contests. The Lakers have won one of their last five games, and even though the Spurs are nearly double-digit underdogs, getting exposure to Johnson at his mid-range salary is a great option.
NBA DFS Center Picks
Top Ceiling: Nikola Jokic at Golden State Warriors – $13,000 DraftKings
Nikola Jokic is listed as questionable, but was able to play both games of a back-to-back on Friday and Saturday night. He is expected to suit up, but make sure to monitor his status because he currently leads the slate in projected ceiling. Jokic recorded a ceiling performance last game without a triple-double. He finished a superb game with 40 points, 13 rebounds, nine assists, accumulating 76.25 DraftKings points.
The Warriors have been an incredible interior defense this season, but Jokic had no issues in this matchup in early December. He recorded 38 points, 10 rebounds, six assists, and five steals while shooting 14-for-24 from the field, including 3-for-4 from downtown. The $13,000 may provide sticker shock, but there is plenty of value to pay up for Jokic tonight. He is projected for 10% ownership, which still feels a little low.
Top Value: Draymond Green vs. Denver Nuggets – $5,900 DraftKings
Priced just below $6,000 with power forward and center eligibility, Draymond Green is arguably the best mid-range play on the slate. He is one of three players who is projected for over 30% ownership and is currently popping in the optimal lineup. Green has been a consistent fantasy producer who has posted a positive Plus/Minus in nine of his last 11 games, which makes him a strong cash-game option for tonight.
The Warriors are rolling with 12 wins in their last 13 games and are 4.5-point home favorites against the Nuggets tonight. Stephen Curry is questionable with a back injury, but it is hard to envision him missing this Western Conference clash. Green can produce fantasy points in a variety of ways, but has been more aggressive offensively lately, which is beneficial in this matchup with the Nuggets. They are allowing 50.2 points per game in the paint, ranking 24th. He is a cheap way to get exposure to this game environment.
