3 NBA DraftKings Studs to Target on 1/16/18

Nikola Jokic, C, Denver Nuggets

DraftKings Salary: $8,700

Nikola Jokic's price is up a bit after some big games lately, but his salary still may not be high enough to account for his ceiling.

To hit 5 points per every $1,000 in salary at this cost, Jokic needs just 43.5 DraftKings points, a mark which he has reached in three of his past four games. During that span, he has a per-game average 45.9 DraftKings points. That type of production seems especially sustainable when you consider that Jokic has done it on just 41% shooting from the floor and 26% shooting from beyond the arc, both of which are down significantly from his season averages.

Jokic showed the type of upside he has (63.5 DraftKings points against the Golden State Warriors) if he is able to find his shot, which should be accessible in a matchup tonight against the Dallas Mavericks. Dallas has allowed the fourth-most DraftKings points per game to opposing centers this season, and they have also been dreadful on the glass, ranking dead last in rebounding rate.

Jokic is averaging a double double this season and should control the boards against the Mavericks. With Karl-Anthony Towns ($9,500) dealing with blowout risk and DeMarcus Cousins ($10,500) in a very tough matchup, paying down a bit for Jokic may be the best strategy at center today.