NBA

3 NBA DraftKings Value Plays to Target on 1/30/18

Use your ← → (arrow) keys to browse the slideshow

Ish Smith, PG, Detroit Pistons

DraftKings Salary: $5,600

Following the acquisition of Blake Griffin, the Detroit Pistons will be quite shorthanded for tonight's game. They shipped away Tobias Harris, Avery Bradley, and Boban Marjanovic in that deal, opening up quite the opportunity for additional minutes on the wing. It also got rid of their only players with a usage rate over 25% without Reggie Jackson, which leaves them in desperate need of players who can create their own shot and create for others.

As far as shot-creators go, Ish Smith, Langston Galloway ($3,500), and Dwight Buycks ($3,400) are their best options. Galloway was a DNP-CD his last time out after starting the two games prior to that. If in the starting lineup, he is definitely worth a look at this price. Otherwise, he's nothing but a speculative punt play in tournaments. Smith is the most likely one to play a large role, as he will see the ball in his hands much more often without Harris and Bradley. He's averaging a healthy 24.4% usage rate and 0.94 DraftKings points per minute without them. His price tag dictates 28 DraftKings points of him to reach value, which could be accomplished in just 26 minutes at a pace of 0.94 DraftKings points per minute.

Other candidates for bumps in playing time and usage are Reggie Bullock ($4,700), Anthony Tolliver ($4,500), Luke Kennard ($4,100), and Stanley Johnson ($3,900). Even with Harris and Bradley off the floor, none of those dudes are averaging over 0.80 DraftKings points per minute -- with Kennard (0.78) and Tolliver (0.77) being the only ones over 0.70. As such, it is tough to put a ton of faith in any, although it is worth noting that Tolliver saw 40 minutes his last time out and could see extended run again.

You can take your choice of punt Pistons in a beautiful matchup against a Cleveland Cavaliers team that's ranked 28th in defensive efficiency, but it is probably best to temper expectations somewhat.