3 NBA FanDuel Studs to Target on 10/23/18

Joel Embiid, C, Philadelphia 76ers

Price: $10,700

Monitor the status of Ben Simmons for this one, because his absence would lift Joel Embiid from a good play to a great one.

Simmons made an early exit from Saturday's game with a back injury, was held out of practice on Monday, and is questionable for tonight's meeting with the Detroit Pistons.

Embiid is already on a tear to start the season, averaging north of 50 FanDuel points per game while scoring at least 20 points, grabbing at least 10 rebounds and playing at least 32 minutes in each contest. His 32.0% usage rate is down slightly from where it was last year (33.4%), but his offensive numbers have been strong anyway, and if Simmons sits he should also see an increase in usage.

Simmons' 18.7% usage rate isn't especially high, but last year Embiid saw a distinct jump in usage when comparing minutes played with Simmons on the court (32.9%) to without (38.3%).

Even in an uninspiring matchup against the Pistons, that would give him a ridiculous ceiling. This matchup also gets a whole lot softer if Andre Drummond (questionable, illness) doesn't suit up opposite Embiid.