3 NBA FanDuel Value Plays to Target on Thursday 3/3/22
One of the keys to finding success in daily fantasy basketball is uncovering potential value plays. If you're looking to roster a stud player or two, you need to consider squeezing in one of these lower-salaried options into your lineup.
Let's take a look at three players who can help fill in the gaps in your lineup.
Malik Monk, SG, Los Angeles Lakers ($4,900)
As sad as this present reality is, Malik Monk is the Lakers' second-most productive offensive player right now.
Even worse, he didn't even play well on Tuesday. Monk started, played 39 minutes, but shot just 5-for-14 (35.7%) from the field. Still, if those first two things hold strong, Monk is one of the top guard values of the day.
Monk averages 0.87 FanDuel points per minute during floor conditions with LeBron James and without Anthony Davis. That should represent a bulk of Thursday's battle with the Clippers.
Importantly, Monk was one of three Lakers that coach Frank Vogel praised just days ago, and immediately after, Malik entered the starting lineup. He's likely going to continue to get a massive opportunity, but unlike Austin Reaves, he produces on the floor.
Monk is projected for 24.6 FanDuel points, but that's in just 30.2 projected minutes. If he plays nearly 40 once more, he likely smashes value in this spot.
Kevon Looney, PF/C, Golden State Warriors ($4,700)
I call Kevon Looney "Ol' Reliable". He's never going to wow anyone with a 20-point scoring burst. He can still pay off this salary, though.
The Warriors' center has eclipsed 20 FanDuel points in 15 straight contests. That's an absurd floor for a salary this low, and he's even burst past 25 FanDuel points on four occasions in that span.
The reason for Looney's stability? His work on the glass. Looney averages 12.27 rebounds per 36 minutes, and no other Golden State player averages more than 9 boards per 36 minutes. It's Looney's minutes that are the cause for slight undulations in his production.
Looney played 26 minutes against Dallas on Sunday and posted 35.5 FanDuel points. The Dubs play the Mavs again today. This is a matchup in which he can have success, and given his long track record of a floor at this salary, Looney comes with very little risk.
De'Andre Hunter, SF, Atlanta Hawks ($4,400)
The Hawks' former lottery pick is a frustrating dude in NBA DFS. But, he's among the top point-per-dollar forward options on this slate, according to our numbers.
Atlanta hosts Chicago in a game with a 231.5-point total. That would be the highest on most slates if not for the expected rodeo in San Antonio on Thursday. Access to the Bulls-Hawks game should be valuable, and Hunter absolutely will be on the court.
De'Andre Hunter has played 37 minutes in back-to-back games after returning from an illness. He's been quiet in the box score because he's in the midst of a 9-for-34 (26.5%) shooting slump that's poor by even his standards.
At 0.71 FanDuel points per minute this season, Hunter should do enough to pay off this salary with such persistent court time once the shot regresses favorably.
His actual role could improve Thursday, as well. Trae Young is a game-time decision for Atlanta with the ankle he sprained on Tuesday. Hunter has seen a 3.6 percentage-point increase in usage rate this season with Young off the floor.
