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FanDuel NBA: Best Buys For Oct. 31

By Michael Yaffe

Oct 21, 2015; Miami, FL, USA; Washington Wizards guard John Wall (2) in the second half of a game against the Miami Heat at American Airlines Arena. The Heat won 110-105. Mandatory Credit: Robert Mayer-USA TODAY Sports
Oct 21, 2015; Miami, FL, USA; Washington Wizards guard John Wall (2) in the second half of a game against the Miami Heat at American Airlines Arena. The Heat won 110-105. Mandatory Credit: Robert Mayer-USA TODAY Sports /
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Apr 10, 2015; Salt Lake City, UT, USA; Memphis Grizzlies forward Zach Randolph (50) defends against Utah Jazz forward Derrick Favors (15) during the first half at EnergySolutions Arena. Mandatory Credit: Russ Isabella-USA TODAY Sports
In hindsight, the Nets may have given up too early on Favors. Mandatory Credit: Russ Isabella-USA TODAY Sports /

Steady Contributors ($5,001 – $7,500)

Derrick Favors, Gobert’s frontcourt mate on the Utah Jazz, seems like a bargain at $7,400. Favors managed 36.7 FanDuel points against the Detroit Pistons the other night, and that seems like a reasonable floor for a power forward that can deliver category juice in matchups like the one against Indiana.

Favors should have his way with Jordan Hill, who started at the 4-spot last time George slid over. C.J. McCollum ($6,000) has seen a dramatic cost increase since he scored 37 points in 37 minutes in the Portland Trail Blazers’ debut. Still, at the new cap hit the third-year guard from Lehigh still merits strong consideration as long as he has Lillard feeding him the rock.

The New Orleans Pelicans’ Eric Gordon ($5,300) gets a boost in value while the team’s backcourt rotation is still in shambles. He is a capable scorer that is coming off a 41-minute outing against the Portland Trail Blazers in which he scored 20 points, so with that kind of playing time he makes for a nice roster filler.

Ditto for the Washington Wizards’ Otto Porter ($5,400), who racked up 27.1 FanDuel points against the Orlando Magic in 37 minutes of playing time.

Porter had his moments as a spot starter last season, averaging 10.2 PPG in that scenario, so “Bubba” could also make for a reasonably-priced selection, as the opposing Knicks’ SF Carmelo Anthony looks more like a one-way player that is focused on trying to rediscover his three-point stroke these days.

Wizards’ center Marcin Gortat ($6,400) has a seemingly more difficult task up front against the Knicks’ Robin Lopez, but in their lone head-to-head matchup last season Gortat came through with 16 points and nine boards in the Wizards’ victory, so I’d consider that his floor without LaMarcus Aldridge in the way this time.

Bargain Basement ($5,000 or less)

Knicks’ rookie Kristaps Porzingis ($4,900) barely qualifies for this category, but the Latvian Flagpole seems to be a steady source of rebounds and blocks while he learns on the job. A repeat performance from his first NBA game of 23.6 FanDuel points should be reasonable at that cost.

Tony Allen ($4,800) made his way into the Memphis Grizzlies’ starting lineup the other night, and he produced 24.4 FanDuel points in just 22 minutes of play. Since he is more of a defensive specialist his level of contribution may vary, but he is worth considering as long as he sits in the first chair at small forward.

Golden States’ Harrison Barnes ($4,600) is more of a punt play, but he’s in a contract year and the both parties seem content to wait until the offseason before opening discussions, so that should motivate Barnes to put his best foot forward until then.

Barnes did a little of everything in the opener against New Orleans, and a repeat performance of 24.3 FanDuel points would be a nice coup at that cost.

Next: The Lineup