The Daily Fantasy Basketball Playbook had another huge night on Wednesday night, but let's worry about the present and not the past. I'm one of the few people that is not a fan of Rajon Rondo tonight (who has a great matchup) because the guy has SIX total points in the past three games. The guy just doesn't score points and he needs close to 15 assists just to return value.
The point guard position is filled with guys I love at all different price ranges. Kyle Lowry continues to produce huge fantasy numbers with DeMar DeRozan out. The shooting guard position has a couple of high priced players to really get excited about, but also has a few cheap plays that will put up big numbers as well. Not a big fan of the small forward position because the options are slim pickings. Don't be afraid to use Rudy Gay ONLY if you have the extra money.
There are a lot of quality value plays at the power forward position, which will allow you to spend big at the other positions. Love the options at center tonight. Especially since all of the great options do not cost a lot. Good luck tonight.
Here is the Daily Fantasy Basketball Playbook for December 5th, 2014:
Point Guards
| Player | Team | DraftKings | Fanduel | Comments |
| Kyle Lowry | Raptors | 9,600 | 9,100 | Has 50+ FP in 3 straight games |
| Mike Conley | Grizzlies | 7,300 | 6,900 | Cheap price tag on FD. |
| Kemba Walker | Hornets | 7,900 | 7,200 | Is a monster at home. Better play on FD |
| Greivis Vasquez | Raptors | 4,600 | 4,800 | Has exceeded value in 5 straight games |
| Mario Chalmers | Heats | 6,200 | 6,100 | Averaging almost 19/3/7/2 steals as a starter this season |
Shooting Guards
| Player | Team | DraftKings | Fanduel | Comments |
| James Harden | Rockets | 11,200 | 10,400 | Could finish as the #1 player tonight. Affordable on FD |
| Monta Ellis | Mavericks | 8,200 | 7,800 | Playing exceptional Bball and has a superb matchup |
| Jason Terry | Rockets | 5,700 | 4,100 | Has put up 30+ FP in the past 2 games as a starter |
| Eric Bledsoe | Suns | 7,900 | 7,300 | Cheaper option than Monta that is Boom/bust |
| Victor Oladipo | Magic | 6,300 | 6,500 | Safe mid-tier play |
| Rodney Stuckey | Pacers | 4,600 | 4,800 | Great punt play if he's starting again |
Small Forwards
| Player | Team | DraftKings | Fanduel | Comments |
| Gordon Hayward | Jazz | 7,800 | 7,500 | Good matchup & doesn't cost a lot |
| K.J. McDaniels | Sixers | 5,700 | 4,900 | Amazing value on FD |
| Donatas Motiejunas | Rockets | 5,200 | 5,600 | PF on FD; Love the price for his high upside |
| Shawne Williams | Heat | 3,400 | 3,900 | Awesome punt play that will play heavy minutes |
Power Forwards
| Player | Team | DraftKings | Fanduel | Comments |
| Dirk Nowitzki | Mavericks | 6,200 | 7,600 | Mind boggling how cheap he is on DK |
| Derrick Favors | Jazz | 7,400 | 7,300 | Expect him and Jared Sullinger to have big games |
| Amar'e Stoudemire | Knicks | 5,600 | 5,500 | Starting & has 30+ FP in 4 straight games |
Centers
| Player | Team | DraftKings | Fanduel | Comments |
| Brook Lopez | Nets | 6,700 | 6,800 | Playing huge minutes & putting up huge number recently |
| Enes Kanter | Jazz | 5,700 | 5,700 | Cheap price tag & will feast on the Orlando front court |
| Jordan Hill | Lakers | 6,500 | 6,600 | Boston has no one that can contain him |
| Kyle O'Quinn | Magic | 3,600 | 4,800 | Boom/bust play that will start with Vucevic out |
Player News
Devin Carter accounted for 10 points (3-of-5 FGs, 3-of-4 FTs), four rebounds, two assists, one steal and one three-pointer in 22 minutes in Wednesday’s loss to the Mavericks.
Carter’s rookie season ended on a positive note individually, as he reached double figures for the fourth time. Offseason shoulder surgery delayed his NBA debut until after the New Year, with Carter playing 36 regular-season games. While he was worth stashing in dynasty league drafts before this season began, the former Providence standout did not deserve a look in redraft leagues. That will likely remain the case next season, but the Kings need to make a decision regarding their head coaching position, as Doug Christie was only the interim. Add in the need for an experienced point guard, and Carter’s fantasy outlook isn’t great.
Keegan Murray recorded nine points (3-of-9 FGs, 1-of-2 FTs), six rebounds, two assists, one steal, two blocks and two three-pointers in 36 minutes in Wednesday’s loss to the Mavericks.
Murray recorded a complete stat line on Wednesday, but the impact was muted. That was a fitting end to the season for the Kings forward, whose fantasy value took a significant hit. The signing of DeMar DeRozan during free agency did Murray no favors, and that was also true for the addition of Zach LaVine just before the trade deadline. While he did approach his Yahoo! ADP (87) in nine-cat formats, Murray failed to crack the top-100 in eight-cat. Murray is extension eligible this summer, but the Kings have many questions to answer, including who the head coach will be and the future of lead executive Monte McNair. How that impacts Murray remains to be seen, but he’s worth selecting with a top-100 pick in drafts.
Domantas Sabonis tallied 11 points (5-of-13 FGs, 1-of-2 FTs), 13 rebounds, five assists and two steals in 37 minutes in Wednesday’s loss to the Mavericks.
It’s fitting that Sabonis would finish his season with a double-double, as he recorded 61 during the regular season. However, his impact was limited, with Anthony Davis, Dereck Lively II and Daniel Gafford combining to control the paint for most of Wednesday’s Play-In tournament matchup. Regarding fantasy value, Sabonis was a top-25 player in eight- and nine-cat formats for the season. However, his value took a significant hit after the trade deadline, with the De’Aaron Fox deal leaving the Kings with two high-scoring wings (Zach LaVine and DeMar DeRozan) and no legitimate point guard. How Sacramento addresses that decision during the offseason will impact Sabonis’ fantasy value in 2025-26.
DeMar DeRozan shot 13-of-28 from the field and 5-of-6 from the foul line in Wednesday’s loss to the Mavericks, tallying 33 points, seven rebounds, two assists, two steals and two three-pointers in 43 minutes.
DeRozan went out firing on Wednesday, shooting just under 50 percent from the field and finishing a blocked shot shy of a complete stat line. Like other key Kings players, his fantasy value took a hit after De’Aaron Fox was traded to San Antonio. The lack of a point guard who can set up others consistently proved problematic for the Kings, who now have some significant decisions to make this offseason. DeRozan can approach top-50 fantasy value, but the task gets much easier when on the court with a legitimate lead guard.
Zach LaVine logged 44 minutes in Wednesday’s loss to the Mavericks, tallying 20 points (8-of-19 FGs), three rebounds, nine assists and four three-pointers.
LaVine led the Kings in assists on Wednesday, but inefficient play was an issue in the Play-In tournament defeat. The turnover count was worse than the field goal percentage, as LaVine committed five. After being traded to the Kings, the veteran guard was an eighth-round player in nine-cat formats, and a fifth-round player in eight-cat. While reuniting with DeMar DeRozan gave the Kings two high-scoring wings to pair with center Domantas Sabonis, the lack of a legitimate point guard was an issue. LaVine can approach top-50 value, but the task became more difficult when he was traded.
Keon Ellis shot 3-of-4 from the field and 1-of-1 from the foul line in Wednesday’s loss to the Mavericks, scoring nine points with one rebound, one assist and two three-pointers in 18 minutes.
Ellis’ 2024-25 season ended with a whimper, as he provided limited value as the Kings’ fifth starter. He played 80 games this season, providing slightly higher fantasy value in his 28 starts. In those outings, Ellis averaged 9.8 points, 3.3 rebounds, 2.3 assists, 2.1 steals, 0.9 blocks and 2.0 three-pointers in 31.1 minutes. Regarding playing time, he benefited from the decision to trade De’Aaron Fox. However, Sacramento must address the point guard position this offseason, which would limit Ellis’ fantasy value in 2025-26.