NBA DFS Show DraftKings Daily Fantasy Basketball Preview October 31
Published: Oct 31, 2023
NBA DFS Strategy & DraftKings Top Picks
On Tuesday, October 31st, we have a three-game NBA DFS main slate on DraftKings and FanDuel. Despite it being just three games, there is plenty of star power. The likes of Kevin Durant, Donovan Mitchell, Paul George, and Kawhi Leonard all take the floor tonight. On the heels of the James Harden trade to the Clippers, the Clippers are very short-handed this evening and could provide a lot of value. There are a lot of injuries to take note of as Donovan Mitchell and Caris LeVert are questionable while Devin Booker, Bradley Beal, and Darius Garland are out.
Jon Impemba and James Grande break down the main slate by going position-by-position and bringing an example lineup into the fold at the end. Be sure to check out our NBA DFS projections, powered by FanJections, NBA DFS Lineup Generator, and all of the rest of our NBA DFS content and tools.
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Player News
Tyrese Haliburton (calf) is questionable for Sunday’s Game 7 against the Thunder.
While Haliburton disclosed Saturday afternoon that he’s still dealing with soreness and stiffness in his strained right calf, he said that he’ll be good to go for Sunday’s series decider. The Pacers have officially listed the point guard as questionable, but the sporting world expects to see him on the court. With Haliburton being at less than full strength, the Pacers will likely need another standout performance from backup point guard T.J. McConnell if they’re to win their first NBA title.
ESPN’s Shams Charania reported Pat Connaughton has exercised his player option for the 2025-26 season.
Connaughton’s player option was worth approximately $9.4 million, likely a higher price tag than what he would have commanded as an unrestricted free agent. Injuries limited the Bucks wing to 41 games this season, and he averaged 5.3 points, 2.7 rebounds, 1.7 assists and 0.6 three-pointers in 14.7 minutes. Outside of his 43-point explosion in Milwaukee’s regular season finale, Connaughton did not impact fantasy basketball this season, and that’s unlikely to change in 2025-26.
Tyrese Haliburton (calf) says he’ll “be ready to go for Game 7" of the NBA Finals against the Thunder on Sunday.
“Good thing I only had to play like 23 minutes,” Haliburton said. “I’ve been able to get even more treatment and do more things. Just trying to take care of it the best I can.” This will be the first Game 7 in the Finals since 2016, so there’s no way Haliburton sits out. They’ll continue to manage his injury, and if it’s bothering him to the point that he isn’t helping the team by being out there, they may choose to sit him. However, that wasn’t the case in Game 6, and if it means winning a championship, they will likely have no issues pushing him way past 23 minutes.
According to multiple reports, the Raptors have no interest in trading Jakob Poeltl.
With Toronto being one of the teams mentioned as a potential destination for Suns forward Kevin Durant, Poeltl’s name came up as part of a possible trade package. However, Michael Grange reported Friday evening that the Raptors are not interested in including Poeltl in a trade for KD. NBA insider Marc Stein confirmed Grange’s report and added that the Raptors and Poeltl have “mutual interest” in working out a contract extension. While there is a feeling around the league that Toronto is open to trading down ahead of Wednesday’s draft, as they hold the ninth overall pick, there’s no desire to move on from their starting center.
NBA insider Marc Stein reports Dwight Powell will activate his player option for the 2025-26 season.
Powell had until Tuesday to decide whether or not he would activate his player option for the 2025-26 season. Per Stein’s report, the veteran center had made his decision a few days early, deciding to pick up the option worth $4 million. Powell appeared in 55 games this season but only averaged 10.0 minutes, his lowest mark since the 2014-15 season. He did not impact fantasy basketball this season, and that’s highly unlikely to change in 2025-26.
Josh Green underwent surgery to address instability in his left shoulder.
Green is expected to make a full recovery, though he’s out indefinitely and without a timetable to return. A first round pick in 2020 by the Mavericks, Green moved into the Hornets starting lineup late in the year as Charlotte dealt with multiple injured starters. While Green had some good performances, he needs to become more of a consistent scorer to be a fantasy asset in the future.