NBA DFS Picks, Projections, Lineups, Injuries & More Today: Wednesday Playbook

SGA is a great option on any slate. He's definitely great, but man the numbers without Jalen Williams are insane. He gets a +4.2% USG bump up to 38.8% and is averaging 1.8 FP/min.

We're expected Kawhi Leonard to sit out in this game. Without Leonard and Norm Powell this year, James Harden has a +8.4% USG bump up to 38.9% and averages 1.48 FP/min. It's not an easy spot for Harden but man, the minutes are elite. He hasn't played less than 35 minutes in a game in the second half of the year.

Ja Morant is BALLIN right now and faces the 30th ranked defense tonight. Without JJJ and Aldama this year, Morant leads the team at a 34.7% USG and 1.4 FP/min. They're spamming pick and rolls and if Ja gets two feet in the paint it's over for the other team.

No matter how good and consistent Castle is, nobody ever wants to play him. I shouldn't say nobody, I do. He has a 26% USG and averages 1.04 FP/min without Victor Wembanyama this year. Not to mention, Castle's been at a 25% USG or greater in seven straight and nine of 10. If Devin Vassell sits, wheels up.

If Brandon Williams is in and starting, he's firmly in play. It is worth mentioning Dallas could be fairly healthy in this spot, so we'll have to see who's in/out. It is also worth mentioning if Williams isn't starting, there's always a chance he DNPs because his two-way availability is running low and Dallas cannot sign anyone else.

Jamal Shead hasn't been the best FP/min player, but he should see somewhere around 30 minutes with how short-handed Toronto is. Shead had 32 DKP ion a start against Washington the other day and that was in a start with Quickley out, and he's out again here.

Desmond Bane has been awesome, except last game, but either way, he's awesome. Without JJJ and Aldama this year, Bane has a 25.7% USG, and 1.29 FP/min this year.

At this point in time, Keyonte George is the only Jazz player all but confirmed out. They have a bunch of questionable tags and Sexton's minutes have trended upwards. He played 33 minutes and was awesome, notching 16 points and 13 rebounds. Without George this year, Sexton's posted a 28% USG and 1.1 FP/min. I hate how much I like Utah here.

Lonnie Walker IV's role is solid with or without Kelly Oubre Jr., especially lately. Walker has topped 28 minutes in three straight and four of five overall. In each game he's played 28 minutes, he's scored a base of 24 DKP. He's in an elite matchup at a great price and it's funny to see the ownership trending down despite a 25%, 26%, and 23% USG in three straight games.

This is a funny one. What we know is that A.J. Lawson is going to play minutes. He's played 30 in two straight and 26+ in four straight. He hadn't made any shots last game, but Lawson is coming off an ELITE performance scoring 32 points on 21 shots and 7-14 on threes. There's a chance he starts, but I think seeing him score 30 off the bench last time out makes me believe that's where he'll stay.

For cheaper than A.J. Lawson, Jared Rhoden exists in the world. Rhoden has not been entirely impressive, but the minutes have been solid as he's topped 26 in three straight and the baseline of production during that span is 18.25 DKP. 5x return at 3.3K is 16.5.

We're unsure if Kristaps Porzingis will play, but he was AT shootaround this AM. Doesn't mean he was participating, but he was there. If Zinger doesn't play through this illness that doctors have no answer for, we should see Tatum explode. Without KP this year, Tatum has a 33% USG and 1.45 FP/min.

Thompson has been awesome lately scoring 26+ points and 34+ DKP in three of four games. The minutes have trended upwards too, playing 32+ in three of the four as well. Without AD, Irving and Doncic this year, Thompson has a 25% USG rate. He is showing off a ceiling.

The production is very up and down but he has a very high ceiling. Without Wemby this year, Vassell has a 24.5% USG and averages .98 FP/min. Since the ASB, the Mavericks are 25th in DRtg.

We should see Vince Williams Jr. re-enter the starting lineup without JJJ and Aldama and has settled into a mid-20s minutes role. The price on DK and so is the positional eligibility. 

This stretch for Miles Bridges is insane. He's scored 35+ points in three of five, 54+ DKP in four of five, and 41+ DKP in five straight. Atlanta is 19th in DRtg and 2nd in pace this year, so advantage for Bridges in both of those categories.

Before I commit to P.J. Washington as a core play, I need to know what his minutes are going to look like. If there are any limitations – if he plays – then I'm out.

John Collins? John Collins. Welcome back after a two week absence, here's 34 minutes and 30 (!!!!!) shots. Now, the shot volume could obviously come back to earth here depending who's in/out, Collins has a defined role in a massive pace up spot. Without Keyonte George, Collins gets the biggest USG bump at +4.3% USG up to 28.8% and is averaging 1.26 FP/min.

I'm not sure what to make of what Dillon Brooks we've seen because he's legit been a high-usage player. He's posted a 22% USG or four of five games and he's scored double-figure actual points in seven consecutive games. He's posted 23+ DKP in six of his last eight and his price is dropping.

Guys just been amazing. The minutes have been amazing. The production has been too. Without Kawhi Leonard, Ben Simmons, and Norman Powell this year, Zubac has a 20.5% USG and averages 1.14 FP/min.

Mark Williams is a really, really, really, really good FP/min player. With Brandon Miller and others out, Williams has a 23% USG and averages 1.4 FP/min. It's been monster outing after monster outing when he gets/approaches 30 minutes.

Thankfully Trae Young is in. Okongwu and Young are a dynamic duo. Without the traded guys and Johnson and Capela, Okongwu sits at a robust 1.19 FP/min mark. He faces off against an awful Charlotte defense.

We don't know who's actually in/out for Memphis, including Brandon Clarke might I add, as both Clarke and Zach Edey are on the injury report. Both guys are FP/min players. Both guys benefit from JJJ and Aldama being out. If one is out and the other is in, they're great plays and should play well into the 20s for minutes.

FD ONLY - Nikola Jokic is who he is. He's now 13K on FD and that definitely makes you think. That said, he's gone for 74, 63, and 94 FDP in three straight games. Goes to show what he's capable of.

FD ONLY - Without Jalen Brunson this year, KAT has been amazing. He sees a 6.8% USG bump up to 34% and averages 1.6 FP/min, which both lead the team.

FD ONLY - This is a great spot and one Edwards definitely has circled on his calendar. He has a 32% USG and averages 1.25 FP/min on the year, so he has a ceiling. Tournament play for sure.

FD ONLY - Nobody on the team has better FP/min average than Deni Avdija without Jerami Grant and Deandre Ayton this year. He sits at 1.15 and a smidge under a 23% USG. He's a fantastic play against a bottom-10 defense.

ADDED - With Nick Richards downgraded to doubtful, Mason Plumlee is posed to step into a bigger role. His role has actually been expanding to begin with as he's played 20+ minutes in five straight and 25+ in three of four. 20+ FP in four straight, too. He's a .95 FP/min player this year without Nurk and Richards.

FD ONLY - Since returning from injury, Julius Randle has arguably been the Timberwolves best player. Randle has narrowly missed out on a triple-double in three consecutive games and the offense has flown through him. He has 9+ assists, 7+ rebounds, and 13+ points in three straight. He's topped 40 FP twice over that span.

FD ONLY - The price is OK. Nothing I'm too fond about, nothing I hate. We saw that if he makes shots, he has a ceiling. He has 40+ minute upside, which is the most attractive thing about McBride and most of the time, the Knicks in general.

You know who's awesome? Keldon Johnson without Wemby. He sits at a 23% USG and averages 1 FP/min. Those numbers go up if Devin Vassell sits as he's at a 24.3% USG and 1.06 FP/min. Oh, if Jeremy Sochan sits too? 1.13 FP/min.