NBA DFS Summer League Playbook July 13th: Top DraftKings NBA DFS Picks
On Thursday, July 13th, we have a four-game NBA DFS Summer League main slate on DraftKings and it's a doozy as their main contest, costing $15 per entry, has a $20K first prize. Young stars such as Brandon Miller, Shaedon Sharpe, possibly Scoot Henderson, and Anthony Black take the courts in Vegas to show why they were so highly coveted in last year's and this year's NBA Drafts. No Victor Wembanyama or Jabari Smith Jr. tonight, but there is still league-wild talent taking center stage and that gets me excited. Let’s dive into the top NBA DFS plays of the day for today’s summer league slate.
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News we’re monitoring:
UPDATE: Brandon Miller is OUT for the remainder of Summer League
- Nick Smith Jr. gets a bump
- Kai Jones gets a bump
- Justin Robinson gets a bump
UPDATE: Scoot Henderson is OUT for the remainder of Summer League
- Michael Deveo is OK
- Antoine Davis if he starts, is in play
- Jabari Smith Jr. & Tari Eason, Houston Rockets - OUT
- Amen Thompson, Houston Rockets - OUT
- Trayce Jackson-Davis, Golden State Warriors - QUEST
- Scoot Henderson, Portland Trailblazers - QUEST
- Jabari Walker, Portland Trailblazers - QUEST
- Kevon Harris, Orlando Magic - OUT
- Caleb Houstan & Elijah Hughes, Orlando Magic - Didn’t play last game, QUEST (if not starting likely doesn’t play)
- Wendell Moore Jr., Minnesota Timberwolves - QUEST
- Keegan Murray, Sacramento Kings - OUT
- Neemias Queta, Sacramento Kings - OUT
- Shaedon Sharpe, Portland Trailblazers - QUEST (shutdown?)
NBA DFS Top Plays
Shaedon Sharpe, Portland Trailblazers (DraftKings - $10,400)
If the Blazers don’t shut down Shaedon Sharpe before this game, he’s going to get a full complement of playing time. If Sharpe plays and isn’t shut down, he’s arguably the best play on the board and has the highest ceiling. In his 10 starts last year for the Blazers, he averaged 14.7 PPG and in April, just four games, the kid averaged 22.8 PPG. He’s an elite scorer he’s scored 26 and 21 points.
Brandon Miller, Charlotte Hornets (DraftKings - $9,400)
Brandon Miller is OUT for Charlotte for the remainder of Summer League
Miller shot very poorly in each of the first two games this Summer League but bounced back in a solid way in the third game shooting 8-for-15 with 26 points. He’s put up 41 DKP in two of the three games this summer and 28 DKP has been his low. The Hornets are letting Miller figure it out on the floor as he’s topped 29 minutes in all three games.
Others: Anthony Black, Orlando Magic, Dyson Daniels, New Orleans Pelicans (if he plays)
NBA DFS Mid-Tier Plays
Lester Quinones, Golden State Warriors (DraftKings - $8,400)
Things have only gotten better each game for Quinones as he’s scored 15, 26, and 31 points and put up 47 DKP as well in his last game. He’s played 33+ minutes and has taken 15+ shots and all we can ask for in some of these situations are guys on the floor and taking shots. For what it’s worth he’s dished out five assists twice and has seven rebounds in a game too. He was the G-League RoY runner-up last season.
Trevor Hudgins, Houston Rockets (DraftKings - $7,200)
It was Hudgins ' time to shine when the Rockets shut down Smith and Eason. Hudgins shot 10-for-20 with 44 DKP and had 26 points and seven assists. The only shots he missed were three-pointers and there’s no reason to think this doesn’t happen again. He played 31+ minutes in back-to-back games and the Rockets likely want him to continue to develop.
Others: Gui Santos, Golden State Warriors, Reggie Perry, Golden State Warriors (if Trayce Jackson-Davis is out), Matthew Mayer, Houston Rockets, Leonard Miller, Minnesota Timberwolves, Dereon Seabron, New Orleans Pelicans
NBA DFS Value Plays
D.J. Carton, Minnesota Timberwolves (DraftKings - $5,300)
With Wendell Moore out of the lineup the last two games, we’ve seen Carton’s playing time directly correlated as he slid into the starting lineup on Wednesday and played 31 minutes, more than anyone else on the TWolves. He responded with 13 points, seven assists, and 30.25 DKP. Carton’s had at least five assists in all three games and at least one steal as well. If he can keep scoring at a double-digit level he makes for a great value.
Quinndary Weatherspoon, Orlando Magic (DraftKings - $4,400)
If the Magic elect to start Weatherspoon again and Elijah Hughes and Caleb Houstan are seemingly done for the Summer League, he’s one of the best values on the board. He started and played 27 minutes on Wednesday pouring in 17 points and 33.3 DKP. The 13 shot attempts was really nice to see.
Others: Jermaine Samuels, Houston Rockets, Feron Hunt, Minnesota Timberwolves (if Wendell Moore Jr. is out), Kendric Davis, Golden State Warriors, Nate Hinton, Houston Rockets
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Player News
Anthony Davis (adductor) and Brandon Williams (oblique) are probable for Friday’s game against the Grizzlies.
Davis was listed as probable Wednesday against the Kings, but ultimately played 35 minutes and had 27 points in the win. The 32-year-old is once again listed as probable with the adductor injury that sidelined him earlier this season. Davis figures to be available as the Mavericks battled the Grizzlies with the eight seed in the Western Conference on the line Friday.
Ja Morant (ankle) is questionable for Friday’s game against the Mavericks.
Morant told reporters after Tuesday’s loss to the Warriors that he expects to play Friday. Nevertheless, the 25-year-old point guard missed practice Thursday and is officially listed as questionable with a right ankle sprain. While it’s hard to envision Morant sitting out a game of importance like Friday’s, his ankle is clearly bothering him. If Morant is out, Santi Aldama and Luke Kennard will be in line for extra minutes with Kennard potentially moving into the starting lineup.
Trae Young (Achilles) is probable for Friday’s game against the Heat.
Even in the postseason, the Hawks continue to list Young as probable with an Achilles injury. The listing is performative, stemming from Young being held out of an NBA Cup game earlier this season despite not appearing on the injury report, which resulted in a $100K fine for the Hawks. With the Hawks’ season on the line Friday, expect Young to be cleared to play once again.
Pelle Larsson (ankle) and Nikola Jovic (hand) are questionable for Friday’s game against the Hawks.
No big surprises on the Heat injury report heading into Friday’s game. While Larsson and Jovic are questionable, Duncan Robinson (back), Alec Burks (back) and Haywood Highsmith (Achilles) are all available. Larsson was questionable, but ultimately available against the Bulls Wednesday, though he didn’t play due to coach’s decision. Jovic was out Wednesday as he hasn’t played since February with a broken right hand.
Ja Morant (ankle) missed practice on Thursday and will be a game-time decision against the Mavericks on Friday.
Morant finished out Tuesday’s game against the Warriors after injuring his ankle during overtime and said after the game that he will play on Friday. It’s difficult to imagine him not suiting up for a win-or-go-home game, but the ankle is clearly bothering him quite a bit, which could impact his performance on the court. If something changes, Santi Aldama and Luke Kennard will take on extra minutes, with Kennard potentially replacing Morant in the starting unit.
ESPN’s Shams Charania reports Damian Lillard has been cleared of his deep vein thrombosis and is no longer on blood-thinning medication.
Charania also reported that this is an incredibly quick recovery for Lillard that was made possible by early treatment. It is an excellent development for both Dame and the Bucks. He has been ruled out for Game 1 against the Pacers on Saturday, and they will give him time to ramp up before he returns to the lineup. It’s unclear what that timeline looks like, but Lillard is certainly on pace to return sooner rather than later. Ryan Rollins should continue to start in place of Dame until he returns.