Friday’s three-game $25,000 NBA Draftstars slate boasts some top premiums in Luka Doncic, Stephen Curry and Devin Booker but there’s a young Golden State Warriors rookie who everyone is talking about.
In this NBA Draftstars preview we’ll look at recent form and injuries, plus value picks and premium plays and fades.
LAST GAME LEARNINGS
Mavericks’ All-Star Luka Doncic (PG $19,640) hasn’t had ownership lately given his price but he has churned out DS scores of 72.5 and 65.75 in his past two games. Doncic had 41 points with 14 rebounds and seven assists on Thursday. He’s going large but still very pricey.
Suns’ guard Devin Booker (SG|PG $15,910) attracted 41% ownership on Tuesday and that was timely as he produced a slate-high 71.75 DS score, aided by 48 points along with five rebounds and six assists. That was Booker’s highest DS score for the season, way up on his 40.5 DS season average. He looks top value among the premiums.
In Wednesday’s two-game slate, New York’s Julius Randle (PF|C $16,610) had 47% ownership and delivered with a solid 56.25 DS points. He’s re-discovered some consistency over the past few games to make him trustworthy again.
On the flipside, Knicks teammate RJ Barrett (PG|SF $14,260) has been hot lately but he only managed 25 DS points underwhelming his 27% ownership.
In the same slate, Klay Thompson (SG $9,420) drew in 53% ownership as he continues to progress in his fourth game from long-term injuries and he was solid with a 35.75 DS score from his game-high 21 points with three rebounds and four assists. He scored 17 of his 21 points in the first half, so he still needs to regain full physical conditioning but should be considered at his price.
Caris LeVert (SG|SF $15,910) continued his good form with decent numbers for the Pacers on Thursday with 30 points and eight rebounds equating to 45 DS points, moving his six-game average to 42.1 up on his season average of 32.
Tuesday’s 71.75 Draftstars score was Booker’s highest for the season, way up on his 40.5 season average. He looks top value among the premiums for this three-game slate.
INJURY NEWS
Suns center Deandre Ayton (C $14,340) has been ruled out of Friday’s game against the Mavs with an ankle injury, meaning probably more minutes for JaVale McGee (C $10,800) in Friday’s slate.
New Knicks recruit Cam Reddish (SF|SG $7,240) looks set to miss their clash with the Pelicans due to an ankle injury, while Devonte’ Graham (PG $10,500) is questionable with ankle soreness too.
Golden State will be without Draymond Green (PF|C $11,980) with a calf injury for a few more weeks which has offered a big opportunity to Jonathan Kuminga (PF $9,580) who we’ll discuss in the value category.
Malcolm Brogdon (PG $13,480) played on Thursday for the Pacers but has been battling an Achilles problem and may not double up on back-to-back games.
NBA DRAFTSTARS VALUE OPTIONS
Another beneficiary of Ayton’s absence at the Suns may be 29-year-old Congolese center Bismack Biyombo (C $8,600) who went under everyone’s guard for his 39 DS points earlier this week with a nominal ownership. He may be worth a punt with Ayton out again, having played 25 minutes off the bench against the Spurs.
The Pacers haven’t had much Draftstars relevance lately but put Torrey Craig (SF|PF $6,000) on your radar after starting Wednesday’s win over the Lakers and returning 28.25 DS points for his 16% ownership in a 13-game slate. Craig played 31 minutes – his equal most this month – with a season-high 13 rebounds.
The aforementioned Kuminga (PF $9,580) must come into calculations on a three-game slate having put together a fine run of form, averaging 33.3 DS points across the past three games compared to his season average of 11.2, largely due to opportunity with Green out. He went pick seven in last season’s NBA Draft so he has pedigree and may have found his feet now. If there’s one message we want you to take from this NBA Draftstars preview, it’s Kuminga should be in your Friday slate line-up.
Jonathan Kuminga must come into calculations having put together a fine run of form, averaging 33.3 DS points across the past three games compared to his season average of 11.2, with Draymond Green out.
NBA DRAFTSTARS PREMIUM PLAYS & FADES
Booker’s (SG|PG $15,910) form line jumps off the page in this NBA Draftstars preview when you assess the premium category, particularly given the Suns’ All-Star’s price which is several thousand below Doncic (PG $19,640), Domantas Sabonis (PF|C $18,900) and Stephen Curry (PG $17,290).
Doncic is the most expensive player available in this slate so picking him will impact your structure but he’s in top form which has coincided with a dip from Kristaps Porzingis (PF $16,540).
Read our NBA weekly trends story for more analysis on Booker and Kuminga.
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