Welcome to the Saturday edition of FanDuel NBA lineup advice. This week we have a good-sized nine-game main slate to navigate. It’s a slate that can be attacked in a variety of ways with only two players demanding five-digit salaries. Rumors have been swirling about the first blockbuster trade of the season with the Hawks reportedly close to acquiring Andre Drummond from Detroit, something that would have major implications tonight if it came to fruition. With all that in mind, let’s dive into tonight’s recommended players.

Check out today’s NBA Shot from FanDuel

Point Guard

Luka Doncic (DAL): $10,900 vs. CHA
This is a case where the most expensive player at the position is probably worth paying up for. The Mavericks will be without Kristaps Porzingis for the third straight game; in the previous two Doncic averaged 37.1 minutes, 33.0 points, and 11.5 rebounds while seeing a 35.6% usage rate. He faces the Hornets tonight, who give up the second-most assists to point guards on the season. That sets up favorably for Doncic, who’s averaging the third-most assists in the NBA at 8.9 per game.

Others to consider:

Chris Paul (OKC): $7,200 at CLE
Paul has been putting up quality fantasy points lately with the Thunder, averaging 41.5 FD points over his last five contests. He’s got a good chance to smash the value of his $7,200 price tag tonight against the Cavaliers, who are giving up the most FD points per game to point guards this season.

Ky Bowman (GS): $3,900 vs. DET
He probably isn’t going to break the slate, but Bowman offers solid value at his affordable $3,900 price tag. He should continue to get minutes and increased usage as the depleted Warriors will be without D’Angelo Russell for a third straight game.

Shooting Guard

Shai Gilgeous-Alexander (OKC): $7,800 at CLE
Gilgeous-Alexander has been one of the most consistent fantasy players over the past two weeks. In his last eight games, he’s put up an average of 43.7 FD points per game and an even higher 47.6 over his last three. There’s no reason to expect him to cool off tonight when the Thunder face off against one of the worst defensive teams in the league in Cleveland tonight.

Others to consider:

Buddy Hield (SAC): $6,400 vs. NO
Hield has been on fire lately, shooting 44.1% from three-point range over his last four games. He should see plenty of chances to put up points tonight in a pace up game against the Pelicans, who play at the fourth-highest pace in the NBA at nearly 104 possessions per game.

Jordan McRae (WAS) $5,700 vs. DEN
You’ll have to monitor the injury status of Bradley Beal if you plan to use McRae. As of this writing, Beal hasn’t been ruled out of tonight’s game but he has missed three of the last four. McRae averaged 44.6 FD points over those three games. 

Small Forward

T.J. Warren (IND): $5,300 at ATL
Malcolm Brogdon remains out for the Pacers and, even though he doesn’t play the same position, Warren has been picking up slack in his absence. He’s hit at least 5x value on his $5,300 price tag in each of the five games that Brogdon has missed or exited early, including a nice 35 FD point outing in his last game against Denver. He should easily pay off his salary tonight against a bad defensive team in Atlanta.  

Others to consider:

Giannis Antetokounmpo (MIL): $12,000 vs SA
It will be tough to budget him into your lineup at his salary, but it’s almost always worth trying. There’s a chance that the Spurs keep it close tonight at home against the Bucks, which means the reigning MVP could play a full allotment of minutes and reach his sky-high ceiling.

Jaylen Brown (BOS): $7,400 at CHI
After missing Tuesday’s game with an illness, Brown bounced back last night with a solid double-double and 39 FD points, which would’ve been even higher if it hadn’t been for his season-high six turnovers. He can be trusted tonight against the Bulls.

Power Forward

Sekou Doumbouya (DET): $3,500 at GS
The French rookie put up a double-double in his first career start on Thursday and likely earned himself more playing time moving forward. The Pistons have already listed Blake Griffin, Markieff Morris, and Luke Kennard out for tonight and by the time the game tips off they may be even more short-handed if they pull off the Drummond trade with Atlanta, opening up even more opportunity for Doumbouya. There’s a good chance this is the last time this season he’ll be priced at the minimum salary.

Others to consider:

Domantas Sabonis (IND): $8,300 at ATL
Even if the Hawks acquire Drummond, he won’t be suiting up in Atlanta tonight. John Collins also looks doubtful after injuring his back last night in Boston. Enter Sabonis, who’s averaging 44.7 FD points over his last three games. The big man should be able to dominate tonight and is a good bet for a double-double.

Lauri Markkanen (CHI): $5,800 vs BOS
It appears that Markkanen has finally found his shooting stroke as he’s shot 13-of-28 from three-point range over his last three games. Over that span, he’s averaged 30.4 FD points, more than enough to pay off his mid-range salary tonight.

Center

Nikola Jokic (DEN): $8,900 at WAS
Jokic hasn’t looked particularly great lately and failed to dish out an assist for the first time in over two years Thursday night, but a matchup with the Wizards should help him get right tonight. The Wizards are giving up the fourth-most FD points to centers on the season and the third-most over the past seven games. Jokic could explode and a triple-double wouldn’t be shocking tonight against the team with the worst defensive rating in the league.  

Others to consider:

Andre Drummond (DET): $9,700 at GS
If Drummond isn’t traded and actually ends being active tonight for Detroit he could put up huge numbers against the depleted Warriors. What’s more, he’ll likely be low owned given the risk and swirling trade rumors. If you want to take the risk just make sure to pay attention to the news of the day.

Here’s an example of a lineup for tonight using the players detailed above. Good luck!

PG: Luka Doncic – $10,900
PG: Ky Bowman – $3,900
SG: Shai Gilgeous-Alexander – $7,800
SG: Buddy Hield – $6,400
SF: Jaylen Brown – $7,400
SF: T.J. Warren – $5,300
PF: Lauri Markkanen – $5,800
PF: Sekou Doumbouya – $3,500
C: Nikola Jokic – $8,900

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Aaron Larson is a featured writer at FantasyPros. For more from Aaron, check out his archive and follow him @aalarson.