If you want my favorite plays for Friday’s slate, check out my NBA DFS picks. Alternatively, I thought it might be of value to also point out (for free), some big names that I have little to no interest in.
Please keep in mind that if you play in big GPPs, you can play anyone, forever and always. In fact, you could make a strong case that all the NBA DFS fades I’m listing here would make for excellent tournament plays. But for cash games, small tourneys, and SE contests, I think they kind of suck.
Kevin Durant, F, Rockets ($9k)
I think having a good reason for fading a player is pretty important. It’s even better when you have several. The reality is KD is just too expensive. Houston also played last night and went to OT, so there’s just no way I am paying for his old ass.
Durant has the role to make me look stupid, but he’s too expensive. Most of the Rockets are still priced up for when Sengun missed time. I really don’t want any of them in a less than fun date with the Pistons on the road, but KD is the first one I’m crossing off my list.
The one good thing? He saves you $1k compared to someone like Jaylen Brown. But in that projection range, just give me MPJ for $800 less.
Devin Booker, G, Suns ($8.8k)
Where is the ceiling? What, exactly, are we paying for? The days of Booker crushing via insane usage are over, as the Suns lean on defense and play slower than they used to. It’s led to wins, but it hasn’t equated to much high-level NBA DFs success.
Now Jalen Green has entered the chat, so the upside just is not there for Booker. If he was dropping down to like $8k flat? Then sure, but he isn’t. We are paying up for the fast-paced matchup against the Hawks. And don’t get me wrong, that part is appealing, but this guy hasn’t topped 50 fantasy points since December 20th.
Maybe this is the night he does it again. I’m not paying to find out.
Nickeil Alexander-Walker, G, Hawks ($7.1k)
Perhaps that Suns vs. Hawks game is straight fire and I end up looking like an ass hat who hasn’t a clue. It’s possible, as the game does have a 232.5 total and Atlanta runs at the 2nd fasted pace in the NBA.
But NAW is running into the 6th best scoring defense in the league. Phoenix will try to slow the game down, they will put the clamps down outside, and individually NAW may be getting the Dillon Brooks treatment.
I can and will entertain the idea of paying up for Jalen Johnson as a dream pivot away from Jaylen Brown and SGA. But I’m not paying $7k to hope NAW finds some breathing room in a suboptimal spot.
Are there more NBA DFS targets to fade? Sure, but we want to keep a wide player pool. And again, in huge GPPs, go ahead and try these guys. I’ll probably just be fading them everywhere.
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