This article is part of our FanDuel NBA series.
With the trade deadline just passing on Thursday, this is one of the most interesting slates of the season. What makes it so tough is the fact that these rotations have yet to be determined. It also opens things up though, as there are shallow rotations that lead to huge values. What's just as fascinating is the matchup between Brooklyn and Golden State, as the 23-point spread is the largest of the season. A full-on Warriors stack may be a good approach, but it's also dangerous with the potential for a blowout.
James Harden, HOU vs. MIN ($12,100): Harden is the clear-cut top option on this slate and he becomes a nice crutch with so many question marks out there. The Beard has been a freak recently, averaging nearly 60 fantasy points per game across his last six games. The matchup is great, as well, as Harden has piled up 61 points, 15 rebounds, 25 assists, two steals and four blocks in his two games against the Timberwolves.
Derrick Rose, NYK vs. PHI ($6,400): Rose has been quietly solid this season and he should be in for a bigger role in this matchup. The reason for that is the absence of Kristaps Porzingis, as Rose will have to take on a much bigger usage in his absence. That along with the matchup makes Rose hard to pass up, as T.J. McConnell simply can't match up with the athletic Rose. In addition, Rose put together a 34-fantasy-point game in his only meeting against Philly this year and that came with Porzingis on the floor.
Yogi Ferrell, DAL vs. NOP ($5,500): With Deron Williams sent packing, Ferrell should be looking at full-time point guard duties. Since joining the team on January 30, Ferrell is averaging over 26 fantasy points per game. What's more encouraging are the minutes, as he plays well over 30 minutes per game with Williams out of the lineup. The icing on the cake is the matchup though, with New Orleans allowing the third-most fantasy points to point guards this season.
Carmelo Anthony, NYK vs. PHI ($8,500): Anthony has been consistent over the last couple months and now's a great time to lean on him with Kristaps Porzingis out of the lineup. What makes Anthony so intriguing in these circumstances are the rise in usage, as he could be looking at well over 20 shots in this game. The matchup is spectacular too, as Melo dropped 39 fantasy points in his last game against this average Sixers defense.
Aaron Gordon, ORL vs. ATL ($5,000): With Serge Ibaka traded last week, Gordon should be looking at some huge minutes over the final 25 games, which could result an increase in scoring and rebounding. Gordon has come on of late, as he's seen an increase in fantasy points in three-straight games, while scoring 27 fantasy points in his most recent outing. At just $5,000, Gordon is a great bet to exceed 5X value and looks likely to climb towards $6,000 by the end of the season.
Bobby Portis, CHI at CLE ($4,200): Portis is yet another player who benefited from the trade deadline, as he's found himself as the starting power forward in Chicago. It's his potential that makes him so intriguing, as he proved to be one of the best players on the floor throughout college and during the Summer League. He's shown some of that capability at the NBA level, averaging 21 fantasy points per game across his last four games. His minutes should be skyrocketing, as he's easily the best power forward on this roster. The matchup against Channing Frye is one he can take advantage of, as Frye is a below-average defender.
Myles Turner, IND at MIA ($6,400): Turner has been bad recently, but it's lowered his price to a seductive $6,400. The Texas product has shown his ability to go off this season, as he's averaging over 30 fantasy points per game for the season. That's great production for a $6,400 player, and he has the potential to be an $8,000 player, if he can get going. Miami has struggled to cover centers recently, allowing the position to score the fourth-most fantasy points against them across their last 10 games.
Jahlil Okafor, PHI at NYK ($5,400): With Nerlens Noel, Joel Embiid and Ersan Ilyasova all out of the picture for this game, Okafor should be looking at monster minutes and usage. When he gets the opportunity, Okafor performs. In fact, Okafor is averaging nearly 25 fantasy points per game across his last 10 games. Most of those came with those three players around and it wouldn't be shocking to see Okafor play 30 minutes Saturday. The matchup may be the best part of this play though, with the Knicks allowing the sixth-most fantasy points to centers this season.
