This article is part of our FantasyDraft NBA series.
Wednesday brings us a massive 12-game slate, leaving us with no shortage of options to consider at each price level. With so much flexibility, lineup construction can take many different turns, and there's typically plenty of value to be had if you need it. Let's dive in to a loaded ledger and drill down on what some of the best per-dollar selections might be:
GUARDS:
Premium Option
Chris Paul, HOU vs. LAL ($18,100): Naturally, Paul's teammate James Harden ($21,800) makes for an excellent play as well, but Paul may actually be capable of delivering better fantasy-point-per dollar value if recent play is any indication. The multi-time All-Star has scored between 52.25 and 62.75 fantasy points in three of his last four contests, and he's scored no less than 40.75 in the last seven games while averaging 1.49 fantasy points per minute during that stretch. The Lakers also come in allowing the eighth-most fantasy points (48.4) to ones and yielded 38.50 to Paul back on Dec. 3, furthering his case.
Mid-Tier
Victor Oladipo, IND at ATL ($16,700): Oladipo has scored between 42.25 and 71.75 fantasy points in six of his last seven contests, posting a team-high 33.7 percent usage rate and averaging 1.31 fantasy points per minute during that span. The Hawks have found limiting two-guards to be a nearly impossible task this season, as they come in allowing the third-most fantasy points (53.3), second-most points (29.7), second-most rebounds (8.4), third-most assists (6.2), fourth-most steals (2.3), second-most made three-pointers (4.4) and fourth-highest shooting percentage (43.0) to the position.
Affordable
Justin Holiday, CHI vs. ORL ($10,200): Mario Hezonja ($9,200) is also a viable play in this same game with another likely start in place of Aaron Gordon (concussion) on tap, but Holiday makes for a highly appealing option against a Magic squad that's struggled to contain shooting guards all season. Orlando has allowed the seventh-most fantasy points (51.7) to two-guards on the season, including the fifth-most (58.3) over the last five. They've also yielded the third-most rebounds (8.2), sixth-most assists (5.7), most steals (2.6) and second-highest shooting percentage (46.0) to the position, while Holiday has scored between 24.50 and 35.00 fantasy points in three of his last four contests. He's seeing plenty of playing time as well (33.9 minutes per contest) and has flashed an upside well north of 35 fantasy points on multiple occasions this season.
FORWARDS/CENTERS:
Premium
Nikola Vucevic, ORL at CHI ($17,300): Vucevic is now averaging 40.1 fantasy points per contest after a current six-game span in which he's scored between 46.00 and 70.25 fantasy points. That stretch includes two games over 60 fantasy points and another over the 70-mark, as well as an average 1.58 fantasy points per minute. The Bulls have also been among the most vulnerable teams to centers, allowing the ninth-most fantasy points (38.1) to fives on the season, along with the fifth-most rebounds (11.4), third-most assists (3.2), fifth-most blocks (1.6) and a 52.0 percent success rate from the field.
Mid-Tier
Clint Capela, HOU vs. LAL ($13,800): Thaddeus Young ($12,200) and Alex Len ($11,400) both make for intriguing cost-savings pivots at the mid-tier level as well, but Capela brings considerable upside relative to price against a Lakers team that's allowed the fifth-most fantasy points (39.2), third-most points (17.3), fourth-most rebounds (11.5), fourth-most blocks (1.7) and highest shooting percentage (60.0) to centers. Capela is coming off a 58.00 fantasy-point performance on Monday night, and he also scored 47.50 three games prior against the Pelicans. It's worth noting that Capela was also highly efficient in his one previous meeting with the Lakers, scoring 31.25 fantasy points over just 22 minutes on Dec. 3.
Affordable
Reggie Bullock, DET at DAL ($7,300): The domino effect of another Avery Bradley absence due to a groin injury should afford Bullock another start Wednesday, leaving him in a good position to build on the 25.75 and 30.25 fantasy points he's scored in the last two contests. Both tallies represent excellent returns on his current price, and the matchup also lines up in his favor Wednesday. Dallas has allowed the most fantasy points to small forwards (46.6) on the season, including 58.3 over the last five games. They're also surrendering the second-most rebounds (10.3), second-most assists (4.1) and fourth-most steals (2.0) to the position, providing Bullock with plenty of paths to pay off a bargain price.
UTILITY:
Taurean Prince, ATL vs. IND ($12,900): Prince exploded for 44.75 fantasy points in his most recent game Monday night versus the Heat, and he'd tallied 41.75 versus the Cavaliers three games prior. While his production has undeniably fluctuated throughout the season, he'll be set up for a strong performance Wednesday against a Pacers squad that's allowed the fifth-most fantasy points (45.2) to threes -- along with 50.7 over the last five contests – as well as the most points (24.1), third-most assists (4.0), most blocks (1.4), most three-pointers (3.2) and second-highest shooting percentage (48.0).
Nikola Mirotic, CHI vs. ORL ($12,000): Mirotic has been making up for lost time since finally making his season debut on Dec. 8, scoring between 24.75 and 47.25 fantasy points in five of six games. He's been particularly impressive in the last four contests, a stretch during which he's posted a 29.4 percent usage rate and averaged 1.36 fantasy points per minute. His Wednesday matchup sets up well for him too, considering the Magic has allowed 42.2 fantasy points per contest to power forwards, including 45.5 over the last five. They're also yielding the second-highest shooting percentage (50.0) to the position on the season, while Mirotic is shooting an impressive 51.9 percent over his first six games, including 50.0 percent from three-point range.
