This article is part of our FanDuel NBA series.
The NBA season resumes July 30, and while that's still a ways away, FanDuel has released prices for re-opening night. We'll have the Jazz facing the Pelicans at 6:30PM ET and the Clippers facing the Lakers at 9PM ET.
Here's a quick first look at the prices on the most significant players available:
Point Guard
Lonzo Ball (NOP, $7,900)
Ball was on an excellent six-game stretch before the season suspended, averaging 46.4 fantasy points and not dipping below 35.0 FP during any individual game. In his three earlier matchups against the Jazz this season, he averaged 13.0 points, 8.0 assists, 5.3 rebounds and 1.0 blocks.
Mike Conley (UTA, $5,700)
Conley's struggles have been well-documented, but he's picked things up over his past 13 appearances, averaging 29.5 fantasy points. It won't be easy going up against the Pelicans in his first game back, however, as Lonzo Ball and Jrue Holiday make up one of the best defending backcourts in the NBA.
Other above-minimum priced options include: Patrick Beverley (LAC, $4,600); Reggie Jackson (LAC, $3,800); Rajon Rondo (LAL, $3,800)
Shooting Guard
Jrue Holiday (NOP, $8,300)
Holiday had two monster games against the Timberwolves right before the season went on hiatus, dropping 27 points, 12 assists and 10 rebounds Mar. 3 and 37 points, nine rebounds, eight assists, one steal and one block Mar. 8. He appeared in only one game against the Jazz this season, totaling an impressive 28 points, five rebounds, four assists, four steals and two blocks in 36 minutes.
Paul George (LAC, $7,400)
In the 16 games between George's return from a hamstring injury and the shutdown of the season, he was averaging only 32.5 fantasy points. That explains his price, but the extra time off likely helped George recover more. Going up against the Lakers won't be easy, but he has a real chance to be a bargain.
Donovan Mitchell (UTA, $7,200)
This price feels spot-on for Mitchell, who's averaging 33.9 FP since February. In his three prior appearances against the Pelicans, he's averaging a great 34.0 points, 5.7 rebounds, 4.3 assists and 1.0 steals.
Lou Williams (LAC, $4,900)
Williams may not be the best play with everyone on the Clippers healthy. That said, with the top of the position so stacked, Williams could make for a nice contrarian option. We know he can catch fire at any moment.
Other above-minimum priced options include: Josh Hart (NOP, $4,400); Jordan Clarkson (UTA, $4,300); Danny Green (LAL, $4,100); JR Smith (LAL, $4,000); Kentavious Caldwell-Pope (LAL, $3,700)
Small Forward
LeBron James (LAL, $11,400)
During LeBron's final 10 games before the season suspended, he averaged 30.2 points, 9.9 assists, 8.6 rebounds and 1.6 combined steals-plus-blocks (56.6 FP). During his three prior matchups against the Clippers, he averaged 23.0 points, 9.0 rebounds, 9.0 assists and 2.3 combined blocks-plus-steals.
Kawhi Leonard (LAC, $9,500)
Leonard has been steady all season, and this price seems appropriate. He averaged 44.4 FP in the 15 games before the hiatus, with a high of 55.3 FP and a low of 31.4 FP. In Leonard's three games against the Lakers this season, he's averaged 30.7 points, 6.7 rebounds, 3.3 assists and 1.7 combined steals-plus-blocks.
Brandon Ingram (NOP, $7,300)
The presence of Zion Williamson has slowed Ingram down a bit, but he's still averaging a solid 35.2 FP across his past nine appearances. He's been no-holds-barred against the Jazz this season, averaging 39.0 points, 6.7 rebounds, 5.3 assists and 1.3 combined steals-plus-blocks.
Joe Ingles (UTA, $5,500)
With Bojan Bogdanovic sitting out the remainder of the season due to a wrist injury, Ingles stands to benefit. Ingles has seen a team-high 677 minutes with Bogdanovic off the court, and he averages 28.1 FP per 36 minutes in that scenario. It doesn't seem like Ingles will be a fantastic value at $5,500, but he could end up being a solid mid-tier option.
Other above-minimum priced options include: Kenrich Williams (NOP, $3,800); Dion Waiters (LAL, $3,800); Markieff Morris (LAL, $3,600)
Power Forward
Anthony Davis (LAL, $10,400)
Davis is averaging 50.9 fantasy points since February, which comes on the back of 26.5 points, 9.7 rebounds, 2.8 assists, 2.2 blocks and 1.5 steals. In his three previous matchups against the Clippers, he averaged 26.3 points, 7.3 rebounds, 3.3 assists and 3.3 combined steals-plus-blocks.
Zion Williamson (NOP, $7,100)
Zion is averaging an impressive 38.1 FP since February on the back of 25.1 points, 6.4 rebounds, 2.3 assists and 1.6 combined steals-plus-blocks. This will be his first time playing the Jazz, and it will be interesting to see if Utah tries to stop him with Rudy Gobert.
Other above-minimum priced options include: Royce O'Neale (UTA, $4,900); Kyle Kuzma (LAL, $4,700); Marcus Morris (LAC, $4,200); Nicolo Melli (NOP, $4,100); JaMychal Green (LAC, $3,600)
Center
Rudy Gobert (UTA, $8,200)
Gobert is a little pricey given his recent performances, averaging 34.1 FP across his final nine games before the shutdown of the season. In his two prior games against New Orleans, he averaged 13.0 points, 16.5 rebounds, 2.5 assists and 1.5 blocks.
Montrezl Harrell (LAC, $6,300)
Harrell is a strong candidate for Sixth Man of the Year, though his play can be a little erratic on a game-to-game basis, which is obviously a point of frustration for those that roster him in DFS. Since February, he's averaging 29.8 FP. The price seems fair given his upside, but the matchup isn't great against a big Lakers squad.
Derrick Favors (NOP, $5,400)
Favors has been pretty hit or miss since February, but he's still posting a solid 24.3 FP since then. Going up against Rudy Gobert is not enticing, so most DFS owners will probably avoid Favors entirely. Rostering him is an opportunity to be contrarian, but it's extremely high risk.
Other above-minimum priced options include: Ivica Zubac (LAC, $4,500); JaVale McGee (LAL, $4,400); Jaxson Hayes (NOP; $3,900); Dwight Howard (LAL, $3,900); Joakim Noah ($LAC, $3,800); Tony Bradley (UTA, $3,800)
