This article is part of our FanDuel NBA series.
Saturday night brings a compact six-game slate that nevertheless presents quite a few affordably priced options. There are even multiple selections to consider at or near minimum price, which open up plenty of salary to fit in the likes of James Harden, Kyrie Irving, Kevin Durant and Kawhi Leonard. Without further ado, let's take a look at who's both viable and affordable on Saturday night's ledger:
POINT GUARD
Darren Collison, IND at SAC ($6,300): Collison comes into Saturday's contest on a bit of a hot streak, having eclipsed 30 fantasy points in three straight games. Collison should have a bit of extra motivation while playing in front of his former home crowd in Sacramento and facing one of the most appealing matchups in the NBA for point guards. The Kings have allowed the fourth-most fantasy points (48.2) per game to ones, along with the fourth-most rebounds (6.5) and fifth-most assists (8.8). It's also worth noting that Collison is averaging 27.3 fantasy points with Victor Oladipo (knee) off the floor, a notable boost from the 22.8 he averages with the sidelined star alongside him in the backcourt.
Shabazz Napier, BKN at WAS ($3,700): Multiple Nets starters logged minutes in the upper 30s or low 40s in Friday night's marathon double-overtime loss to the Grizzlies. None put in more work than starting point guard D'Angelo Russell, who was out there for 45 minutes. That could afford Napier a bit more extra run Saturday against the vulnerable Wizards, which have allowed the most fantasy points to point guards (53.4), along with the most points (28.0), fifth-most rebounds (6.5), most assists (9.7) and second-most made threes (3.3) per game to point guards. Napier has been more productive lately as well, scoring a season-high 33.2 fantasy points versus the Grizzlies and posting 16 and 23.7, respectively, in two of the prior three contests.
SHOOTING GUARD
Bogdan Bogdanovic, SAC vs. IND ($5,700): Bogdanovic is still coming off the bench for the time being, but he's been able to parlay that role into excellent production. The sharpshooting wing went off for a career-high 26 points in his most recent contest Thursday versus the Clippers, leading to a season-high 38.8 fantasy points. He'd also posted between 22.5 and 29.1 in four of the previous five contests. With Oladipo sidelined, the Pacers' backcourt defense naturally takes a hit, potentially opening the door for another solid outing from Bogdanovic at a very reasonable price. And it's worth noting Indiana already comes in allowing the fourth-most made threes (3.3) to shooting guards, which could certainly bode well for Bogdanovic considering his long-range prowess.
Allen Crabbe, BKN at WAS ($4,000): Crabbe was the only Nets starter to play under 30 minutes in Friday's aforementioned double-overtime affair, as he logged a modest 23. That should leave him refreshed for a favorable matchup against a Wizards squad that's allowed 37.8 fantasy points per game to two-guards. Crabbe's production has been a bit spotty thus far this season, but that's reflected in his highly affordable price. He's also flashed some upside with one 39.1 fantasy-point outing, and he's eclipsed 20 fantasy points on five other occasions. A similar return Saturday would justify the modest investment.
SMALL FORWARD
Bojan Bogdanovic, IND at SAC ($5,200): Like Collison, Bogdanovic has seen a slight boost in fantasy production when Oladipo is off the floor. The veteran small forward is averaging a solid 29.7 fantasy points without his star two-guard teammate, as compared to 26.1 with him on the floor. Most recently, Bogdanovic had eclipsed 20 fantasy points in 11 straight games before just failing to hit the mark with 19 and 18.6 against the Suns and Lakers, respectively, in his last two games. He'll have a chance to bounce back at a very reasonable price Saturday, as the Kings allow 42.1 fantasy points per game to small forwards, as well as the most assists (4.5) per contest to the position.
Gerald Green, HOU vs. CHI ($3,500): Green jumped back into action Friday against the Spurs after a two-game absence, scoring 24.1 fantasy points on the strength of an 11-point, three-rebound, three-assist, two-steal performance. The veteran can pile up the points in a hurry if he gets the minutes, something that could certainly come to pass again versus the Bulls in a home matchup. It's also worth noting Chicago allows 41.7 fantasy points per contest to threes, as well as the fifth-most steals (2.0) and made threes (2.8) per game to the position. The latter figure is particularly relevant when considering Green, who takes 5.2 three-point attempts per game despite averaging a modest 17.1 minutes per contest.
POWER FORWARD
Serge Ibaka, TOR at CLE ($6,000): Ibaka has taken well to the center role that he's primarily filling, averaging an impressive 31.6 fantasy points per game. The veteran big hasn't dipped below 20 fantasy points all season and has eclipsed 30 on 13 occasions. That latter sample includes two games over 40 and another over 50, providing a glimpse at his expansive ceiling. He'll be in good position for one of his more prolific returns Saturday, as the Cavs come in allowing 52.5 fantasy points per game to centers, as well as the second-highest shooting percentage (58.0) to the position. Meanwhile, Ibaka is posting his best shooting percentage (56.4) since the 2013-14 season, and scoring 56.9 percent of his points in the paint (Cavaliers allow the sixth-most points in that area of the floor at 50.5 per game).
Marcus Morris, BOS at MIN ($5,300): Morris will be in prime position to exploit the Timberwolves' vulnerable frontcourt, one that's yielded 48.7 fantasy points per contest to power forwards. Morris is averaging 24.1 fantasy points per contest and has scored 25 to 38.6 fantasy points in three of his last five games. His production is sometimes capped by limited minutes, but that shouldn't be as much of an issue in a game that figures to be tightly contested throughout.
CENTER
Tristan Thompson, CLE vs. TOR ($6,100): Thompson has consistently outperformed his modest prices recently, scoring 32 to 54 fantasy points in five of his last six contests. All of those performances have been double-doubles, as Thompson has stepped up his presence on the boards considerably during that span. Toronto comes in allowing 51.6 fantasy points per game to centers, including the fifth-most assists (4.20 per contest). Thompson is averaging a career-high 2.0 dimes per game, averaging his highest number of shot attempts (9.2) since the 2013-14 season, and is also logging more than enough minutes (29.8) to generate the type of production that would justify a still-affordable price tag.
