This article is part of our Yahoo DFS Basketball series.
The NBA tips off the week with five games on the schedule Monday. Injuries and players potentially resting should have a significant impact on the slate and make for some interesting DFS options. Here are some players to consider for your lineup, as well as a few to potentially avoid.
GUARDS
Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, OKC vs. UTA ($35): Gilgeous-Alexander did not disappoint in his season debut, posting 24 points, seven rebounds, nine assists and a block against the Hornets. He logged 34 minutes and attempted 20 shots, two trends that should continue because of the Thunder's lackluster depth chart. That should make him one of the safer options on the slate, regardless of position.
Delon Wright, DET at ATL ($11): Wright took advantage of the Pistons going into overtime against the Cavaliers on Saturday, logging 42 minutes in the loss. That helped him contribute 19 points, six rebounds, four assists and a block. Playing time shouldn't be difficult for him to come by in this game, either, with Derrick Rose having already been ruled out for rest. At near the minimum salary, Wright could provide tremendous value.
Guard to Avoid
Rajon Rondo, ATL vs. DET ($15): Rondo was available for Saturday's game against the Grizzlies after being away from the team because of a personal matter, but he didn't make his way into the game. There's a chance that he makes his debut Monday, especially with Kris Dunn (ankle) now needing surgery, Still, it's unlikely that he would play heavy minutes right off the bat, so there's no need to take a chance on him when Wright can be had for four dollars fewer.
FORWARDS
Jerami Grant, DET at ATL ($20): Rose isn't the only top option on the Pistons who won't play in this contest. The team will also be without Blake Griffin, who is scheduled to rest. That means they will be without arguably their top-two offensive threats. Enter Grant, who had a monster stat line with 28 points, 10 rebounds, two assists and three steals Saturday against the Cavaliers. Add in his reasonable salary and Grant is almost too good to pass up.
Darius Bazley, OKC vs. UTA ($14): The Thunder are hoping for big things from Bazley this season. Frankly, they don't have much of a choice but to have him be one of their main contributors because of their lack of talent on the roster. He came away with a double-double in their season opener, scoring 36.5 Yahoo points in the process. The key was that he logged 33 minutes. That should be a trend that continues.
Forward to Avoid
Brandon Clarke, MEM at BKN ($16): It's been an ugly start for Clarke, who has scored a combined 24.7 Yahoo points through two games. He didn't play more than 26 minutes in either contest and shot a combined 7-for-17 from the field. He's coming off the bench despite Jaren Jackson Jr. (knee) being out, which can at least partially be attributed to Clarke be slowed by a groin injury in the preseason. Until he shows signs of playing more, he's too risky.
CENTERS
Nikola Jokic, DEN vs. HOU ($47): The season couldn't have started out much better for Jokic. He recorded a monster triple-double in his first game against the Kings with 29 points, 15 rebounds and 14 assists. In his second game, he fell one rebound shy of posting another triple-double, this time against the Clippers. The Rockets won't have much size up front with DeMarcus Cousins (COVID-19) still out, so look for Jokic to take advantage.
Mason Plumlee, DEN at ATL ($16): Even with the Pistons set to play without Griffin and Rose, Plumlee's offensive upside isn't all that high. However, what makes him appealing is his ability to contribute in multiple areas. He produced eight rebounds and six assists in his season opener and followed that up with nine rebounds, five assists and three steals Saturday. If you want to fade Jokic in tournament play, Plumlee could end up being a bargain.
Center to Avoid
DeAndre Jordan, BKN vs. MEM ($19): The Nets' center duo of Jordan and Jarrett Allen is ideal from a real-life basketball perspective since they have two talented players at the position. However, it's not good from a fantasy perspective. Neither player has logged more than 25 minutes in either of their first three games and Jordan didn't top 19 minutes in any of those contests. Since his salary doesn't come at much of a discount, the risk might not be worth the potential reward here.
