Josh Engleman here to break down the top NBA DFS picks on DraftKings for tonight’s short two-game slate. It’s already a bit of a mess: One team is on a back-to-back and hasn’t submitted their injury report yet, while the other three squads have multiple questionable players. In other words, expect a lot to change between now and lock. Still, this is how we set the table. I am using Stokastic’s NBA DFS Sims, NBA DFS projections and NBA DFS ownership projections to find the top picks, and be sure to use Stokastic’s NBA DFS Starting Lineups Page to get the latest injury and rotation news.
DraftKings NBA DFS Value Picks Today, April 7
5 – Lonnie Walker IV
Position: SG/SF | Salary: $5,200
Projections: 12.8 Points, 4.2 Rebounds, 2.5 Assists, 1.2 Stocks
Walker has both shooting guard and small forward eligibility, which gives you a lot of flexibility. I have him projected for about 25 fantasy points, and on this kind of slate, you’re hoping he can push for 35.
Walker’s minutes are the big question mark. I have him in for 27, but I wouldn’t be surprised if he plays anywhere from 24 to 33 depending on how the game shakes out. Philly has a lot of random guys floating around their rotation — Jeff Dowtin still needs to log two games on his two-way deal, for example. But at this price point and with that SG/SF/G/F/UTIL flexibility, Walker makes a lot of sense.
4 – Adem Bona
Position: C | Salary: $5,300
Projections: 9.5 Points, 8.6 Rebounds, 0.9 Assists, 2.8 Stocks
I have Bona playing just under 30 minutes — 29.5 to be exact — with a projections of 27 fantasy points. He’s been logging pretty big minutes lately. Even with Colin Castleton and Marcus Bagley in the mix, Bona still played 26 minutes in the last game. I’ve bumped that up slightly. He’s not in an ideal spot against Miami’s double-big frontcourt, but on a two-game slate, that doesn’t really matter. He’s a solid point-per-dollar option and makes his way into the top 5.
3 – Tyler Herro
Position: PG | Salary: $9,000
Projections: 25.1 Points, 5.3 Rebounds, 5.9 Assists, 1.3 Stocks
I project Herro for 35 minutes in a great matchup against a makeshift 76ers team. You’re hoping for 50-plus fantasy points, but anything close will work today. The obvious caveat: Herro is questionable, and so are a bunch of other Miami guys. We know value is coming from the Heat; it’s just a matter of who’s playing. But if Herro is active, he’s well worth that $9,000 tag tonight.
2 – Andrew Wiggins
Position: SF/PF | Salary: $6,900
Projections: 19.3 Points, 4.8 Rebounds, 3.0 Assists, 2.0 Stocks
Wiggins gets the benefit of facing this depleted 76ers squad. He’s $6,900 and has SF/PF eligibility with a projection of 34 fantasy points. He’s showing up in the optimal lineup 40% of the time. But — and this is a big but — he’s missed five straight games. If he plays, will he be limited? That’s the big unknown. He could see 28 minutes, which would knock him out of top-2 consideration entirely. But as it stands, assuming full minutes, Wiggins looks great. We just need confirmation that he’s even suiting up.
1 – Jared Butler
Position: PG | Salary: $5,700
Projections: 13.5 Points, 3.0 Rebounds, 5.8 Assists, 1.3 Stocks
Butler projects for 27 minutes and 28 fantasy points, good for a 43% optimal rate. He has been a consistent part of the rotation, averaging over a fantasy point per minute. The matchup isn’t ideal, but with the potential for Miami to be shorthanded, it could get better. And if Butler plays his usual minutes, he’s firmly in the top 5. However, like everyone else on this slate, his value could shift depending on who’s in or out across the board.
