Josh Engleman here, and it feels good to be back. The NBA Play-In Tournament is here, and that means real basketball is finally back on the table. We have a two-game slate, so let’s use Stokastic’s NBA DFS Sims, NBA DFS projections and NBA DFS ownership projections to find the best DraftKings NBA DFS 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 15
5 – Franz Wagner
Position: SF | Salary: $8,500
Projections: 27.7 Points, 6.6 Rebounds, 5.5 Assists, 1.8 Stocks
Wagner kicks off the list in a fantastic matchup against Atlanta. Let’s be honest — Atlanta’s defense leaves plenty to be desired, and that opens the door for Orlando’s main guys to thrive. Wagner is small forward eligible — always a tough position to fill, especially on a two-gamer — and I have him projected for 48 fantasy points. The target score is 53, and he hits the optimal lineup in 44% of sims.
I do prefer Paolo Banchero overall, but that doesn’t mean Wagner can’t have a ceiling game in this spot. If the Magic are going to win, one of those two is going to be a big reason why.
4 – Jimmy Butler
Position: SF/PF | Salary: $8,000
Projections: 22.6 Points, 6.7 Rebounds, 6.3 Assists, 2.3 Stocks
Butler lives for games like this. He’s taking on the Grizzlies, and I gave him 38 minutes — but honestly, I wouldn’t be shocked if he didn’t come off the floor. We just saw him play massive minutes in that overtime game to close the season, and Golden State is going to want to secure that rest period before the first round.
Memphis fouls quite a bit, so Butler could definitely be hunting matchups — maybe even targeting Jaren Jackson Jr. to get him off the floor. This is a win-or-go-home mentality for Golden State, and Butler is the guy I expect to rise to the occasion.
3 – Brandin Podziemski
Position: PG/SG | Salary: $6,000
Projections: 14.9 Points, 7.5 Rebounds, 4.6 Assists, 1.8 Stocks
Podziemski has been playing a ton of minutes down the stretch — 36 minutes in my projection, and he could certainly push even higher. Steve Kerr pulled the plug on Kuminga in Game 82, and if that rotation choice sticks, Podziemski looks even better. If Kuminga’s out again, there’s more playing time and usage to go around, and Podziemski benefits most from that scenario.
2 – Paolo Banchero
Position: PF | Salary: $9,500
Projections: 30.5 Points, 9.5 Rebounds, 5.5 Assists, 1.5 Stocks
This is the most expensive player on the slate — and worth every penny. I love this spot for Banchero against the Hawks. They aren’t equipped to handle him in isolation, and his pick-and-roll usage can do real damage here. I project him for 40 minutes and 54 fantasy points with a goal of 58. He’s power forward only, which limits some flexibility, but the raw ceiling is unmatched.
He’s my favorite pay-up option over Stephen Curry, Trae Young and the Memphis crew. If I can get all the way to the top, I’m landing on Banchero.
1 – Draymond Green
Position: PF/C | Salary: $6,300
Projections: 12.0 Points, 7.9 Rebounds, 6.6 Assists, 3.3 Stocks
I have Green at 37 minutes, though he could absolutely play more in a competitive game. His flexibility with power forward and center eligibility helps, and that late-game exposure is nice.
Kuminga’s absence only helps Green — more spacing and more touches to go around. And this is the kind of game where his experience matters. I expect him to get in Jackson head and maybe bait him into foul trouble. This is a perfect spot for playoff-tested guys like Green, Curry and Butler. Golden State has three guys in my top 5 — that is the team to beat today. But the best individual play is Green.
