There is one certainty when it comes to winning money with FanDuel Basketball and that is you must have a lineup comprised of as much top-tier talent as you can afford. Of course by buying high on many of the game’s best players it leaves little cash left to fill out a balanced lineup. To this end, one must find value plays that are coming into underpriced on the night and who are poised to outperform their assigned price tag. There is little doubt that the shooting guard spot is where most folks are happiest to spend their salary cap dollars. There are many superstar names here that all come with huge price tags and massive name recognition. Finding value at this position is a must as this position is a very deep one in terms of talent around the league.
In advance of any set pricing coming out from FanDuel on the upcoming NBA season, we will take a look at players from each position and from each conference who are poised to contribute nicely in those secondary roles. While none of these guys are going to carry your lineup night in and night out, they will give you that value play that could just make the difference between winning and losing money.
Top 5 Fantasy Value Plays for Shooting Guards - Western Conference
Eric Gordon New Orleans Pelicans
Gordon had himself a solid season in 2014-15 as both he and Tyreke Evans made the most of Jrue Holiday’s absence. With Holiday back in the fold, Gordon will be back to playing backup minutes to Evans at the two guard spot. This role suits Gordon nicely as he provides excellent offense off the bench and he will now get quite a bit of run against other teams second units as well. With new coach Alvin Gentry wanting to play that attacking offensive style similar to his old team in Golden State; there will be plenty of minutes to go around and Gordon will be the primary backup backcourt player.
Dion Waiters Oklahoma City Thunder
The Oklahoma City Thunder need Waiters to become that consistent scoring option at the two guard spot. For too long the Thunder have relied too heavily on the scoring punch from Russell Westbrook and Kevin Durant and without that complimentary player in the backcourt to ease some scoring pressure, this Thunder squad will wear down come season’s end. Waiters is entering his fourth NBA season and he is starting to finally show some progression in his game after his departure from Cleveland. If Waiter’s can remain patient and make the most of his opportunities then he could be a very productive player as the season wears on.
Gerald Henderson Portland Trailblazers
The Blazers have a couple gaping holes on their roster thanks to some offseason departures. One of these roster needs is at the shooting guard spot as Wesley Matthews jumped off the sinking ship to land in Dallas. This will open up the minutes for the newly acquired Henderson. Henderson will have to put up more offense than what he had been in Charlotte simply out of necessity now as the Blazers will need scoring from everyone as they no longer have that go to player. There will be plenty of shots to go around now and Henderson will certainly have the green light to let them fly as Damian Lillard simply can’t carry this team night in and night out.
Ben McLemore Sacramento Kings
McLemore made some improvements last season amid the dysfunction that was in Sacramento. It remains to be seen just how the Kings will look this season as Rajon Rondo and rookie Willie Cauley-Stein are both going to change up the look here plus we have coach George Karl in the fold who certainly puts his own stamp on things wherever he goes. Early reports out of Sacramento are that Karl likes McLemore for his play at both ends of the floor so that certainly bodes well for this kid getting minutes early on. Sacramento also doesn’t have much in terms of depth at the two guard spot, so McLemore will certainly get his opportunities out there to show that he can play off of Rondo and DeMarcus Cousins.
Rodney Hood Utah Jazz
Hood was a nice surprise for the Jazz last season as the rookie started in 21 games and played quite well at times. Hood saw an increased workload due to injuries on the roster and he will see a similar load this year due to the same. The last two months of the 2014-15 season showed that Hood can certainly play at in the Association and that he can contribute. He averaged 11.1 ppg and 16.7 ppg over that span and he saw his minutes gradually increase on a nightly basis. With Dante Exum done for the season, it leaves Trey Burke and Alec Burks as the two more senior backcourt players. Burks is coming back after a shoulder surgery and will see time at both point and shooting guard. Hood is waiting in the wings as that first backcourt player called upon off the bench here and he should see solid minutes as the season progresses.