Well, look here now, if you’re hopin’ to get yourself a good DraftKings lineup for the NBA, I reckon we better start thinkin’ real careful-like. DraftKings ain’t no easy game, and it ain’t all luck neither. You gotta know what you’re doin’—just like plantin’ seeds in the garden, you gotta know which ones will grow and which ones’ll wither away. Let’s talk about how to pick the best players, and I’ll walk you through it all in simple terms, so even someone like me can understand.
First off, what is DraftKings and why’s it so popular?

Well, DraftKings is a place where folks can go and make their own fantasy teams for the NBA. You pick players from different teams, put ‘em together, and hope they do well so you can win some money. It’s like makin’ up your own little basketball team but from the players already out there playin’. You get points for every good thing they do—like makin’ baskets, grabbin’ rebounds, and all that good stuff. But, it ain’t just about pickin’ the big names, no sir! Sometimes the underdogs can bring in more points than those star players you might think are sure bets.
So, what should you be lookin’ for when pickin’ players for your lineup?
Well, first, you need to check on who’s playin’. Ain’t no point in pickin’ a player who ain’t gonna be on the court, right? Check the injury reports and make sure your players are good to go. For example, I seen that CJ McCollum, Herbert Jones, and Trey Murphy III were out for the game the other day. Now, that opened up a spot for other folks to shine. You see, that’s the trick—watch for injuries and know who might step up to fill the gap. Jose Alvarado, who’s been playin’ for the Pelicans, did pretty well at a low price of $4,600. Low cost, but good performance—that’s the kind of pick you need to be on the lookout for!
How to balance star players and cheaper picks?
It ain’t all about the big names like LeBron or Giannis. They sure get you some points, but they can cost a pretty penny too. You gotta find a balance between the big stars and the cheaper options. Think of it like plantin’ some high-quality seeds along with some good, hearty plants that don’t cost too much but still produce. In the NBA, you can find some gems who cost less but might give you great value.

For example, if you look at today’s games and see that some of the big stars are up against tough teams or might be takin’ the night off, well then maybe you wanna think about some other players. You might find a young guy comin’ off the bench who’s ready to step up. Maybe he’s playin’ a lot of minutes and gettin’ the ball more than usual. Watch for these opportunities to get ahead of the game!
What else should you consider when building your lineup?
- Matchups: You gotta see who’s playin’ who. Some teams are better against certain types of players. Like, some teams might struggle with shooters, others might have a hard time with big guys in the paint. Watch the trends and pick players who are up against defenses they can exploit.
- Minutes played: More minutes usually mean more chances to score points. If a player’s gettin’ good minutes, even if they ain’t a star, they could surprise you with a big game.
- Recent form: A player might’ve been slippin’ a bit, but then all of a sudden, they turn things around. Maybe they’ve had a couple of good games in a row—might be time to take a chance on ‘em.
Make sure to check your lineup right up until game time!
There’s a lot of changes that can happen just before the game starts—maybe someone gets hurt in warm-ups or they make a last-minute change in the lineup. So, be sure to keep an eye out for any updates, and be ready to swap players if need be. Ain’t no shame in makin’ adjustments if it helps your team.
So, what are some players to think about for your DraftKings lineup?

Now, I can’t give you all the secrets, but I’ll tell you this—look at the value picks! You want to find folks who can give you good numbers without costing you a fortune. There’s always gonna be some good underdogs if you know where to look.
Say, take a look at someone like Jose Alvarado. Now, he might not be a big name like Giannis, but when he’s in the game, he can sure rack up those fantasy points—especially with the injury situation goin’ on. Players like that, who are cheap but have a chance to step up, they’re gold!
And remember, don’t just pick all the expensive stars. Mix it up a little. You need some of them big players to lead the charge, but you gotta have a few bargains in there too, to round out your team.
Final thoughts:
Alright, now you’ve got the basics. It ain’t rocket science, but it does take a little patience and a whole lot of watchin’ the games. You don’t have to be an expert to do well at DraftKings, just keep an eye on injuries, matchups, and minutes played. And don’t be afraid to take a chance on a player you think might be on the verge of somethin’ special. That’s how you build a winning lineup. Good luck, and may the best team win!

Tags: [DraftKings, NBA DFS, NBA Fantasy, Fantasy Sports, NBA Lineups, DFS Tips, NBA Picks, Jose Alvarado, Fantasy Basketball]