Welcome to the NBA GPP Pivots article, where we’ll be looking to uncover some sneaky-good DFS plays away from the popular selections. These recommendations are usually risk/reward commodities meant to be used in large-field tournaments. Typically, blending these low-owned hidden gems with well-aligned staples contributes to a viable GPP strategy.
Keep in mind that the following player write-ups were constructed earlier in the day, and sometimes injury/rest situations can alter the fantasy landscape. Monitoring our NBA News & Headlines Feed throughout the day will keep you in the loop while giving you the subsequent DFS consequences of each information piece.
We will be looking at Tuesday’s five-game main slate starting at 7:00 ET.
POINT GUARD
Tomas Satoransky - Washington (vs. Chicago)
Satoransky is a dirt-cheap option who can be viewed as a salary relief play through all formats. He has been starting for the Wizards, translating to a 29 minute and 24 fantasy points average over his last two games. That’s not too shabby for a guy hovering around minimum salary. If Satoransky gets the starting nod again, then he should be seen as a legitimate bargain on Tuesday’s five-game slate.
SHOOTING GUARD
Kentavious Caldwell-Pope - Washington (vs. Chicago)
The Wizards are shorthanded, especially in the backcourt. Bradley Beal and Kyle Kuzma are still out, and Spencer Dinwiddie has been traded away. That has led to more playing time for Caldwell-Pope, who has responded with 30+ fantasy points in three of his last five games. Sure, there’s a wide range of fantasy outcomes, as KCP has been between 15-37 FP over that span. However, he should flirt with starter minutes on Tuesday against a Chicago team that is playing the second leg of a back-to-back set.
SMALL FORWARD
Stanley Johnson - LA Lakers (at Dallas)
LeBron James is doubtful on Tuesday, meaning guys like Stanley Johnson will need to step up. Johnson has been in the rotation anyway, picking up 24+ fantasy points in three of his last four. The last time James missed a game (March 23 vs. PHI), Johnson stepped up for a solid 30 FP performance in 35 minutes. Something along those lines is not out of the question on Tuesday. Go ahead and look towards Johnson through all DFS formats.
POWER FORWARD
Wenyen Gabriel - LA Lakers (at Dallas)
Gabriel is another Lakers’ bench player who will be called upon to fill the void of James and Anthony Davis. Gabriel has been handed a starting role for the Lakers, coming through with 22+ fantasy points and 29+ minutes in two of three games since the promotion. Similar to Johnson, Gabriel looked decent when James missed a game vs. Philadelphia last week, coming through with 25 fantasy points in 30 minutes. That’s a plausible expectation for Gabriel given the circumstances on Tuesday.
CENTER
Rudy Gobert - Utah (at LA Clippers)
Gobert is listed as questionable on Tuesday, so we’ll need to double-check his status later in the day. If Gobert ends up playing, there’s a chance he’ll be underrated as most people avoid his injury status while making their DFS builds. The matchup is sneaky-good too, as the Clippers rank dead last in defensive efficiency to centers over the last five games. Keep Gobert on your tournament watchlist and stay tuned for more news on this front.
