3 NBA DraftKings Studs to Target on 2/17/21

While building a daily fantasy basketball lineup, it's important to make sure you find the right studs to anchor your team. As the most expensive players in your lineup, they need big-time production to match their high salaries.

You may find it hard to fit some of these guys in while staying under the salary cap, but you can check out our projections to find value players for your rosters. Let's take a look at the top high-salaried DraftKings plays of the day.

Nikola Jokic, C, Denver Nuggets

DraftKings Salary: $11,000

Nikola Jokic continues to roll on as he builds his case as an MVP candidate early on this season. Through his 26 games, the big man has averaged 26.5 points and a double-double, while he has also notched 8.7 assists a game on a 29.1% usage rate -- 2.5% higher than last year, according to NBA.com.

The Joker's loaded box scores have amounted to 59.5 DraftKings points per game, but in his last five alone he has increased that to 62.7 DraftKings points thanks to a near triple-double average. He's fresh off a triple-double in a win over the Los Angeles Lakers and now has 55 or more DraftKings points in 6 of his last 10.

Washington is not even in the same ballpark as the L.A. defense. They rank 25th in defensive rating, and according to FantasyPros have allowed the fourth-most fantasy points per game to opposing centers. He should do work in a cupcake matchup.

Domantas Sabonis, PF/C, Indiana Pacers

DraftKings Salary: $9,700

If you're not someone to allocate more than 20% of your salary to any one player, Domantas Sabonis can give you more roster flexibility at a $1,300 discount. And the thing is, you aren't giving up much upside in the process.

The Indiana big man is averaging a cool 46.9 DraftKings points on the year and 51.9 in his previous three. In his only one under 50 DraftKings points during that stretch, he posted a double-double in a mere 27 minutes. That means that over this timeframe, he's averaged 1.44 DK points per minute.

Heading into a matchup with Minnesota Timberwolves, Sabonis' chances of going for 50-plus are more than favorable. Not only do they give up 115.7 points per game, but according to NBA Finals odds, the Pacers are favored by seven on the road. So long as this one remains close enough, we should see Sabonis post a double-double.

Jimmy Butler, SF, Miami Heat

DraftKings Salary: $8,800

Whether you are opting for a more balanced lineup, or if you simply prefer an elite guy at small forward over center, Jimmy Butler is someone to give strong consideration to. Although his salary has finally climbed to the proper level, his recent production would suggest it hasn't.

Butler is riding a serious heater of late. Since his COVID-induced hiatus, he has added just 1.5% to his usage rate, but his assist rate has climbed more than 9% and his rebound rate by more than 3%. Playing like a man on a mission, Butler is padding the stat sheet with peripherals on his way to averaging 50.2 DraftKings points over the last nine.

There's no reason to think Jimmy Buckets' tear will end tonight. Golden State is second in the league in pace and, despite a top-10 defense, allow a fantasy-friendly 112.9 points per game. He should benefit from a close (one-point spread), fast-paced game on Wednesday night.

Brett Oswalt is not a FanDuel employee. In addition to providing DFS gameplay advice, Brett Oswalt also participates in DFS contests on FanDuel using his personal account, username BRO14THEKID. While the strategies and player selections recommended in his articles are his/her personal views, he may deploy different strategies and player selections when entering contests with his personal account. The views expressed in his articles are the author’s alone and do not necessarily reflect the views of FanDuel.