NBA FanDuel Picks for Jan 1, 2026

Daily Player Picks

Updated Throughout the Day

Player expected costs and values are calculated every thirty minutes throughout the day.


Point Guard

Best Rating

Name Team Cost Expected Value
Cade Cunningham DET $10,500 52.56 5.01
Tyrese Maxey PHI $10,300 47.34 4.60
Russell Westbrook SAC $7,700 32.94 4.28
Isaiah Collier UTA $6,000 28.00 4.67

Best Values

Name Team Cost Expected Value
Cade Cunningham DET $10,500 52.56 5.01
Walter Clayton UTA $3,000 14.73 4.91
Marcus Sasser DET $3,900 19.08 4.89
Isaiah Collier UTA $6,000 28.00 4.67

Shooting Guard

Best Rating

Name Team Cost Expected Value
Cam Thomas BKN $5,700 25.16 4.41
Dru Smith MIA $4,400 19.83 4.51
Baylor Scheierman BOS $3,600 8.63 2.40
Jaden Hardy DAL $3,600 6.06 1.68

Best Values

Name Team Cost Expected Value
Dru Smith MIA $4,400 19.83 4.51
Cam Thomas BKN $5,700 25.16 4.41
Baylor Scheierman BOS $3,600 8.63 2.40
Jaden Hardy DAL $3,600 6.06 1.68

Use our SFTB Plus optimizers to perfect your DFS roster. Include or Exclude players and teams, and see our 10 best rosters for every available slate.


Small Forward

Best Rating

Name Team Cost Expected Value
Javonte Green DET $3,800 18.18 4.78
Nicolas Batum LAC $2,400 14.90 6.21
Kyle Anderson UTA $1,000 7.24 7.24
Cody Williams UTA $1,800 6.91 3.84

Best Values

Name Team Cost Expected Value
Kyle Anderson UTA $1,000 7.24 7.24
Nicolas Batum LAC $2,400 14.90 6.21
Javonte Green DET $3,800 18.18 4.78
Cody Williams UTA $1,800 6.91 3.84

Power Forward

Best Rating

Name Team Cost Expected Value
Noah Clowney BKN $5,400 26.40 4.89
Nikola Jovic MIA $4,600 23.05 5.01
Taylor Hendricks UTA $3,200 16.98 5.31
Jabari Walker PHI $3,700 6.11 1.65

Best Values

Name Team Cost Expected Value
Taylor Hendricks UTA $3,200 16.98 5.31
Nikola Jovic MIA $4,600 23.05 5.01
Noah Clowney BKN $5,400 26.40 4.89
Jabari Walker PHI $3,700 6.11 1.65

Center

Best Rating

Name Team Cost Expected Value
Joel Embiid PHI $8,500 43.65 5.14
Jalen Duren DET $7,300 35.90 4.92
Nic Claxton BKN $6,500 32.12 4.94
Maxime Raynaud SAC $6,000 28.10 4.68

Best Values

Name Team Cost Expected Value
Oscar Tshiebwe UTA $1,000 6.16 6.16
Neemias Queta BOS $5,200 28.09 5.40
Joel Embiid PHI $8,500 43.65 5.14
Nic Claxton BKN $6,500 32.12 4.94

Picks are based on historical performance and match-up. Picks are updated regularly, but we advise that you keep up to date on late-day roster moves and injuries – those are not taken into consideration. Sports from the Basement provides no warranty on these suggestions and readers should make picks at their own risk. Sample lineups are provided as thought-starters, and are not intended for direct use.