NBA Draftkings Picks for Jan 5, 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
Deni Avdija POR $9,500 53.59 5.64
Cade Cunningham DET $10,500 53.39 5.08
Tyrese Maxey PHI $9,700 52.17 5.38
Shai Gilgeous-Alexander OKC $10,300 51.43 4.99

Best Values

Name Team Cost Expected Value
Jalen Pickett DEN $3,800 22.32 5.87
Bruce Brown DEN $4,300 25.14 5.85
Deni Avdija POR $9,500 53.59 5.64
Tyrese Maxey PHI $9,700 52.17 5.38

Shooting Guard

Best Rating

Name Team Cost Expected Value
Kevin Durant HOU $8,900 44.44 4.99
Derrick White BOS $8,000 40.94 5.12
Brandon Ingram TOR $7,600 40.63 5.35
Devin Booker PHX $8,600 39.96 4.65

Best Values

Name Team Cost Expected Value
Jalen Pickett DEN $3,800 22.32 5.87
Bruce Brown DEN $4,300 25.14 5.85
Julian Strawther DEN $3,000 16.57 5.52
Dyson Daniels ATL $6,800 36.48 5.36

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
Deni Avdija POR $9,500 53.59 5.64
Kawhi Leonard LAC $9,700 50.38 5.19
Jaylen Brown BOS $9,800 49.78 5.08
Kevin Durant HOU $8,900 44.44 4.99

Best Values

Name Team Cost Expected Value
Deni Avdija POR $9,500 53.59 5.64
Julian Strawther DEN $3,000 16.57 5.52
Jalen Williams OKC $7,300 39.02 5.34
RJ Barrett TOR $6,100 31.94 5.24

Power Forward

Best Rating

Name Team Cost Expected Value
Jalen Johnson ATL $10,000 53.64 5.36
Scottie Barnes TOR $8,300 45.89 5.53
Chet Holmgren OKC $7,800 39.13 5.02
Lauri Markkanen UTA $8,400 38.49 4.58

Best Values

Name Team Cost Expected Value
Scottie Barnes TOR $8,300 45.89 5.53
Jalen Johnson ATL $10,000 53.64 5.36
Matas Buzelis CHI $5,900 29.87 5.06
Chet Holmgren OKC $7,800 39.13 5.02

Canter

Best Rating

Name Team Cost Expected Value
Karl-Anthony Towns NYK $8,500 45.65 5.37
Joel Embiid PHI $8,700 44.49 5.11
Jusuf Nurkic UTA $6,600 36.50 5.53
Onyeka Okongwu ATL $7,200 35.88 4.98

Best Values

Name Team Cost Expected Value
Paul Reed DET $3,800 27.91 7.35
Jusuf Nurkic UTA $6,600 36.50 5.53
Karl-Anthony Towns NYK $8,500 45.65 5.37
Mark Williams PHX $5,200 27.14 5.22

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.