NBA FanDuel 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
Cade Cunningham DET $10,800 52.41 4.85
Tyrese Maxey PHI $10,600 51.52 4.86
Shai Gilgeous-Alexander OKC $10,800 51.37 4.76
Jalen Brunson NY $9,400 43.40 4.62

Best Values

Name Team Cost Expected Value
Jalen Pickett DEN $4,100 22.28 5.43
Tyrese Maxey PHI $10,600 51.52 4.86
Cade Cunningham DET $10,800 52.41 4.85
Shai Gilgeous-Alexander OKC $10,800 51.37 4.76

Shooting Guard

Best Rating

Name Team Cost Expected Value
Ayo Dosunmu CHI $5,900 23.15 3.92
Jordan Goodwin PHO $4,800 20.70 4.31
Ja’Kobe Walter TOR $3,800 12.97 3.41
Gradey Dick TOR $3,700 12.91 3.49

Best Values

Name Team Cost Expected Value
Jordan Goodwin PHO $4,800 20.70 4.31
Ayo Dosunmu CHI $5,900 23.15 3.92
Gradey Dick TOR $3,700 12.91 3.49
Ja’Kobe Walter TOR $3,800 12.97 3.41

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
Kris Murray POR $4,000 19.24 4.81
Julian Strawther DEN $3,600 16.56 4.60
Javonte Green DET $3,900 16.09 4.13
Isaac Okoro CHI $4,300 14.96 3.48

Best Values

Name Team Cost Expected Value
Kris Murray POR $4,000 19.24 4.81
Julian Strawther DEN $3,600 16.56 4.60
Javonte Green DET $3,900 16.09 4.13
Hunter Tyson DEN $3,500 13.61 3.89

Power Forward

Best Rating

Name Team Cost Expected Value
Tidjane Salaün CHA $4,000 13.52 3.38
Kenrich Williams OKC $3,700 10.81 2.92
Taylor Hendricks UTA $3,800 10.22 2.69
Asa Newell ATL $3,800 8.73 2.30

Best Values

Name Team Cost Expected Value
Tidjane Salaün CHA $4,000 13.52 3.38
Kenrich Williams OKC $3,700 10.81 2.92
Taylor Hendricks UTA $3,800 10.22 2.69
Asa Newell ATL $3,800 8.73 2.30

Center

Best Rating

Name Team Cost Expected Value
Joel Embiid PHI $9,000 43.47 4.83
Jusuf Nurkic UTA $6,500 34.80 5.35
Nikola Vucevic CHI $7,400 33.97 4.59
Ivica Zubac LAC $6,200 32.49 5.24

Best Values

Name Team Cost Expected Value
Paul Reed DET $4,200 27.98 6.66
Jusuf Nurkic UTA $6,500 34.80 5.35
Sandro Mamukelashvili TOR $5,100 27.05 5.30
Ivica Zubac LAC $6,200 32.49 5.24

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.