NBA Draftkings Picks for May 17, 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 $11,600 44.23 3.81
James Harden CLE $9,800 41.20 4.20
Daniss Jenkins DET $6,400 25.53 3.99
Dennis Schroder CLE $3,400 12.11 3.56

Best Values

Name Team Cost Expected Value
James Harden CLE $9,800 41.20 4.20
Daniss Jenkins DET $6,400 25.53 3.99
Cade Cunningham DET $11,600 44.23 3.81
Dennis Schroder CLE $3,400 12.11 3.56

Shooting Guard

Best Rating

Name Team Cost Expected Value
Donovan Mitchell CLE $10,400 40.67 3.91
Max Strus CLE $5,800 21.53 3.71
Duncan Robinson DET $5,400 19.44 3.60
Caris LeVert DET $4,200 13.98 3.33

Best Values

Name Team Cost Expected Value
Kevin Huerter DET $1,000 6.38 6.38
Sam Merrill CLE $2,000 10.75 5.37
Keon Ellis CLE $1,000 4.65 4.65
Donovan Mitchell CLE $10,400 40.67 3.91

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
Ausar Thompson DET $8,000 29.27 3.66
Max Strus CLE $5,800 21.53 3.71
Caris LeVert DET $4,200 13.98 3.33
Kevin Huerter DET $1,000 6.38 6.38

Best Values

Name Team Cost Expected Value
Kevin Huerter DET $1,000 6.38 6.38
Jaylon Tyson CLE $1,000 5.79 5.79
Javonte Green DET $1,000 5.40 5.40
Keon Ellis CLE $1,000 4.65 4.65

Power Forward

Best Rating

Name Team Cost Expected Value
Evan Mobley CLE $9,000 37.61 4.18
Tobias Harris DET $8,600 32.00 3.72
Isaiah Stewart DET $1,400 6.43 4.59
Jaylon Tyson CLE $1,000 5.79 5.79

Best Values

Name Team Cost Expected Value
Jaylon Tyson CLE $1,000 5.79 5.79
Javonte Green DET $1,000 5.40 5.40
Isaiah Stewart DET $1,400 6.43 4.59
Ronald Holland II DET $1,000 4.51 4.51

Canter

Best Rating

Name Team Cost Expected Value
Evan Mobley CLE $9,000 37.61 4.18
Jarrett Allen CLE $7,800 31.88 4.09
Jalen Duren DET $7,400 27.98 3.78
Paul Reed DET $4,800 19.63 4.09

Best Values

Name Team Cost Expected Value
Isaiah Stewart DET $1,400 6.43 4.59
Evan Mobley CLE $9,000 37.61 4.18
Jarrett Allen CLE $7,800 31.88 4.09
Paul Reed DET $4,800 19.63 4.09

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.