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 44.37 3.82
James Harden CLE $9,800 39.23 4.00
Daniss Jenkins DET $6,400 26.95 4.21
Dennis Schroder CLE $3,400 12.18 3.58

Best Values

Name Team Cost Expected Value
Daniss Jenkins DET $6,400 26.95 4.21
James Harden CLE $9,800 39.23 4.00
Cade Cunningham DET $11,600 44.37 3.82
Dennis Schroder CLE $3,400 12.18 3.58

Shooting Guard

Best Rating

Name Team Cost Expected Value
Donovan Mitchell CLE $10,400 38.65 3.72
Duncan Robinson DET $5,400 19.44 3.60
Max Strus CLE $5,800 16.61 2.86
Caris LeVert DET $4,200 13.79 3.28

Best Values

Name Team Cost Expected Value
Kevin Huerter DET $1,000 6.38 6.38
Keon Ellis CLE $1,000 4.65 4.65
Sam Merrill CLE $2,000 8.63 4.31
Donovan Mitchell CLE $10,400 38.65 3.72

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 16.61 2.86
Caris LeVert DET $4,200 13.79 3.28
Dean Wade CLE $2,800 11.68 4.17

Best Values

Name Team Cost Expected Value
Jaylon Tyson CLE $1,000 7.46 7.46
Kevin Huerter DET $1,000 6.38 6.38
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 37.52 4.17
Tobias Harris DET $8,600 32.05 3.73
Dean Wade CLE $2,800 11.68 4.17
Isaiah Stewart DET $1,400 7.87 5.62

Best Values

Name Team Cost Expected Value
Jaylon Tyson CLE $1,000 7.46 7.46
Isaiah Stewart DET $1,400 7.87 5.62
Javonte Green DET $1,000 5.40 5.40
Ronald Holland II DET $1,000 4.51 4.51

Canter

Best Rating

Name Team Cost Expected Value
Evan Mobley CLE $9,000 37.52 4.17
Jarrett Allen CLE $7,800 31.96 4.10
Jalen Duren DET $7,400 27.98 3.78
Paul Reed DET $4,800 19.48 4.06

Best Values

Name Team Cost Expected Value
Isaiah Stewart DET $1,400 7.87 5.62
Evan Mobley CLE $9,000 37.52 4.17
Jarrett Allen CLE $7,800 31.96 4.10
Paul Reed DET $4,800 19.48 4.06

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.