This article is part of our Yahoo DFS Basketball series.
Saturday's six-game slate has no shortage of fantasy star power, as nine different players priced above $40 from eight different teams are scheduled to take the floor. While it's safe to say those guys will all help fantasy owners, pinpointing the stars in the best positions to succeed, along with cost-effective and productive cheaper options, is the key to building a winning lineup. All of the players listed below fit that mold:
GUARD
Andrew Wiggins, MIN vs. MEM ($31) - Wiggins has translated his scoring onto fantasy points lately, topping 30.0 fantasy points seven times in his last eight games thanks to a robust 24.1 PPG. Since the Timberwolves don't seem to be in contention for a playoff berth, the sophomore forward should continue to get all the looks he can handle as Minnesota grooms its go-to scorer of the future. As long as he keeps putting up points in the mid-20s, it's going to be hard for Wiggins not to reach at least 30.0 fantasy points on a nightly basis.
Jeremy Lin, CHA vs. NY ($19) - The former Knicks sensation has become a sixth-man of the year candidate due to a resurgent 2015-16 campaign, and he could have a chance to assume an even greater role as part of the starting lineup against his former team with Nicolas Batum (toe) likely unavailable. Lin averaged 26.3 fantasy points per game when Batum was out for four games earlier this month, and he would be a steal at $19 if he were able to replicate that production.
Guard to Avoid:
Jimmy Butler, CHI at CLE ($45) - There are a few factors working against Butler. With the Cavaliers eager to impress under new head coach Tyronn Lue in the wake of David Blatt's firing, don't expect anything to come easy for Butler and the Bulls in Cleveland. Add in that Butler will have to expend a lot of energy in the second game of a back-to-back guarding LeBron James while playing through an illness, and suddenly just reaching the 32.0 fantasy points he had in his first meeting with the Cavs looks like a challenge.
Others to Avoid: Michael Carter-Williams ($31), Jordan Clarkson ($23), Arron Afflalo ($19), Mario Chalmers ($16)
FORWARD
Kristaps Porzingis, NYK vs. CHA ($32) - Porzingis has thrived against the Hornets this season, pulling down a career-high 15 rebounds and releasing a would-be game-winning three-pointer just after the buzzer in their first meeting before redeeming himself with a 29-point, 11-rebound double-double in the two teams' second encounter. Stretch-four Marvin Williams simply lacks the size and physicality to guard Porzingis, and Charlotte has even fewer available frontcourt options now with center Al Jefferson out long-term. Expect the Latvian to ride all of these factors to a big game now that he's looking spry following a foot injury.
T.J. Warren, PHX vs. ATL ($17) - Warren was forced to be released from head coach Jeff Hornacek's doghouse after P.J. Tucker suffered a chest injury Thursday, reducing the team's depth at small forward to just Warren and fringe rotation player Sonny Weems. The second-year man out of North Carolina is a talented offensive player, whose 11.1 points in 22.9 minutes per game this season could easily translate into mid-teens output in an increased role. With the Suns struggling lately, Warren (along with guard Devin Booker) could be the spark that gets them, and his fantasy owners, going again.
Forward to Avoid:
Kobe Bryant, LAL at POR ($25) - Bryant has looked like an old man while struggling through his most recent Achilles injury, averaging just 19.4 fantasy points per game in his last four appearances heading into Los Angeles' weekend back-to-back set. It's tough to imagine the injury feeling much better in the second game of that set Saturday, so expect a disappointing visit to the Moda Center for Kobe on Saturday.
Others to Avoid: Will Barton ($31), Zach Randolph ($26), Julius Randle ($23), Al-Farouq Aminu ($18)
CENTER
DeMarcus Cousins, SAC vs. IND ($53) - Cousins has been unstoppable in January, averaging 54.0 fantasy points with over 30 points and 13 rebounds in 10 games this month. Sacramento is running its offense through the center, and he has started to take further advantage of that fact by dishing out at least five assists twice in the last three games after doing so just five times in the season's first 31 contests. With seven games of at least 50.0 fantasy points already in 2016, Cousins has two more than LeBron James, Anthony Davis and Paul George combined.
Center to Avoid:
Tristan Thompson, CLE vs. CHI ($18) - Since the start of December, Thompson is averaging under 20.0 fantasy points per game and has exceeded 30.0 just twice. That consistent mediocrity and lack of upside could potentially be remedied with the firing of head coach David Blatt, but it's best to take a wait-and-see approach instead of pouncing on a disappointing player with no assurances of an increase in production. With a number of the top options at his position playing so well right now, it's tough to find an excuse to include Thompson in your lineup.
Others to Avoid: Pau Gasol ($39), Greg Monroe ($30), Jusuf Nurkic ($12)
