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NBA Preseason: Daily Fantasy Basketball Advice For Monday, 10/3

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Saturday night was a lot of fun, with the 2016-17 NBA season technically getting started via two preseason games. That tiny two-game slate could have been highly profitable if you used the right sleeper picks, especially considering the Dallas Mavericks sat a lot of their veterans and we saw small minutes out of the Golden State Warriors.

On Monday NBA preseason action returns, with a nice six-game slate to really shake things up. Six games will certainly do the trick, especially when you consider all of the potential inactives, the limited minutes for most of the stars and uncertainty with other guys. We’ll take a look at each game and see which options might be the safest in daily fantasy basketball games on Monday night:

Milwaukee Bucks @ Chicago Bulls

The Bucks and Bulls are both teams in transition, as Chicago brought on Rajon Rondo, Dwyane Wade and Robin Lopez in an attempt to complete a quick rebuild, while Milwaukee looked to be a young team on the rise before losing Khris Middleton (hamstring) for possibly the entire season. Wade debuts for his hometown Bulls, but he nor any of the other starters are expected to play much more than 10-15 minutes.

That brings out a hard fade for all of the regular Bulls, but absolutely puts their bench fodder in play. Solid minutes could be had for talented guys like Jerian Grant, Doug McDermott, Tony Snell, Bobby Portis and Nikola Mirotic. Versatile rookie combo forward Denzel Valentine arguably leads the pack, however, as he can fill up the stat sheet and might even log good minutes at the point.

All of these guys could have some value in Monday’s DFS NBA preseason leagues, but they all also carry risk. The best plays here figure to be McDermott, Portis and Valentine. Portis has double-double talent, McDermott can seriously score the ball and Valentine can do a bit of everything. None of these guys are locks to play much more than 20 minutes, but they look the strongest on the Bulls for this first preseason game.

For Milwaukee, it’s going to be tempting to use Giannis Antetokounmpo, who leads the way tonight as the most expensive option ($9.1k). You needn’t worry about him and his high price tag, though, since he won’t be playing regular minutes and Khris Middleton isn’t there to get easy dimes on wide open jumpers. Giannis should see the ball in his hands a ton this year, but banking on some huge triple-double performance in probably 19-22 minutes is a little silly.

I wouldn’t be interested in most Milwaukee players in a full game setting, so naturally few look overly attractive with their minutes likely diced up. That being said, you can consider the likes of Malcolm Brogdon, Rashad Vaughn, Michael Beasley and perhaps Thon Maker (wrist) if he plays. Maker is probably a reach and Beasley does little other than score the ball, so neither feel overly safe off the bench for the Bucks. Neither do Brogdon or Vaughn, two more guys who mostly score and do little else. Still, they’re fighting for minutes at shooting guard now that Middleton is on the shelf. One of those guys could be worth using. Personally, I probably won’t be willing to find out, but they are GPP fodder, for sure.

Charlotte Hornets @ Dallas Mavericks

Dallas and Charlotte have made their main inactives known early on, so we can go ahead and fade Kemba Walker, Devin Harris, Dirk Nowitzki, Deron Williams and Andrew Bogut on the night. Kemba’s absence could open the door for a little extra run for Ramon Sessions, but most starters are a little risky due to preseason run – especially in the first game. Sessions is in play, along with Nicolas Batum, Michael Kidd-Gilchrist, Marvin Williams and Roy Hibbert – all of which are starting.

In play, sure, but we’re not really into any of those guys. Not only are they all tough to trust, but they won’t be playing normal minutes. Batum is worth a flier along with Sessions, but overall the main guys in Charlotte feel too risky.

Their bench could produce some DFS NBA goodness, though, especially with Cody Zeller out. That could put Frank Kaminsky on high alert today. Charlotte wants to see the former Badger succeed, while he has a DFS friendly game due to his shooting ability and size. He won’t light the world on fire, but he could grab a few boards, block a shot or two and score 8-10 points. That should make him worthy of a try tonight. Jeremy Lamb and Marco Belinelli will also operate off the bench for the Hornets and could be worth a try if they can get hot. Those guys are a little more volatile, though, so for the Hornets it’s probably Kaminsky or bust for us.

For the Mavs, they’re down a ton of big name veterans, so even though it’s the preseason we’re bound to see good run out of some of their intriguing young talent. Wesley Matthews is one of the few Dallas regular expected to start, along with newly added forward, Harrison Barnes.

You could give either of those guys a look, but the guys we really are into are Dwight Powell, Justin Anderson and Seth Curry. The Mavs want all three to be able to fill roles when needed this year, so getting a good look at them during preseason play makes sense. All three were great in their preseason debuts on Saturday, too, and with so many bodies out, all figure to get good run again tonight. They’re without a doubt the three top NBA DFS plays in this game when you consider the way preseason play goes.

Denver Nuggets @ Toronto Raptors

Denver could be another fun spot to attack some nice, young talent, with guys like Emmanuel Mudiay, Gary Harris, Jamal Murray, Will Barton and Jusuf Nurkic all being in play tonight. Of that group, our favorite plays are Nurkic and Mudiay. Mudiay needs all the time he can get to keep improving as Denver’s lead point guard, while Nurkic also needs work to continue to round into form after an up and down 2015-16 season.

Jamal Murray is very interesting in terms of sheer talent and versatility, but with so many talented wing players in Denver, we’re a little hesitant to pull the trigger in his first pro game. For the most part, we’re sticking to Mudiay or Nurkic when it comes to the Nuggets.

The Raptors played their main guys a bit on Saturday, so it stands to reason they’ll sit or limit some of those guys. Because of that, we’re really only looking at Toronto bench fodder that could step up. Pascal Siakam was solid in his debut this past weekend and he could be in for decent run again tonight. The same goes for Jared Sullinger, who has yet to fully win the starting power forward spot.

This game could be problematic for NBA preseason DFS, so we’re likely sticking with our two favorite Nuggets in this one and fading the Raptors if we can help it.

Orlando Magic @ Memphis Grizzlies

Memphis is expected to sit or limit most of their starters, which could give young guys like Wade Baldwin and JaMychael Green some nice exposure here. Memphis plays slow and defends, which is good in real life but not always great for daily fantasy basketball. We’re not enamored with them tonight, but Baldwin and Green are decent tries.

The real fun could be with the Magic, who will be without Serge Ibaka, Aaron Gordon and Elfrid Payton. D.J. Augustin is mildly interesting as the starter, while guys like Evan Fournier, Nikola Vucevic and Jeff Green deserve cursory glances. The guy you really want to get on is Mario Hazonja, who can stroke it from deep and has the athleticism to be involved all over the place. Orlando wants to see if he can take on a bigger role this year, too, so with some bodies out, he could see some extra run.

San Antonio Spurs @ Phoenix Suns

The Spurs game is another spot where you can safely rule out some key players, as LaMarcud Aldridge, Tony Parker, Patty Mills and Manu Ginobili will all sit this one out. Their official preseason depth chart for this game makes it pretty clear that some key guys will get good run, too:

The guys that stand out the most are rookie Dejounte Murray, Jonathan Simmons and Kyle Anderson. Murray is a terrific scorer who the Spurs want to see work on his decision-making and ability to run an offense, Simmons is a strong scorer and Anderson is a do-it-all combo forward. They’re the three guys to target for San Antonio, as they should return value if they can play to their strengths.

The Suns have plenty of interesting pieces, too, and it begins in a starting lineup that consists of Eric Bledsoe, Devin Booker, T.J. Warren, Jared Dudley and Tyson Chandler. Those guys won’t see normal run in game one, but of that group, Booker and Warren stand out as guys who could make a big impact in a small amount of time. They’re young guys who could use the extra minutes, too, so it’s possible they see a little more run than the other starters.

Phoenix probably won’t run Bledsoe wild after coming off knee surgery, nor will they drive the aging Chandler into the ground. They’ll also want to get a look at big men Dragan Bender, Marquese Chriss and of course, Alex Len. Len feels the safest of that trio, but all three are immensely talented and have upside in the preseason game. Guys like Archie Goodwin and John Jenkins could also make some noise, while rookie point guard Tyler Ulis deserves a long look, as well.

Overall, Booker feels like the safest play for the Suns and it might make sense to stack some of the Spurs guys in this one, instead.

Utah Jazz @ Portland Trail Blazers

Last, but not least, is a matchup between the defensive-minded Jazz and the Blazers. It’s unknown how much of the starters we’ll see in this one, but it could be a good one to fade given the way Utah plays and how the best Portland players might not play very much. That probably has us fading the likes of Damian Lillard and C.J. McCollum.

There could be some guys to target here, though, as the Blazers still don’t have their small forward spot figured out. That could mean extra run for guys like Allen Crabbe, Evan Turner and maybe even Moe Harkless. No one else really pops up for the Blazers, unless we here of crazy minutes for sure being handed out tonight.

For Utah, Dante Exum makes his gradual return and could be a fun GPP flier behind George Hill. Utah will also want to figure out if Rodney Hood should be starting over Joe Johnson or not, while versatile big man Trey Lyles can do a lot, regardless of how much time he spends on the floor.

Daily fantasy basketball is understandably a mixed bag during the preseason, as inactives and roles are even less clear than they are at times during the regular season. This makes DFS NBA very risky, so you can’t simply roll with just our opinion or your gut. Make sure you research all of the lineups, injuries, inactives and rotations to see which guys are for sure out, which are battling for a roster spot/position and which are simply camp bodies that are unlikely to make an impact and possibly not even play. If you do all that, you at least give yourself a mild edge in trying to win some cash in daily fantasy basketball preseason games.

For this slate, the first good start is fading the star players, as they’re either going to sit or be pretty limited for the most part. From there, focusing on rookies or young guys trying to earn bigger roles is a good way to go. No matter which way you lean, good luck in your DFS NBA games tonight!

Debunking Every Reason Why We Hate the Golden State Warriors

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The Golden State Warriors were the NBA’s golden child. They didn’t buy a single superstar, they rose from the ground up through the draft and finally won their first title in 40 years thanks to Steve Kerr tapping into their strengths and putting the team concept above everything else.

Kerr knew a thing or two about sharing and winning. He was “just a guy” on Bulls and Spurs teams that won titles, and he was best known for hitting open shots or setting up others in a team friendly system. Yeah, this comes from a guy who watched Michael Jordan hoist 30 shots a game for much of his career, but the foundation, nevertheless, was most certainly there.

How or why the Warriors went from bad to meh to amazing isn’t on trial here, of course. They weren’t good, they got good and now they’re hoping to play in a third straight NBA Finals series. The oddsmakers suggest they will, too, as they currently boast -125 NBA Finals odds over at Bovada – and that’s to actually win. It’s hard to argue with that logic, either, seeing as the Dubs were one win away from repeating with a hobble Stephen Curry last year and now they added elite scorer, Kevin Durant.

But the latter adds fuel to a raging fire of hate for the once beloved Warriors. They quickly went from a nothing team, to one we pulled for and now to one we hate. But why? Let’s journey through the many standing reasons and see if we can’t debunk that negative take with some good old fashioned logic:

They’re So Smug

This one has some legitimacy to it, as the Dubs have noted in the media countless times that they feel they’ve been disrespected. They aren’t necessarily the humblest of groups, but this is absolutely a two-sided argument. Golden State didn’t get here by being a bunch of cry babies or jerks. They grinded their way to the top and even after winning the title two years ago, people still said they were lucky.

LeBron James said they were the most “fortunate” team he’d ever seen for being so healthy. Kyrie Irving suggested the Cavs would have never lost the first time if he had been healthy. And Doc Rivers noted Golden State’s first title trip came against teams who were without their top point guard.

James is right, but that doesn’t take away from a title. Irving may have been right and he sort of proved that last year, but then again, what happened happened: Golden State beat the Cavaliers the first time around and going back and mulling over what could have been is a waste of time. Rivers is just mad because his Clippers are never healthy anymore and the Clips and Dubs are rivals.

Also, what top level NBA teams aren’t at least a little smug, cocky or confident? Okay, maybe aside of the Spurs. Look at the Warriors, Clippers, Cavs, OKC and any other top contender. They all have a way about them, as if they know they’re among the best. It’s because they are and to be there, you kind of have to carry yourself in that fashion.

KD is Weak

Oh, that’s right, I forgot. Only LeBron James can ditch his team to go join a better built team to chase a title. Hating on Durant right away is a double standard – as is suggesting KD hasn’t taken enough heat for his move.

For one, he’s actually taken a ton of heat. It’s arguable by comparison he’s taken too much, too. James was ripped apart for leaving Cleveland for two massive reasons: he televised The Decision and he bolted from his hometown Cavs. Everyone in Cleveland hated him for it and by default, so did most of the NBA.

Even with that being the case, no one can fault James for going to South Beach to mature as a man/player, learn how to win and then return home to do the same with the Cavs. It all worked out in the end, and the situations are very different. Durant merely saw the writing on the wall, that there was no beating the Warriors. He had his best chance ever with a 3-1 Western Conference Finals series lead and OKC still couldn’t close the deal.

Durant was right to bolt. He’s in a better situation, he doesn’t have to worry about Russell Westbrook being reckless late in games and he knows fully that he’s on the best team in his conference – maybe even the best team in the league.

Many will point to an older era not leaving teams to go chase for titles. That’s fair to an extent, but they also didn’t really have to. Most of them got paid a ton of money to stick where they were, while guys like Larry Bird and Magic Johnson actually were drafted into amazing situations where their teams were already regular winners.

Then you have guys like Charles Barkley who suggest Durant is weak for the move, yet he chased titles late in his career, much the same.

The reality is, Durant was a free agent and he wanted to win. He owes nothing to OKC or anyone affiliated with the team. They didn’t put him in good enough position to win a title, so he went where he felt he could get over the hump. If he’s wrong, maybe we can chastise him for it. But if he’s right, how was that weak?

They Bought This Team

Actually, they didn’t. They made an in retrospect genius trade for Andre Iguodala years ago and signing KD was their lone big superstar signing. They had traded for Andrew Bogut years ago, too, while their best players – Stephen Curry, Klay Thompson and Draymond Green – were all obtained through the draft.

The modern day Boston Celtics bought their title by trading for Kevin Garnett and signing Ray Allen. The Miami Heat paid for their title by signing James and Chris Bosh. The Cavaliers even paid for their most recent title by trading for Kevin Love and J.R. Smith, as well as bringing back James after he left the Heat. Golden State, however, actually rose to their first title with no superstar help.

They Set Moving Screens

Yeah, they do. In the vain of the freaking New England Patriots, the Dubs set screens like crazy and they do it very well. Their moving screens can be vicious body blows and most of the time they’re not legal. But this isn’t a reason to hate the Warriors.

Hating the Warriors for setting illegal screens that aren’t called is like being mad when Dwyane Wade never gets called for traveling or because James Harden flails his body through the paint and always gets a foul called. That is on the referees. In a superstar (and super team) league, the best players and teams get the calls, as well as the benefit of the doubt.

Oh, and screening is a pretty universal tactic to get shooters open and create space. The assumption that the Warriors are the only team who do this is an absolute joke.

Curry Isn’t the Real MVP

Maybe, maybe not. Some think it should have been LeBron James last year. He sure as heck does.

But the numbers game is the real story here and there are two massive criteria you need: you need to be the most crucial player for your team and you need to have amazing numbers. James certainly has the first part down, but were his numbers as good as Curry’s the past two years? No, and it wasn’t even close.

The MVP award isn’t the “who is the best talent in the league” award. It’s not the LeBron James award, either. If James thinks he’s God’s gift to basketball, that’s fine. But the idea that he should win the MVP every single year just because he continues to exit is not just silly, but it’s beyond egotistical.

That’s why statistics, team records and other criteria go into this thing: because if we just voted on who is the best player today, the same guy would usually win every year.

Curry was last year’s MVP. He shot over 50% from the floor, 45% from long range, 90% from the charity stripe and put up 30 points per game while helping the Dubs win 73 games. Even a hint of disbelief that he wasn’t the league MVP is just ridiculous.

They Win Too Much

So beat them. The Warriors shouldn’t and won’t apologize for working hard and quickly becoming one of the best teams we’ve seen in a long time. They’ve adapted their style to a changing league and while the NBA has slowly caught up with them, they adapted again by refurbishing their roster.

Golden State is an excellent team and excellent teams win games. Even if we’re Clippers fans, we need to be able to respect and appreciate where they’ve come from and where they’re going.

They Already Won Their Title

Tell that to the Celtics, Lakers or Bulls. One title does not quench the thirst, nor should it. Few sports expose the ego as well as pro basketball, and there’s no doubt every top notch NBA player works to better himself so he can best the next guy every single year.

The Dubs did finally win again after 40 years of not winning, but you don’t just stop wanting it after ending a drought like that. In fact, knowing how hard it was to get back to this point only makes you want to take hold of your talent and opportunity now. Golden State wasn’t able to do that last year, which means they’ll be back hungrier than ever going into the 2016-17 NBA season.

We can’t hold that desire against them.

Poor Mark Jackson

If we leave out any reasons people hate the Warriors, forgive us. One of the biggest ones seems to be that Golden State cast former head coach Mark Jackson aside for Steve Kerr. It’s at least a little brutal, seeing as Kerr steppe right in and took a team Jackson got to the playoffs, and turned around and won a title with that same group.

The problem is, Jackson wasn’t getting the most out of Golden State and Kerr did. You needn’t feel bad for Jackson. He got his weird revenge when he analyzed the NBA Finals live on TV. You could hear the laughter and double middle fingers every time he spoke.

But really, Mark Jackson was a decent coach, as he preached team basketball and defense. But the Dubs were more than a team that shared the ball and gave full effort on defense. They were an explosive, unstoppable unit that merely needed to be tapped into. Kerr succeeded where Jackson failed and ultimately that switch was the right call.

Got more reasons people hate the Warriors that we missed and deserve to be discussed? Want to touch on some of the points we jotted down? Feel free to jump into the discussion in the comments below!

Preseason NBA Betting: Preview and Picks For Saturday’s Games

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The 2016-17 NBA season doesn’t officially start for another month, but it unofficially tips back off this weekend. That’s right, preseason NBA basketball is back this Saturday, with two games getting us back into the swing of things.

Any preseason betting brings some risk, as star players tend to sit out or at best are limited, and you’re betting on young guys you don’t know, playing in games no one really cares about. There is still fun to be had and money to be made, however, so let’s break down both of Saturday’s games and see if anything can point us to a clear (and winning) bet:

Golden State Warriors @ Toronto Raptors

At the time of this writing it’s unclear what the availability of stars like Stephen Curry, Klay Thompson, Draymond Green and of course Kevin Durant will be for this game. Considering it’s the first preseason game, Curry is a likely sit candidate and it’s very possible all of these big name Dubs players don’t suit up at all for this meaningless contest.

The Raptors could easily play it that way, too, with stars like Kyle Lowry and DeMar DeRozan tough calls. DeMarre Carroll, one who dealt with a knee ailment all last year, would also be wise to sit this one out.

Needless to say, with so many player statuses up in the air, it’s tough to call this one. Toronto might have a mild edge with this game being in Canada, but Golden State’s depth and system probably win out here. If we’re truly set to see a bunch of bench guys duke it out, we’d have to favor the Warriors, who are among the deepest squads in all of basketball.

Toronto tends to slow things down and me a little more methodical on defense, so we can favor Golden State for the win, but aim for a lower scoring game than we might normally be accustomed to seeing out of the Dubs.

Pick: Warriors 97, Raptors 93

Dallas Mavericks @ New Orleans Pelicans

The story is the same for this game, as guys like Dirk Nowitzki and Anthony Davis will probably sit. Pellies star point guard Jrue Holiday is already away from the team due to health issues with his wife, while combo guard Tyreke Evans won’t play as he continues to rehab an injury. The Pelicans could be in a good spot at home if The Brow does suit up, but their lack of depth could be painfully obvious if he doesn’t play.

Dallas should rest guys who struggle with health, like Deron Williams and Wesley Matthews, but we could see Harrison Barnes make his Dallas debut, as well as Seth Curry. If those two guys suit up, Dallas could get enough offense to snag the win here and get the preseason started off right.

Pick: Mavericks 101, Pelicans 96

2016 MLB Betting: 4 Upsets Worth Chasing

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Tuesday night could be a great spot for some MLB betting, seeing as we have a lively 15-game MLB slate and some big name aces toeing the rubber. Anytime you see aces like Chris Sale and Max Scherzer hit the mound, betting sites tend to favor their team even more than usual – often regardless of matchup.

Does the presence of those aces make their opponents mildly more interesting upset bids tonight, or should we be looking elsewhere? That and more needs to be considered on such a big slate – one in which you want to pick your spots carefully.

With that, we’ve scoured today’s MLB slate and found four upset picks that either offer the most upside or actually feel pretty realistic. Let’s find out why:

Yankees (+180) Over Red Sox (-200)

New York always feels like a decent bet when they take on Boston, seeing as it’s a fierce rivalry game that goes back for forever. It’s only under the microscope even more right now, as the Yankees basically need to win out to have a remote chance at locking up a wild card playoff spot.

That’s not happening, but this young, talented Yankees team will surely be out to steal a massive win against a hated rival to close out the year. It helps some that the game is at Yankee Stadium. Boston still feels like the safe pick, but the history here gives the Yanks a chance.

Indians (+185) Over Tigers (-210)

This might be one to really consider, seeing as the Tigers are slipping out of the MLB playoff picture and are currently riding a three-game skid. Cleveland, meanwhile, has the AL Central division locked up and comes into tonight red hot with a 7-3 mark over their last 10 games.

There is no denying the talented Justin Verlander at home in this one, but let’s keep in mind that the Tigers are likely pretty deflated, while Verlander specifically is 0-3 with 17 earned runs (7 homers) given up to these Indians in 2016. If these was a spot to bet big against Verlander and the Tigers, this would be it.

Reds (+200) Over Cardinals (-230)

The MLB odds are even more interesting in another divisional clash, this one being between the Reds and Cardinals of the NL Central. St. Louis is still alive in the NL wild card chase, but they’re slipping (lost two straight, just 5-5 over last 10) and have the erratic Adam Wainwright on the mound tonight.

Cincinnati is really just hoping to play spoiler in this one, but we can’t deny their recent form (won three straight), nor their interest in taking down a hated rival. The Reds have an inconsistent offense and this is a pitcher’s park that could mess with them, but playing spoiler shouldn’t be overrated. If you don’t buy the Cardinals to make the playoffs, a bad home loss to the Reds could easily wind up being a big reason why.

Diamondbacks (+240) Over Nationals (-280)

The best MLB upset pick of the night is by far Arizona over Washington. Max Scherzer toes the rubber for the Nats and he’s been amazing over the past month, notching a win or a no decision in eight straight contests.

Arizona is pretty awful overall, but they bring some serious pop with their bats and are oddly better on the road than they are at home. With the Nats already in the 2016 MLB playoffs, it wouldn’t be crazy to see them stumble a bit to close out the regular season. They already kind of are, as they’re just 4-6 over their last 10 games and actually just got demolished by these very Diamondbacks on Monday night (14-4).

The D’backs don’t need to wreck Scherzer to pay off. They just need to keep him off his game enough to squeak out the upset win. It’d be more of a reach if there wasn’t so much logic supporting it. To top it off, it’s a pretty big payout for a small gamble.

Love/hate our MLB upset picks for Tuesday night? Tell us your favorite picks in the comments below!

Rudy Gay and 5 Players the Milwaukee Bucks Should Trade For

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The Milwaukee Bucks were hoping to fight for an NBA playoff spot going into the 2016-17 season, but could quickly find that to be difficult with star scorer Khris Middleton likely done for the year. Middleton tore his hamstring recently and per reports, could be out for six months or longer.

Middleton’s injury will probably keep him out until March, while it could also end his season before it even begins. Best case, the Bucks can hope to make the playoffs and bring him back for a run later in the year.

That run is never happening if they don’t make a serious movie to help replace what they’re losing with Middleton on the shelf, however. The team did make a small effort already by trading for proven scorer Michael Beasley, but Beasley nor any of the other Bucks look to provide Middleton’s outside shooting stroke or consistent scoring.

It sure is a start, and it also took nothing to facilitate it. Tyler Ennis, a little-used backup point guard, got shipped to Houston for a guy who for sure can hit the floor and go get buckets.

Beasley is arguably an underrated talent that gives the bench added depth and he most certainly can help, but this can’t be where Milwaukee stops in it’s plight to improve with Middleton hurt.

Instead, if the Bucks are serious about competing this year, they need to make one or two more moves before the season starts. That could mean trading away guys like Greg Monroe, Michael Carter-Williams or others that simply don’t fit their long-term plans.

There are definitely some able bodies out there Milwaukee could target, so let’s take a look at five options that could make good sense:

Rudy Gay, F, Sacramento Kings

This makes a ton of sense for one obvious reason: Gay wants out of Sac-town.

His contract expires after this season, too, so the Bucks don’t need to worry about a big commitment or feel pressured to fit Middleton back into the rotation.

Gay provides experience, scoring and versatility right away and once Middleton returns, the two can be moved around to fit the lineup’s needs. Gay can effectively play the three or the four, while Middleton can play the two or three. Gay doesn’t necessarily solve Milwaukee’s immediate issue at shooting guard, but he can probably play there in a pinch, or the Bucks can try other options at the two.

The big draw is the Bucks get a solid, versatile talent that will be gone after the season and open the door back up to Middleton resuming his old role, and if things work out they could even explore a long-term deal. Gay makes a ton of sense for Milwaukee with their current situation, while it also gets him away from a team he apparently loathes. Because Gay wants out so bad and everyone knows it, it’s also pretty likely Milwaukee can get him on the cheap.

Gerald Green, G/F, Boston Celtics

Green finds himself back with the Celtics, the franchise that originally drafted him. It looks like his career has come full circle, but he belongs somewhere else with an actual role. It’s unclear what his role in Boston will be, but considering the insane depth at basically every position, more than 15 minutes could be difficult every night.

A shaky role has to have Green open to going elsewhere, and in Milwaukee – given the current situation – he’d be looking at a big role and maybe even one that has him starting. Green is an iffy defender and an erratic performer, but he an fill it up as a scorer and is an exciting player in space. He also knows his role and can play a niche pretty well, which could make him the perfect stop-gap option until Middleton returns. Milwaukee wouldn’t have to give up much of anything to land him – maybe a young player and a pick – if that.

Nick Young, G/F, Los Angeles Lakers

Swaggy P is a major NBA trade candidate thanks to the weirdness between him and D’Angelo Russell stemming from last year. Young has been sliding out of favor with the Lakers for years, too, so it’s only a matter of time before he gets dumped. Why not trade him to a spot where he could actually thrive until Middleton returns to full strength?

Young doesn’t really play defense and is basically a chucker, but the Bucks could use his outside shooting and overall scoring ability. He can still pile on the points and in Milwaukee could take on a pretty nice workload. Once Middleton returns, he could slide to the bench and offer solid scoring with the second unit.

Nik Stauskas, G/F, Philadelphia 76ers

Stauskas is another interesting option – maybe even more than Young or Green – seeing as he’s still quite young and may yet have the potential to develop into an NBA starter. His defense needs work and he’s far from a consistent performer, but he can shoot from long range and is generally a solid scorer and playmaker.

He still has some ways to go, but he was solid with the Sixers in spots last year and with their added depth this summer, he could see a lesser role. Unless Philly is randomly smitten with him, it probably wouldn’t take much to acquire him. Stauskas could launch three’s and help the offense while Middleton recovers and once back, Stauskas could hit the bench and offer some nice shooting as part of the rotation.

Alec Burks, SG, Utah Jazz

Burks may be the best bet yet, as injuries have slowed his NBA development and he may just need a new situation to get things back on track. Utah brought in the more reliable Joe Johnson and seems set with Gordon Hayward and Rodney Hood as their main wing starters, so the writing could be on the wall that his days with the Jazz are numbered.

Burks is a nice combo player who has the athleticism to score and defend, while he also can hit the outside shot at a fine rate. Health woes are always concerning, but Burks looks to be a full go for the upcoming season and could be a nice find via trade. He may cost the most (aside from Gay) in any prospective trade, but he could be a nice value and would give the Bucks awesome depth and versatility down the road.

Aside from the Bucks trading for Rudy Gay, landing Burks is the most attractive option on this list, by far. It’s understandable if this list of potential trade targets for the Bucks doesn’t impress, but here’s a two-sided reality: Milwakee doesn’t have a ton to offer in a trade and while they want help, they don’t necessarily need a long-term answer at shooting guard.

That answer already appears to be Middleton, who once back at full strength, is going to see a huge role and heavy minutes. What Milwaukee needs is another guy who can shoot and score and either will later see his contract end or will be easy to slide back into a lesser reserve role. Gay doesn’t fit the latter description, but everyone else here does, which makes them all perfect trade candidates in their own way.

What the Bucks do going forward is anyone’s guess. All we know is that if they want to make the playoffs, they need to do something. Adding Beasley was a step in the right direction. Their next move could dictate the success they have the rest of the year.

NFL Betting: Browns in Bad Shape After Corey Coleman Injury

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The Cleveland Browns can’t catch a break in 2016. Already down their top two quarterbacks thanks to injuries to both Robert Griffin III and Josh McCown, the Browns were looking at tough sledding heading into week three with raw rookie Cody Kessler under center.

Another Injury

Consider their chances to upset the Miami Dolphins even worse.

Per reports, star number one wide receiver Corey Coleman, who busted out with two scores against the Baltimore Ravens in week two, broke his hand during practice and is set to miss significant time. Coleman was shaping up to be one of Cleveland’s few remaining bright spots for a team that has started out at 0-2 and probably was headed for a rough 2016 season, regardless.

Offense Takes Hit

Coleman was expected to help keep things interesting, however, as his big play ability down the field could at least help keep defenses honest and allow for the Browns to attempt to get their running game going. It would have been an especially useful component considering Kessler makes his first start this week, but with Coleman’s injury, the team will now be severely depleted when it comes to the passing game.

Coleman faces an extensive absence, but fortunately will not require surgery to repair the break. Coleman is looking at a 4-6 week absence, but there is optimism he could potentially return earlier if he heals quickly.

Next Man Up

The Coleman injury is especially troubling considering Cleveland’s talent at wide receiver. With Coleman gone for at least a month and Josh Gordon (suspension) still not due back, the Browns will be forced to go to quarterback-turned-receiver Terrelle Pryor even more, starting in week three.

Pryor had displayed some promising chemistry with RG3 during the preseason, but Griffin is now likely done for the year and there’s no telling how Kessler and Pryor will fare together. Pryor has certainly been involved in the passing game with 17 targets through the first two weeks, but has been unable to produce consistently and has yet to find the end-zone. That being said, Pryor does have the size and speed to make plays all over the field, so it makes sense for him to now step up as Cleveland’s go-to wide receiver.

Whether or not Pryor can actually take advantage of a bigger role remains to be seen, but the absence of Coleman should also give way to extra snaps for the likes of Andrew Hawkins, Rishard Higgins and Jordan Payton. Who steps up and produces could be anyone’s guess, but starting out in week three, logic suggests Cleveland’s passing game could struggle mightily.

With the wide receiver position so depleted and Kessler being a huge question under center, the Browns will undoubtedly try to keep things simple, if not controlled. That could mean trying to set the the tone on the ground early, as well as short to intermediate plays involving pass-catching back Duke Johnson and tight end, Gary Barnidge.

Betting on Browns

Overall, this is a situation to avoid for NFL betting purposes. No one is surprised that the Browns are 0-2 to this point, and when you take away the team’s best two quarterbacks and top receiving weapon, their chances of winning any game are naturally going to drop dramatically.

Cleveland’s awful luck is going to cripple their chances starting immediately in week three, where they’ll try to get their first win in Miami against the Dolphins. Miami’s been a mixed bag through two weeks, but in week one exhibited a strong defense and in week two displayed a resilient offense. It’s likely they finally put a complete game together and take down the Browns, making them one of the safer NFL bets this week.

For the year, Cleveland’s betting prospects don’t get much better. Had they been healthy and gotten off to a hot start, they would have been somewhat appealing, given their super playable +6600 odds to win the AFC North, as well as their ridiculous league-worst +50000 odds to win Super Bowl 51.

Cleveland wasn’t really a sleeper playoff team going into 2016, of course, and these brutal injuries only add to the belief that they’re one of the poorest overall bets this year. Betting against the Browns in every way is the way to go in week three and beyond.

What Happens if Julian Edelman Has to Play Quarterback in Week 3?

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The New England Patriots could find themselves in a weird spot when they face off with the Houston Texans on Thursday Night Football in week three. With normal starting quarterback Tom Brady still serving a four-game suspension and top backup Jimmy Garoppolo doubtful to suit up due to a sprained AC joint, they may only enter the game with one active quarterback.

Backup Frenzy

One official quarterback, that is.

As it stands, no one knows for sure if Garoppolo’s shoulder will be okay enough for him to give it a go. However, considering he was in remarkable pain and could reportedly barely lift his throwing arm following the game, it’s highly unlikely he sees the field.

That puts raw rookie passer Jacoby Brissett front and center and also has the Pats one injury away from not having a quarterback at all. The team reportedly worked out veteran retreads T.J. Yates and Sean Renfree on Tuesday, but a signing doesn’t appear imminent.

Edelman as Insurance

Instead, New England may throw caution to the wind and start Brissett and use wide receiver Julian Edelman as their sole backup passer.

It’s fair to wonder what they’re thinking there, but this could actually be an amazing use of player versatility. Just like past years when receivers like Edelman and Troy Brown helped fill in for a depleted defensive backfield, here is another situation where a multi-talented player could be called upon to fill a different role.

For most players, stepping in as a quarterback when they play a different position seems crazy. Edelman, however, actually made it into the league in the first place by initially showcasing his immense ability as a dual threat quarterback at Kent State.

Nothing to Fear?

Brissett will probably be fine as the Patriots lean hard on running back LeGarrette Blount and the running game, but it’s fair to wonder what happens in the event he does get hurt. In would come Edelman, who does have experience playing the quarterback position in college and even continues to look back on a nice touchdown pass he had against the Baltimore Ravens in the playoffs a few years back.

Edelman certainly hasn’t played quarterback since college and wouldn’t be a traditional option, but one quick glance at his Kent State highlights shows how his talent can translate to the position:

There is no denying that against a very good Houston defense, even Brissitt or Garoppolo could have their hands full. Edelman would be switching back to a position he played for four years in college, however, and New England has undoubtedly put together plays in the past they feel good about running with him under center. In fact, had they not always had Tom Brady at their disposal, it’s fair to assume they would have used him in a dynamic passing role a lot sooner.

Betting Impact

There is upside and downside to Edelman being forced into action. He has the speed, experience and quick short area movement to be a real problem on short notice and he’s always been a true gamer. However, he hasn’t played the position full-time in years, did so at a low level of competition and doesn’t offer much in the way of size or arm strength. Edelman can be used on some gadget plays and if he’s needed for a series or two – fine.

Regardless of what happens, the Patriots might be a bad bet this week. Even at home, they’re likely going to be sporting a fairly one-dimensional and predictable offense against a very good 2-0 Houston squad. Former Patriots offensive coordinator Bill O’Brien is coaching for the Texans, too, and he knows a thing or two about the other side.

Why the San Diego Chargers Can Survive Rash of Injuries

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The San Diego Chargers were probably not anyone’s sleeper Super Bowl pick going into the 2016 NFL season. Even before the season started, they were among the team’s with some of the worst Super Bowl odds.

Add question marks with their running game, offensive line, defense and now a rash of injuries including key players like Keenan Allen and Danny Woodhead, and they’re just about left for dead.

That is certainly what it looks like, but there may be enough evidence through two weeks to suggest the Bolts just might hang around as a tough out in 2016.

We saw two shades of it in the first two weeks. On one hand, the Chargers ran well and were aggressive early in week one, allowing them to march into Kansas City and nearly upset the favored Chiefs. Their coined self destruction mode kicked in during the second half, however, which was undoubtedly tipped off by Allen suffering yet another season-ending injury, this time of the ACL variety.

Nevertheless, the Chargers still put up 27 points and beat the Chiefs around so much that they needed a heroic comeback and a touchdown in overtime to steal a win they should have had in the first place.

Many expected the Chargers to lie down and take it to the chin in a week two home battle with the Jaguars, but they struck early and never looked back in a 38-14 romp, even after losing Woodhead to a season-ending knee injury.

Two weeks into the new year, the Bolts are a middling 1-1 and they’re down two of the most vital pieces of their offense. That being said, they still remain in the running for the AFC West and there could be an argument that they might be a sleeper Super Bowl squad, even with these brutal injuries. Let’s explore why:

Philip Rivers Won’t Be Denied

It’s fair to say that Rivers actually has been denied quite a bit in his career and specifically last year, the Chargers didn’t win many games. However, there aren’t many quarterbacks – let alone players – that wear their emotions on their sleeves and play their hearts out quite like Rivers does.

The nice thing is it’s not like Rivers is just a passionate guy who wants to win, either. He’s a maestro in the pocket who can make every throw and often comes up big in the clutch. With a still abundant supporting cast, there is an argument to be made for Rivers having a massive 2016 campaign. After four passing scores in week two, it’s kind of already happening.

Melvin Gordon is The Truth

The loss of Woodhead hurts San Diego two-fold, as he’s a menace in the red-zone, is an active and effective receiver and is also a capable rusher. We saw that all before and again through the first two games, but the good news is that Woodhead had a nice talent working alongside him.

Second-year man Melvin Gordon has already been a machine through the first two games, finding his way to the first three touchdowns of his career and even rushing for 100 yards in week two. Gordon still has some inconsistencies to iron out, but he’s a talented, balanced rusher who has loads of upside. If he is finally realizing his potential in year two, the Chargers may not end up missing Woodhead at all.

They Have Weapons

Outside of the fiery Rivers and an improved Gordon, this is still not a team without talent. That can’t take away from what Keenan Allen and Danny Woodhead brought to the table – which was a lot – but Travis Benjamin and Tyrell Williams are both young talents that showed right away in week two that they can take on bigger roles.

Both Benjamin and Williams are threats to take any play the distance, while guys like Dontrelle Inman, Antonio Gates, rookie tight end Hunter Henry and even recently added scat-back Dexter McCluster all make up a surprisingly stacked offense that can absolutely survive these two normally devastating injuries.

Their Odds Are Fun

Even if you don’t buy into San Diego surviving these bad injuries, let’s just consider what betting on them looks like. Per Bovada, they are last in terms of AFC West odds at +650, meaning a $100 bet returns a solid $650 for you and the higher your bet, well, you get the idea.

Just for the division – which at 1-1 the Chargers are just a game out of currently – you’re looking at a solid payday. Offensively, the Bolts have enough to give it a go, and if their defense can hold up, they actually might have something here. That may not be enough to touch San Diego’s +2500 odds to get to the Super Bowl, but they’re not dead just yet.

Daily Fantasy Football Value Picks For Monday Night Football

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One more game remains for daily fantasy football enthusiasts in week two, with the Chicago Bears hosting the Philadelphia Eagles on the biggest stage in Monday Night Football. There is a lot to take in for this one, as rookie passer and #2 overall pick Carson Wentz makes just his second start ever and numerous fantasy gamers look to hold onto their leads to close out the week.

There is even more DFS goodness at stake here when you consider the MNF/TNF slate, which includes Thursday’s contest between the Houston Texans and New England Patriots. That game is a suggested fade due to Jimmy Garoppolo (shoulder) being out, but the Texans could still be in play and there is a lot to like about tonight’s Eagles vs. Bears battle.

For all fantasy insight, let’s pick apart this slate by pointing out the best values at each position:

Quarterbacks: Jay Cutler – Bears ($5.7k) and Carson Wentz – Eagles ($5.5k)

Brock Osweiler could be OK in week three, but for the most part the Patriots defense has done a solid job against quarterbacks. He’s also the most expensive passer on the slate and he’s not exactly a guy you must pay up for.

We aren’t entertaining the idea of diving for Brissett, either, as he’s not a whole lot cheaper than more attractive options in Wentz and Cutler. That being said, he would be super contrarian on this slate.

You need the top quarterback on the slate to run away with the money here, however, and that’s probably going to be Cutler. Cutler is a very strong performer in prime time games, as he’s specifically 8-2 on Monday Night Football since joining the Bears. He’s also at home and has a solid cast of weapons around him. Philly also did not defend well in 2015 and their elite defensive effort in week one came against RG3 and the Browns. Color us unimpressed.

Wentz can run and looked good in week one, but Cutler might actually be a tad more contrarian. People have been hating on the Bears all summer, yet they actually showed up to fight in Houston in week one. The Bears are a mildly underrated stack on this slate and that’s the direction we’re headed.

Running Backs: Ryan Mathews – Eagles ($5.8k), Jeremy Langford – Bears ($4.6k) and LeGarrette Blount – Patriots ($4.4k)

Lamar Miller leads the way here, but he’s super talented and expensive, so just about everyone will be on him. It’s probably wise to just use two running backs out of this slate, so the key will be figuring out either who to pair with Miller or which two backs you’re choosing (and then fading Lamar). We don’t love the latter idea, however.

All three of these guys have awesome roles, but from a talent perspective, Mathews might be the most explosive. Considering Lamar Miller had a fine yardage day against the Bears in week one, he’ll probably be fine and should score. Langford isn’t very explosive, but the Eagles also can be run on and he is going to get a lot of touches. His price is also tough to beat, so it’s going to be difficult to fade him.

Blount has been solid and awesome the last two weeks and he remains a very nice price. The issue is he does not catch the ball and he probably needs a score to work out. He probably can do that because the Pats have to run and will use him near the goal-line, but his matchup and the obviousness of his role do not bode well.

Because of that, we suggest fading Blount and pairing Miller with one other back. Our pick would be Langford, as he’s cheaper than Mathews and has just as solid of a role.

Wide Receivers: Will Fuller – Texans ($4.8k), Danny Amendola – Patriots ($3.7k), Nelson Agholor – Eagles ($3.5k) and Eddie Royal – Bears ($3.5k)

No one needs to be told that the likes of Alshon Jeffery, DeAndre Hopkins, Jordan Matthews and Julian Edelman are the top plays. If you’re looking to differentiate or just need a cheap Flex play, however, this is the group you want to consider.

Fuller has been awesome through two weeks and it’s pretty arguable the Pats will be uber focused on stopping both Lamar Miller and Nuk. It’s very possible he crushes his value for the third week in a row.

Any Patriots receivers are in play just because they could be playing from behind and they’re all pretty cheap, just keep in mind Houston’s defense is quite strong and we have no idea what Jacoby Brissett brings to the table.

Agholor and Royal feel like the best value plays at wide receiver. Both scored in week one and have decent secondary roles. Their matchups also don’t look that tough on paper. The explosive Kevin White could also blow up under the bright lights, but he’s rather raw and may need to work a bit to gain Cutler’s trust.

Tight Ends: Martellus Bennett – Patriots ($4.7k), Zach Miller ($3k) and Brent Celek – Eagles ($2.6k)

Bennett’s value probably depends on the status of Rob Gronkowski ($6.8k), who hasn’t played yet in 2016. The Gronk still isn’t 100%, but if he suddenly is a full go he might deserve some consideration. Then again, with Jacoby Brissett under center for the Pats, neither of these guys look safe this week.

That means you’re saving at tight end tonight, with Miller and Celek as the leading candidates. Cutler loved going to Miller last year, so he certainly is in play, but keep in mind that Philly did blank Gary Barnidge in week one. Chicago, meanwhile, hasn’t been tested by a tight end yet this year and we know the Eagles love using the position. With Zach Ertz (ribs) out for at least week two, Celek should start and be far more active than usual. He’s certainly no lock to pay off, but at this price he’s the play.

Team Defenses: All in Play

None of the defenses are over $3.3k and you can make a strong argument for any of them. Philadelphia put up 11 fantasy points against the Browns in week one and everyone knows Jay Cutler can turn the ball over, the Texans are always solid and get a rookie quarterback, Chicago is at home against a rookie passer tonight and the Patriots are at home against a Texans offense that still hasn’t blown the hinges off.

They all have arguments, but Houston feels like the play. Chicago’s defense just isn’t very talented, so they probably aren’t the way to go even though they’re the cheapest unit, while New England and Philly are both about as expensive as Houston. Whitney Mercilus has been an absolute monster and we know what J.J. Watt can do. If Houston can simply stuff LeGarrette Blount early on, they should rack up some sacks and maybe even a turnover or two, along with allowing 20 points or fewer.

Week 2 Thursday Night Football Preview: Odds, Pick and Daily Fantasy Football Advice

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Thursday Night Football returns in week two, as the Buffalo Bills and New York Jets will wage war in an AFC East battle in Buffalo on Thursday night.

At first glance, this is a game where daily fantasy football hopes and dreams go to die, as both teams wield strong defenses, good coaching and will probably be playing things close to the chest against a bitter rival. Adding to the intrigue is a less than 100% Sammy Watkins (foot) and the fact that both of these teams lost a week ago.

Jets vs. Bills Betting

Combine a heated rivalry game with a borderline must-win situation and we likely have ourselves a defensive battle. Bovada figures as much, as tonight’s game is projected to be low-scoring (41 Total) and no one really wants to pick a side (Jets are “favored” with -1.5 spread).

If you plan on betting on this game, we wish you luck. The weak spread makes this virtually a pick’em game and you truly can go back and forth as to which team seems to have the edge. Buffalo might have the more complete defense right now, seeing as they held the Ravens to just 13 points in a road loss in week one. They’re keeping things together even though big man Marcell Dareus is suspended for four games to start the year.

Offensively, the Bills were severely challenged in week one. LeSean McCoy was their lone bright spot, the aforementioned Watkins looked hobbled and Tyrod Taylor couldn’t get anything going. If the Bills are going to win tonight, Taylor naturally needs to be better, but the odds are Shady will need to come up with some big plays and the defense will have to be just as good for a second week in a row.

For the Jets, they have a stacked offense with stars like Matt Forte, Brandon Marshall and Eric Decker just waiting to sound off. It’s tough to imagine them busting out in this matchup on the road, but craziers things have happened. Defensively, New York cannot be run on, while their passing defense struggled mightily a week ago.

One other aspect to consider here is the revenge game: Rex Ryan faces his old Jets squad and Ryan Fitzpatrick looks to take down his old Bills team. Odds are the rage and determination of those two lost souls cancels out, but both deserve to be noted. Then again, perhaps the revenge narrative should be cast out to sea, seeing as Tyrod Taylor and Ryan both had reason to deal out payback to Baltimore last week and failed miserably.

If we have to pick a side, we reluctantly go with the Bills. They’re at home, their defense was more impressive in week one and Ryan can’t allow a loss to his former team. That, and Ryan Fitzpatrick was awful against this defense the last time he saw them.

That being said, picking this game straight up or ATS isn’t the way to go. The real path is to bet the Under on the Total. These two teams didn’t even combine for 30 points a week ago, so it’s going to be hard to buy them delivering a shootout on a short week.

TNF Fantasy Help

The other aspect of tonight’s TNF game is what fun finds you can uncover in daily fantasy football – or even just your season long fantasy football leagues. They’re two different worlds, so let’s approach them as such.

Season Long Advice

This is most certainly a game to avoid. Obviously if you can’t help it, you should probably play your normal studs like the guys we already touched on, as well as the quarterbacks and maybe even Sammy Watkins. Not a one of these guys are locks to pay off, however, especially considering most of them were duds a week ago and things only get uglier tonight.

Two guys that stand out above the rest, though, are Brandon Marshall and Matt Forte. Forte has a huge role and especially in PPR formats is going to be just fine. Buffalo’s run defense is good but he didn’t even score last week and was a total monster. He should be one of the top plays in this game. Marshall was awful last week, so I expect a decent bounce back game. The matchup isn’t great, but he’s not the type of guy you bet against in back to back weeks.

There are not a ton of sleepers here for season long purposes. You’re either taking a chance with your normal big name guys here, or you’re fading this game and never looking back.

DFS Insight

Quite honestly, the case is very much the same in the daily fantasy football community. That being said, Forte, Marshall and Eric Decker are all very much in play and as we’ve learned, we need to consider other guys that could be even extra contrarian.

That may keep Shady in play, while both quarterbacks could be worthy GPP tries. If Sammy Watkins suits up, he wouldn’t be a bad try against a Jets pass defense that got absolutely torched last week. Just don’t get upset if he bombs, seeing as he’s operating on one foot these days.

The Watkins injury is what could really open the door for a sleeper in this one. If he’s out or limited, Robert Woods could be a really sneaky play. He was the only other Bills receiver to do anything last week, after all. Buffalo tight end Charles Clay is also banged up, but he figures to start and could have an ehanced role with Watkins not being himself.

This turns us back to McCoy, who probably won’t do much on the ground against a stout Jets run defense, but could be more active than usual as a receiver out of the backfield. He had four receptions last week and doubling that wouldn’t be that insane in this game.

Over in New York, there just isn’t much sleeper appeal beyond the big names. Bilal Powell has a mild role but is way too risky to try even in DFS, Quincy Enunwa was a fun week one surprise and seems to have the #3 role locked down and this team pretty much doesn’t have a tight end. Enunwa is the only guy there to gamble with, but after showing well last week, he probably regresses a bit in week two.

With all this said, both defenses are very much in play at DFS sites like DraftKings. Buffalo is at home and fared slightly better last week, and as our projected winner, they figure to be the superior play again.

Overall, this just is not a game we’d suggest betting on or stacking in fantasy football. This will likely be a boring slug-fest with 30-35 total points. Enjoy.