5 best value forwards for daily DraftKings and FanDuel fantasy basketball for October 21st | 2021-22 NBA season

Dallas Mavericks v Los Angeles Clippers
Dallas Mavericks v Los Angeles Clippers

Days where there are not many NBA games on the schedule make for complicated fantasy basketball roster building. October 21st features three total showdowns with six different teams that are widely expected to make the postseason.

All games and their listed start times:

  • Dallas Mavericks (0-0) at Atlanta Hawks (0-0) | 7:30 PM EST
  • Milwaukee Bucks (1-0) at Miami Heat (0-0) | 8:00 PM EST
  • Los Angeles Clippers (0-0) at Golden State Warriors (1-0) | 10 PM EST

A handful of players mentioned on the injury report as "out" and qualified as fantasy basketball forwards are Danillo Gallinari, Jalen Johnson, Bobby Portis, Rodney Hood, Semi Ojeleye, Serge Ibaka, Nicolas Batum, and Jonathan Kuminga.

The two forward positions feature the largest pool of players in fantasy basketball, and I will often reference DraftKings and FanDuel player salaries.

Here are five players I would recommend drafting in daily fantasy basketball on October 21st, 2021.


#5 Terance Mann

Sacramento Kings v Los Angeles Clippers
Sacramento Kings v Los Angeles Clippers

Estimated Salary: $4,000 - $5,000

Terance Mann is someone I have my eye on as a candidate for the NBA's Most Improved Player Award. If that comes to fruition early on, his daily fantasy basketball salary will grow to reflect that, but early on Mann could return value.

Him being the sixth lowest priced active Los Angeles Clippers player is too good to pass up on fantasy basketball day with only three scheduled games. The absence of Kawhi Leonard leaves an offensive vacancy that will need to be filled by multiple teammates, possibly including Mann.

We all remember what the Florida State product did against the Utah Jazz in game seven of the conference semifinals last season.

The Golden State Warriors also lack perimeter defense for small wings such as Mann - particularly in their second unit.


#4 De'Andre Hunter

Atlanta Hawks Media Day
Atlanta Hawks Media Day

Estimated Salary: $4,000-$5,000

I understand anyone who is hesitant to put their fantasy basketball fate in the hands of a player coming off a injury riddled prior season. At the same time, Hunter's price point and potential production is hard to ignore.

In the 23 games De'Andre Hunter appeared last season, he averaged 15.0 points, 4.8 rebounds, 1.9 assists, and 0.8 steals in 29.5 minutes per night. That includes seven games where his scoring total was at least 20, and a 33 point career-high night.

Hunter is a 23-years-old, former fourth overall selection who is just entering his third NBA season. A jump in contribution would not be shocking, and an offensive matchup like the Hawks against the Mavericks is a fantasy basketball dream.

#3 Cam Reddish

Milwaukee Bucks v Atlanta Hawks - Game Four
Milwaukee Bucks v Atlanta Hawks - Game Four

Expected Salary: $3,800 - $4,700

You can pretty much copy and paste everything from the De'Andre Hunter explanation into here for Cam Reddish. Both were members of the 2019 NBA Draft class and have jumps expected by their peers at some point in the near future.

Reddish is slightly cheaper than Hunter and was also available more recently as he participated in four of the Hawks' final five postseason games last year. In their game-high loss, the Reddish scored 21 points by converting six of seven from beyond the arc against one of the best defenses in the league, the Milwaukee Bucks.

Again, I can't overstate how poor the defenses of Atlanta and Dallas have been in years past and there is no reason to believe there is significant growth there. This will be an offensive showdown, which should intrigue fantasy basketball players.


#2 Tim Hardaway Jr.

Dallas Mavericks v Los Angeles Clippers - Game Five
Dallas Mavericks v Los Angeles Clippers - Game Five

Estimated Salary: $5,000 - $6,500

Tim Hardaway Jr. can light up the scoring column on any given night and (again) he is facing an underwhelming Atlanta Hawks defense tonight. Hardaway had nine instances last year where his scoring total surpassed 25, including games of 42 points, 36 on two occasions, and 30 on two others.

Josh Richardson is no longer in Dallas and Hardaway is slated to start alongside Luka Doncic in the opener. Significant minutes just means increased chances to add to his fantasy basketball totals.

Hardaway Jr. has one of the wider variances in salaries between FanDuel and DraftKings. If you can snag him up in DraftKings for the salary of $5,000 I saw listed, I would strongly consider doing so.


#1 Luke Kennard

Phoenix Suns v Los Angeles Clippers - Game Six
Phoenix Suns v Los Angeles Clippers - Game Six

Estimated Salary: $3,300 - #3,600

There is undeniable risk involved in selecting Luke Kennard for your fantasy basketball roster, but risks are a requirement on a night with just three total games.

Kennard is sure to be apart of the Clippers rotation early on, as was evident in Tyronn Lue's preseason rotations. I know it's just pre-season, but the fifth-year guard finally looked comfortable out there among his LA teammates.

Last season was a massive disappointment for the Clippers and Kennard in their first season together, but he is not far removed from averaging 15.8 points, 4.1 assists and 3.5 rebounds in the NBA.

For the price point, Kennard's potential upside is hard to overlook for October 21st, 2021 daily fantasy basketball.

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Edited by Arnav Kholkar