5 best value guards for daily DraftKings and FanDuel fantasy basketball for October 23rd | 2021-22 NBA season

October 23rd brings eight different showdowns in the NBA, possibly making the daily fantasy basketball roster building a daunting task. The Atlanta Hawks faced off against the Cleveland Cavaliers in the first game of the schedule. It started a bit too early to be a part of the DraftKings and FanDuel competitions.

Today also marks the first appearance of back-to-backs for NBA teams, which adds another layer of complication that season fantasy basketball players will be accustomed to considering. Taking note of the prior night's playing time, the opposition's amount of rest, likely rotations and more are how you find value gems on a given day.

Here are seven games on October 23rd that fantasy basketball owners will need to consider.

• Miami Heat (1-0) at Indiana Pacers (0-2)
• Dallas Mavericks (0-1) at Toronto Raptors (1-1)
• Detroit Pistons (0-1) at Chicago Bulls (2-0)
• New Orleans Pelicans (0-2) at Minnesota Timberwolves (1-0)
• Milwaukee Bucks (1-1) at San Antonio Spurs (1-1)
• Phoenix Suns (1-1) at Portland Trail Blazers (0-1)
• Memphis Grizzlies (1-0) at Los Angeles Clippers (0-1)

After spending time diving into the early trends of these rosters, considering injury reports, and favorable matchups, here are the five guards I would recommend picking up in today's fantasy basketball tournaments.

---

Fantasy Basketball recommendations: Guards

#5 - Kira Lewis Jr.

New Orleans Pelicans v Utah Jazz - Mitchell defends Lewis Jr.

Estimated salary: $3,300 - $4,000

An often overlooked aspect of back-to-back games is that it almost always leads to an increased amount of playing time for bench players since the team's focal points are fatigued from heavy minutes the night prior.

Kira Lewis Jr. is the solidified backup point guard of a Pelicans team that has struggled without Zion Williamson available. Both of their early losses came against Eastern Conference playoff teams, but there is still value to be found when it comes to fantasy basketball.

If you are playing on DraftKings, Lewis's salary of $3,300 is practically the lowest number possible that could still produce fantasy basketball points at a notable level for your team. Aside from his few buckets in each matchup, the guard is often tasked with initiating the offense when on the floor, leading to a few assists on the regular.

Low evaluation with a decent amount of playing time always piques my interest when building a daily fantasy basketball roster.

---

#4 - Anthony Edwards

Houston Rockets v Minnesota Timberwolves - Anthony Edwards

Estimated salary: $7,300 - $7,700

Anthony Edwards proved to be worthy of his top-of-the-lottery selection in the 2019 NBA Draft last season with the Minnesota Timberwolves, and his potential growth was on display on the opening night of his sophomore campaign.

The 20-year-old high flyer tallied 29 points, 6 rebounds, 3 assists and 1 steal while converting 10 of 21 from the field, 6 of 12 from three, and 3 of 4 from the free throw line in his season debut against the Houston Rockets.

When projecting Edwards' daily fantasy basketball production in game two, it's important to note the Rockets' talent level compared to New Orleans tonight. But most of the improvement in opposition comes offensively and Edwards will still have his opportunity to light up the scoreboard.

His fantasy basketball pricetag in the $7,000's garners hesitation for some, but a performance close to his 44 fantasy basketball points a few nights ago is more than enough for a positive return on investment.

#3 - Terance Mann

Los Angeles Clippers v Golden State Warriors

Estimated salary: $4,400 - $4,700

I've been captaining the "Terance Mann is due for a breakout season" train for nearly a month now and the Los Angeles Clippers guard did not disappoint in his 2021-22 debut.

Opportunity is crucial to log stats that improve a fantasy basketball daily point tally. In the Clippers' opening night, Mann tied Reggie Jackson for the most minutes played (39), while adding 11 points, 7 rebounds, 3 assists and 1 steal during that run.

Another player with a significant role on his team while simultaneously having a low daily fantasy basketball salary. His final contribution of 27 fantasy basketball points would make him a fine addition to your roster tonight.

---

#2 - Tyler Herro

Milwaukee Bucks v Miami Heat

Estimated salary: $5,500

While Tyler Herro showed more inconsistency last season than the Miami Heat would have preferred, it's far too early in the young guard's career to attach that label to him.

One of the primary appeals to Herro in tonight's fantasy basketball schedule is who he will be lining up against.

The Indiana Pacers fought a tough battle against the Washington Wizards last night that went into overtime and where four of the staters played upwards of 40 minutes: Myles Turner (44 minutes), Malcolm Brodgon (44), Chris Duarte (45), and Domantas Sabonis (43).

Additionally, the Indiana Pacers' defensive ability is questionable, particularly on the perimeter outside of Brogdon. If Rick Carlisle opts for a shallow rotation again tonight, Indiana's starters will be winded when Herro makes his way to the scorers' table.

The young guard managed 43 fantasy basketball points on opening night and the aforementioned circumstances could lead to another significant performance.

---

#1 - Lonnie Walker IV

San Antonio Spurs v Los Angeles Lakers

Estimated salary: $4,200

Gregg Popovich is in the infancy of coaching the youngest roster of his colorful coaching career. This makes the Spurs a tricky read for fantasy basketball rosters, since Popovich would stray away from young talent in the years prior but has no other choice but to embrace youth in 2021-22.

Among the headlines in his group are Dejounte Murray, Derrick White, Keldon Johnson and Jakob Poeltl. After that falls Devin Vassell and Lonnie Walker IV, with Walker having the benefit of seniority over Vassell.

I'm not placing Lonnie Walker on this list with the idea that he will single handily alter the tide of your fantasy basketball tournament(s) on October 23rd. It more so revolves around his notably low salary paired with the fact that the Spurs matchup in Milwaukee comes after a battle in Denver the night before.

It's a weird place to put your money, but the Bucks should defeat San Antonio by a comfortable margin which leads to increased bench minutes with Lonnie Walker being one of those names.