Here are theScore's small forward value rankings for Wednesday, October 28:
Value Rankings
PG | SG | SF | PF | C
| # | Name | Opponent | Risk |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Paul George (IND) | at TOR | Low |
| 2 | Carmelo Anthony (NY) | at MIL | Low |
| 3 | LeBron James (CLE) | at MEM | Low |
| 4 | Kevin Durant (OKC) | vs. SA | Low |
| 5 | Andrew Wiggins (MIN) | at LAL | Low |
George is something of an enigma heading into Wednesday's opener for the Pacers. He's coming off a lost year, but he should rebound in a big way. He is a complete player when healthy and all signs point to it. Anthony, too, has a lot to prove and Milwaukee is a good matchup to get started with.
James and Durant are 1A and 1B, though which one is which is a matter for constant debate; Durant costs less, making him a bit of a bargain by comparison. Wiggins is a bargain to start the year, and is set to build on a decent rookie campaign right away.
| # | Name | Opponent | Risk |
|---|---|---|---|
| 7 | Gordon Hayward (UTA) | at DET | Low |
| 8 | Kawhi Leonard (SA) | at OKC | Low |
| 9 | Tobias Harris (ORL) | vs. WAS | Medium |
| 10 | Trevor Ariza (HOU) | vs. DEN | Medium |
| 11 | Rudy Gay (SAC) | vs. LAC | Medium |
| 12 | Joe Johnson (BKN) | vs. CHI | Medium |
| 13 | Luol Deng (MIA) | vs. CHA | Medium |
| 14 | Danilo Gallinari (DEN) | at HOU | Medium |
| 15 | Nicolas Batum (CHA) | at MIA | Medium |
| 16 | Jae Crowder (BOS) | vs. PHI | Medium |
| 17 | DeMarre Carroll (TOR) | vs. IND | Medium |
| 18 | Al-Farouq Aminu (POR) | vs. NO | Medium |
| 19 | P.J. Tucker (PHO) | vs. DAL | High |
| 20 | Omri Casspi (SAC) | vs. LAC | High |
| 21 | Wesley Johnson (LAC) | at SAC | High |
| 22 | Paul Pierce (LAC) | at SAC | High |
Once you get past the top tier, which will include Hayward, Leonard and maybe Harris despite being ill for several days. Joe Johnson showed his better early in the season, so he could be a solid value play against the Bulls. Gay's status is up in the air, and may not play. If he does, he should earn his salary. If not, Casspi's value increases.
| # | Name | Opponent | Risk |
|---|---|---|---|
| 23 | Otto Porter (WAS) | at ORL | High |
| 24 | Shabazz Muhammad (MIN) | at LAL | High |
| 25 | P.J. Hairston (CHA) | at MIA | High |
| 26 | Marcus Morris (DET) | vs. UTA | High |
| 27 | Stanley Johnson (DET) | vs. UTA | High |
| 28 | Jeff Green (MEM) | vs. CLE | High |
| 29 | Corey Brewer (HOU) | vs.DEN | High |
| 30 | Tony Allen (MEM) | vs. CLE | High |
| 31 | Bojan Bogdanovic (BKN) | vs. CHI | High |
| 32 | T.J. Warren (PHO) | vs. DAL | High |
| 33 | Jeremy Evans (DAL) | at PHO | High |
| 34 | Justise Winslow (MIA) | vs. CHA | High |
| 35 | Doug McDermott (CHI) | vs. BKN | High |
Muhammad might be better than some starters because he is still expected to play a fair role in Minnesota's offense and the Lakers might not be able to contain him. Low-end starters like Porter or Hairston could give surprise returns, too.
It might be smart to fade the Detroit SFs against the defense-driven Jazz. The last few choices - Bogdanovic through McDermott - are big question marks. They might be decent GPP options, but certainly not in cash games.
