It’s the return of Diana Taurasi and DraftKings celebrated by making her free! Seth Stinehour is here to break down the WNBA DFS slate, giving out his favorite picks, plays, and sleepers. Not a member? Sign up HERE for Awesemo’s WNBA prjoections.
Diana Taurasi is a GTD as of writing this tonight and DraftKings decided to price her at $3200, so this a massive screw up. If Taurasi plays she is the lock of all locks. There is zero reason to fade. Yes, there will be an idiot (EMac) somewhere that will fade her. Taurasi will be 90% owned. If you roster Taurasi on DraftKings that leaves you $9500 per player for the rest of your line that will allow you four studs. Every expensive player on DraftKings will have over 70% ownership. My guess is we will know about Taurasi’s status before lock, but if we do not here are some ramifications:
- Every player outside of Tina Charles and possibly Arike Ogunbowale will be unowned because everyone will wait on Taurasi news so they can roster studs in the late games.
- The value plays in the New York and Dallas Frontcourts will be unowned because if Taurasi plays they will be unnecessary
- If you spend to the cap on Draftkings, your lineup will be duped 10-20 times, so if Taurasi plays I would recommend leaving money on the table in some lineups.
- Taurasi will be unowned on FanDuel because people will not want to risk the zero and people will think they will just get their Taurasi exposure on DraftKings.
New York Liberty Guards
Kia Nurse is overpriced on DraftKings but I like her over there, where she is a pivot off Tina Charles. Again I like her at that price assuming Taurasi plays. On FanDuel she is overpriced and I am not interested. Asa Durr is underpriced on FanDuel and I like her on DraftKings as a low-owned GPP flier. She was a scorer in college and I am not afraid of anyone against Dallas.
New York Liberty Forwards
Tina Charles is probably my second favorite stud on the slate. This is a great matchup and she is at home. Rashida Gray is a strong value play on FanDuel at forward and probably the best value there on the slate. She is not priced up with Zahuii out. If Taurasi were to not play I would like Gray on DraftKings.
Dallas Wings Guards
Arike Ogunbowale has basically morphed into Allen Iverson. Her usage rate is crazy high and New York is not a daunting matchup. That being said I am inclined to the fade here. She is a rookie on the road and I think the Liberty key into her defensively. I would play her in cash and will be underweight in GPPs. Kaela Davis’ minutes and price make her a good value play on FanDuel. Also I love Alicia Gray in GPPs. She is two years removed from a rookie of the year campaign and she is great pivot off a crazy chalky Ogunbowale too.
Dallas Wings Forwards
If you’re playing on DraftKings do not bother. Azura Stevens started and played eight minutes last game for unknown reasons. Kayla Thorton has the most consistent minutes and a matchup against New York is nice.
Chicago Sky Guards
Allie Quigley went for 40 last game. I am going to do the recency bias fade, though the matchup with Seattle with Jewel Lloyd out is a plus.
Courtney VanderSloot and Diamond DeShields: nobody is going to play them but I expect Seattle to turn the ball over a bunch this game leading to steals for both of them. This game should stay close as well with a high tempo.
Chicago Sky Forwards
Jantel Lavender is too cheap on FanDuel. The minutes appear limited for all of them. I like Lavender the most of the three. Again if Taurasi plays don’t bother with anyone here on DraftKings.
Seattle Storm Guards
Jewel Lloyd is out for this game giving a massive boost in usage and minutes to Jordan Canada, who is way too inexpensive on DraftKings and FanDuel. The game is also at home which is a boost to her as well. Shavonte Zellous is a cash play on FanDuel at her price with the minutes expected.
Seattle Storm Forwards
Natasha Howard is my number one play on the slate and number one projected scorer. With a plus matchup against Chicago, and no Lloyd to increase the usage there is not much reason to fade here. Alicia Clark and Mercedes Russell are also strong plays for the reasons listed above.
Indiana Fever Guards
I wouldn’t bother on DraftKings outside of maybe Kelsey Mitchell in a GPP. On FanDuel they are all priced out of play.
Indiana Fever Forwards
Therea McCowan has gotten thirty minutes in back-to-back games with Natalie Achonwa back. She is still too cheap on FanDuel. If you run a game stack on DraftKings I would include her. Candace Dupree’s price has fallen on FanDuel and DraftKings. I like the idea of playing her against her ex-wife.
Phoenix Mercury Guards
We have already covered Taurasi. If she plays I have no interest in Lelani Mitchell or Briann January. Dewanna Bonner did not practice on Wednesday due to a minor ankle sprain. This could keep her ownership down also with Taurasi coming back, though it will hurt her usage, she is still a strong player in an easy matchup.
Phoenix Mercury Forwards
Brittany Griner normally destroys Indiana. This frontcourt cannot deal with her. I like her a ton here as her ownership should be down behind Charles and Howard.
Lock of the Century: Taurasi on DK
Cash Core: Zellous (FD) Ogwunale, Charles, Howard, Canada McCowan (FD) Gray (FD)
GPP: Clark, Russell, Durr, Gray, Bonner
DraftKings specific: Assuming Taurasi plays, if you are running multiple lines, some of your lines could be chalky but I would recommend putting in some weird lines as well that leave anywhere from 2-3k on the table in an attempt to win the GPP by yourself. I expect ownership on DraftKings for Griner, Charles and Howard to be possibly as high as 80%.
