This feels like a weird time in the NBA. On the one hand, every team has gotten in a couple of games since the All-Star break and the trade deadline, so teams are starting to settle into new rotations. On the other hand, we are firmly in the middle of buyout season, so veteran role players are changing teams nearly every day. Throw in some minor ailments to major stars, and you get a Monday slate that feels like it could go a number of different ways.

It feels like it is more difficult than normal to find guys I actually want to pay up for in this slate. I wouldn’t tell you not to pay up for Karl-Anthony Towns or another stud like him, but I can’t say I feel great about his matchup, either. That being said, I am probably still going with the value plays first and then filling in with studs where I can. I want to make sure I get the players I want and don’t get stuck playing someone like Iman Shumpert because I cannot afford anyone else.

Point Guard

In three games as a starter this season, Cory Joseph is averaging 19.3 points and 5.3 assists. If Kyle Lowry is out again, Joseph will be a solid value, especially on FanDuel.

Kyrie Irving took 25 shots Saturday with LeBron James out, and he shot better than 50 percent from the field despite going 2-10 on threes. If LeBron’s illness keeps him out again, look for Irving to shoot a ton and perhaps even flirt with a triple-double. Even if LeBron does return, Irving might be the safest point guard in Monday’s slate.

Yogi Ferrell has failed to reach double-digit scoring in three consecutive games, but he is still averaging 13.2 points, 3.1 rebounds and 4.8 assists as a starter. He is pretty much assured 30 minutes a game while J.J. Barea is out, and I feel pretty confident a bounce back game is coming.

PLAYERTMH/AOPPGPMPGFT%3PTMPTSREBASTSTLBLKTOFG%USAGEFDPTS/GDKPTS/GYPTS/G$FD$DK$Y
Cory JosephTORANYK572379%0.58.72.62.90.80.1144%18.39%16.817.717$4,400$5,200$11
Kyrie IrvingCLEHMIL5135.190%2.424.63.35.91.20.32.647%30.37%37.740.438.9$9,100$9,000$39
Yogi FerrellDALHMIA1015.163%0.85.41.21.70.20.21.437%21.98%8.8109.2$5,300$5,100$18

Shooting Guard

DeMar DeRozan is averaging 38.0 points, 5.5 rebounds and 3.5 assists since the All-Star break. DeRozan should get a ton of shots again Monday if Kyle Lowry remains out.

Lou Williams has gotten all of the headlines since Houston traded four him, but the Rockets already had a Sixth Man of the Year candidate before the trade. Eric Gordon is averaging 16.5 points in 30.0 minutes per game since the trade, and I could easily see him outscoring Williams Monday. Even if Gordon has fewer fantasy points, he could be the better value, and there certainly aren’t any cheaper shooting guards in Monday’s slate who I trust.

I never thought there would come a time where Dion Waiters would be safer than Klay Thompson for DFS, but here we are. Waiters has scored at least 20 points in five of his last seven games, and he had a double-double in one of the other games.

PLAYERTMH/AOPPGPMPGFT%3PTMPTSREBASTSTLBLKTOFG%USAGEFDPTS/GDKPTS/GYPTS/G$FD$DK$Y
DeMar DeRozanTORANYK5235.685%0.427.75.33.71.10.22.447%34.44%39.941.540.1$8,500$8,900$40
Eric GordonHOUHIND5430.584%3.617.22.62.70.60.51.741%23.55%2527.826.8$5,300$5,000$16
Dion WaitersMIAADAL3630.968%1.816.13.54.410.52.342%26.29%27.529.728.4$7,200$6,700$25

Small Forward

Lance Thomas has played at least 31 minutes in each of the last two games, averaging 10.0 points, 5.5 rebounds and 2.0 assists in those games. If Thomas gets the start again Monday he will be a solid punt play.

Paul George has left each of his last two games early, first due to leg cramps and then an ejection. George will almost certainly bounce back statistically Monday, and it doesn’t hurt that he had 33 points, nine rebounds and three assists in his first game against the Rockets this season.

If you want to pay up at small forward, Kevin Durant is the way to go. It doesn’t sound like Durant’s hand injury is serious, and I would much rather save some money with Durant than take the risk that LeBron James is recovered from the illness that kept him out Saturday.

PLAYERTMH/AOPPGPMPGFT%3PTMPTSREBASTSTLBLKTOFG%USAGEFDPTS/GDKPTS/GYPTS/G$FD$DK$Y
Lance ThomasNYKHTOR3418.485%0.752.10.60.40.10.639%13.10%99.89.4$3,600$3,000$10
Paul GeorgeINDAHOU5235.492%2.221.86.13.31.50.32.944%28.06%34.837.735.9$7,800$7,700$35
Kevin DurantGSWAPHI5734.188%1.925.78.44.91.11.72.354%27.70%46.54947.4$10,300$10,000$52

Power Forward

Dario Saric has at least 18 points in seven consecutive games and at least 11 rebounds in four straight. He should be a safe DFS play at least until Joel Embiid returns.

Serge Ibaka is averaging 16.5 points and 8.5 rebounds in 35.0 minutes since joining the Raptors. He should remain a focal point of the offense while Kyle Lowry out.

Michael Beasley is averaging 16.5 points and 4.5 rebounds as a starter this season, and he will presumably reenter the starting lineup with Khris Middleton out Monday.

PLAYERTMH/AOPPGPMPGFT%3PTMPTSREBASTSTLBLKTOFG%USAGEFDPTS/GDKPTS/GYPTS/G$FD$DK$Y
Michael BeasleyMILACLE4917.372%0.39.73.610.50.51.354%24.62%16.117.116.3$5,500$5,200$14
Dario SaricPHIHGSW5824.978%1.311.16.21.80.60.3240%22.98%21.12321.7$7,000$7,600$22
Serge IbakaTORANYK5630.585%1.515.16.81.10.61.61.249%21.09%28.129.828.9$5,900$6,200$27

Center

With Joel Embiid out and Nerlens Noel traded to the Mavericks, Jahlil Okafor does not have to compete with anybody for minutes or shots. Okafor had 28 points and 10 rebounds in 29 minutes Saturday, and he is averaging 14.0 points and 5.4 rebounds as a starter this season.

Most of us expected Nerlens Noel would be a perfect fit in Dallas, and that proved to be the case right away. Noel had nine points and 10 rebounds with a steal and a block in 30 minutes Saturday, and I especially love him on DraftKings, where he is cheaper than Okafor.

Hassan Whiteside played 37 minutes Saturday, and he is probably looking at similar playing time Monday with Willie Reed out. Whiteside has double-doubles in eight of his 10 games in February.

PLAYERTMH/AOPPGPMPGFT%3PTMPTSREBASTSTLBLKTOFG%USAGEFDPTS/GDKPTS/GYPTS/G$FD$DK$Y
Jahlil OkaforPHIHGSW4023.163%011.84.91.10.411.552%23.22%20.621.520.6$5,700$5,800$12
Nerlens NoelDALHMIA2919.468%08.9511.40.9161%19.47%20.120.820.1$5,900$5,300$16
Hassan WhitesideMIAADAL5432.858%016.614.10.70.82.12.155%22.64%38.139.938.1$8,700$8,000$37