Best DraftKings NBA DFS Picks Today — February 18, 2026
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Top PG Plays
| # | Player | Team | Salary | Proj | Value |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Kam Jones | IND | $4,200 | 30.0 | 7.2x |
| 2 | Ethan Thompson | IND | $3,400 | 21.6 | 6.3x |
| 3 | Collin Sexton | CHI | $5,200 | 30.7 | 5.9x |
| 4 | Rob Dillingham | CHI | $3,800 | 22.3 | 5.9x |
| 5 | Nolan Traore | BKN | $4,600 | 26.9 | 5.8x |
Top SG Plays
| # | Player | Team | Salary | Proj | Value |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Quenton Jackson | IND | $4,100 | 30.8 | 7.5x |
| 2 | Kam Jones | IND | $4,200 | 30.0 | 7.2x |
| 3 | Ben Sheppard | IND | $3,800 | 25.8 | 6.8x |
| 4 | Ethan Thompson | IND | $3,400 | 21.6 | 6.3x |
| 5 | Ziaire Williams | BKN | $4,100 | 24.8 | 6.1x |
Top SF Plays
| # | Player | Team | Salary | Proj | Value |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Quenton Jackson | IND | $4,100 | 30.8 | 7.5x |
| 2 | Ben Sheppard | IND | $3,800 | 25.8 | 6.8x |
| 3 | Jarace Walker | IND | $5,900 | 36.5 | 6.2x |
| 4 | Ziaire Williams | BKN | $4,100 | 24.8 | 6.1x |
| 5 | Patrick Williams | CHI | $3,700 | 21.8 | 5.9x |
Top PF Plays
| # | Player | Team | Salary | Proj | Value |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Anthony Gill | WAS | $3,500 | 22.1 | 6.3x |
| 2 | Jarace Walker | IND | $5,900 | 36.5 | 6.2x |
| 3 | Guerschon Yabusele | CHI | $4,500 | 28.1 | 6.2x |
| 4 | Jay Huff | IND | $5,200 | 30.9 | 6.0x |
| 5 | Patrick Williams | CHI | $3,700 | 21.8 | 5.9x |
Top C Plays
| # | Player | Team | Salary | Proj | Value |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Paul Reed | DET | $5,700 | 42.2 | 7.4x |
| 2 | Andre Drummond | PHI | $4,300 | 29.1 | 6.8x |
| 3 | Anthony Gill | WAS | $3,500 | 22.1 | 6.3x |
| 4 | Guerschon Yabusele | CHI | $4,500 | 28.1 | 6.2x |
| 5 | Mitchell Robinson | NYK | $4,200 | 25.1 | 6.0x |
How We Pick Today's Best DraftKings NBA DFS Plays
Our best DraftKings NBA picks today are generated by a projection model that analyzes minutes projections, usage rates, pace-of-play data, and defense-versus-position matchups. Every player on the DraftKings main slate is ranked by projected fantasy points and salary value, ensuring the plays above represent the strongest options at each roster slot for your DraftKings NBA lineup today.
These DraftKings NBA DFS picks refresh daily as the injury report evolves, starting fives are confirmed, and rest days are announced. The NBA's dynamic news cycle means value can shift dramatically in the hours before tip-off—our model reacts to these changes so you're never building lineups on stale data. The top 5 players at each position shown above are the highest-projected options available right now.
DraftKings NBA Lineup Strategy for Today
Building the best DraftKings NBA lineup today requires understanding the platform's unique scoring and roster construction. DraftKings uses an eight-player roster with a utility spot and awards 1.5 points per assist and 1.25 per rebound, making facilitators and rebounders especially valuable. The salary cap of $50,000 demands a careful balance between premium plays and DraftKings NBA value picks that let you afford multiple studs. Reviewing DraftKings NBA fantasy points per game leaders on StatRankings can help you identify which players carry the highest season-long production floors.
The best DraftKings NBA DFS plays often emerge from game environments with high projected totals and fast pace. When two up-tempo teams clash, every player on the court benefits from the increased possession count. Pairing today's picks with NBA usage rate rankings helps you confirm which players command the largest share of their team's possessions. Our value metric highlights players whose projected output dramatically outpaces their salary, identifying the DraftKings NBA bargain plays that serve as the backbone of winning tournament lineups.
Why Use Our DraftKings NBA DFS Cheat Sheet?
This DraftKings NBA DFS cheat sheet is powered by the same projection engine behind our FTA+ lineup optimizer. Subscribers get full access to generate optimized lineups, view ownership projections, and leverage advanced correlation tools. This free page showcases today's top plays at every position—a sample of what the full optimizer delivers for building winning DraftKings NBA daily fantasy lineups.
Whether you're grinding cash games or taking shots in GPP tournaments, having a reliable source for today's top DraftKings NBA players gives you a critical edge. Use the projections above to identify your core plays, then layer in game stacks and contrarian pivots using ownership data available to FTA+ members. Our projections are backtested and refined daily, making this one of the most trusted free tools for DraftKings NBA picks and predictions.