Each day, we'll provide you with the players to target in your daily leagues, from the high-priced studs to the solid mid-priced values to the cheaper, riskier players with upside.

In general, you want to use safer options in your cash games and rely on some riskier, high-upside options in your bigger tournaments. If you can average five points per $1,000 of salary, you'll typically end up with at least some cash in your pocket.

At this early point in the season and with a small slate of games, we are still feeling our way with rotations. In fact we’re seeing a couple of these teams for the first time in the regular season. For that reason, I’m prioritizing past performance, Vegas totals, and playing it a little safer today.

Point Guard

High-priced studs

Chris Paul, Los Angeles Clippers ($9,500 FD, $8,800 DK)

Damian Lillard, Portland Trail Blazers ($9,100 FD, $9,200 DK)

You’re probably choosing just one of the top point guards today but it’s a position you can’t afford to miss on. Both Paul and Lillard are more than capable of 50-plus fantasy point games, and face off in the night’s second-highest total game (208). I give the slight nod to Paul because even if he doesn’t score a ton, he racks up assists like no other. I expect a competitive game between Western Conference rivals, which is where Paul thrives.

Solid value

Isaiah Thomas, Boston Celtics ($8,000 FD, $7,200 DK)

Thomas is a nice pivot from the sky-high stud pricing of Paul, Lillard, and John Wall, but offers nearly as high of a ceiling as those guys. In his opener Wednesday night, he finished with 25 points, six rebounds, nine assists and two steals. The Celtics are going to be a force in the East this year and IT is a huge part of that. A matchup with Rajon Rondo and the Bulls is the night’s highest total (211 points) and a fantasy friendly one.

Cheap with upside

Patty Mills, San Antonio Spurs ($4,100 FD, $3,900 KD)

It’s no secret that Tony Parker is a shadow of his former self on the court, but it looks like Mills has made real strides toward filling those shoes. Against the Warriors, Mills accumulated four steals, five assists, and 11 points in just 18 minutes. Sometimes playing with the second unit can be a major benefit to a cheap player with efficiency like Mills exhibited Tuesday night.

Shooting Guard

Solid value

C.J. McCollum, Portland Trail Blazers ($6,900 FD, $6,800 DK)

Bradley Beal, Washington Wizards ($6,200 FD, $5,700 DK)

On a night when every dollar might count, I’m leaning toward Beal as my top shooting guard. This is a position I typically try to save on, because the 2-guard is often so dependent on his shot falling. We saw Beal active all over the court in the preseason and I know he will be looking to play strong in the Wizards’ opener after 2015-16 was such a lost season for him. In truth, McCollum should be good tonight, and if you can afford him in a lineup you like, I have no problem with it, but there are so many guys to spend up on that I’m saving where I can.

Cheap with upside

J.J. Redick, Los Angeles Clippers ($4,600 FD, $4,600 DK)

Redick is a hit-or-miss guy that won’t kill your lineups, but if his shot isn’t falling early, be prepared for some regret. If it is, you could be in for a 30-plus fantasy point night. The emphasis is on could; I’m not using Redick for salary relief in cash games.

Small Forward

High-priced studs

Jimmy Butler, Chicago Bulls ($8,200 FD, $7,400 DK)

Kawhi Leonard, San Antonio Spurs ($8,000 FD, $8,400 DK)

There are just too many studs playing tonight. After putting 50-plus fantasy points in your lineup Tuesday night, it’s hard to not go back to the two-time Defensive Player of the Year, but on DraftKings, Butler’s discount is too big to pass on. When healthy, Butler can do everything on the court and figures to be the leader on a reconfigured Bulls team.

Solid value

Jae Crowder, Boston Celtics ($5,500 FD, $5,200)

Crowder is one of my favorite players to watch. Boston is just a one-point favorite in the highest scoring game of the night and the fact that Crowder earns fantasy points in so many ways makes him my pick here -- with solid as the key word.

Cheap with upside

Jonathon Simmons, San Antonio Spurs ($4,000 FD, $4,200 DK)

I don’t know if what Simmons did Tuesday night is repeatable (20 points, four rebounds, three assists, and one block -- a memorable one on Steph Curry) but I’m sure going to risk a few salary cap dollars in tournament lineups to find out. He was everywhere on the court and these new-look Spurs are pretty scary if you’re a fan of any other team in the West. Again, it may benefit him not to start as he gets to pick apart opposing backups. Sacramento is likely going to be one of our favorite teams to target for DFS again this year.

Power Forward

High-priced studs

Blake Griffin, Los Angeles Clippers ($8,600 FD, $8,600 DK)

A healthy Griffin is a productive Griffin, and while he’s a better value on FanDuel tonight, he’s usable on both sites. Griffin can score, rebound, and notch occasional blocks, steals and assists. He should come out strong in the Clippers opener against a Portland frontcourt that is nothing to worry about defensively. That said, I’m probably not spending up for Griffin given the value I like at this position.

Solid value

LaMarcus Aldridge, San Antonio Spurs ($7,800 FD, $7,300 DK)

One of the sources of value at PF Thursday night is Aldridge. The Spurs are shifting, and Aldridge is looks like a star for this powerhouse team. His teammates are finding him for the short jump shot it looks like he just can’t miss on at an even higher rate this year based on Tuesday night. He’s a great bet for a double-double and the bonus on DraftKings.

Cheap with upside

Taj Gibson, Chicago Bulls ($5,300 FD, $4,100 DK)

Saving with Gibson, who is slated to start for the Bulls at long last, makes good sense. As a fill-in, he’s been our go-to value DFS play at the position for a couple years. He’ll be competing with Al Horford for rebounds, but at his salary, should be able to reach value pretty easily in this high-paced game.

Center

Solid value

Al Horford, Boston Celtics ($7,000 FD, $7,000 DK)

Dwight Howard, Atlanta Hawks ($7,500 FD, $7,500 DK)

I don’t think you have to spend up for DeMarcus Cousins tonight at center. Either Horford, or his replacement in Atlanta, Howard, should be serviceable. I lean slightly toward Howard, because I think he’s going to see a high usage rate in this younger Hawks team and has the better chance for a big double-double.

Cheap with upside

Tyler Zeller, Boston Celtics ($3,800 FD, $3,000 DK)

The Boston frontcourt is one that’s frustrated me for years, and here we go again. Wednesday night, both Zeller and Horford were valuable in DFS. Zeller may not always be as efficient as he was in 16 minutes last night, but is clearly going to get opportunities and I was encouraged by the fact that he had two blocks and three assists in addition to the points and rebounds you expect.