Fantasy Basketball Value Picks: Top DraftKings NBA DFS Bargain Plays for Thursday 2/19/26

Bryan Armetta breaks down three undervalued players to target in your NBA DFS lineups on DraftKings

Published on Feb. 25, 2026

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Bryan Armetta highlights three value plays for Thursday's seven-game NBA DFS slate on DraftKings, including Toronto's Jakob Poeltl, Brooklyn's Nolan Traore, and Washington's Tristan Vukcevic.

Why it matters

With most star players returning from the All-Star break, fantasy managers will need to find budget-friendly options to fill out their DFS lineups. These three value picks could provide solid production at low salaries to help maximize roster construction.

The details

Poeltl is priced at just $4,700 and should see extended minutes with the Raptors short-handed at center, while facing a Bulls team allowing the fourth-most fantasy points to opposing centers. Traore has emerged as a playmaker for the Nets, averaging over 34 fantasy points per game over his last four, and gets a favorable matchup against the Cavaliers' porous perimeter defense. Vukcevic has logged 20 minutes in each of Washington's last two games and could see increased opportunity with Alex Sarr sidelined, facing a Pacers team that struggles to defend opposing centers.

  • The NBA is back with a seven-game featured DFS slate on Thursday, February 19, 2026.

The players

Jakob Poeltl

A center for the Toronto Raptors who is priced at $4,700 on DraftKings and has been productive when healthy this season, averaging 9.7 points, 7.6 rebounds and 2.0 assists per game.

Nolan Traore

A rookie point guard for the Brooklyn Nets who has emerged as a playmaker, averaging 7.5 points, 1.6 rebounds and 3.5 assists per game, and is priced at $4,600 on DraftKings.

Tristan Vukcevic

A third-year center for the Washington Wizards who has seen increased minutes recently with Alex Sarr sidelined, and is priced at just $4,300 on DraftKings.

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What they’re saying

“Following a week-long All-Star break, most stars should be ready to hit the court. However, managers will also need to grab some lesser-known names to make everything work inside their budget.”

— Bryan Armetta, Author (draftkings.com)

The takeaway

With most top players returning from the All-Star break, finding the right value plays will be crucial to building successful DFS lineups on Thursday. These three budget-friendly options - Poeltl, Traore and Vukcevic - could provide solid production to help managers maximize their rosters.