Charlie Cummings analyzes and chooses his top NBA DFS studs and value picks for the Sunday 11/9/25 slate.

The NBA season is in full swing, and that means loaded DFS slates for the weekends. It’s time for weekly Sunday picks. I’ll give you a stud play, a value play, and a player to fade for each position so you can piece together your ideal lineup.

For Sunday, Nov. 9, 2025, we will be using the NBA $150K Fadeaway [$50K to 1st] DFS pool. Now let’s dig into the picks!

Point Guard

Stud: Jalen Brunson (NYK), $8,900

In a limited slate, you need to crush the bad matchups. The obvious target here is the porous Brooklyn Nets defense, who have the worst defensive rating in the league this season. Averaging 28/4/6 on the season, Jalen Brunson could have a lineup-carrying night in this Battle of New York. He won’t be the only Knick I’m targeting for this slate.

Value: Ajay Mitchell (OKC), $5,900

It’s tough to find the value plays in this smaller slate. But the Ajay Mitchell breakout has continued this season, and he has another chance to roll on Sunday. Memphis isn’t playing inspired basketball right now, and if starting, Mitchell should get a lot of time facing Ja Morant. Not only is that conducive to steals, but he’s a porous defender who will let Mitchell get downhill to finish and draw fouls.

Fade: Ja Morant (MEM), $8,800

Speaking of Morant, he is not the point guard to trust on Sunday. OKC’s defense continues to look like a buzzsaw, and it has a long line of strong defenders to throw at him. When you’re being hounded by Alex Caruso and trying to finish over Chet Holmgren, life isn’t going to be fun. Don’t make Morant one of your lineup fixtures.

Shooting Guard

Stud: Payton Pritchard (BOS), $6,400

The two-guard spot is the shallowest on the board for Sunday night’s slate. It leaves us wondering where to go. Payton Pritchard, ostensibly a point guard for the Celtics, maintains SG eligibility in DFS lineups. We count those. He’s handling the ball a ton for Boston, and the Celtics should put up numbers against an Orlando defense that has yet to find its legs this season. Pritchard could be in for a big night.

Value: Caris LeVert (DET), $4,600

Who is a value play when everyone is at a discount? Caris LeVert, that’s who. He has yet to hit his stride in his return to Michigan, but playing a Sixers defense on the second half of a back-to-back is his chance to get on good footing. Philly wants to play with pace but doesn’t bring a lot of defending to the table, and will have its hands full with Cade Cunningham. That gives LeVert opportunities to find gaps and knock down shots.

Fade: V.J. Edgecombe (PHI), $7,300

As I mentioned before, small slates are about taking advantage of the matchups. The matchup is not on the side of the Sixers, facing the No. 2 defense in the NBA coming off a back-to-back. V.J. Edgecombe has a ton of talent, but navigating past Ausar Thompson and Ron Holland II to find Isaiah Stewart and Jalen Duren waiting for you in the paint is a challenging task for anyone. As the highest-priced SG on the board, the explosive rookie isn’t worth the investment.

Small Forward

Stud: OG Anunoby (NYK), $6,400

There’s more than one way to attack the Nets. OG Anunoby will get his offense as a volume three-point shooter and transition weapon. But it’s the defense I’m after. Anunoby is putting up 2.4 steals, 0.8 blocks, and 6.0 rebounds per game on the season. Facing a disorganized Nets offense, this agent of defensive chaos should eat.

Value: Ron Holland II (DET), $4,900

Another way to attack the Sixers on the back-to-back is Ron Holland II. He’s not a high-volume offensive player, but the combination of Philly’s bad defense and high pace boosts his outlook. Holland is a serious defensive event creator, one who could pick up a handful of steals with ease. He makes for a great utility play or starting SF if you want to invest elsewhere.

Fade: Michael Porter Jr. (BKN), $7,200

Michael Porter Jr. has been a fantasy revelation this season. With Brooklyn struggling for an offensive identity, MPJ threes have become the team’s best source of offense. However, he’s going to be seeing a lot of OG Anunoby and Mikal Bridges on defense. Both are excellent chase defenders who can run him off the line and keep him contained. He’s going to have a lot of days with immense DFS value this season, but this is not one of them.

Power Forward

Stud: Karl-Anthony Towns (NYK), $8,700

Another smash against the Nets. KAT’s ability to space the floor, work in the high post, and crush on the glass makes him the perfect candidate to take advantage of Brooklyn’s struggles. Affording both can be difficult, but I would have at least one of Towns or Brunson in the lineup.

Value: Josh Minott (BOS), $4,600

It appears the Celtics have found one in Josh Minott. Only 22, he’s finally getting his first share of NBA minutes, and he’s bringing a lot of value. Now with trust from Joe Mazzulla, Minott has 25+ minutes in two straight games. In those two games, Minott has 33 points, 13 rebounds and four steals. He should be heavily involved as a rebounder against a large Orlando team, and will have the space to get his shots.

Fade: Chet Holmgren (OKC), $7,800

It’s nothing personal against Holmgren. He looks capable of a big step offensively, while the rebounds and blocks give him a solid floor. But having to spend considerable time against Jaren Jackson Jr. on both ends of the floor limits his overall upside. Fewer blocks are on the table, and he’ll have a good defender in his grill all night. Hard pass for me.

Center

Stud: Isaiah Hartenstein (OKC), $6,900

One big on the Thunder is worth playing on Sunday, however. Without Zach Edey, the Grizzlies have lost a lot of rebounding punch. Enter Isaiah Hartenstein, a physical rebounding presence who can rack up assists on dribble handoffs and finish inside at will. With Holmgren drawing JJJ out of the paint, I-Hart can eat.

Value: Wendell Carter Jr. (ORL), $5,400

Wendell Carter Jr. is always reliable for his offensive floor. He’ll knock down a few threes, get to the line a few times, and finish off some rim looks. However, his upside has been boosted against a Celtics team that is being dominated on the glass. Facing their decimated frontcourt, Carter Jr. is a great value double-double candidate.

Fade: Joel Embiid (PHI), $7,600

This is more of a cautionary warning than anything. After playing the front side of the back-to-back on Saturday, it’s doubtful that Embiid plays on Sunday. Even if he did, he’d be facing a limited minutes game against Jalen Duren and Isaiah Stewart. Don’t make the mistake of putting Embiid in your DFS lineup.