WNBA DFS picks for Saturday, August 8

It’s an unusual time in the world, but as we bounce back to some normalcy, all sports are returning at once. Ordinarily, WNBA’s regular season would be taking place in the NBA’s offseason, paving the way for the women to get the spotlight in the basketball world. Now, we’re going to see the WNBA’s season kick off as the NBA grinds toward its postseason. This is an opportunity nonetheless for the WNBA to share the spotlight with the sport’s most popular league. 

With this article, I’ll give you my daily four-player core for WNBA DFS, along with some other interesting options to round out your player pool. A formatted model designed to offer you some building blocks, along with some analysis on the importance of the roles they will play in each slate. You’ll also see projected starting lineups for a convenient search of expected starting lineups, especially in a time where getting news may be hard to come by. With that, let’s dive into the Saturday slate. 

Gross’ GOATs

Chennedy Carter, Atlanta Dream

($9,100 DK, $6,300 FD)

Remember Opening Night? The Dream and Wings total hit 200 in a game with extreme pace and little to no defense, with both teams posting Defensive Ratings over 108. Carter is making people forget how hyped Sabrina Ionescu was coming out of this draft, as she is currently averaging 20.8 points per game, adding 4.5 assists and 2.5 rebounds. Diving deeper, Carter has posted a 31.8% usage rate, along with a 29.3% assist rate, playing at a 104.46 pace when on the floor. Carter is never shy to shoot, and when her shot is falling, she will shoot even more. Carter managed 39.25 DK points on just 5/16 shooting in the first meeting, so there’s a pretty sky-high ceiling with some more efficiency from the field in this matchup.

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Monique Billings, Atlanta Dream

($7,700 DK, $5,400 FD)

Next, we’re looking to pair Carter with another member of the Dream. There are a slew of options including Elizabeth Williams, Glory Johnson, Betnijah Laney and Courtney Williams, but I am looking at Billings for this one. Billings was an unstoppable force in the first meeting, with Dallas’ inability to defend in the paint being a major problem as Billings continuously found her way to the rim at free will. Dallas has also allowed the most rebounds per game to opposing teams this season, and Billings owns a team high 14.9% rebound rate. While her usage has dropped since the opener, difficult matchups may have played a role, as Vegas, Indiana, Phoenix, and Seattle are all among the top five in defensive efficiency against bigs. Expect Atlanta to involve Billings more today.

Breanna Stewart, Seattle Storm

($11,900 DK, $8,000 FD)

There’s actually some good value in the Saturday slate, making Stewart an affordable option. We’ve been here before. Stewart’s rates are off the charts, as she’s adding a stat on around 45% of Seattle’s possessions, in addition to a 13.5% rebound rate, which leads the Storm. Phoenix has struggled defensively early on, and Griner has always struggled against bigs who can step outside the perimeter. Phoenix could always stick Brittney Griner on Howard, but it wouldn’t make much sense with how limited Howard’s role has been offensively this season. If you believe Stewie is too expensive today, the alternate option is Alyssa Thomas, but I’ll be locking the Storm big into my main lineup.

Shatori Walker-Kimbrough, Phoenix Mercury

($4,900 DK, $3,500 FD)

Lastly, with Bria Hartley out, there’s a bit of a void to fill on the wing for Phoenix, who is already lacking depth in that area. Walker-Kimbrough saw a bump to 24 minutes in Phoenix’s last game, also without Hartley, tallying 17 points in 10 FGA’s. 50% of Walker-Kimbrough’s volume shooting comes beyond the perimeter, an area in which Seattle’s opponents shoot at the highest volume. While they do defend the area well, it’s a good sign for her usage at a relatively low price. She just needs to knock a few of them in.

Others to consider

Guards: DeWanna Bonner, Arike Ogunbowale, Jordin Canada, Courtney Williams, Jasmine Thomas, Tyasha Harris, Allisha Gray
Forwards: Alyssa Thomas, Azurá Stevens, Cheyenne Parker, Elizabeth Williams, Gabby Williams, Glory Johnson, Ezi Magbegor (MME), Alana Smith (MME)

Projected starting lineups

Atlanta Dream: PG: Chennedy Carter, SG: Betnijah Laney, SF: Shekinna Stricklen, PF: Monique Billings, C: Elizabeth Williams
Dallas Wings: PG: Arike Ogunbowale, SG: Moriah Jefferson, SF: Satou Sabally, PF: Isabelle Harrison, C: Astou Ndour

Phoenix Mercury: PG: Skylar Diggins-Smith, SG: Shatori Walker-Kimbrough, SF: Diana Taurasi, PF: Brianna Turner, C: Britney Griner
Seattle Storm: PG: Jordin Canada, SG: Jewell Loyd, SF: Alysha Clark, PF: Natasha Howard, C: Breanna Stewart

Chicago Sky: PG: Courtney Vandersloot, SG: Allie Quigley, SF: Kahleah Copper, PF: Azurá Stevens, C: Cheyenne Parker
Connecticut Sun: PG: Jasmine Thomas, SG: Natisha Hiedeman, SF: DeWanna Bonner, PF: Brionna Jones, C: Alyssa Thomas