Collin

Gillespie

After missing the entire 2022-23 season with a broken leg, Gillespie appeared in 24 games for the Nuggets in 2023-24. He posted averages of 3.6 points and 1.1 assists in 9.4 minutes, not impacting fantasy basketball. Managers should not expect much more from Gillespie next season.

Denver’s entire rotation is available, so if healthy, Gillespie was unlikely to get the minutes needed to offer fantasy value.

With Denver competing for the top seed in the West still, Gillespie’s expected absence will not impact the team’s rotation.

Gordon was initially listed as probable, but he has been downgraded to questionable. If he is forced to sit out, Peyton Watson will likely take on the starting power forward role. Jackson and Jamal Murray are both questionable, so if they are both sidelined, Collin Gillespie and Christian Braun will likely fill out some of the point guard minutes, though Nikola Jokic will be the primary playmaking option.

Both players sat out Denver’s final game before the All-Star break, but KCP has appeared in both games since returning from the break. Murray sat out Friday, and Reggie Jackson started in his place. Jackson had a mediocre line across 22 minutes, while Collin Gillespie went for 18/2/4/1 across 24 minutes off the bench. Justin Holiday is a likely candidate to replace Caldwell-Pope in the starting five if the latter is sidelined Sunday.

With Jamal Murray (shin splints) sidelined, Gillespie moved into the rotation as the backup point guard. The rookie out of Villanova, who missed last season with a broken leg, notched a career-high 18 points while making all four of his 3-point attempts. Not only was this the best scoring output for Gillespie, but this was also his first NBA game in double figures. Reggie Jackson received the starting nod with Murray sidelined and remains the superior streaming option, but he had a relatively quiet night in Portland. Shooting 4-of-10 from the field, he finished with nine points, three assists, and one 3-pointer in 22 minutes. Denver visits Golden State on Sunday, and Murray’s availability will impact the fantasy prospects for Jackson and Gillespie.

While available for Sunday’s game, Gillespie is unlikely to get the rotation minutes needed to be of value to fantasy managers. Leave him on the waiver wire.

Gillespie’s availability will not impact fantasy basketball, as he isn’t in the rotation on most nights when active. Leave him on the waiver wire.

If Jackson sits, more minutes could be available for Collin Gillespie and Christian Braun behind starting PG Jamal Murray.

With Jamal Murray (hamstring) due to miss an extended period of time, the Nuggets will need even greater contributions from players lower in the pecking order. After Collin Gillespie (six points, one rebound, one assist, two steals, and one 3-pointer in 17 minutes vs. NOR) gave the Nuggets good minutes in the second half of Saturday’s win over the Bulls, it was Strawther’s turn on Monday. The first-round pick out of Gonzaga sparked the rally from a 20-point deficit with three second-quarter 3-pointers, and he shot 5-of-9 from the field in the fourth to help put the Pelicans away. Counting on Strawther for consistent production at this level would be a bit much at this stage in his career, but he’s clearly capable of helping to fill the void left by Murray. Keep an eye on Strawther in Denver’s final two games of Week 3, especially if the Nuggets announce a lengthy timeline for the injured Murray.