John

Collins

Collins continues to provide excellent fantasy value, as he’s been a 1st-round player over the last two weeks in 9-cat formats. He’s flourished with Walker Kessler (hip) out of the lineup and should continue to do so. On Tuesday, Collins and the Jazz begin their Week 5 schedule against the Lakers.

Collins has shined over his last two games, starting for the injured Walker Kessler. After putting up 29 points and a complete stat line in Tuesday’s loss to Phoenix, he scored another 28 while finishing one blocked shot shy of another full line. A top-20 player over the last two weeks, Collins is providing 4th-round value for the season despite coming off the bench most nights. He’s already rostered in 89% of Yahoo leagues, and those who have Collins rostered should consider selling high.

Making his first start of the season, Collins recorded a robust stat line in Utah’s close loss to the Phoenix. In recording his fourth double-double of the season, he established a new season-high in points while recording three steals for a second straight game. Regardless of Kessler’s availability, Collins must be rostered in all but the shallowest fantasy leagues. But there’s no denying that he’s an even more enticing option when allowed to start.

The Jazz have made two changes to their lineup for Tuesday’s game. George’s return means Isaiah Collier will come off the bench, and there’s no need to roster Collier in redraft leagues. The other change is Collins, who will start for the injured Walker Kessler (right hip soreness). Pick him up if Collins is on the waiver wire in your league.

Kessler is set to miss his first game of the season after a subpar performance against Victor Wembanyama. The Jazz big man will likely be replaced by John Collins in the starting lineup.

Collins’ turnover count (five) was a bit high, but the veteran center deserves credit for recording his third double-double in five games. JC is providing 6th-round per-game value in 9-cat formats despite the reserve role, exceeding his Yahoo ADP (108). Whether or not Collins can maintain that production level depends on how Utah approaches the remainder of the season, as they’re now 2-7 after Saturday’s win.

Collins has had a solid season for Utah as a reserve, but this was by far his best game of the year. It was his first game without a defensive stat after he had exactly one steal and one block in every previous game. However, he set season-highs for points, rebounds and field goal percentage and tied his season-high for dimes. Collins won’t have games like this often, but it isn’t because he’s not capable. The Jazz are prioritizing their youth movement, which could make Collins expendable at the trade deadline. Until then, he’ll be a solid option that will occasionally pop off like this.

The good news for Collins managers is that his production has largely been solid. The bad is that, even with Lauri Markkanen (back) sidelined, JC’s minutes have held steady. That limits Collins’ fantasy ceiling considerably, even with him providing 7th-round per-game value thus far. At a certain point, Utah’s priority will be to give Brice Sensabaugh and Kyle Filipowski a more extended look as the team evaluates its direction for the future.

Collins has been solid in his reserve role despite coming off the bench. He’s reached double figures and tallied one steal and one blocked shot in every game, which is why Collins has been a 6th-round player. The 28 minutes he played against the Spurs were a season-high, with Lauri Markkanen’s absence being a factor. There was a brief period during the second quarter in which Collins was on the court with Walker Kessler, so that’s something to keep an eye on if Markkanen remains sidelined.

Markkanen exited early from their matchup with the Kings on Tuesday and may remain sidelined against San Antonio. Rookie Kyle Filipowski started in his place in the second half against the Kings and would be worth streaming if Lauri remains out. John Collins should also see a few extra minutes.