Kris

Dunn

Dunn got his second straight start for the Clippers, but his minutes were far more limited in this one. He still provided some buckets and defensive numbers, but after two straight games with eight assists, this outing was disappointing. However, managers shouldn’t be too concerned yet. Kevin Porter Jr. played well off the bench and played more than he typically does. Also, this game was a blowout, which impacted Tyronn Lue’s rotations. As long as Dunn is starting, he should be seen as a decent streaming option with well-rounded upside.

Dunn made his first start of the season on Wednesday, with the assists and steals production being incredibly encouraging. He isn’t going to be a high-level scorer, and the Clippers don’t need him to be. But if Dunn can continue to play 30 minutes per game, he can provide reputable value, especially in deep leagues. He’s currently rostered in 3% of Yahoo leagues, so finding Dunn on the waiver wire won’t be challenging.

Mann isn’t dealing with any health-related issues ahead of Wednesday’s game. The Clippers need a spark, and Dunn’s defensive ability could be what provides it. Fantasy managers should take a patient approach and see what Dunn’s minutes look like before making a move. The same can be said for Mann, who hasn’t provided much value as a starter. If you still have him rostered, it won’t hurt much to hold off on dropping Mann until after Wednesday’s game.

Dunn will get a chance to serve as James Harden’s primary backup. His primary value comes from his defense and he averaged just 5.4 points per game last season despite 32 starts in 66 games. He’ll provide some much-needed backcourt depth but likely won’t provide much fantasy production.

Westbrook is expected to reach a buyout agreement with the Jazz so that he can join the Denver Nuggets in free agency. His fantasy outlook isn’t great coming off the bench behind fringe All-Star Jamal Murray and three-time MVP Nikola Jokic, so don’t expect him to increase his value after averaging 11.1 points, 5.0 rebounds, and 4.5 assists per game last season.

Dunn is moving after reigniting his NBA career with two solid seasons in Utah. The 2016 lottery pick appeared in 66 games last season, averaging 5.4 points, 2.9 rebounds, 3.8 assists, and 1.0 steals in 18.9 minutes, shooting 47.0% from the field and 68.8% from the foul line. With James Harden locked into the starting role, Dunn’s fantasy ceiling will be limited, even if the Clippers manage to trade Russell Westbrook.

Get ready to see plenty of Keyonte George, Johnny Juzang, and Talen Horton-Tucker when the Jazz take on the Rockets. Sexton, Clarkson, and Dunn remain sidelined while Utah plays out the string, which means extended minutes for George, Juzang, and THT. Of the three, George is the player who managers in active leagues should ensure is not sitting on the waiver wire.

Along with Jordan Clarkson and Lauri Markkanen, the Jazz will continue to play without most of their core rotation. They are fully embracing the late season tank, so outside of Collin Sexton, their rotation will continue to consist of rookies and young players that are trying to prove they belong in the NBA. Keyonte George, Brice Sensabaugh and Taylor Hendricks will continue to be appealing fantasy options.

Collins’ and Kessler’s absences will open up additional minutes for the likes of Omer Yurtseven, Brice Sensabaugh and Taylor Hendricks, though none of those players offer tremendous fantasy appeal. Dunn’s absence should free up some extra playing time for Jason Preston and Talen Horton-Tucker.

Dunn and Smith got into an altercation early in the second quarter of Saturday’s game, with both ruled to have thrown a punch during the exchange. Dunn will miss games against the Mavericks (Monday) and Spurs (Wednesday), with Kira Lewis Jr. being the player most likely to absorb his minutes. Lewis is not a must-stream player, regardless of fantasy league.