Jaden

Springer

The 28th overall pick in the 2021 draft, Springer is still looking to lock down a consistent role in the NBA. The former first-round pick came off the bench on Monday and provided solid production, shooting 50 percent from the field and 2-of-2 from beyond the arc. Dallas’ reserves made the difference on Monday, with Springer and undrafted rookies Darin Green Jr. (18/3/5/2 with five three-pointers) and Kodirichi Akobundu-Ehiogu (16 points, four rebounds and two blocks) combining to score 51 points.

Springer signed with New Orleans in July after previously being waived by the Jazz. He’ll be a free agent once again, where he’ll look to find a new organization to join, though it’s unlikely he finds a significant role with a different team.

The 28th overall pick in the 2021 draft, Springer has not been able to truly establish himself in the NBA. Traded to Houston by the Celtics at the February trade deadline, Springer was subsequently waived and would go on to sign with the Jazz. In 43 combined games for the Celtics and Jazz, he averaged 3.8 points, 2.4 rebounds and 1.0 assists in 13.2 minutes. Once he clears waivers, Springer can sign with any team as an unrestricted free agent.

Springer is available after playing 27 minutes off the bench in Monday’s loss to the Hornets. He should take on a similar workload against the Rockets. However, with Collin Sexton available, there isn’t much to gain from streaming Springer.

Springer played 27 minutes in Monday’s loss to the Hornets and will likely shoulder a similar workload if cleared to play on Wednesday. He would only be worth the risk as a deep-league streamer if Collin Sexton (pelvis) does not play. Sexton is questionable on the initial injury report for Wednesday.

Martin is a legitimate member of Utah’s rotation and has a chance to bump Svi Mykhailiuk from the starting lineup. Springer could have a tough time playing minutes because of the Jazz’s wealth of young guards.

Martin has missed Utah’s last four games, while Springer has been inactive for four straight and nine of Utah’s last ten. Their absences have resulted in more playing time for players such as Johnny Juzang and Svi Mykhailiuk, but neither has been consistent enough to merit rostering, even in deep leagues.

Springer will miss his ninth game across Utah’s last 10, so his absence isn’t too meaningful in the world of fantasy hoops. Mykhailiuk will return from a two-game absence and presumably handle his typical workload.

Both players have been sidelined frequently lately, which has opened up extra minutes for Cody Williams, Brice Sensabaugh and Johnny Juzang. The potential return of Mykhailiuk and Springer won’t dramatically change the minutes of the aforementioned three players, but the competitiveness of the game will be a factor in how the rotation shakes out.

Wednesday’s game will be the second straight Mykhailiuk has missed, while Springer has been sidelined for three straight and eight of Utah’s last nine. Neither player significantly impacts fantasy basketball, but there should be more minutes available to Cody Williams.