John

Collins

Still rostered in 77 percent of Yahoo! leagues, Collins has not offered much fantasy value this season. That changed on Saturday, as the veteran forward tallied season-highs in points and blocked shots. Getting to start does raise Collins’ ceiling, but he hasn’t reached it very often. He has been a top-100 player in nine-cat formats over the past week; fantasy managers will hope that trend continues. The Clippers hit the road for four games in Week 7, starting with the Heat on Monday.

Offensively, Tuesday’s performance was Collins’s best since moving into the starting lineup on November 10. The 18 points were one shy of his season-high, and he ended a nasty streak in the assist category. His assist against the Lakers was the first for Collins since moving into the starting lineup, a stunning lack of production, even if he isn’t a point guard. Collins is still rostered in 77 percent of Yahoo! leagues, which is more about his reputation entering the season than his production. Hopefully, Tuesday’s performance will be the catalyst the veteran forward needs.

Leonard is ready to return, and that’s great for fantasy managers and the Clippers. Los Angeles went 2-8 in the games its star forward missed, with John Collins replacing him in the starting lineup. With Leonard back in the fold, either Collins or Kobe Sanders will head to the bench.

Zubac has been a double-double machine this season, accomplishing the feat seven times through 13 contests. The 28-year-old center had little trouble exploiting Boston’s lack of interior size and depth by repeatedly going to work against Neemias Queta and Luka Garza. The Clippers probably should’ve gone to him more frequently in this one, but they did get 17 points in 30 minutes from fellow big man John Collins. He should continue to see an increase in opportunities on the offensive end of the floor while Kawhi Leonard remains out with knee and ankle injuries.

Beal was in and out of the lineup with a knee injury and his overall effectiveness seemed to be in decline so far with the Clippers this season. The 32-year-old shooting guard missed Monday’s game against the Hawks with a hip injury and while there was concern he could miss more time, season-ending surgery is a bit of a surprise. Now that Beal’s out for the year, John Collins could see a boost in fantasy value by moving into starting lineup.

With Bradley Beal (hip) back on the sideline, Collins made his first start since joining the Clippers this offseason. While he was in the role many fantasy managers expected him to fulfill, the former Hawks forward struggled against the team that selected him in the 2017 draft. The bench role has limited Collins’ fantasy value, as he’s ranked outside the top-150 in nine-cat formats. He’s still rostered in 84 percent of Yahoo! leagues, with Beal’s injury putting some fantasy managers in a holding pattern. Collins’ production would not justify him being rostered in 12-team leagues if the Clippers were healthy.

Initially questionable for Monday’s game, Beal is out with a sore hip. He’ll be replaced in the starting lineup by John Collins, with Kris Dunn serving as the starting two-guard. Collins’ fantasy value has suffered this season, as Derrick Jones Jr. has remained a starter and played well. Collins is already rostered in most 12-team leagues, and the lineup change gives his fantasy value a welcome boost. There is some concern that Beal’s hip injury will keep him out for multiple games; he’s undergoing further testing to determine the severity.

Leonard will miss a third consecutive game after spraining his left ankle during the fourth quarter of Monday’s loss to the Heat. Nicolas Batum has replaced him in the starting lineup but provided limited production, so he isn’t worth the risk in fantasy leagues. John Collins, who’s already rostered in most standard leagues, will have added value despite coming off the bench.

Leonard will miss a second straight game with a sprained ankle. Nicolas Batum replaced him in the lineup for Tuesday’s loss to the Warriors, providing little fantasy value. John Collins, who’s rostered in most leagues, will receive a boost to his fantasy value, even if he remains on the bench.

Like teammate James Harden, Collins was excellent in the first half. He scored 15 points to help the Clippers take a one-point lead into the break. Well, the reigning champs flipped a switch, and most of the fourth quarter was left to non-rotation players. While Collins has recorded solid averages, the bench role has negatively impacted his fantasy value, a disappointing development for those who hoped he would be a starter. Derrick Jones Jr. (16/4/2/1/1 with three three-pointers) has held onto that role and provided top-100 value, yet is rostered in just six percent of Yahoo! leagues.