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ANALYSIS: While the Utah Jazz welcomed Kelly Olynyk back and instantly put him in the starting lineup at PF last Wednesday (and once more on Friday) and Jarred Vanderbilt never stopped starting games whether that was at PF or C, the truth is that Walker Kessler, even back to a second-unit role now, has kept his value and upside up for the last couple of games with both veterans around.
Kessler enjoyed a little four-game streak of starts from Dec. 19 to Dec. 26 but those days seem to be over now for the rookie. That doesn't mean that things have changed a lot for him, though. Even starting, Kessler only topped 30 minutes once, and in the other three games, he played an average of 24 MPG.
Now stuck in the Jazz second unit, he's logged 20 and 24 MP in the last two games they have played through Friday. That's already a win considering he was averaging a measly 16 MPG before December. Kessler should keep those 20+ minutes up ROS easily, if not actually getting even a larger role down the road if Utah decides to skew young and trade some veterans to join the tank race.
Kessler does three things nicely: scoring points on low-volume shots, pulling down boards, and blocking shots. Kessler, through the full season, is blocking 1.8 shots per game. Again, that's through the full season on just 19 MPG. Only six other players are blocking as many shots per game as Kessler, and adjusting for a per-minute outcome he'd rank second (3.5 blocks per 36 minutes) only behind JJJ.
The rookie is also great on the boards, pulling down 16.2% of all rebounds available when he's on the court and an even better 20% of those ricocheting off the rim on defense. Obviously, the low playing time has Kessler's average down to a meager 6+ RPG through 35 games played, but if he can get to around 20 MPG ROS, he could easily enter the 8+ RPG realm.
No turnovers on his lines but no more than one dime per night either so it's not that he helps you there in any substantial way. Consider Kessler a viable fantasy player in deeper formats with minimal options available, but keep him in mind in shallower leagues if/when the Jazz pivot to active tanking mode ahead of the trade deadline.
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