If John Collins has a 50/40/90 season in Utah, does it make a sound?

And two more role players carving out a name for themselves

John Collins, Utah Jazz

You could spend your entire life wandering around the world and still not see all the wonders that exist. But right now, we’re just one measly made free throw away from watching John Collins notch a 50/40/90 season! If that’s not worth a quick stop-and-pop with a Polaroid, I don’t know what is.

Collins is having his best year since his early Atlanta days, averaging 18 points and eight rebounds while shooting 53% from the field and 44% from deep. When I initially started a Collins article a week ago, he was over 90% from the free throw line, but it’s since fallen to 89.5%. C’mon, John!

Although Collins only plays two more minutes per game this season, Utah’s pass-heavy offense features him in a dramatically different role. Last year, he was an ancillary figure, someone who had to take advantage of whatever scant opportunities others created for him: More than half of his shots were generated on spot-up looks, in transition, or on offensive rebounds. This year, those numbers are a tick below 40% of his used possessions. Instead, he has a larger diet of post-ups, shots coming off screens, and handoffs.

The post-ups, especially, are probably a little too much, but Collins has generally gotten buckets at will. The focus on freeing Collins up with off-ball screens is particularly intriguing. I’m not sure he’s ever had plays drawn up for him to get open jumpers like this before:

The Jazz’s offense is above average when Collins is on the floor, a notable swing from its ugly performance when he’s off. It’s even more impressive considering that Collins often plays in somewhat awkward three-big lineups with some combination of Lauri Markkanen, Walker Kessler, and rookie Kyle Filipowski. The Jazz’s guard rotation is one of the worst in the league, too.

Utah’s situation is a bit confusing, and they may be featuring Collins to try and boost his trade value. I’m not sure which teams will be clamoring for the forward. Despite his accuracy, he remains a relatively reluctant three-point shooter, and he’s an average defender on his best days (which we don’t see too often). However, even if they don’t move him, there is value in having a stable bucket-getter on a developing squad. Collins is also averaging a career-high in assists, as players under Will Hardy always do (although it’s a low bar to clear).

I’ll let Danny Ainge worry about the future. For now, I’ll just marvel at the weird renaissance Collins is having as an unlikely focal point of the Jazz offense.

Justin Champagnie, Washington Wizards

Readers know I’ve long been a fan of San Antonio’s Julian Champagnie, so it makes sense that his twin brother Justin caught my eye in Washington.

Injuries have thrust Champagnie into a major over the last two weeks, and he’s delivered shockingly competent basketball. There’s a reason half of the Wizards’ wins have come in the five games he has started.