Julian Champagnie

For the first time this season, Vassell was part of the starting unit. He played a season-high 38 minutes, and his 33 minutes in regulation would have still been a season-high. Vassell is a beast in fantasy basketball, but he hasn't played a large enough role this season to make the impact that he's capable of making. As long as he remains in the starting lineup, Vassell will be a borderline top-50 option in 9-cat leagues. Julian Champagnie was still able to log 26 minutes despite the move to the bench and finished with eight points, four rebounds, two assists, two steals and two 3-pointers.

Vassell will be part of the starting lineup for the first time this season. The lineup change boosts his fantasy value, much to the delight of those who have him rostered. Vassell's promotion means Julian Champagnie, who has been a fixture in the starting five, heads to the bench. Those who have Champagnie should hold onto him for the time being because he can still have value playing 22-26 minutes off the bench.

Castle is back after sitting out Friday's win over Portland. Given the conservative approach the Spurs usually take with players returning from injury, the rookie will likely come off the bench on Sunday. If so, Jeremy Sochan and Julian Champagnie will remain in the starting lineup.

Injured during the Spurs' December 8 win over New Orleans, Johnson will miss a second straight game. How long he'll be out is unknown, but Johnson's absence ensures Julian Champagnie will continue to play starters' minutes. At a minimum, he should be rostered in deep leagues.

Champagnie continues to play well enough to justify his continued inclusion in the starting lineup, and those who have him rostered have benefited. The Spurs forward is a top 100 player in 9-cat formats for the season, and he's ranked just outside the top 75 over the past two weeks. Recent injuries to Stephon Castle and Keldon Johnson have resulted in less competition for minutes. However, given Champagnie's play, that may not even matter. Deep-league managers should not hesitate to add him ahead of Sunday's game against Minnesota if Champagnie is sitting on the waiver wire.