With Blake Griffin set to remain on the shelf for quite a while following an MCL sprain, Danilo Gallinari has returned from an injury of his own just in time. His minutes and usage should see an uptick in the absence of the Clippers’ best player.

As is always the case, the entire argument for Gallinari on a nightly basis will depend on salary. Despite averaging nearly 32 minutes a game in the nine contests prior to his injury, he hit at least 30 FanDuel points only three times, reaching at least five-times value just once. Generally speaking, the equation of more minutes equalling more production didn’t necessarily compute.

In the short term, Gallinari is a riskier play thanks to a salary that’s likely not prepared to dip below $6,200, as well as the fact that it’ll take him a few games to get back in the swing of things.

While piggybacking on an unfortunate injury to Griffin, Gallinari’s fantasy outlook for the long(er) term does receive a bump. He’ll compete with guys like Lou Williams and Austin Rivers for most field goal attempts and points per game, as well as slide in to grab the second-most rebounds per game behind DeAndre Jordan.