Josh: This is why an overreaction to opening night was just that, an overreaction.
Kyle: Vassell responded to his poor performance with a big night, including a career-high 23 points, that could look like a normal night in short order. He was a buy-low target, but that window has likely closed. I'm loving the assists, and they'll probably be a regular part of his responsibilities.
Josh: From the top rope! The minutes are interesting, but the opposition was pure trash. I will keep this in my mind, but he isn't someone I would add
Maybe Add 14 teams Kyle: Richardson had a big night, and it's worth keeping tabs on, but I wouldn't expect him to be a consistent streaming option unless the Spurs are trying hard to move him. And if they are actively shopping Richardson, I'd bet he gets traded soon if he's producing like this with any regularity. While I'm suspect of this paying off in the long run, he's OK to take a flier on given the opportunity on the Spurs. This is a big flier, though, and I'm not ready to give him
Josh: STarters were bad, so Carlisle benched them. Numbers still good, but be aware of how bad this team actually is
Kyle: A fantastic line in just 27 minutes as he went off late. The bench was playing well, and coach Carlisle road them. It's sounding like the Pacers could be a bit of a mess from game to game if Carlisle is going to want to play mad scientist for fun in a tanking season.
Stream Kyle: 7 blocks through two games while only playing limited minutes. He's at least worth streaming and using as a specialist, but also make sure to track in case Poeltl rests on occasion.
Josh: The frustration of not playing him, even when he plays like this, is palpable. This is a good line, and you should hold, but I do not understand what Carlisle is playing at.
Must Add Kyle: Jackson's upside, even in modest minutes is too high to be sitting on the wire in any standard category leagues. He's someone to trade and hold, not just discard. Carlisle is already talking about a starting lineup change, and while that may mean Bitadze to open, Jackson will hopefully earn more minutes in short order, as there's no reason for him to be so limited while Turner is out. It's absurd.
Kyle: Hield's minutes were short
Must Add Josh: Started on fire and actually started the second half, but his production ground to a halt when he was paired with Hield and Hali. He shouldn't be on the wire though.
Must Add Kyle: Mathurin is a must-add anywhere he's available. It's possible he struggles as teams start to game plan for him, but the watching him, it's evident he's going to be a fantastic scorer for a long time. He plays to contact like a 10-year vet. He's not even selling, either. He's going into the other players, creating the contact, and then finishing. It's so fun. He started the second half, and it'd be a surprise if he's not starting and playing a lot more sooner than later.
Josh: How this guy led the team in minutes is anyone's guess. The rotation is screaming mess all season. I would only look at him in deeper formats
Maybe Add 14 teams Kyle: Nembhard is on a two-way contract and wasn't expected to play much to open the season, but after a great debut like this, coach Carlisle will likely be looking for more opportunities for the rookie. I wouldn't be chasing in standards yet, but it's OK to take a flier or consider Nembhard a stream for Saturday to see what happens in deeper leagues.
Josh: Nice and solid and I am intrigued by the assists here
Kyle: The assists are looking intriguing, and I'm buying it stick a bit.
Josh: Much better after Game 1. Restores some of my confidence
Maybe Add Kyle: Big minutes. A great sign for Jones' potential upside. He should be on someone's roster to see if these minutes have a chance to settle in around 33 mpg or so.
Josh: Started again for Turner and I don't know why. He isn't an add
Kyle: Taylor was given a second straight start with Turner out and coach Carlisle rolling a 20-sided dice to decide his starting lineup. Carlisle talked about using a different starting lineup, so maybe Taylor is on the bench or out of the rotation entirely Saturday. He's just for watch lists and very conditional streaming.
Kyle: Nesmith is getting decent minutes. Just something to watch and consider for very deep leagues.
Kyle: No idea why Johnson is getting minutes on this rebuilding roster, but for very deep formats, it's something to be aware of in case he surprises with regular modest run off the bench.
Kyle: If you need assists and steals in deeper formats, McConnell could be worth a look even in modest bench minutes.
Josh: He looked quite shaky at times, but those assists are interesting. Jones clearly outplayed him though. He is more of a stash guy, who is giving some value as is.
Maybe Add 14 teams Kyle: Short minutes and low attempts, but 7 assists is nothing shirk at. Primo is a hold and worth consideration as a streamer or flier in most category leagues if you need assists.
Kyle: Both of Poeltl's 21 free throw attempts and 13 makes were career-highs. An oddity, not something we should expect to see again, but fun for the night. He's playing great through two games. Here's hoping the tanking Spurs aren't planning on resting him on the b2b Saturday.
Droppable 12 teams Josh: He is only a hold for later in the season, and even then, I'm not sure he is going to be a high enough upside guy to hold.
Droppable Kyle: A disappointing night in minutes and production. The rookie is struggling to find his place in the pecking order early, but at least keep tabs on him, as he shouldn't be at risk of losing the starting job.
Droppable 12 teams Josh: I don't think he is going to last as a starter. Not an auto drop, as he could start all season if Hield is dealt, but the reality is he isn't a very good prospect nor player at this point.
Droppable Kyle: Duarte is falling out of the mix as rookie phenom Benn Mathurin has taken flight through two games. Duarte can be dropped as needed most places. He should find a bigger role as we go, but the Pacers are looking at a lot of guys right now, so maybe Duarte continues to flounder for a bit. He came off the bench in the second half with Mathurin starting.
Watch Kyle: Bitadze started the second half and could get a look starting at center to open Saturday's game against the Pistons, though I'd hope Carlisle just goes with Jackson after his soled performance tonight.
Josh: He isn't a centre. He also had his night cut short with a mouth injury and his knee is sore. I wouldn't automatically drop him, but he isn't someone I am feeling great about and I wouldn't be critical of dropping him
Buy Low Kyle: Smith was literally listed by the team as being out with a "blow to the face". Hopefully he's OK for Saturday's game, but it wouldn't be a surprise to see him sit out on the b2b, even if just as precaution. He's a buy-low target at the moment as his manger's are likely frustrated by the questionable tags going into each game and the lack of excitement from him so far despite great opportunity at center with Turner out and Carlisle running odd lineups.
Kyle: Not in the rotation.
Kyle: Not in the rotation.