Josh: You'd love a bit more offensive aggression, bvut that is likely coming in the next year or two. The rest showed why he could be lite.
Kyle: Even with a shift back to PF in Allen's return, Mobley was amazing on defense with 4 blocks and 3 steals. Hopefully this keeps up to some degree. It's also great to see Mob's assists stay up with Garland back. He seems to be unlocking more of the all-around game we've seen flashes of but not consistently used. Mobley might be worth trying to get in a trade in dynasty and redrafts if you think his recent improvements stick even with the roster getting healthy.
Kyle: Great all-around performance from Turner, including a big block late to help bring the win home. If you're worried about his general injury risk, this could be a time to look at sell-high options, but I'd likely just be rolling with Turner most places to see how good he can be this season.
Josh: Staggering good production, even with everyone back. I would say sell high, but just enjoy it
Josh: More minutes than Mathurin as he is a better player. I wonder if they keep the role the same though. More a fringe guy
Kyle: Big minutes from Hield, and while he's fine to ride out whatever role it is the Pacers are working him through this season, hoping that he ends up traded to a starting job. I'd also consider treating this as a sell-high moment in case Hield ends up stuck in a more limited role than seems reasonable all season.
Kyle: Haliburton was back in action carry the normal load.
Josh: First game back and had some foul trouble too. Safe to activate from IR.
Kyle: Allen put up a useful line despite being on a minutes restriction in his return from injury and season debut. The minutes should get back close to what we've seen in recent seasons, though there is some risk of a dial back if coach Bickerstaff decides to play Mobley at center more often this season.
Josh: Minutes should ramp up soon
Kyle: Garland was on a bit of a restriction in his return, and the production isn't great, but if he can stay healthy, he should improve as we go. I'd consider sending out a buy-low offer, but I'd be careful not to overpay in case the injury lingers or the production stays down as the Cavs reorganize their offense some.
Droppable 14 teams Josh: With players back, not enough for him to do to be a 12 or 14 team guy.
Droppable Kyle: With the Cavs getting healthy, Okoro is going to be best rostered in deeper leagues and just someone for watch lists in case streaming opportunities open again as we go.
Kyle: I wouldn't be leaving Brown on the wire in 12-team leagues, but his early lack of assists and poor defensive stats are a slight concern. In most respects, I'd be looking at buying low on Brown, especially in deeper leagues, expecting his production to improve some and appreciating his secure role with great minutes.
Kyle: Great minutes from Niang even with the Cavs healthy, but he won't play quite this much most games. It's a bit of a sell-high moment for very deep leagues.
Maybe Add 14 teams Josh: If Turner goes down, he will be an add, let's just hope it isn't as bad as last season
Kyle: Smith was back in action after missing the previous game. He continues to play great in his modest role. Be aware of him for conditional streaming and in case a bigger role opened due to injury.
Watch Kyle: Nesmith put up a great line and is carving out a good bench role that could eventually nudge into the starting lineup if the Pacers ever give up on the Toppin nonsense.
Josh: I think he will be.a drop soon. HOld for now
Kyle: Strus' minutes were down some with the Cavs healthy. It's surprising how much the minutes dipped, and it's OK to treat Strus as a streamer or flier, dropping as needed in most leagues, but I also wouldn't be in a rush to let him go, willing to roll through Sunday's game before deciding on whether he's worth riding with through a 2-game week (probably not).
Droppable 12 teams Josh: Starter in name only and a drop in 12 team leagues.
Kyle: Nembhard came off the bench in a modest role with Haliburton back and starting.
Josh: Woof. He stinks at the moment. It will be interesting if they pivot to the better player (Hield) or keep the young guy for development. A hold for now, but barely.
Kyle: Mathurin is struggling to command big enough minutes and touches right now to be of much use beyond deeper leagues and streaming. He's OK to have as a luxury upside flier for now, holding, though how long to do so would depend on if you're competing and who else is on the wire. In deeper leagues, I'd be buying low with his role looking secure and upside to eventually come.
Kyle: Out of the rotation a lot of nights when the Pacers frontcourt is healthy.