Indiana Pacers forward/center Jalen Smith (ankle) is questionable for Sunday's season finale against the Atlanta Hawks due to a left ankle sprain. The Pacers frontcourt could be light as Isaiah Jackson (hamstring) and Obi Toppin (ankle) are also questionable. Smith, on Friday, coming off the bench, posted 11 points, six rebounds, and two steals in 20 minutes on the court versus the Cavs.

Indiana Pacers forward/center Jalen Smith (back) will play on Monday against Toronto. He returned to action from a four-game absence on Sunday versus Dallas and is good to go again against the Raptors, despite being initially regarded as questionable for the game with lower back spasms. Smith is a very effective player but typically doesn't receive a lot of playing time behind Indiana's starting center Myles Turner. He had eight points and five rebounds in 19 minutes in his only previous appearance against the Raptors this season.

Indiana Pacers forward Jalen Smith (back) is questionable for Thursday's game against the visiting Pistons. The 23-year-old missed the Pacers' three games entering the All-Star break because of back spasms, so hopefully, the extra time off allowed him time to get things right. Smith has averaged 10.8 points and 5.6 rebounds this season, so he's worthy of starting consideration in some fantasy setups. However, if he doesn't return versus Detroit, Isaiah Jackson should benefit. That said, Jackson will have a tough time doing anything meaningful for fantasy managers with Myles Turner (illness) off the injury report for Thursday.

Indiana Pacers forward/center Jalen Smith (back) won't play on Wednesday versus the Toronto Raptors. The 23-year-old, averaging 10.8 points and 5.6 rebounds this season, has missed the last two games because of back spasms. However, the Pacers will enter the All-Star break after Wednesday's contest, so there's a good chance Smith will return for the February 22 clash with the Pistons. Of course, Pascal Siakam and Myles Turner get most of the work underneath the rim, although Smith's absence will allow Isaiah Jackson and Obi Toppin to get extra work.

Indiana Pacers forward/center Jalen Smith (back) won't play on Monday against Charlotte. Statistically, the 23-year-old is having one of the best seasons of his career, averaging 10.8 points and 5.6 rebounds. Unfortunately, he's missed time throughout the 2023-24 campaign, which has been a source of frustration for fantasy managers. Nonetheless, without Smith in the mix, Obi Toppin and Isaiah Jackson should see extra work. However, neither player is consistent for fantasy managers.

Indiana Pacers forward/center Jalen Smith (back) is listed as questionable for Saturday's game against the Knicks. The 23-year-old has been a regular on the injury report lately with lower back spasms, and he couldn't complete Thursday's matchup versus Golden State due to the issue. Smith exited following a very impressive 13-minute stint during which he produced 14 points and five rebounds with 6-for-6 shooting. Isaiah Jackson can be a good per-minute producer as well, and he's set for a larger role if Smith can't play on Saturday.

Indiana Pacers forward/center Jalen Smith (back) is questionable for Thursday's game against Golden State. He's had a lengthy spell on the injury report with lower back spasms and still hasn't shaken off the ailment. However, Smith has played in seven of the past eight games, indicating that it's not a very serious issue. The 23-year-old is a valued member of the second unit but only a useful piece for teams in deep leagues in fantasy basketball. He's averaging 10.7 points and 5.6 rebounds for the year.

Indiana Pacers forward Jalen Smith (back) is available ahead of Tuesday's game against the Houston Rockets. This is good news after Smith was listed as questionable coming into this game due to back spasms. It doesn't sound like Smith is going to be limited at all due to these back issues. However, his value isn't as reliable anymore with Pascal Siakam in town. Smith is more of a deep league option with his new role off the bench.

Indiana Pacers forward/center Jalen Smith (back) is questionable to face the Rockets on Tuesday. The young big man has had problems with back spasms for a while, but he's only missed one of the last seven games, and the absence came in a back-to-back situation. There appears to be a good chance Smith can play through the issue again. However, if he's out, Isaiah Jackson will likely step in as Myles Turner's backup. He generally doesn't provide a lot of value for managers from a bench role.

Indiana Pacers forward/center Jalen Smith (back) hasn't shaken off a questionable tag ahead of Thursday's encounter with the Knicks. He's landed on the injury report with lower back spasms, but Smith was able to play through the issue eventually after also being questionable for Tuesday's game versus Boston. He had a decent 21-minute outing off the bench, scoring seven points while tallying four rebounds and two assists. Obi Toppin will be in line for a bigger role from Indiana's second unit if Smith isn't available on Thursday. He went close to a double-double versus the Celtics and should be very eager to perform well against his former team.

Indiana Pacers forward/center Jalen Smith (back) is questionable to play Tuesday against the Celtics. The former Maryland man is troubled by lower back spasms. With Myles Turner (back) out on Sunday versus Memphis, Smith made his 13th start of the season and had a second consecutive double-double. Turner returned to practice Monday and appears to be trending toward a return, and his presence limits Smith's fantasy appeal.

Indiana Pacers forward/center Jalen Smith (back) has been listed as questionable for Thursday's meeting with Joel Embiid and the 76ers. Smith was a late scratch for Tuesday's clash against Denver with a back problem and might now have to sit out a second consecutive game. The 23-year-old has done well as a backup big in Indiana, averaging 10.4 points and 5.5 rebounds. Isaiah Jackson could be in for a busier night than normal without Smith, although he likely won't play much behind Myles Turner.

Indiana Pacers forward/center Jalen Smith (knee/heel) is regarded as questionable for Wednesday's matchup against Charlotte. A knee and a heel issue has kept him sidelined since Nov. 27, but Smith could return to action in a very favorable matchup on Wednesday. Charlotte has allowed the third-most points and second-most rebounds to opposing centers this season. With Myles Turner (hamstring) questionable for the contest, Smith could even play a larger role than usual in the game. The return of both players would be awful news for Isaiah Jackson, who's had a good spell in the team lately.

Indiana Pacers forward/center Jalen Smith (heel/knee) will remain on the shelf as the in-season tournament reaches its conclusion. He has been ruled out for Thursday's semifinal against Milwaukee and won't play in Saturday's potential final either. The 23-year-old has been out for three games already. Even with Smith unavailable, Isaiah Jackson has seen only a handful of minutes and remains a non-factor in fantasy basketball, with Pacers head coach Rick Carlisle having elected to run smaller lineups.

Indiana Pacers forward/center Jalen Smith (heel/knee) won't play on Thursday versus Miami and will miss multiple games. He was injured at the start of the week against Portland and has been diagnosed with a bone bruise in his left knee and a contusion on his left heel. The team plans to re-evaluate him next week when the Pacers return home from a trip to Miami, which will feature two clashes with the Heat. Smith doesn't see a lot of action off the Indiana bench, but he has been very productive in 15.4 minutes, recording 10.0 points and 5.5 rebounds. Isaiah Jackson (illness) should take over as Myles Turner's primary backup while Smith is out, although he is considered questionable for Thursday's game.

Indiana Pacers forward Jalen Smith (heel) won't return to Monday's game against the Washington Wizards. Smith went down in the third quarter where he appeared to have hyperextended his knee. He was unable to get back to the locker room under his own power. That being said, it's not shocking to see the Pacers holding out Smith for the rest of this game. Isaiah Jackson should see increased playing time in the rotation while Smith is sidelined. Fantasy managers should know more on Smith's status following Monday's game.

Indiana Pacers center Jalen Smith (knee) is questionable ahead of Saturday's showdown with the Hornets. The 23-year-old has logged 16.5 minutes behind Myles Turner this season, averaging 11.8 points and 5.3 rebounds. However, he's battling a knee sprain, so the team may keep him off the floor on Saturday, the second of back-to-back contests. If Smith is ruled out, Isaiah Jackson could fill the void in the rotation, although he is a risky option in any fantasy format.

Indiana Pacers center/forward Jalen Smith (knee) received another questionable tag heading into the team's game on Friday night against the Cleveland Cavaliers. The 23-year-old has been a solid deep-league option as he's been a good source of points, rebounds, and efficiency so far. If he can't suit up, however, Isaiah Jackson should get some more minutes like he did in their last game against the Boston Celtics. Obi Toppin would likely see some more time at power forward as well.

It's funny that every year at the NBA Draft, once the end of the guaranteed money and live appearances arrives at the end of the first round, everybody tunes out and refers to the 60th pick as "Mr. Irrelevant." That's not very accurate though, is it?Speaking historically, the title of "Mr. Irrelevant" could just as easily be applied to each pick in the draft, as organizations differ greatly in their evaluation of talent and their own needs, particularly in a year without the NCAA tournament. The nickname just doesn't reflect how basketball works anymore. Executives strategically stockpile second-round draft picks for the less burdensome financial obligations, and organizations in rebuilding mode get super creative to field a respectable team on a budget.Particularly in the NBA where worldwide talent is plentiful and positional lines continue to fade, the opportunity is everything: in the right situation, the right under-the-radar player can make an immediate, poignant statement. With professional development leagues for 16-18-year-olds, an ever-expanding set of domestic/international opportunities due to the sheer growth of basketball, and widespread NIL rights for college athletes, players of all levels and localities are starting to get their due exposure and now have enough freedom to hone their skills in a place, and at a pace, that fits best with their path to the NBA. 

Introduction

I am inherently skeptical and distrusting of scouting from the high school level to pre-Draft. That's why in this annual article, I tend to favor overlooked college players (love the mid-majors/non-power conferences) with either well-rounded, polished games or specific statistical specialties.We are going to discuss a handful of 2023 second-round picks and undrafted free agent signees who, given their individual skillsets and circumstances, warrant the attention of Fantasy Basketball Managers as potential high-impact rookies for the 2023-24 campaign who can quietly be acquired on clearance once they start showing signs of emergence.As I will frequently emphasize and reiterate: in 2023, there is very little difference between the vast majority of second-round draft picks and undrafted free agents--it always all comes down to the skillsets they possess, their capacity for growth, and the situations they've landed in.Seasons will be made and broken with early identification of the diamond-in-the-rough rookies. I used to list out the many examples from the past season in this introduction portion, but we are now in a beautiful era where there are just too many to count. There is also very little separating the featured players below and those dubbed "Honorable Mentions"--so put in the work and keep an eye out throughout the regular season for who is receiving and seizing their opportunities. 

... [More]

Indiana Pacers forward/center Jalen Smith (knee) won't suit up on Friday against Detroit because of right knee soreness. Myles Turner (ankle) is out also, meaning Isaiah Jackson, who will likely start, will see a substantial increase in fantasy attention. Jackson has averaged 10.9 points, 6.0 boards, 2.5 blocks, and 1.1 steals in 10 starts in 2022-23, so he'll offer plenty of value to DFS managers.