Freed from the backlog of veteran centers in Phoenix, Jalen Smith is enjoying a fantastic run of play for the Indiana Pacers.
He'll be a key part of their fast rebuild over the next few years, but will he continue to be fantasy-relevant this season?
Let's take a look at the Pacers big man.
2021-22 Fantasy Basketball: Jalen Smith
Smith is one of the most exciting young big men in the league, but he hasn't been treated that way by national sports media. In the stead of injured center Myles Turner and recently-traded forward Domantas Sabonis, several big men in Indiana are showing their skills.
In the last 15 days, Jalen Smith is averaging 12.9 points on 53.5% from the field, 9.3 rebounds, 1.3 three-pointers, and 1.4 blocks per game, with only 1.0 turnovers per game.
Jalen Smith, what's good pic.twitter.com/9OFaSV6xxb
— Mark Schindler (@MSchindlerNBA) March 13, 2022
Smith might be the most impressive thus far, but Oshae Brissett, Isaiah Jackson, Terry Taylor, and Goga Bitadze are all getting minutes. Still, Smith leads the group in terms of minutes played, points, rebounds, and free-throw percentage. Further, he's second in blocks and three-pointers.
Is Smith a season-long add?
It's looking like Smith is going to be able to keep up his strong play for the rest of the season. Myles Turner doesn't look like he's going to be returning anytime soon, and Smith's teammates aren't playing well enough to bury him in the rotation.
The Maryland alum is flexing his strength, length, and athleticism, and has been able to make a difference for fantasy managers as of late. Those who streamed him last Saturday and Sunday are likely thinking about keeping him for the rest of the season by now.
Schedule Analysis
For the rest of the season, the Pacers have four three-game weeks and one four-game week. It's not a great schedule, but many of their games come on days when there aren't many teams playing.
If you're looking to add strong rebounds, FG%, blocks, and three-pointers, look no further than Jalen Smith.
Check out more Fantasy Basketball content and know that we’re providing strong advice. My articles on Gary Trent Jr., Terry Rozier, Nikola Vucevic, and Jaren Jackson Jr. are looking particularly clairvoyant these days.
