Nembhard headlines the episode as Haliburton’s absence could thrust him into Indiana’s starting role, amplifying assists, guarding steals, and carving a path toward top-75 relevance with 31–32 minutes if the workload holds. Risk centers on floor efficiency and three-point volume, but the upside is real for those willing to chase a high-usage rookie-type floor.

Miles Turner emerges as a late-round stunner in this range, especially if he slides into Brook Lopez-like minutes. Expect around two blocks and steady counting across boards and milestones, making him a value regardless of opponent shifts. OG Anunoby and Cam Johnson anchor safer floors with strong defensive metrics and efficient shooting; Ingram, Gobert, Quickley, and Mathurin add high-upside, though health and role volatility temper appeal across formats.

Ingram’s health becomes a recurring red flag, Turner’s role depends on Giannis’ status and the Bucks’ mix, and Gobert’s steady floor remains appealing as a no-flash, high-floor anchor. Quickley’s minutes should climb with some usage relief, while Mathurin’s opportunities look solid but not guaranteed heavy-volume upgrades. Cam Johnson slots in as a reliable top-75 guard/wing mix, with OG Anunoby offering steady steals and blocks even after a minutes shift.

Pacers fantasy outlook pivots dramatically without Haliburton. Nemhard steps into the starting role, but his fantasy profile may lag in scoring early while leaning on assists and three-pointers. McConnell remains a late-round wild card if he wins 24 minutes, while Nesmith and Mathurin combine for per-game upside with solid shooting and multi-category contributions. Inside center, Turner’s departure opens a messy rotation involving Isaiah Jackson, Jay Huff, James Wiseman, and Obi Toppin, making late-round center targets essential but risky.

The lack of a clear substitute at center and a potentially thin win pace cloud regular-season projections, pushing Pacers toward a roto-friendly but head-to-head landmine profile. In shallower leagues, Nesmith and Mathurin hold steadier floors, while Nimble guards could surprise in playoff bursts depending on minutes and matchups.

John Wall’s retirement marks the end of a showman era who helped fuse mixtape culture with a new way fans consumed basketball. Wall’s rise turned Washington into a playoff hopeful and his left-handed slick finishing became a signature for a generation. His departure isn’t just a personal milestone; it underscores how a player can shape a franchise’s brand long before championships, a notion fantasy managers should weigh when projecting Wizards and Clippers backcourt depth.

The conversation pivots to current NBA dynamics: Rick Carlisle’s multi-year extension in Indiana reinforces a stable, defense-first foundation for a Pacers club that will miss Tyrese Haliburton in the short term. Benedict Mathurin and Andrew Nembhard figure to absorb more responsibility, with Mathurin stepping into a larger role alongside Aaron Nesmith and Jalen Smith, while Nembhard’s development could bolster late-round fantasy value. Amen Thompson’s ascent with Houston and the evolving LA Lakers’ and Lakers’ talk around Luka Dončić frame the broader shift toward depth, pace, and adaptable lineups that fantasy players should chase this season. The golf chatter around LeBron and the 2K chatter around Amen Thompson add color to a league where personality and media moments can move markets and spotlight players who may surprise as season-long contributors.