Isaiah Jackson: Fantasy Basketball Waiver Wire Pickups

BALLER MOVE: Add in 14+ Team Leagues

ROSTERED IN: 1% of leagues

ANALYSIS: Desperate times call for desperate measures, and with so many key contributors sidelined by injury, the Indiana Pacers chose to deploy some of their top prospects a bit sooner than expected, one of whom being Isaiah Jackson (22nd overall pick in the 2021 Draft). The 6'10, 205-lb. power forward was one of the most active shot-blockers in college basketball last season with the Kentucky Wildcats, and in his short time as a professional, he has managed to reestablish his fearsome rim-protecting reputation while significantly expanding his offensive skillset.

In five games (18.2 MP) with the Fort Wayne Mad Ants, he is averaging 15.8 points, 6.8 rebounds, and 3.0 blocks per contest (14.5% block rate), producing an effective field goal percentage of .692 and, most impressively, hitting six threes in eight attempts total. With three members of the Indiana front court out of commission, Rick Carlisle dialed Jackson's number in hopes of a defensive spark, which he received, and then some. Compared to the Pacers roster, he ranks seventh in true shooting rate (.559), third in rebound percentage (16.1%), second in block percentage (7.5%), and first in steal percentage (2.3%). He only saw 49 MP from October through December, but his recently expanded role saw him play 101 minutes across eight January contests, and in that time he produced 7.6 points, 3.6 rebounds, eleven blocks, five steals, a season-best true shooting split (.609), two of four three-point shooting, and 17 of 23 shooting from the foul line, all in just 12.7 minutes per game. If you're in a deeper format and in search of a defensively-astute PF with plenty of room for upward expansion, sample the burgeoning abilities of Isaiah Jackson.

More Fantasy Basketball Waiver Wire Pickups

RotoBaller Writing and Media Team Nominated For 13 FSWA Awards in 2024

It's awards season for the fantasy sports industry, and RotoBaller is honored to be recognized by the Fantasy Sports Writers Association (FSWA) with various award nominations from our writing and media team in 2024. The RotoBaller brand continues to shine among the many talented companies and analysts throughout the fantasy sports industry for their editorial […]

RotoBaller 1 week ago

Fantasy Basketball Waiver Wire Pickups for Week 15 (2024-25): February 3 - February 9

If you're like me, you woke up to one of the biggest trades in recent NBA history (Luka for AD) and are still trying to make sense of it. It will likely be the biggest trade of the week, but it won't be the only deal made this week as Thursday's NBA trade deadline looms. […]

Dan Palyo 3 weeks ago

League Winners: Second-Half Trade Targets and Stashes - 2025 Fantasy Basketball

Things have not gone as planned for fantasy basketball managers who drafted players like Joel Embiid or Jimmy Butler. But there's plenty of basketball left to be played and it's time to reassess how we view players going forward. If you want to win that fantasy basketball league championship, worry less about where your players […]

Dan Palyo 3 weeks ago

Fantasy Basketball Waiver Wire Pickups for Week 14 (2024-25): January 27 - February 2

We flip the calendar to February this week and edge closer to both the All-Star break and the NBA trade deadline. Some of the moves you can make in the next few weeks could greatly impact your team's ability to compete for a fantasy championship in March or April! Most leagues have a weekly moves […]

Dan Palyo 4 weeks ago

League Winners: Players To Stash For the Stretch Run - 2024 Fantasy Basketball

The All-Star Break is upon us and while it's nice to have some time off from setting lineups, making DFS lineups, and placing bets. It's also a nice time to look ahead and what moves you can make to put your team in the best position possible to win a fantasy basketball title. Remember, the […]

Dan Palyo 1 year ago