Kam

Jones

Jones was waived by the Bulls on Tuesday, but he wasn’t without a team for too long. Milwaukee is rebuilding in the post-Giannis Antetokounmpo era, so Jones could realistically find meaningful minutes during the 2026-27 campaign. Despite the potential for an increased role with the Bucks, Jones should remain on the waiver wire during fantasy basketball drafts.

Jones was selected with the 38th pick in the 2025 draft by Indiana before being dealt to Chicago during the night of the 2026 draft. He averaged 4.4 points and 3.2 assists as a rookie with the Pacers across 37 games. Where he lands next is unknown, but there’s no reason for fantasy managers to expect Jones to have any fantasy impact this upcoming season.

This deal is in exchange for Braden Smith after Chicago selected him with pick No. 38. Jones was the 38th pick last season, but he only averaged 4.4 points and 3.2 assists in 16.7 minutes per game. He had some solid games after the trade deadline, but it will be difficult for him to carve out a larger role with the Bulls this season.

The 5-foot-10 Smith finished his Purdue career as the NCAA’s all-time assist leader, and he was also a consensus All-American in each of his final two seasons. As a senior, he averaged 14.3 points, 3.5 rebounds, 8.8 assists, 1.7 steals and 1.6 three-pointers, shooting 44.0 percent from the field and 82.5 percent from the foul line. While his size is not an asset, Smith’s ability to run a team and get scorers the ball in spots where they can be successful cannot be overlooked. Chicago will send Smith to Indiana in exchange for Kam Jones. Arguably the best playmaker in the draft will be a backup option behind one of the best playmakers in the league.

Sheppard will miss a fifth straight game to wrap up the regular season. Kam Jones, Quenton Jackson and Jalen Slawson should all take on extra minutes with Sheppard out. Sheppard is in the final year of his rookie contract in 2026-27 and profiles as their fourth guard behind a healthy Tyrese Haliburton, Aaron Nesmith and Andrew Nembhard.

Nembhard and McConnell remain out for the Pacers’ season finale, leaving the Pacers to once again rely on Quenton Jackson and Kam Jones to handle the point guard responsibilities.

Sheppard is set to miss his fourth consecutive game with a right hip strain. Kam Jones and Quenton Jackson could see more minutes with Sheppard sidelined once again.

Indiana’s injury report is once again lengthy, so Quenton Jackson and Kam Jones should continue to see increased run.

Thursday’s absence will mark the third straight for Sheppard, who’s served as a part-time starter in his third NBA season. While sidelined, Kam Jones and Quenton Jackson could continue to see a lot of minutes for a Pacers team that has been hurt by injuries this season.

The continued absences of Nembhard and McConnell mean that Quenton Jackson will continue to serve as the starting point guard. Also, rookie Kam Jones has moved into the rotation as the backup point guard.