Goga Bitadze

Bitadze has carved out a slightly larger role in each season leading up to the 2022-23 campaign, culminating in career-best marks during 2021-22 of 7.0 points, 3.5 rebounds and 1.1 assists over 14.6 minutes per contest. Despite rumors of Myles Turner being on the trade block this offseason, Bitadze remains trapped behind Turner heading into the campaign, which will continue to cap his fantasy upside. Bitadze could be slightly interesting in some formats if Turner misses some time, as he saw 20.5 minutes and averaged 10.8 points, 4.9 rebounds, 1.9 assists and 1.1 blocks per contest over the 27 games he appeared in after Turner's 2021-22 season ended prematurely. Bitadze also had limited efforts in that span, dragging down those averages while he battled a foot issue of his own. He's likely best left on the waiver wire in most leagues but could garner interest in-season if Turner misses a stretch of games.

Bitadze continued to see limited run as a depth option at center for the Pacers, who often just use Myles Turner and Domantas Sabonis at the position. Bitadze averaged 5.3 points, 3.4 rebounds and 1.4 blocks in 12.8 minutes. The standout aspect of Bitadze's game at the moment is his shot-blocking, as he's registered 3.4 blocks per 36 minutes for his career. He also has upside as a three-point shooter but is just 28-for-121 (23.1%) for his career. The 22-year-old doesn't have much potential for this season, so he can be ignored on draft day. He's at least an intriguing flier in deep dynasty formats if he can land in a better situation.

The 18th overall pick in the 2019 NBA Draft, Bitadze appeared in 54 games for the Pacers, averaging 3.2 points and 2.0 rebounds in 8.7 minutes. The rookie drew two starts, as well, averaging 7.5 points, 7.5 rebounds, 4.0 blocks and 3.5 assists across 25.5 minutes in those contests. Heading into 2020-21, Bitadze should continue occupying a backup role, though Myles Turner and Domantas Sabonis are still expected to play the vast majority of center minutes. As a result, unless one of those two suffers a significant injury, Bitadze is unlikely to be fantasy-relevant. He's still an intriguing dynasty option, but even in deeper redraft leagues, there are plenty of players with higher upside for the upcoming season.

Out of the country of Georgia, Bitadze was drafted 18th overall by the Pacers. He boasts the size (7-feet, 258 pounds) and skillset of a modern NBA center with the ability to score inside and out. Bitadze also has shown the ability to be a strong interior defender and shot-blocker, but lacks the verticality of some big men in the league. He's just 20 years old, but like many international prospects, has been a professional basketball player for a long time. Bitadze went pro in 2015-16, and he played 51 games and made 29 starts between two separate teams last season, averaging 13.9 points, 6.3 rebounds, 1.9 blocks and 1.1 assists in 23.4 minutes. His shooting splits were impressive, as the big man shot 57.1 percent from the field, 67.9 percent from the charity stripe, and went 36-of-90 (40.0 percent) from distance. Myles Turner and Domantas Sabonis are ahead of the rookie in the rotation, but it appears Bitadze will have the first crack at the backup center role. While it's unlikely he'll hold standard league fantasy relevance, he makes for an intriguing deep league or dynasty option as a young big who can block shots and hit threes.