Thankfully, the surgery was a success and doctors no longer fear that Dunleavy’s career is in jeopardy. That said, he’s going to be sidelined for a long time. At the very earliest, the Pacers expect Dunleavy back on the court in January of 2010.

After averaging 19.1 points, 5.2 rebounds and 3.5 assists in 82 games last season for the Pacers, Dunleavy was only able to play 18 games this year in which he averaged 15.1 points, 3.8 rebounds and 2.4 assists.

In the early part of his career, Dunleavy was considered a bust while playing with the Golden State Warriors. After a trade to the Pacers in the middle of the 2006-07 season, the change of scenery did wonders for Dunleavy’s game and last year he blossomed.

For fantasy basketball purposes, Dunleavy would be a very risky pick in 2009-10 fantasy basketball drafts. He could miss half the season or he could miss the whole season if Indiana opts to bring him back slowly. As it looks right now, it’d be best to allow another fantasy owner take the risk.

Mike Dunleavy Video:

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While Davis was quick to shoot down Jackson’s remarks, there are a ton of fantasy basketball owners who would be all for the trade. With the Clippers, Davis hasn’t been much of a fantasy player this year. He’s averaging four less points, less steals, less rebounds and he’s shooting 36.1% from the field and 29.4% from beyond the three-point arc. The only good news is that his assists are slightly up while his turnovers are slightly down.

If you have Davis on your fantasy team, the best thing to do is wait it out. His field goal percentage is going to improve as he gets comfortable in Dunleavy’s offense. There’s also a chance that his assists will continue to improve if Davis becomes the distributor that Dunleavy wants him to be.

Obviously, a trade back to the Warriors would be great for his fantasy stats. However, that rumor appears to be dead and Davis appears locked into a Clippers uniform for the foreseeable future.

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Here is a look at the key fantasy players on the Pacers:

Jermaine O’Neal
O’Neal can put up very good stats when he’s healthy. The problem has been keeping him healthy over the last couple years. He missed the season opener but has played in both games since.

Mike Dunleavy, Jr.
Dunleavy has played great this young season. Since the beginning of the preseason, there has been a noticeable difference in Dunleavy’s game. He’s much more confident and he seems to finally be comfortable in the NBA. Dunleavy has always had the talent, it’s the intangibles he used to lack.

Danny Granger
Granger is off to a huge start this season. Averaging over 22 points per game, Granger could be in line for a breakout year. His three-point shooting looks to be much improved and overall Granger looks like a player who could have a very productive fantasy season.

Jamaal Tinsley
Under new coach Jim O’Brien, Tinsley has looked the best he has in years. Tinsley knows his chances as a starter in the NBA are running out and seems to be on a mission this year. His shooting percentages will likely be low and his turnovers high, but otherwise he could be a very good sleeper this year.

Troy Murphy
Murphy has missed the entire season to date. However, he still has a spot in the rotation as the starting center once he returns. He’s also a good match for O’Brien’s system and could return to double-double form once he gets back on the court.

Ike Diogu
Diogu has always had the talent to play in the NBA, he’s just never had the playing time. With Murphy out, Diogu has stepped in and played very well. He’s averaging double digits in scoring and putting up solid rebounding numbers.

Jeff Foster
Foster has always been a good center option for the Pacers. However, fantasy-wise he’s not a great option because his playing time is usually sporadic. Once Murphy returns, Foster will most likely be moved out of the starting lineup.

Marquis Daniels
Daniels has the potential to be a very good fantasy player. He does everything well and can play multiple positions. Although currently, Daniels doesn’t enough minutes to be a quality fantasy option. If that changes, Daniels is a player to give a look.

Travis Diener
Backing up Tinsley, Diener is only in line to get spot minutes. That said, Tinsley isn’t exactly the most sturdy point guard and if he misses any time, Diener would get big minutes as the starter. Keep an eye on Tinsley’s health and pick up Diener if Tinsley goes down.

David Harrison
Harrison’s stats were impressive over the first couple games of the season. It was no doubt his best start to a season as he heads into his fourth year in the NBA. But once Murphy returns from injury, Harrison’s minutes will likely be significantly reduced.

Kareem Rush
Rush in the Pacers hired gun from the outside. He can stroke three-pointers and the Pacers will use him in that role when needed. Fantasy-wise, Rush doesn’t add much unless you are desperate for three-pointers.

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