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Indiana Pacers: Top 10 NBA Draft picks in franchise history

By Adrian Lawhorn

Apr 15, 2017; Cleveland, OH, USA; iIndiana Pacers forward Paul George (13) shoots against Cleveland Cavaliers forward LeBron James (23) in the first quarter in game one of the first round of the 2017 NBA Playoffs at Quicken Loans Arena. Mandatory Credit: David Richard-USA TODAY Sports
Apr 15, 2017; Cleveland, OH, USA; iIndiana Pacers forward Paul George (13) shoots against Cleveland Cavaliers forward LeBron James (23) in the first quarter in game one of the first round of the 2017 NBA Playoffs at Quicken Loans Arena. Mandatory Credit: David Richard-USA TODAY Sports /
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Apr 15, 2017; Cleveland, OH, USA; iIndiana Pacers forward Paul George (13) shoots against Cleveland Cavaliers forward LeBron James (23) in the first quarter in game one of the first round of the 2017 NBA Playoffs at Quicken Loans Arena. Mandatory Credit: David Richard-USA TODAY Sports
Apr 15, 2017; Cleveland, OH, USA; iIndiana Pacers forward Paul George (13) shoots against Cleveland Cavaliers forward LeBron James (23) in the first quarter in game one of the first round of the 2017 NBA Playoffs at Quicken Loans Arena. Mandatory Credit: David Richard-USA TODAY Sports /

The Indiana Pacers have built some of their best teams primarily through the NBA Draft. Here we feature the team’s top 10 draft picks of all time.

The Indiana Pacers, like every other NBA team, have a roller coaster history with the NBA Draft. The Pacers have made some outstanding choices over the years who didn’t even make our top 10 list.

In 1982, Indiana drafted Clark Kellogg with the eighth overall pick, and he was headed for stardom until knee problems derailed a brilliant start to his pro career (he finished with career averages of 18.9 points and 9.5 rebounds per game).

Other quality players drafted by the Pacers who didn’t quite crack the top 10 include Wayman Tisdale (1985), Steve Stipanovich (1983) and Lance Stephenson, who was tabbed late in the second round in 2010.

Indiana has also had some monumental draft busts during their history in the NBA. George McCloud was chosen seventh overall in 1989 after being hailed “the next Magic Johnson,” but he was a huge disappointment during his four seasons in Indiana.

Other Pacers draft flops include Rick Robey (1978), Tyler Hansbrough (2009), Shawne Williams (2006) and Scott Haskin, who was picked No. 14 overall in 1993, but barely saw the floor before suffering a career-ending injury during his rookie season.

Our criteria for this list takes into account each player’s productivity while playing for Indiana, and their contributions relative to their draft position. Let’s begin our countdown of the Pacers’ all-time best NBA draft picks.

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