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Indiana Pacers: What Manner Of Team Do They Want To Be?

By Josh Cornelissen

Apr 29, 2016; Indianapolis, IN, USA; Indiana Pacers forward Paul George (13) celebrates with center Myles Turner (33) and guard Ty Lawson (10) against the Toronto Raptors during the second half in game six of the first round of the 2016 NBA Playoffs at Bankers Life Fieldhouse. The Pacers won 101-83. Mandatory Credit: Brian Spurlock-USA TODAY Sports
Apr 29, 2016; Indianapolis, IN, USA; Indiana Pacers forward Paul George (13) celebrates with center Myles Turner (33) and guard Ty Lawson (10) against the Toronto Raptors during the second half in game six of the first round of the 2016 NBA Playoffs at Bankers Life Fieldhouse. The Pacers won 101-83. Mandatory Credit: Brian Spurlock-USA TODAY Sports /
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Mar 17, 2016; Providence, RI, USA; Baylor Bears forward Taurean Prince (21) controls the ball against the Yale Bulldogs during the first half of a first round game during the 2016 NCAA Tournament at Dunkin Donuts Center. Mandatory Credit: Mark L. Baer-USA TODAY Sports
Mar 17, 2016; Providence, RI, USA; Baylor Bears forward Taurean Prince (21) controls the ball against the Yale Bulldogs during the first half of a first round game during the 2016 NCAA Tournament at Dunkin Donuts Center. Mandatory Credit: Mark L. Baer-USA TODAY Sports /

Who Should The Pacers Draft?

While Indiana has peddled a few draft picks over the Larry Bird era, for the most part they have stuck with their own picks. Currently they are one of only three teams not to owe any draft picks, and the only one not to have any picks incoming or outgoing. The Pacers will pick where they land in the standings.

This season that gives them picks No. 20 and 50, both picks that keep them outside of the concentrations of talent. In the first round there are 10-12 top prospects, plus another handful of high-upside targets. It is unlikely those will be around by pick 20. In the second round, a group of productive upper-classmen and international prospects may be the pool to choose from, as another drop-off occurs around 40.

That isn’t to say there won’t be options for the Pacers, and Indiana has done well drafting players over the years. Paul George, Kawhi Leonard (traded to San Antonio for George Hill) and Myles Turner have all been picked 10 or later. Lance Stephenson, Miles Plumlee and Solomon Hill were other players taken after 20 that have proven to be at least rotation pieces in the league.

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Where do the Washington Wizards rank in terms of future draft assets?
Where do the Washington Wizards rank in terms of future draft assets? /

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    • If Larry Bird wants to go small — and everything points to that being the case — then Indiana needs more wings. With Hill, Stuckey, Ellis, and George all able to handle the ball, and Joseph Young gaining experience as a swing guard in the D-League, the Pacers need catch-and-shoot wings who can hit from outside and play hard on defense.

    With that sort of a shopping list, what players could be available in the draft? Top prospects such as Brandon Ingram and Furkan Korkmaz will be gone before 20. But the lottery will be filled with big men, from Ben Simmons and Dragan Bender to Jakob Poetl and Domantas Sabonis. This helps the Pacers, as they should have plenty of options on the wing.

    Taurean Prince seems to be the perfect fit; he was excellent on defense at Baylor, has the makings of a strong shot, and brings athleticism and experience with him. DeAndre Bembry also has strong defensive talents, although his shot needs work.

    On the other side of the spectrum are more offensively-minded wings. Denzel Valentine is an intriguing option, but will probably go before the Pacers pick in the first round. Caris LeVert has the size (6’7”) to play on the wing, and is dynamic as a scorer all around the court. Timothe Luwawu could go anywhere from 10 to 40. Michael Gbinije has the option to return to school, but showed in the NCAA Tournament the sort of upside he has.

    Going back to Taurean Prince, he would be the kind of player to slot alongside Paul George to guard opposing power forwards, in a similar role to Shane Battier for the Miami Heat title teams. If the Pacers take Prince it would provide the potential to unlock these small-ball lineups Bird is after. Pairing Prince with a more offense-oriented player such as Dorian Finney-Smith could immediately give Indiana options on the wing.

    Next: Who To Re-Sign?

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