3. Dzanan Musa, SF — Cedevita
Even with an electrifying 30-point performance in Game 3, Bojan Bogdanovic’s series against the Cleveland Cavaliers didn’t exactly instill confidence that he’s a long-term answer at small forward.
Not that they were thinking along those lines anyway. Bojan is the definition of “serviceable,” just turned 29, and his contract is up after next season (assuming the Pacers don’t buy him out for the $1.5 million guaranteed portion of his contract).
Enter the 6’9″ Dzanan Musa, who most mocks have being taken in the late teens but could still be there when Indiana picks. He profiles as a better version of Bogey on both ends of the floor, and is from the same neck of the woods (both were born in Bosnia and Herzegovina).
This 19-year-old needs to put on a lot of weight, and his game doesn’t figure to be NBA-ready anytime soon, but the Pacers have every reason to be patient. Plus, what better way to get your feet wet in the NBA than with a year of tutelage under a respected veteran who speaks your language?