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Indiana Pacers: Ranking the last 10 first-round picks

By Holden Walter-Warner

INDIANAPOLIS, IN - APRIL 23: Paul George #13 and Myles Turner #33 of the Indiana Pacers react in the second half of Game Four of the Eastern Conference Quarterfinals during the 2017 NBA Playoffs against the Cleveland Cavaliers at Bankers Life Fieldhouse on April 23, 2017 in Indianapolis, Indiana. The Cavaliers defeated the Pacers 106-102 to sweep the series 4-0. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using the photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Joe Robbins/Getty Images)
INDIANAPOLIS, IN - APRIL 23: Paul George #13 and Myles Turner #33 of the Indiana Pacers react in the second half of Game Four of the Eastern Conference Quarterfinals during the 2017 NBA Playoffs against the Cleveland Cavaliers at Bankers Life Fieldhouse on April 23, 2017 in Indianapolis, Indiana. The Cavaliers defeated the Pacers 106-102 to sweep the series 4-0. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using the photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Joe Robbins/Getty Images) /
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Indiana Pacers Photo by Mike Stobe/Getty Images
Indiana Pacers Photo by Mike Stobe/Getty Images /

10. Caris LeVert

Don’t be embarrassed if you don’t remember Caris LeVert being a draft pick of the Pacers. He was a member of Indiana for approximately two weeks after being selected with the 20th pick of the 2016 NBA Draft.

At the time, it was a bold, long-term pick for the Pacers. LeVert developed an iconic status at Michigan, but heading into the draft, he was coming off his third left foot surgery in two years. The most recent injury was a Jones fracture, just like Kevin Durant had in 2014-15.

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LeVert ended up being healthy enough to play in 57 games during his rookie season, averaging 8.2 points per game and making a late push for the NBA All-Rookie team. Of course, he did so with the Brooklyn Nets, who acquired him in July in exchange for Thaddeus Young, who spent three seasons with the Pacers as a full-time starter.

Over the three seasons Young spent on the Pacers, he clearly outpaced LeVert across the board, validating the trade. LeVert has also continued to struggle with injuries. But the shooting guard is just 25 years old and is poised to develop into a star if he stays healthy, exploding for 51 points during one of the last games before the 2019-20 season paused in March.

Young was a good pick-up at the time for Indiana in 2016. Going forward, having LeVert would’ve made the Pacers’ young nucleus even more dangerous.

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