Indiana Pacers: Ranking the last 10 first-round picks

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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8. T.J. Leaf

Hopes were high when the Pacers selected T.J. Leaf out of UCLA with the 18th pick in the 2017 NBA Draft. Three years after that selection, however, it may be time to consider Leaf a bust.

As a rookie, the power forward enjoyed some success. He averaged just 2.9 points per game over 53 contests, but shot 42.9 percent from 3-point range, demonstrating the spacing ability desired in big men these days. His defensive struggles ultimately booted him out of the rotation when the playoffs arrived.

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The sophomore jump expected of Leaf in 2018-19 never came. He played in 58 games, but averaged just 3.9 points per game and saw his 3-point shooting drop off a cliff, all the way down to a 25.8 percent success rate.

Hope sprang anew this season for Leaf, but his ability to crack head coach Nate McMillan’s rotation was all but gone. He’s played in just 25 games, recovering his three-point stroke but dropping back down to 2.9 points per game. His role during the upcoming restart is murky, at best.

Indiana exercise Leaf’s fourth-year option before the season. Regardless, the team will probably try to trade him during the offseason, cutting their losses while they can recoup some of their investment in him.

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